The Olympic pairings we would be excited to witness in the NBA include LeBron James and Stephen Curry, a combination that epitomizes basketball excellence. Additionally, Kevin Durant and Anthony Edwar

The 2024 Paris Olympics have come to a close, with the United States men's basketball team securing its fifth consecutive gold medal in a thrilling fashion. The American team faced a formidable challenge from Serbia, who had them on the ropes until their shooting faltered in the fourth quarter, finishing 0 for 10 from beyond the arc, while Stephen Curry was in exceptional form. In the gold-medal match against France, the Americans encountered another tense moment, but Curry once again rose to the occasion, sinking four three-pointers in a critical two-minute span, allowing the U.S. to exhale in relief. Personally, I found this Olympic basketball tournament to be the most captivating I have ever witnessed. Curry exhibited an astonishing level of play, and the nail-biting finishes were not due to the Americans underperforming; rather, they were compelled to elevate their game to match the highest standards of their individual and collective abilities to clinch the gold. Serbia and France provided a remarkable challenge that elicited outstanding performances from the American team. It was an extraordinary fortnight of basketball, and, as has been the case since the inclusion of NBA players in the Olympics in 1992, one of the most enjoyable aspects was witnessing these superstars compete together.

It prompts reflection: Which Olympic duos would you most desire to see teamed up in the NBA? There are numerous possibilities, but I have selected three, two of which may be purely imaginative. Nevertheless, it is the offseason, so let us indulge in some enjoyable speculation. LeBron James and Stephen Curry have not only been the central figures in one of the most remarkable rivalries in NBA history, but they also demonstrated their exceptional compatibility on the court during recent events in Paris. Observing James orchestrate the U.S. offense was reminiscent of the most authentic basketball he has ever played. At his core, he embodies more of Magic than Michael, showcasing his skills as a masterful playmaker with a unique perspective afforded by his height of 6 feet 8 inches. With Curry, recognized not only as the premier shooter but also as the most dangerous route runner in NBA history, the result would be akin to basketball's version of the legendary connection between Montana and Rice.

The most exceptional quarterback. The most outstanding receiver. Two athletes possessing an extraordinary intuition, perceiving the court as a unified whole, anticipating space before it becomes apparent. LeBron passes not to Curry's current position, but to where he will be the moment he navigates through the intricacies of his own unpredictable movements. The ball does not simply reach Curry; rather, it is the reverse—arriving precisely on time and in the ideal position for the world's most skilled shooter to execute the swiftest shot imaginable. "You can only admire his ability," James remarked while playing alongside Curry in Paris. "Of course, I have witnessed it before from the opposing side. However, having him on my team changes the dynamic; you focus on defense and seek alternative strategies on offense, but you must continually find him and ensure he receives the ball." This represents one aspect of the playbook. The pick and roll presents an entirely different conundrum. When Curry serves as the screener, as Steve Kerr employed during critical moments for Team USA in Paris, he either positions himself for an open three-pointer or forces LeBron to be pursued from behind as he accelerates toward the basket.

Consider the scenario from a different perspective. Imagine placing the ball in Curry's hands, allowing him to excel with pull-up three-pointers until defenses are compelled to resort to double teams. At that juncture, he would effortlessly pass to the most formidable short roller in history, LeBron James, who, as one of the most astute passers since Magic Johnson, would adeptly navigate the 4-on-3 situation before him. Even with LeBron approaching 40 and Curry not far behind, defenses would struggle to contain them. However, is a partnership between the two greatest players of the past decade a realistic prospect? Likely not. This is what made their collaboration in Paris so extraordinary; we have never witnessed them on the same team and may never have the opportunity again. Nevertheless, it is worth noting that few anticipated Curry and Kevin Durant joining forces, and neither the Warriors nor the Lakers currently appear poised for a championship run. Reports indicate that the Warriors proposed a trade for LeBron to the Lakers at last year's deadline, which LeBron reportedly declined. Yet, could this Olympic experience have sparked a new consideration in his mind? Furthermore, with Klay Thompson's departure from the Warriors, who seem hesitant to commit to one final championship pursuit, might Curry, in his most private reflections, be more open to the idea of concluding his career elsewhere?

It is highly unlikely that this scenario will ever materialize. However, if we are to indulge in our aspirations, we should aim for the grandest visions. Kevin Durant and Anthony Edwards present an intriguing combination. Durant possesses the remarkable ability to integrate seamlessly with any team and any co-star, akin to a more powerful version of Paul George. In contrast, Edwards resembles a version of Devin Booker propelled by a rocket booster. While the partnership of Durant and Edwards may not reach the extraordinary synergy of a LeBron and Curry alliance, it would undoubtedly be a thrilling spectacle to witness their alternating displays of scoring prowess. Edwards has already established himself as one of the most exuberant players in the league, and observing his radiant smile as he had the chance to play in Paris alongside Durant, his childhood hero, was truly heartwarming. When Ant received a lob pass from Durant for a dunk during the Olympics, the sheer joy of realizing his dream was evident on his face as he gracefully returned to the court.

It is well established that Durant excels in the company of other elite players; he is regarded as the finest Olympic athlete of all time and seamlessly integrated into the Golden State system at its peak, enhancing its overall effectiveness. This raised a pertinent question regarding Edwards as he proclaimed himself the primary option for Team USA: Could he temper his instinct to dominate when the situation required a more supportive role? He demonstrated his ability to do so in Paris, adeptly shifting between being a leading scorer and an exceptionally capable supporting player. In a theoretical scenario where CBA limitations were nonexistent, the Suns might consider pairing a co-star with Booker, who has a longer career trajectory, while the Timberwolves seek to optimize their current competitive window. This could provide a rationale for a trade that would send Durant to Minnesota in exchange for Karl-Anthony Towns. I must say, the combination of Durant and Edwards, bolstered by Minnesota's defensive capabilities, would be remarkable, while Towns could effectively transform Booker and Bradley Beal into a formidable superstar tandem with optimal spacing. I find myself increasingly convinced of this possibility!

Nikola Jokic and Bogdan Bogdanovic.

This scenario appears quite plausible. Observing the collaboration of these two individuals on the Serbian team, which nearly achieved an upset against the Americans in Paris, it would be reasonable for Denver to reach out to Atlanta. They could explore options to align salaries, potentially including a future first-round pick as an incentive to facilitate the transaction. The Hawks would likely be receptive to such a proposal, and acquiring Bogdanovic, a highly proficient 3-point shooter, would significantly address a critical need for the Nuggets. Last season, they ranked last in 3-point attempts and 25th in 3-point conversions per game. Despite having Jokic, the premier player and most reliable offensive creator globally, overcoming this deficit consistently poses a considerable challenge. Notably, Bogdanovic was among three players at the Olympics to successfully make at least 18 3-pointers, alongside Germany's Dennis Schroder (18) and Curry, who astonishingly netted 17 triples in the final two games, concluding the tournament with a total of 22.