The NBA has evolved from an era dominated by superstar trios to one that increasingly values depth and balanced rosters. Throughout much of the 2010s, teams like the Miami Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Golden State Warriors built their success around three All-Star players. However, challenges such as injuries, salary cap limits, and team chemistry issues have led front offices to reconsider this strategy.
Today’s championship teams emphasize versatility and strong contributions from role players who can step up at critical moments. The 2024 Boston Celtics and 2025 OKC Thunder exemplify this trend, demonstrating that having solid supporting casts on both offense and defense is crucial for sustained success.
LeBron James Reflects on the Shift in Roster Philosophy
Although the NBA now favors squads built to perform consistently regardless of star availability, LeBron James acknowledges the importance of having a franchise cornerstone. When asked about the future of roster construction during the “Mind the Game” season finale, LeBron highlighted emerging talents like Victor Wembanyama as examples of where the league is headed.
You find a guy like Wemby,
James said with a laugh during the live season finale of Mind the Game.
I was just standing next to him while we were shooting the shop. This guy, I feel like he’s grown another two or three inches for sure in the offseason. But the game is going to continue to evolve.
—LeBron James, Hall of Famer
The Legacy and Evolution of the Big Three Model
LeBron also discussed the historic role of superstar trios, noting that this approach has roots long before his own career. From Wilt Chamberlain, Jerry West, and Elgin Baylor to his time with D-Wade and Bosh in Miami, the Big Three era has consistently played a part in shaping NBA champions.
The Big Three era has always had its moment. You know, way before myself, D-Wade, and Bosh came together, you had Wilt Chamberlain and Jerry West and Elgin Baylor, they played together. You had so many guys, that’s the Big Three era,
LeBron continued.
The Big Three era will always kind of be there, but having depth … I think that’s the era that we might fall into.
—LeBron James, Hall of Famer
LeBron pointed out that players teaming to form superteams existed before “The Decision,” with Michael Jordan’s championship runs alongside Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman serving as an earlier example. He emphasized that winning titles requires a collective effort beyond solo talent.
The Future Dominated by Versatility and Unique Talent
As financial restrictions influence roster building, the dominance of teams anchored by three superstars is giving way to deeper, more balanced lineups built around one or two key stars. In this environment, unique talents such as Victor Wembanyama and Nikola Jokic are poised to stand out even more, underscoring how rare these ‘unicorns’ are in today’s game.
This shift suggests that future NBA success will likely depend on assembling well-rounded rosters capable of overcoming the challenges presented by injuries and salary caps while still maximizing the impact of exceptional players.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Who unfollowed LeBron James?
A. Rest was LeBron’s main way of allowing his body to completely heal, helping him perform at his best each day. LeBron mentioned that he sleeps 8 to 9 hours every night. If he misses this amount of sleep, he takes daytime naps lasting up to 2 and a half hours.
Q. Why did Drake unfollow LeBron James?
A. It seems they might have been correct. James could have upset Drake by going to Kendrick Lamar’s “Pop Out” concert in June. During that period, the ongoing feud between Drake and Lamar had escalated, with both artists releasing diss tracks against one another.
Q. Why did LeBron James unfollow Drake?
A. In the rivalry between Drake and Kendrick Lamar, James was seen rapping to Lamar’s songs. This could explain why he stopped following Drake.