The 25 greatest teammates of LeBron's NBA career

It's hard to put anybody above D-Wade. He, James, and Chris Bosh were the leaders in Miami's iconic "Big 3" era, during a time when all three were at the peak of their powers. There were nights when Wade was the best player on the floor, which isn't something most people who have played with LeBron can say.

In the context of LeBron's career, his team-up with Davis was relatively new. But before Davis made his way to Dallas, the pair were a two-man punch for half a decade. It worked out pretty well, too, like when they won the title in 2020.

A young Kyrie was the perfect sidekick for LeBron's return to Cleveland. The two were both ball-dominant scorers, but they played complementary positions and were willing passers. It didn't take long for things to click: LeBron returned in 2014 and the Cavs won a championship in 2016.

Bosh's numbers from the Miami era don't jump off the page because he famously took a backseat to LeBron and Wade to make the three-headed beast work. Their multiple titles together proved that it did indeed work. Bosh was a reliable source of 18-and-8 nights, along with being a critical defensive anchor.

The 2010s didn't have many floor-spacing bigs as effective as Kevin Love. You couldn't have asked for a better third piece of the LeBron- and Kyrie-led 2015-2016 Cavaliers that ended up winning it all that year. It took a lot to beat Stephen Curry's Warriors that decade, but Love was a huge reason why the Cavs were able to pull it off.

After a few years of hitting timely 3-pointers in Boston, Allen rounded out his career with a couple of years playing for the rival Heat. His time in Miami was short, but he gave the franchise one of its biggest moments ever: That Game 6 corner 3 was a career-defining shot for Allen and, in a way, for LeBron, too.

LeBron and Dončić haven't shared the court much, but when the trade that sent Luke to LA and Anthony Davis to Dallas happened, LeBron got one of the league's premier offensive talents in his prime. Luka, simply put, is one of the game's most exciting scorers, a 30-a-game guy, and a creative passer, and he's still in his mid-20s.

Battier is the definition of a "no-stats All-Star," as he has been called. He was one of the finest 3-and-D guys of his era as well as a key force behind Miami's 2013 title. In Game 7, Battier caught fire from range and his 6 of 8 threes, helping the Heat come out ahead in a nail-biting series win.

Nobody has played more games with LeBron than Ilgauskas (641, to be exact). In his first few years in the league, LeBron didn't always have the strongest cast supporting him. But, Ilgauskas was a reliable inside force, an All-Star who was always good for a 15-and-8 game with a couple of blocks.

Thompson was rock-solid during LeBron's second Cleveland run, an impactful offensive rebounder who extended possessions. He was also a skilled defender, capable of switching onto smaller players when the situation called for it. Thompson's paint presence ultimately proved to be key during all those Finals runs.

Smith was a streaky shooter, but when he was on fire, he could change the momentum of a game with microwave scoring. He was also a key piece during the Cavs' 2016 title run, coming through in important moments. His fearless play style made him a worthy target for LeBron's kick-outs.

Reaves' career got off to a humble start, but within a few years, he developed into a 20-a-game scorer. Able to get points in a variety of ways, Reaves emerged as a solid sidekick in LeBron's twilight years. He's also a capable ballhandler, allowing LeBron to spend more time playing off the ball.

Rondo was undeniably one of the strongest playmakers of his era. Even if it wasn't still "his era" by the time an older Rondo joined LeBron's Lakers, he was still an asset who could take playmaking pressure off LeBron. He came up clutch during the team's 2020 title run, contributing about 9 points and 6 assists a game off the bench that postseason.

Along with Ilgauskas, Williams was one of the few All-Star teammates LeBron had during his first Cleveland run. He was a solid secondary option on offense, frequently delivering 20-point nights when needed thanks to his reliable shooting and shot creation. The respect he commanded on offense usefully took some of the focus off LeBron.

Howard spent much of his career as the guy, racking up multiple All-Star appearances alongside LeBron in the 2000s and 2010s. By the time he reached the Lakers in the 2019-2020 season, though, he was at the point where he was asked to take on a more limited role. He accepted, providing 7 points, 7 rebounds, and a block a game off the bench in the championship season.

Veteran leadership is invaluable and Jefferson provided it for the 2015-2016 Cavs. His on-court contributions were noteworthy, too, providing key defense during the team's Finals run. His shooting threat from beyond the arc was also important for spacing the floor.

Korver was another key veteran presence. He remained an elite shooter during his Cavaliers era, which again was crucial for floor spacing. His constant off-ball movement also kept defenses on their toes.

For multiple of LeBron's Finals trips with the Heat, Chalmers was the reliable starting point guard. He could score when the moment needed and move the ball to the best offensive option. Chalmers also had a major clutch gene, never shying away from the pivotal moments and routinely coming up big.

Haslem's stats have never been stunning, and yet, he enjoyed a 20-year NBA career, entirely with the Heat. Why? He was the embodiment of Miami's toughness, as well as a leader who kept the train on the tracks. He's the ultimate locker room guy.

Russell could be streaky during his Lakers tenure, but he could usually rack up somewhere between 10 and 15 points a game, which was serviceable for a third or fourth scoring option. He could also shoulder some playmaking burden, and during the 2023 playoffs, he was a regular threat.

Through his various NBA stops, Birdman's huge personality made him a fan-favorite. You don't usually get to be a fan-favorite if you can't also contribute on the floor, though, and Andersen did. He was a big hustle guy and his defensive stops could swing momentum.

Dellavedova is something of a cult hero to fans of the teams he played for. He could be counted on to hit timely shots. Most notably, he was a relentlessly pesky defender and managed to be a thorn in Steph Curry's side in the 2015 Finals.

Ilgauskas is LeBron's most seasoned teammate, but Varejão is No. 2 on that all-time list, playing nearly 500 games with LeBron. He was a constant presence for LeBron during both of his stints in Cleveland. Varejão could also be counted on for big hustle plays, typically on the defensive end.

Caldwell-Pope was a key piece of the Lakers' 2020 championship run, contributing as a 3-and-D starter. He was a fantastic role player to slot into a lineup alongside LeBron and Anthony Davis. Caldwell-Pope also took on the challenge of guarding the opponent's perimeter stars, a role in which he excelled.

Westbrook is a former MVP and an undeniable Hall of Famer. He ultimately wasn't that player during his year-and-a-half with the Lakers, but there were flashes. Through the ups and downs, he never lost his signature relentless energy.