Can You Identify the NBA Team If We Give You Three of Their Current Players?

By: Jonnathan Chadwick
Estimated Completion Time
4 min
Can You Identify the NBA Team If We Give You Three of Their Current Players?
Image: Wiki Commons by Keith Allison

About This Quiz

Between the buzzer beaters, triple overtimes, no-look passes, slam dunks and Game 7s, the NBAs players entertain the world. The league is the world's greatest reality show, and its athletes are some of the most popular. Unlike football or hockey, NBA stars aren't covered in pads and helmets, and unlike baseball or soccer fields, basketball courts are highly accessible. Front-row tickets at a basketball game will put you close enough to have a conversation with your favorite player during the game.

Each NBA team has about 12 men on its roster and a few more on the practice squad. Across all 30 NBA teams, the 2018-19 season kicked off with 494 active players. Some players get traded, some players get fired, some players get injured and some players get benched, so there's no telling how many active players finished the season, but there's a lot of players to choose from nevertheless. If you're a die-hard fan, you can probably identify any team based on just one player.

So do you know where the Splash Brothers play? What about The Beard? What about The Brow? We won't give you the city or the mascot, just the name of three current players. Do you think you'll be able to identify the team? Put your NBA skills to the test here.

Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, Patrick Beverly
Wiki Commons by Chrishmt0423 / Chensiyuan / Frenchieinportland
Paul George, Kawhi Leonard and Patrick Beverley all play for what West Coast team expected to win it all?
Los Angeles Clippers
Denver Nuggets
Sacramento Kings
Phoenix Suns
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Los Angeles Clippers had no All-Stars on their roster in the 2018-19 season but they still made the playoffs. The Lakers, who play in the same building and have LeBron, didn't make the playoffs. With the addition of Leonard and George, the Clippers have high hopes for 2020.

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Kevin Love, Larry Nance Jr., Tristan Thompson
Wiki Commons by Keith Allison / Erik Drost / Frenchieinportland
Kevin Love, Larry Nance Jr. and Tristan Thompson are tasked with returning what franchise to greatness?
Milwaukee Bucks
Chicago Bulls
Indiana Pacers
Cleveland Cavaliers
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Cleveland Cavaliers are in complete rebuilding phase. Without LeBron on the team, there is no clear superstar or leader on the team. They went from the top of the NBA to the bottom, but are hopeful they can return soon.

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Ja Morant, Jonas Valanciunas, Miles Plumlee
NCAA / Wiki Commons by Keith Allison / Wiki Commons by LUIS BLANCO
College superstar Ja Morant plays alongside Jonas Valanciunas and Miles Plumlee on what West Coast squad?
Memphis Grizzlies
Portland Trailblazers
Oklahoma City Thunder
Milwaukee Bucks
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Vancouver Grizzlies, created in 1995, were located in Canada until 2001 until they moved to Memphis. College superstar Ja Morant joins the team for the 2020 season, but Grizzly legend Mike Conley is gone.

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Joel Embid, James Ennis III, Ben Simmons
Wiki Commons by Keith Allison / NBC Sports Philadelphia via YouTube / Wiki Commons by TonyTheTiger
The lineup of Joel Embid, James Ennis III and Ben Simmons lead what historic franchise?
Boston Celtics
Philadelphia 76ers
New York Knicks
Los Angeles Lakers
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The international duo of Simmons (Australia) and Embid (Cameroon) is one of the premier forces in the NBA. The team lost Jimmy Butler but added a few key additions. They are expected to make a serious run for the NBA championship in the near future.

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Russell Westbrook, Eric Gordon, James Harden
Wiki Commons by Keith Allison / J. Smith
Russell Westbrook, Eric Gordon and James Harden play on what Western Conference contender?
San Antonio Spurs
Houston Rockets
Denver Nuggets
Portland Trailblazers
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

James Harden (aka The Beard) could not get past the Golden State Warriors and bring the Houston Rockets to an NBA Championship. That was supposed to change when Chris Paul joined the team, but they still haven't made it. Now Paul is gone and Westbrook will take a try.

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Giannis Antetokounmpo, Eric Bledsoe, Khris Middleton
Wiki Commons by Keith Allison
2019 NBA MVP front-runner Giannis Antetokounmpo (aka the Greek Freak) is teammates with Eric Bledsoe and Khris Middleton on what team?
Detroit Pistons
Miami Heat
Milwaukee Bucks
Philadelphia 76ers
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Giannis Antetokounmpo hails from Athens, Greece and the 6'11'' athlete has the post-up moves and dribbling skills to play every position on the floor. He was drafted 15th overall after playing pro ball in Greece.

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Kevin Knox, Frank Ntilikina, Dennis Smith Jr
Wiki Commons by TonyTheTiger / Frenchieinportland / Hollywoodfrance via Youtube
Kevin Knox, Frank Ntilikina and Dennis Smith Jr. are all first-round draft picks that play for what historic team?
Boston Celtics
Los Angeles Lakers
New York Knicks
Philadelphia 76ers
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The New York Knicks have had three lottery picks in the past five years and haven't won the NBA Draft Lottery since its inception in 1985. They selected Knox ninth overall in 2018 and Ntilikina eight overall in 2017. They selected Kristaps Porzingis fifth in 2015 but traded him for Smith Jr.

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Victor Oladipo, Jeremy Lamb, Myles Turner
Wiki Commons by Keith Allison / Norma Gonzalez
What Midwest team does Victor Oladipo, Jeremy Lamb and Myles Turner play for?
Milwaukee Bucks
Indiana Pacers
Chicago Bulls
Cleveland Cavaliers
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Victor Oladipo's full name is Kehinde Babatunde Victor Oladipo, and he was the second overall pick in the 2013 draft, going to the Orlando Magic. He then played with Russell Westbrook in OKC before being traded for Paul George in 2017.

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Damian Lillard, Pau Gasol, CJ McCollum
Wiki Commons by Keith Allison / TonyTheTiger
Damian Lillard, Pau Gasol and CJ McCollum have plans of leading what NBA team to the championship?
Portland Trailblazers
Sacramento Kings
Utah Jazz
Phoenix Suns
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Lilliard and McCollum are two of the most underrated players in the league and make up the most underrated duo in years. The franchise has been mostly overshadowed by the greatness of other West Coast teams, but they return a strong roster in 2020.

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Jimmy Butler, Justise Winslow, Dion Waiters
Wiki Commons by Catherine Salaün / Erik Drost / barberbonanza
Jimmy Butler, Justise Winslow and Dion Waiters play on what NBA team?
Orlando Magic
Miami Heat
Phoenix Suns
Sacramento Kings
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Miami's best player, Dwyane Wade, retired in 2019 ,and the team added Jimmy Butler to fill the void. He'll have big shoes to fill and will be helped by Winslow and Waiters. The team has a strong shot at a playoff run.

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Rajon Rondo, Dwight Howard, JaVale McGee
Wiki Commons by Keith Allison / Game Face
Rajon Rondo, Dwight Howard and JaVale McGee all play on what West Coast team?
Phoenix Suns
Los Angeles Lakers
Portland Trailblazers
Sacramento Kings
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Los Angeles Lakers are in full rebuilding mode, and there's no telling what they will do next. The team underwent a host of changes in the 2019 off-season and will begin the 2019-20 season as a favorite for the championship.

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Devin Booker, Ricky Rubio, DeAndre Ayton
Wiki Commons by Keith Allison / Frenchieinportland / TonyTheTiger
Where do Devin Booker, Ricky Rubio and DeAndre Ayton play?
Sacramento Kings
Phoenix Suns
Atlanta Hawks
Orlando Magic
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Devin Booker scored 70 points in a game against the Boston Celtics in 2017 and became just the sixth player in NBA history to score at least 70 points in a single game. The Suns drafted Ayton with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 draft.

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Blake Griffin, Andre Drummond, Reggie Jackson NEW
Wiki Commons by Verse Photography / Keith Allison
Blake Griffin recently moved from Hollywood to the Motor City to join Andre Drummond and Reggie Jackson on what team?
Memphis Grizzlies
Detroit Pistons
Indiana Pacers
Chicago Bulls
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Los Angeles Clippers once featured a prime trio of Chris Paul, DeAndre Jordan and Blake Griffin, but after Paul and Jordan left, Griffin was soon to follow. He now plays for coach Dwane Casey in Detroit.

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Jordan Bell, Karl-Anthony Towns, Jeff Teague
Minnesota Timberwolves via YouTube / Wiki Commons by Susan Lesch
Jordan Bell plays with Karl-Anthony Towns and Jeff Teague on what team?
Denver Nuggets
Sacramento Kings
Minnesota Timberwolves
Charlotte Hornets
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Recently, the Minnesota Timberwolves had a stacked roster, but after many changes, things have began to dwindle. The franchise is now solely led by Towns, and they'll have a lot of work to do to compete with the rest of the Western Conference.

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Kyle Lowry, Serge Ibaka, Marc Gasol
Wiki Commons by Keith Allison / Elemaki
Kyle Lowry, Serge Ibaka and Marc Gasol are Eastern Conference contenders on what team?
Toronto Raptors
Philadelphia 76ers
Orlando Magic
Miami Heat
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Without Kawhi Leonard, the Toronto Raptors are looking to repeat a championship with a roster built around Lowry, Ibaka and Gasol. The team is still one of the best in the East and is likely to make a deep run in the playoffs.

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Boban Marjanovic, Luka Doncic, Kristaps Porzingis
Wiki Commons by Frenchieinportland / Javier Mendia García / Ed
This team has a thing for European players, listing Boban Marjanovic, Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis on its roster. Which is it?
Sacramento Kings
Utah Jazz
Denver Nuggets
Dallas Mavericks
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Before Doncic, Porzingis and Marjanovic, the Mavs were led by one of the NBAs most popular European players, Dirk Nowitzki, who played 21 seasons with the team. The only other player to play 20 seasons with the same team is Kobe Bryant.

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Draymond Green, D'Angelo Russell, Jordan Poole
Wiki Commons by Keith Allison / Erik Drost / TonyTheTiger
Draymond Green, D'Angelo Russell and Jordan Poole round out a stacked roster for what NBA team?
Golden State Warriors
Denver Nuggets
Los Angeles Lakers
Philadelphia 76ers
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Green was drafted by the Warriors in 2012 and has remained loyal to the franchise. The team lost a few players, but also added some key additions and are expected to be a contender in the 2020 season.

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Cameron Reddish, Trae Young, Alex Len
Wiki Commons by SneakinDeacon / TonyTheTiger / ATL Hawks via Youtube
Cameron Reddish plays with Trae Young and Alex Len on what East Coast team?
Miami Heat
Philadelphia 76ers
Atlanta Hawks
Boston Celtics
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Atlanta Hawks has had little success in the NBA for the past couple of decades. They acquired Trae Young in 2018 and drafted Cameron Reddish in 2019. Both were first-round draft picks and offer a promising future.

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Mike Conley, Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell
Wiki Commons by Verse Photography / Jan Fante / Frenchieinportland
Mike Conley, Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell all play on what team?
Sacramento Kings
Phoenix Suns
Utah Jazz
Portland Trailblazers
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Rudy Gobert was drafted 27th overall in the 2013 NBA Draft by the Denver Nuggets but was traded to the Utah Jazz on draft night. At 7'1'' with a 7'9'' wingspan, he's one of the best defenders in the league and is a throwback to old-school centers.

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De'Aaron Fox, Buddy Hield, Marvin Bagley III
Wiki Commons by TonyTheTiger / ChristopherM01 / Hayden Schiff
De'Aaron Fox, Buddy Hield and Marvin Bagley III play for what California team?
Los Angeles Lakers
Golden State Warriors
Sacramento Kings
Los Angeles Clippers
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

De'Aaron Fox played his college ball at the University of Kentucky and Marvin Bagley III played for Coach K at Duke, so both players come from great college programs. The Kings also named former Lakers coach Luke Walton as head coach in 2019.

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Isaiah Thomas, John Wall, Bradley Beal
Wiki Commons by Mike / Keith Allison
Isaiah Thomas recently joined John Wall and Bradley Beal on what East Coast team?
Boston Celtics
Washington Wizards
Atlanta Hawks
Orlando Magic
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Washington Wizards was known as the Washington Bullets between 1974 and 1997 but changed to the Wizards because of the city's high crime rate and negative connotation of the name. Wall, Beal and Thomas have all made All-Star games.

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Willie Cauley-Stein, Steph Curry, Klay Thompson
Wiki Commons by Dennis Adair / Keith Allison
Willie Cauley-Stein joined the Splash Brothers, the duo that includes Steph Curry and Klay Thompson, on what championship team?
Toronto Raptors
Los Angeles Lakers
Golden State Warriors
Boston Celtics
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Golden State Warriors have been the most dominate NBA team of the 2010s and appeared in five straight finals from 2015 to 2019. Fans gave Steph Curry and Klay Thompson the nickname "Splash Brothers" because of their three-point shooting.

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Chris Paul, Steven Adams, Andre Roberson
Wiki Commons by Verse Photography / Keith Allison
Chris Paul, Steven Adams and Andre Roberson play for what West Coast team?
Denver Nuggets
Indiana Pacers
Utah Jazz
Oklahoma City Thunder
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

With Russell Westbrook out in OKC, Chris Paul is in. The team hasn't had much success in the past few years and has under-performed in the playoffs all decade. They aren't expected to be a top contender in 2020.

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Zion Williamson, Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram
Wiki Commons by Keenan Hairston / TonyTheTiger
College phenom Zion Williamson will play alongside Lonzo Ball and Brandon Ingram on what NBA team?
Charlotte Hornets
Brooklyn Nets
Oklahoma City Thunder
New Orleans Pelicans
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Anthony Davis was the No. 1 overall draft pick in the 2012 draft and played his entire career in New Orleans. They traded him to the Lakers for Ball and Ingram, and the Pelicans added a new No. 1 pick to the squad in Williamson.

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DeMar DeRozan, LaMarcus Aldridge, Patty Mills
Wiki Commons by Keith Allison
DeMar DeRozan moved from Toronto and joined LaMarcus Aldridge and Patty Mills on what team coached by Gregg Popovich?
San Antonio Spurs
Houston Rockets
Dallas Mavericks
Los Angeles Clippers
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When the Vancouver Grizzlies moved to Memphis for the 2001 season, the Raptors became the only Canadian NBA team. DeRozen started his career in Toronto but was traded for Kawhi Leonard in a blockbuster off-season deal.

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Mohamed Bamba, Aaron Gordon, Nikola Vucevic
Wiki Commons by TonyTheTiger / Keith Allison / Mike
The star of a hit rap song, Mo Bamba, plays with Aaron Gordon and Nikola Vucevic for what franchise?
Atlanta Hawks
Sacramento Kings
Orlando Magic
Phoenix Suns
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Mohamed Bamba played one year for the Texas Longhorns before joining the NBA's Orlando Magic in 2018 — drafted sixth overall. He's friends with rapper Sheck Wes, who's 2017 hit track "Mo Bamba" is named for the NBA center.

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Michael Porter Jr., Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray
Wiki Commons by TonyTheTiger / Keith Allison / Acdixon
Rookie Michael Porter Jr. recently joined Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray on this Rocky Mountain team?
Seattle SuperSonics
Milwaukee Bucks
Utah Jazz
Denver Nuggets
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Michael Porter Jr. was one of the best high school basketball players in the country, but after a back injury forced him to sit out almost the entirety of his one year at the University of Missouri, he dropped to the 14th pick in the 2018 NBA Draft.

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Udonis Haslem, James Johnson, Kelly Olynyk
Wiki Commons by Keith Allison / NBA / Wiki Commons by Frenchieinportland
What team do Udonis Haslem, James Johnson and Kelly Olynyk play for?
Miami Heat
Charlotte Hornets
New York Knicks
Atlanta Hawks
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra began his career as a player-coach in Germany before climbing the ladder from video coordinator to assistant coach to head coach of the two-time NBA Championship Miami Heat. He also led the Heat to four consecutive Finals appearances.

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LeBron James, DeMarcus Cousins, Anthony Davis
Wiki Commons by Jan Fante / Chensiyuan / Keith Allison
LeBron James, DeMarcus Cousins and Anthony Davis are expected to bring a championship to what West Coast team?
Los Angeles Lakers
Phoenix Suns
Sacramento Kings
Los Angeles Clippers
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The two favorites for the 2020 NBA Championship both play out of the Staples Center in Los Angeles. The Lakers didn't make the playoffs last year, but with the addition of Cousins and Davis, that result won't cut it in 2020.

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Terry Rozier, Miles Bridges, Nicolas Batum
Wiki Commons by Keith Allison / TonyTheTiger / slammindouai.com
Terry Rozier, Miles Bridges and Nicolas Batum all play on what team?
Charlotte Hornets
Atlanta Hawks
Orlando Magic
Philadelphia 76ers
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Charlotte Hornets traded their best player, Kemba Walker, to the Boston Celtics, and the team got Terry Rozier in return. Rozier was a pure scorer for the Boston Celtics, and with the ball in his hand more, he will surely be a great force on the team.

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Zach Lavine, Kris Dunn, Otto Porter Jr
Wiki Commons by Neon Tommy / DraftExpress via Youtube / Wiki Commons by Keith Allison
Zach Lavine, Kris Dunn and Otto Porter Jr. are tasked with bringing the first championship to what team since Michael Jordan?
Chicago Bulls
Charlotte Hornets
Cleveland Cavaliers
Washington Wizards
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Chicago Bulls franchise has won six championships in NBA history, and they all came in the 1990s when Michael Jordan led the team to two separate three-peats. The team has struggled mightily since and hasn't made the NBA Finals since he left.

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Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, Spencer Dinwiddie
Wiki Commons by Keith Allison / Erik Drost
Kevin Durant moved across the country from Los Angeles to join Kyrie Irving and Spencer Dinwiddie on what East Coast team?
Boston Celtics
Brooklyn Nets
Philadelphia 76ers
New York Knicks
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The biggest move of the 2019 offseason was when Kevin Durant took his talents to Brooklyn. The team also acquired Kyrie Irving from the Boston Celtics, and once Durant is healthy and playing, they will be strong contenders for a championship.

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Marcus Smart, Semi Ojeleye, Jaylen Brown
Wiki Commons by Keith Allison / Dr. Dish Basketball via YouTube / Wiki Commons by TonyTheTiger
Marcus Smart, Semi Ojeleye and Jaylen Brown are the heart and soul of what team?
Orlando Magic
Indiana Pacers
Boston Celtics
Detroit Pistons
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Both Smart and Brown were first-round draft picks by the Boston Celtics. The team's backbone, Al Horford, departed for Philly in the 2019 off-season, but the team has a strong core and some new pieces to make a run in 2020.

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Tobias Harris, Al Horford, Trey Burke
Wiki Commons by Mike / Keith Allison / Adam Glanzman
Tobias Harris, Al Horford and Trey Burke give what team one of the deepest rosters in the league?
Golden State Warriors
Philadelphia 76ers
Oklahoma City Thunder
Houston Rockets
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Philadelphia 76ers have one of the deepest rosters in the league with multiple current and former NBA All-Stars. The team underperformed in the 2019 season and added Al Horford and Trey Burke for the 2020 season.

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Kemba Walker, Gordon Hayward, Jayson Tatum
Wiki Commons by Keith Allison / Erik Drost
Kemba Walker, Gordon Hayward and Jayson Tatum hope to bring what East Coast powerhouse to the finals?
Houston Rockets
Philadelphia 76ers
Boston Celtics
Oklahoma City Thunder
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Boston Celtics fought seven hard games in the 2018 Eastern Conference Finals against the Lebron-led Cavaliers and were expected to make the NBA Finals in 2019. They didn't even make it to the conference finals, and the team has a revamped roster for the 2020 season.

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Wiki Commons by Keith Allison