NBA Players: Top 5 active duos in the Eastern Conference

As we follow the 2019-20 NBA season, we have seen plenty of changes throughout the league. Free agents signing with new teams, and familiar faces being traded to other teams as well. The free agency frenzy was certainly huge in the Eastern Conference, with superstars such as Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and Kemba Walker signing with new teams.

With that being said, in this two-part series of top five active duos, we will be looking at the Eastern Conference. Previously, we had looked at the top five active duos in the Western Conference.

Do note that Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant were not listed because Durant will not be playing in the 2019-2020 season.

#1 Joel Embiid & Ben Simmons

Had Los Angeles Clippers' Kawhi Leonard stayed with the Toronto Raptors, it would be him and point guard Kyle Lowry or power forward Pascal Siakam at #1. However, now it is safe to say that the Philadelphia 76ers duo is the main one to watch in the East. Joel Embiid, who is considered one of the best big men in the league, is just getting started. While injuries had earlier slowed down his development, the 76ers certainly had hope for him. Enough hope that in the 2017 season, they signed him to a 5-year, $148 million contract. He has yet to play a full season but it's possible we don't see that since the organization wants to be careful with him.

As for Ben Simmons, he is an up and coming shooter. He has had his ups and downs as a player, with several fans around the league believing he does not have a good jump shot. It seems like he is beginning to get comfortable, averaging 16 points per game so far this season. The 76ers have yet to give Simmons a big contract, and that is likely to see if he can develop into a good shooter. For now, Embiid and Simmons will dominate the East at #1.