LeBron James’ Best Teammates (Entire Career)

15. Zydrunas Ilgauskas

15. Zydrunas Ilgauskas, 14. Ben Wallace, 13. Rajon Rondo, 12. JR Smith, 11. Dwight Howard, 10. Alex Caruso, 9. Carmelo Anthony, 8. Shaquille O’Neal, 7. Kevin Love, 6. Luka Doncic, 5. Chris Bosh, 4. Ray Allen, 3. Anthony Davis, 2. Kyrie Irving, 1. Dwyane Wade

A beloved Cavaliers big man, Ilgauskas was a steady presence during LeBron’s early Cleveland years. A two-time All-Star, Big Z’s reliable post play, rebounding, and loyalty made him a fan favorite. Though he never won a title alongside LeBron, he was one of his first great NBA teammates.

14. Ben Wallace

15. Zydrunas Ilgauskas, 14. Ben Wallace, 13. Rajon Rondo, 12. JR Smith, 11. Dwight Howard, 10. Alex Caruso, 9. Carmelo Anthony, 8. Shaquille O’Neal, 7. Kevin Love, 6. Luka Doncic, 5. Chris Bosh, 4. Ray Allen, 3. Anthony Davis, 2. Kyrie Irving, 1. Dwyane Wade

Though past his prime when teaming with LeBron in Cleveland, Wallace brought championship experience and defensive toughness. A four-time Defensive Player of the Year, his grit and veteran leadership helped stabilize the Cavs’ frontcourt in the late 2000s. Wallace’s toughness made Cleveland a tougher playoff opponent.

13. Rajon Rondo

15. Zydrunas Ilgauskas, 14. Ben Wallace, 13. Rajon Rondo, 12. JR Smith, 11. Dwight Howard, 10. Alex Caruso, 9. Carmelo Anthony, 8. Shaquille O’Neal, 7. Kevin Love, 6. Luka Doncic, 5. Chris Bosh, 4. Ray Allen, 3. Anthony Davis, 2. Kyrie Irving, 1. Dwyane Wade

“Playoff Rondo” came alive next to LeBron in LA, guiding the Lakers to the 2020 championship. His high IQ, veteran savvy, and clutch postseason performances gave LeBron another trusted floor general. Rondo’s leadership and on-court command made him one of LeBron’s most respected veteran allies.

12. JR Smith

15. Zydrunas Ilgauskas, 14. Ben Wallace, 13. Rajon Rondo, 12. JR Smith, 11. Dwight Howard, 10. Alex Caruso, 9. Carmelo Anthony, 8. Shaquille O’Neal, 7. Kevin Love, 6. Luka Doncic, 5. Chris Bosh, 4. Ray Allen, 3. Anthony Davis, 2. Kyrie Irving, 1. Dwyane Wade

The definition of a streaky scorer, JR Smith was essential to Cleveland’s title run in 2016. A fearless shooter with underrated defense, Smith provided both comic relief and serious firepower. Though remembered for some blunders, JR’s shot-making and swagger earned him LeBron’s trust during big playoff moments.

11. Dwight Howard

15. Zydrunas Ilgauskas, 14. Ben Wallace, 13. Rajon Rondo, 12. JR Smith, 11. Dwight Howard, 10. Alex Caruso, 9. Carmelo Anthony, 8. Shaquille O’Neal, 7. Kevin Love, 6. Luka Doncic, 5. Chris Bosh, 4. Ray Allen, 3. Anthony Davis, 2. Kyrie Irving, 1. Dwyane Wade

A future Hall of Famer, Howard reinvented himself alongside LeBron during the Lakers’ 2020 championship run. Embracing a backup role, he delivered crucial rebounding, rim protection, and physicality in the paint. Dwight’s veteran presence and defensive presence were key during LA’s run to the bubble title.

10. Alex Caruso

15. Zydrunas Ilgauskas, 14. Ben Wallace, 13. Rajon Rondo, 12. JR Smith, 11. Dwight Howard, 10. Alex Caruso, 9. Carmelo Anthony, 8. Shaquille O’Neal, 7. Kevin Love, 6. Luka Doncic, 5. Chris Bosh, 4. Ray Allen, 3. Anthony Davis, 2. Kyrie Irving, 1. Dwyane Wade

A cult favorite, Caruso was a defensive menace and hustle king alongside LeBron. The Lakers’ 2020 title team relied on his grit, perimeter defense, and high-IQ plays. Caruso’s ability to guard elite scorers and energize the team made him one of LeBron’s most beloved, underrated teammates.

9. Carmelo Anthony

15. Zydrunas Ilgauskas, 14. Ben Wallace, 13. Rajon Rondo, 12. JR Smith, 11. Dwight Howard, 10. Alex Caruso, 9. Carmelo Anthony, 8. Shaquille O’Neal, 7. Kevin Love, 6. Luka Doncic, 5. Chris Bosh, 4. Ray Allen, 3. Anthony Davis, 2. Kyrie Irving, 1. Dwyane Wade

Though they finally teamed up late in their careers with the Lakers, Carmelo’s long-standing friendship with LeBron made their pairing iconic. Melo provided scoring punch off the bench and locker room leadership in LA’s 2021–22 season. Their long-awaited team-up was a memorable, if brief, chapter for both.

8. Shaquille O’Neal

15. Zydrunas Ilgauskas, 14. Ben Wallace, 13. Rajon Rondo, 12. JR Smith, 11. Dwight Howard, 10. Alex Caruso, 9. Carmelo Anthony, 8. Shaquille O’Neal, 7. Kevin Love, 6. Luka Doncic, 5. Chris Bosh, 4. Ray Allen, 3. Anthony Davis, 2. Kyrie Irving, 1. Dwyane Wade

Though well beyond his dominant years, Shaq’s short Cleveland stint added star power and experience alongside LeBron in 2009–10. The pairing didn’t produce a title, but it gave fans a fun “what if.” Shaq’s leadership and personality made him a memorable figure in LeBron’s early title pursuits.

7. Kevin Love

15. Zydrunas Ilgauskas, 14. Ben Wallace, 13. Rajon Rondo, 12. JR Smith, 11. Dwight Howard, 10. Alex Caruso, 9. Carmelo Anthony, 8. Shaquille O’Neal, 7. Kevin Love, 6. Luka Doncic, 5. Chris Bosh, 4. Ray Allen, 3. Anthony Davis, 2. Kyrie Irving, 1. Dwyane Wade

The third piece of Cleveland’s Big Three, Love’s rebounding and floor spacing were essential to LeBron’s second Cavs era. Known for sacrificing stats, Love’s defensive stop on Steph Curry in Game 7 of the 2016 Finals secured his place in LeBron’s championship history. A true team-first star.

6. Luka Doncic

15. Zydrunas Ilgauskas, 14. Ben Wallace, 13. Rajon Rondo, 12. JR Smith, 11. Dwight Howard, 10. Alex Caruso, 9. Carmelo Anthony, 8. Shaquille O’Neal, 7. Kevin Love, 6. Luka Doncic, 5. Chris Bosh, 4. Ray Allen, 3. Anthony Davis, 2. Kyrie Irving, 1. Dwyane Wade

While they haven’t yet achieved much, the basketball world was fully in love with the LeBron-Luka pairing. Doncic’s generational talent, playmaking, and flair mirror a young LeBron. The mutual admiration between the two hints at greatness — one that could terrify the league.

5. Chris Bosh

15. Zydrunas Ilgauskas, 14. Ben Wallace, 13. Rajon Rondo, 12. JR Smith, 11. Dwight Howard, 10. Alex Caruso, 9. Carmelo Anthony, 8. Shaquille O’Neal, 7. Kevin Love, 6. Luka Doncic, 5. Chris Bosh, 4. Ray Allen, 3. Anthony Davis, 2. Kyrie Irving, 1. Dwyane Wade

The unselfish third member of Miami’s Big Three, Bosh sacrificed individual accolades to help win two titles. His floor spacing, clutch defense, and famous rebound to save the 2013 Finals are legendary. Bosh’s versatility and willingness to adjust his role made him a perfect teammate for LeBron.

4. Ray Allen

15. Zydrunas Ilgauskas, 14. Ben Wallace, 13. Rajon Rondo, 12. JR Smith, 11. Dwight Howard, 10. Alex Caruso, 9. Carmelo Anthony, 8. Shaquille O’Neal, 7. Kevin Love, 6. Luka Doncic, 5. Chris Bosh, 4. Ray Allen, 3. Anthony Davis, 2. Kyrie Irving, 1. Dwyane Wade

One of the greatest shooters ever, Allen’s Game 6 three-pointer in the 2013 NBA Finals remains one of the most iconic plays in league history. Beyond that moment, his veteran leadership and deadly perimeter shooting gave LeBron a vital weapon during the Heat’s back-to-back championship seasons.

3. Anthony Davis

15. Zydrunas Ilgauskas, 14. Ben Wallace, 13. Rajon Rondo, 12. JR Smith, 11. Dwight Howard, 10. Alex Caruso, 9. Carmelo Anthony, 8. Shaquille O’Neal, 7. Kevin Love, 6. Luka Doncic, 5. Chris Bosh, 4. Ray Allen, 3. Anthony Davis, 2. Kyrie Irving, 1. Dwyane Wade

LeBron’s most dominant modern-day teammate, AD was unstoppable during the 2020 title run. A defensive anchor and elite scorer, Davis carried the Lakers through crucial playoff games and formed a near-perfect on-court partnership with LeBron. Injuries aside, their chemistry remains among the best duos in recent memory.

2. Kyrie Irving

15. Zydrunas Ilgauskas, 14. Ben Wallace, 13. Rajon Rondo, 12. JR Smith, 11. Dwight Howard, 10. Alex Caruso, 9. Carmelo Anthony, 8. Shaquille O’Neal, 7. Kevin Love, 6. Luka Doncic, 5. Chris Bosh, 4. Ray Allen, 3. Anthony Davis, 2. Kyrie Irving, 1. Dwyane Wade

LeBron’s most electrifying co-star, Kyrie’s clutch shot-making fueled Cleveland’s 2016 Finals comeback. His Game 7 dagger over Steph Curry secured the Cavs’ first NBA title. Despite a rocky relationship, Kyrie’s ability to take over games and deliver under pressure made him one of LeBron’s greatest teammates ever.

1. Dwyane Wade

15. Zydrunas Ilgauskas, 14. Ben Wallace, 13. Rajon Rondo, 12. JR Smith, 11. Dwight Howard, 10. Alex Caruso, 9. Carmelo Anthony, 8. Shaquille O’Neal, 7. Kevin Love, 6. Luka Doncic, 5. Chris Bosh, 4. Ray Allen, 3. Anthony Davis, 2. Kyrie Irving, 1. Dwyane Wade

The perfect teammate and close friend, Wade guided LeBron through his Heat years. Together, they reached four consecutive Finals and won two titles. Wade’s leadership, unselfishness, and ability to dominate games when needed made him the ideal partner. LeBron’s best years were arguably spent alongside Flash in Miami.