Dallas Mavericks: Luka Dončić, Kyrie Irving and Dereck Lively II/Klay Thompson

Let’s just get out in front of the inevitable “What about Dallas?!” inquiries from those determined to feel slighted. Neither Lively nor Thompson reasonably qualifies as a present-day finishing touch to a Big Three.

Memphis Grizzlies: Desmond Bane, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Ja Morant

Death, taxes and too many injuries in Memphis. Bane, Jackson and Morant have appeared in just two games together for a total of 18 minutes.

Miami Heat: Bam Adebayo, Jimmy Butler and Tyler Herro

Milwaukee Bucks: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard and Khris Middleton

Middleton has yet to play this season as he recovers from dual-ankle surgery, so this is a no-go. Squeezing Brook Lopez in here helps Milwaukee’s overall case, but it stretches the boundaries of our criteria. And even if you think it doesn’t, their minutes together aren’t yet good enough to usurp what’s to come.

New Orleans Pelicans: Brandon Ingram, Dejounte Murray and Zion Williamson

Would this group have the juice to party crash the discussion? We’ll never know so long as injuries continuing ripping through every nook and cranny of the Pelicans roster.

Philadelphia 76ers: Joel Embiid, Paul George and Tyrese Maxey

This trio came close to topping our preseason rankings. But, uh, Big Threes must actually play together to be considered Big Threes. These guys have yet to see the floor at the same time. And at this rate, this might not happen before Thanksgiving—or maybe Christmas. (Also: Philly is a disaster.)

Phoenix Suns: Bradley Beal, Devin Booker and Kevin Durant

Excluding these three off-rip is difficult. But they have tallied just 149 minutes together, and, well, rules are rules.