Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins are the first teammates to win back-to-back NBA Rookie of the Year honors in 43 years. History shows that when former young stars are paired together, it often leads to success.

LeBron James and Kyrie Irving are two former Rookie of the Year recipients that have been paired up with success.

James, who won the award in 2004 in Cleveland, and Irving, who won in 2012 with the Cavaliers, have played in back-to-back Eastern Conference finals since joining forces.

Chris Paul, who won the Rookie of the Year in 2006 with New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets, and Blake Griffin, who won the award in 2011, have led the Clippers to five straight postseasons since teaming up in 2011-2012.

Former Rookie of the Year winners Derrick Rose (2009) and Pau Gasol (2002) advanced to the conference semifinals in their first year playing together in 2015.

Jason Gonzalez