-
Kevin Pelton
Over the past five years, the NBA has created an average of five to six new All-Stars per year, with a total of six in 2025 (Cade Cunningham, evan mobley, alperen sengun, Victor Wembanyama And jalen williams) at the upper end of that range.
Although the 2025-26 NBA season is young, it’s not too early to start thinking about which players have a chance to join that group by making their All-Star debut.
Two giants in particular stand out. jamal mare Has averaged more points (23.8) in his playoff career Wilt Chamberlain (22.5), james harden (22.5), Dwyane Wade (22.3) and kawhi leonard (21.6), yet he was never an All-Star. During this time, Austin Reeves of Los Angeles Lakers The team’s favorite guy to start the season put up historic stats, including a 51-point game, that heightened our understanding of his ceiling as a player and buzzer-beater last week. minnesota timberwolves,
The All-Stars will be arriving in a slightly different fashion for the first time this season, as the NBA has once again revamped its midseason showcase, pitting a team of international stars against two teams of American players.
With an eye on which pool they’ll be a part of, let’s take a look at 10 candidates to make their All-Star debut in 2026.
During his first season in Portland, Avdija emerged as the Blazers’ best player after the All-Star break with 50-40 shooting splits, averaging 23.3 points, 9.7 rebounds and 5.2 assists. He has picked up where he left off, averaging 22.7 ppg and 4.2 apg as Portland has started 4-2. If the Blazers can remain in the playoff mix, Avdija will be their prime All-Star candidate.
No rookie has made the All-Star Game since Blake Griffin in 2010–11, and that came after a redshirt season due to injury. yao ming Was selected All-Star starter as a rookie in 2002-03, but before that, we have to go back to Tim Duncan in 1997-98 for first-year player selected by coaches. Edgecombe, taken third overall, passed up the No. 1 pick cooper flag As the rookie most likely to end that drought.
Edgecombe has reenergized the Sixers during a 5-1 start, averaging 21.2 points, 5.6 rebounds and 5.4 assists while shooting 43.8% on 3s. It’s unlikely Edgecombe will keep this up, but if he does, he’s a legitimate All-Star contender. Edgecombe, who was born in the Bahamas and played for its national team in the 2024 Olympic qualifying tournament, would likely be thrown into the international pool if he comes to L.A. this season.
Giddy, an Australian international, is averaging career highs of 22 points, 8.8 rebounds and 8.0 assists as the 5-1 Bulls take control. In the absence of an injured backcourtmate kobi whiteGiddy has taken on more offensive responsibility, and he’s shooting a career-high 45.5% on 3s through six games. Although there are many reasons to doubt Chicago’s debut, if the Bulls are above .500, their chances of being rewarded with an All-Star increase dramatically.
Holmgren was limited to 32 games last season due to a hip fracture, eliminating any chances of an All-Star appearance, but he is taking advantage of it. jalen williams‘ absence and the Thunder’s overtime games increased his averages to 23.0 ppg and 10.3 rpg in the early going. Holmgren is shooting 42% on 3s, making up for a relatively slow start as a shot blocker (1.3 per game, nearly a night less than his first two seasons). Holmgren has now missed Oklahoma City’s last three games due to back pain, but Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said the team was simply being “conservative” with his return.
with adding hawks kristaps porzingisJohnson’s versatility hasn’t been as important as last season, when he was one of only four players in the league to average at least 10 rebounds and five blocks per game. Two of the other three (giannis antetokounmpo And Nikola Jokic) is a multi-time MVP, while the fourth player was a three-time All-Star, Domantas SabonisJohnson, meanwhile, is averaging a career-high 20.8 points on 58% shooting. Johnson’s assist rate should increase trey young Sidelined with an MCL sprain. He provided a season-high eight (with 22 points and 13 boards) in Friday’s win over Indiana.
Not yet 30 years old, Murray is already one of the most accomplished players ever without an All-Star appearance, a list he could play his way into this season. Injuries have been a factor in preventing Murray from making the All-Star roster, but he has never averaged as many points in a regular season (topping out at 21.4 in 2024-25) as he has in his playoff career. Murray is averaging 26.0 points on 39.4% 3-point shooting in the early going. Although he’s in an increasingly crowded international pool, I’d give Murray the edge over teammate Aaron Gordon Will be Jokic’s first teammate to be selected as an All-Star.
Leading the list in terms of age, Powell is coming off a successful campaign averaging a career-high 21.8 ppg. LA ClippersPowell, who signed with Miami this offseason, has emerged as the Heat’s leading scorer in the absence of any injuries tyler herroHis 24.0 PPG would surpass his previous career mark, while Miami has started the season by outscoring opponents. One possible complication: Powell has missed the last three games because of a groin injury.
No player has done more to improve his All-Star chances in the first two weeks of the season than Reeves, who has taken full advantage of the opportunity created by injuries earlier. Lebron James And then luka doncicReeves is averaging 32.0 ppg while leading the NBA in free throws (10.2 per game). Reaves earned All-Star recognition a year ago when he averaged a career-high 20.2 ppg, and if he maintains anything like his current pace when the Lakers get healthy, he’ll be a lock.
Doncic missed a triple-double in Sacramento after scoring 51 points in the first game, then Reaves finished with 41 points in a loss to Portland, where the Lakers were outscored by 14 points during his nine minutes on the bench. Reeves had a 28-point, 16-assist outing in Minnesota and scored the game-winner before Doncic returned on Friday.
Entering the season, Thompson would have been my top choice for first-time All-Stars. He averaged 16.0 points, 9.2 rebounds and 4.9 assists as a starter, earning All-Defensive first team honors last season. A Season-long ACL Tears for the starting point guard Fred VanVleet There was consideration for Thompson to be given more offensive responsibilities this season. So far, he has not taken advantage, scoring less than he did as a starter in 2024-25. It’s still a small sample, and with Thompson in control of the West’s contenders, I’d give him a good chance to work his way into the All-Star discussion.
Only an untimely oblique tear last December kept Wagner from making a strong All-Star push in his fourth season. At the time, he averaged 24.4 points and 5.7 assists for a Magic team that was 16–9 without an injured leading scorer. paolo bancheroBy the time Wagner returned a month and a half later, the coaches were about to be voted in for the reserves. Wagner hasn’t been an issue for Orlando, making 43.3% of his 3s as part of a career-best efficiency. But he probably needs the Magic to get back above .500 to get a chance at the All-Star.
