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Considering the selection process for NBA All-Stars, rather than merely assessing player performance, it’s understandable that some deserving athletes end up overlooked.
Each season, rosters are constructed by three distinct groups, each with its own set of criteria. The starting lineup is determined through votes cast by fans, players, and the media. Typically, the choices are fairly clear-cut, with 10 players emerging from a pool of around 12 or 13 strong contenders.
However, the East and West rosters are ultimately completed by the coaches from each conference, who often take into account the win-loss records of potential All-Stars’ teams. This creates an arbitrary limitation, as exceptional individual talents may find themselves on less successful squads. Yet, coaches tend to favor players from winning teams, often leading to recognition for role players on squads with winning records.
Additionally, the commissioner steps in to make selections when injuries occur. Sometimes, he opts for the player who received the next highest votes from the starters’ ballot, but this is not always the case.
Despite the All-Star Game being labeled as the Fans’ Game, it frequently features unexpected selections and debutants. Last year, five players made their All-Star debuts—Victor Wembanyama, Evan Mobley, Cade Cunningham, Jalen Williams, and Alperen Sengun. It’s uncommon for at least one or two newcomers not to join the ranks.
Here is a compilation of 10 players who could potentially make an appearance in February. We’re bringing back three from last year’s roster alongside seven other candidates poised to elevate their game by midseason.
Please keep in mind that our assessment is based on general All-Star potential, without accounting for the potential USA-International format proposed for the 2026 game. This could lower the count of domestic stars while increasing the number of international players, diverging from the traditional format of 12 representatives from the East and 12 from the West.
Feel free to explore the standout plays and key moments of Chet Holmgren from the 2025 NBA Finals.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is not expected to be omitted from any Western Conference roster, but there are plenty of precedents for Oklahoma City—current champions and top contenders—to introduce a third All-Star. He was a contender last year, but a crowded field of big men vying for the same spots contributed to his exclusion. It may require a series of injuries to clear some space in the frontcourt, which includes stars like Wembanyama, Sengun, Nikola Jokić, Anthony Davis, and Jaren Jackson Jr.
These were the other two players from last year’s list who didn’t make it to the All-Star festivities. There are opportunities available in the East, as Boston’s Jayson Tatum, Indiana’s Tyrese Haliburton, and Damian Lillard, who was an All-Star with Milwaukee last season, are all missing this year. The challenge for both Knicks players is to shine alongside Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns without detracting from each other’s chances.
Teammate Paolo Banchero made his All-Star debut in 2024, and Wagner has the potential to do the same this season. He averaged 24.2 points per game last season but needs to improve his shooting percentage after connecting on just 29.5% of his three-point attempts (including 7-of-37 during the opening round against Boston). The versatile 6-foot-10 wing just turned 24 this week, and both he and Orlando are set for significant growth.
The aforementioned congestion of centers and power forwards presents a similar challenge for Zubac. The 7-footer from Bosnia and Herzegovina has been efficiently producing double-doubles throughout most of his NBA career, but it was only in his ninth season that he accumulated enough minutes in a sufficient number of games to achieve those numbers (16.8 points per game, 12.6 rebounds per game) consistently. He led the league in both offensive and defensive rebounds and earned a spot on the All-Defensive second team.
It may be surprising to learn that Murray is far from the benchmark for 20-point scorers who have yet to receive All-Star recognition. In fact, CJ McCollum boasts 10 such seasons to Murray’s four, all without an invitation. However, Murray has established himself as a performer in the playoffs, holds a championship ring, and plays alongside Jokić, who has represented Denver as their sole All-Star for all seven of his appearances. If the Nuggets’ offseason adjustments prove beneficial, Murray may have the opportunity to join the Joker in the All-Star conversation.
McDaniels and Timberwolves superstar Anthony Edwards have grown together since they both entered the league in 2020. While McDaniels doesn’t possess the same enthusiastic personality as Ant, he has been making his presence felt in coach Chris Finch’s system. He remains an adaptable defender, capable of covering any position on the floor—something conference coaches often appreciate when voting for All-Star selections, provided the Timberwolves perform well.
Powell has been steadily rising in prominence for some time. After two seasons where he received Kia Sixth Man votes, he started every game he played last season and surpassed the 20 points per game mark. With his recent trade to Miami, he could flourish in some classic Dwyane Wade-style play while showcasing his impressive 41.9% three-point shooting over the past four seasons. However, at 32, Powell is approaching the age where he could match Nat (Sweetwater) Clifton, who became the oldest first-time All-Star at age 34.
You’re already aware of his All-Defensive credentials, but the Rockets’ emerging star also showcased his dunking ability last season.
The incredible athleticism of these twins is off the scale, so if either can develop a more consistent offensive game, he could join an All-Star teammate—Şengün or Cunningham, respectively—as the second option on his team. Amen already participated in All-Star festivities through the mini-tournament last year that featured a Rising Stars unit. However, we’re focused on the main event—a game that twins Dick and Tom Van Arsdale both reached in 1970 and 1971.
Additional players to keep an eye on include: Jalen Johnson from the Hawks, Myles Turner from Milwaukee, Coby White from the Bulls, and Derrick White from the Celtics.
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Steve Aschburner has been covering the NBA since 1980. You can reach him via email, browse his archives, and follow him on X.
