Making the case for 10 potential 1st-time NBA All-Stars

A year ago, Victor Wembanyama, Alperen Sengun, Jalen Williams, Cade Cunningham, Evan Mobley, and Tyler Herro were selected for their first NBA All-Star Games, continuing a trend of midseason showcase debutants.

No fewer than four players made their All-Star debuts in each of the last 12 exhibition contests, including in 2020, when 10 players featured for the first time. Even with a reimagined format this year that will include 16 stars representing the United States and another eight competing for Team World, several potential newcomers have made a case to appear in Los Angeles.

As with previous years, there are more All-Star-caliber performers than there are available spots. Here's a look at 10 players who've performed well enough to earn a selection for the 75th All-Star Game and the likelihood they'll be chosen.

U.S. 🇺🇸

It will take something near-cataclysmic for the Oklahoma City Thunder not to enter the break with the league's top record, and per tradition, they'll likely get a second All-Star alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. In consideration of the 65-game threshold for individual awards, Holmgren is the front-runner for Defensive Player of the Year over Wembanyama, who can only miss two more contests to remain in contention. Holmgren is anchoring the league's best defense, and his stats would be even better if he played more than 29.1 minutes. But such are the consequences of the Thunder's absurd NBA-record 13.6 point differential.

All-Star chances (out of 5): ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

In a similar vein to Holmgren, Duren and the Detroit Pistons have an impressive record and could be rewarded with a second All-Star next to Cunningham if they maintain the top spot in the Eastern Conference. Duren is fifth in the league in rebounding and ninth in double-doubles. His defense has improved, as has his mid-range game and ball-handling, while his pick-and-roll combination with Cunningham is among the game's elite.

All-Star chances: ⭐⭐⭐

Reaves is performing like a player who has a relatively thrifty $14.9-million player option in place for next season. He's averaging career highs in points, rebounds, and assists and helped carry the Los Angeles Lakers during early-season spells without Luka Doncic and LeBron James. He's also getting to the free-throw line 7.5 times per game, signaling a developed knack for foul-baiting. The one major obstacle to Reaves' hopes of his first appearance in the midseason spectacle is a Grade 2 calf strain that's expected to sideline him until at least the end of January.

All-Star chances: ⭐⭐

Can I get an Amen? If the All-Star Game was a sentient being capable of answering this question, it might say "yes." Thompson has deservedly earned a reputation as one of the NBA's best young two-way players. He's also the defensive keystone for the Houston Rockets and has developed savvier playmaking skills this season in the absence of first-choice point guard Fred VanVleet. Assuming Sengun and Kevin Durant are named All-Stars, it's difficult to foresee a situation in which the team sends three players, even if Thompson merits inclusion.

All-Star chances: ⭐

Johnson's breakthrough campaign has been one of the lone bright spots for an Atlanta Hawks team that was expected to compete following a series of shrewd offseason additions. He's a stats machine who, in December, joined Magic Johnson and Oscar Robertson as the only players in NBA history to post four consecutive triple-doubles before turning 24. He's fifth in the league in assists, seventh in rebounds, tied for first in double-doubles (27), and tied for second in triple-doubles (seven). The main thing potentially keeping the fifth-year pro from reaching the All-Star Game is Atlanta's losing record.

All-Star chances: ⭐⭐⭐

Powell was considered one of the most notable snubs from last year's event after putting an injury-depleted Los Angeles Clippers team on his back. Now with the Miami Heat, Powell has bettered his breakout season with even greater numbers in 2025-26. He's been Erik Spoelstra's most reliable offensive player and has picked up the slack amid Bam Adebayo's offensive regression and Tyler Herro's long-term absence. The 32-year-old has developed into a three-level scorer with tidy shooting splits and is the rare example of a player who reaches his peak after his age-30 campaign.

All-Star chances: ⭐⭐⭐

World 🌍

Gilgeous-Alexander, Wembanyama, Doncic, Nikola Jokic, and Giannis Antetokounmpo were selected as starters for Team World, leaving a trio of spots up for grabs. Murray will vie for one of them with the next three names on our list, plus Sengun, Lauri Markkanen, Pascal Siakam, and others. But Murray, who was the only Denver Nuggets starter not to sustain a significant injury in the first half of the season, deserves a shout for carrying the team while posting career highs in points, rebounds, assists, and field-goal and 3-point percentage. Could it finally be Murray's year?

All-Star chances: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Brooks is another Canadian who's waited for his moment. Lost in his continued feud with LeBron is a career-defining season for the 29-year-old who arrived in Phoenix as part of the blockbuster Durant trade. He's been an offensive force for the surprising Suns, bumping up his scoring significantly from his career average of 14.5 points. Brooks is also a menace on the defensive end and typically tasked with guarding an opponent's top offensive weapon. The All-Star Game has fundamentally lacked defense and intensity. Brooks' inclusion is a quick fix for that if there ever was one.

All-Star chances: ⭐⭐⭐

Despite the Portland Trail Blazers' position in the bottom half of the standings, Avdija merits an All-Star nod amid a breakout campaign. The fans have noticed, with the 25-year-old receiving the seventh-most votes in the West through the second round of fan voting, a spot ahead of LeBron. Avdija's putting up monster numbers on 61.4% true shooting as Portland's offensive fulcrum, plus he shined as a perceptive playmaking forward in Jrue Holiday's absence. The Israeli has also been incredibly durable, appearing in all of the Trail Blazers' first 40 games and in 41 of 44 overall.

All-Star chances: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Giddey and the Chicago Bulls started off like a house on fire, winning six of their first seven games, perhaps justifiably thrusting the Aussie into far-too-premature MVP discussions. The Bulls have since cooled off, and a current 11-game absence due to a hamstring worry has hindered Giddey's All-Star hopes. He's turnover prone and defensively feeble, a player who passes the eye test but remains a pariah in the advanced metrics community. Still, his 19/9/9 splits should be revered. A slew of international injuries and Giddey's return to health could result in an All-Star spot.

All-Star chances: ⭐