The 2024/25 NBA season has been full of surprising performances, from emerging young players and teams alike.
With 24 slots available, will any players make their All-Star debuts next month?
Both of the two best teams in the league, by record, sport young rising talents who could break through this year.
The loaded Cavaliers, currently an NBA-best 35-6 halfway through the year, boast three veteran All-Stars in Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, and Jarrett Allen. Mitchell and Garland seem all but assured to make the cut next month, but All-Defensive forward Evan Mobley, the No. 3 pick in 2021 out of USC, has taken a leap this season. If coaches want to reward Cleveland for its breakout campaign with a third All-Star, Mobley seems to have a better shot at the honor than Allen.
Thunder forward Jalen Williams is the second-best player on the 34-7 Thunder, behind perennial MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. An excellent defensive player who plays a lot bigger than his 6’5″ frame would suggest, Williams is still working to elevate his offense and become a true, championship-level secondary scoring option behind Gilgeous-Alexander. But he’s already done enough to prove his mettle as one of the league’s most exciting young players.
Another 2021 draftee, former No. 1 pick Cade Cunningham, has helped propel his revitalized Pistons to a 21-21 record and the East’s No. 8 seed. Cunningham individually has made a pretty solid case for All-Star consideration, and to this writer feels like the safest bet among this crop of potential newbies — well, the second-best, actually. We’ll get to the best in a minute.
This season, Cunningham is averaging 24.3 points, 9.4 assists, and 6.5 rebounds per game. Those eye-popping numbers, combined with Detroit’s remarkable turnaround from a horrific 2023/24 season, should firmly establish him as an All-Star this year. The 6’6″ Oklahoma State alum is also posting an efficient shooting line of .450/.368/.805.
Magic forward Franz Wagner was making a convincing case to make his All-Star debut this year, before he was felled by an abdominal injury. He has now missed too much time to realistically have a shot, but All-Defensive Team guard Jalen Suggs — who has stepped up as a scorer — could be Orlando’s lone representative this season.
The Magic have performed ably while dealing with long-term absences to Wagner and Paolo Banchero, and Suggs’ stabilizing presence has been a huge part of that. With Banchero back and Wagner hopefully returning soon, Orlando could start vaulting up the Eastern Conference standings again soon enough.
Another All-Defensive Team guard, Celtics champ Derrick White, looked to be on the cusp of making his first All-Star team this year, at age 30, thanks to some strong two-way play early this season. The 2024 Olympic gold medalist has fallen back down to earth a bit across the last month, but his reputation and team success might still help him get there.
In one of the happiest surprises for the season, the young Rockets have looked like one of the best teams in the league. Their 28-13 record makes them the No. 2 seed in the West, behind only Oklahoma City. If anyone is to be named an All-Star among Houston’s cadre of talented young players, center Alperen Sengun would be the best fit as the club’s best two-way player. The 6’11” big man has been averaging 19.4 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 5.1 assists across 41 healthy games so far.
One player, to this writer, stands tall — literally — above the rest.
Spurs superstar-in-waiting Victor Wembanyama seems all but assured to make his first of many, many All-Star teams this year.
The 7’3″ big man has taken the league by storm in just his second season, pushing his club to a solid 19-21 record in the West. Already the odds-on favorite to win Defensive Player of the Year according to BetMGM’s Shane Jackson, the 7’3″ center has rounded out his offense, too. The additions of solid vets Chris Paul and Harrison Barnes, plus impressive rookie guard Stephon Castle and the growth of some young incumbents, appear to have helped expedite the 21-year-old’s development.
The reigning Rookie of the Year is averaging 24.5 points, 10.8 rebounds, 4.1 blocks, 3.7 assists, and 1.1 steals per game for San Antonio. A talent who can score from anywhere, the Frenchman boasts a shooting line of .474/.353/.868.
Amid some major Jimmy Butler-related turmoil, Heat guard Tyler Herro has become Miami’s most reliable regular season scorer, especially in the clutch. Although there are still questions about his defense, the 2022 Sixth Man of the Year could be the Heat’s lone All-Star representative in February thanks to his stellar output on the other end.
Bulls guard Coby White was playing like a fringe All-Star last season as the top performer on a play-in Chicago team. This season, on the No. 10-seeded Bulls, White’s numbers are pretty comparable to his 2023/24 run, but his play has been overshadowed by Chicago’s two veteran All-Stars, Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic. Either of those two pros seems to have a better chance of being named to his third All-Star squad than White does of making his first.
We want to hear from you. Who, if anyone, do you think should make the All-Star team for the first time this year? Are there any other names worthy of discussion?
Let us know in the comments section below.
East back oourt
Ball
Mitchell
Brunson, Cade, Young and Lillard are locked?
LaVine, Derrick White?
All I want to know is who are locked for East all stars back court
Halliburton, Garland, Herro?
Usually 5 all stars on back court?
Maxey and Paul George have a bad season?
2024’s East All-Stars
G: Jalen Brunson, Damian Lillard, Tyrese Haliburton, Tyrese Maxey, Donovan Mitchell, Trae Young (REP)
F: Bam Adebayo, Giannis Antetekounmpo, Paolo Banchero, Scottie Barnes (REP), Jaylen Brown, Joel Embiid (INJ), Julius Randle (INJ), Jayson Tatum
Last year was 5/7 but 6/6 after replacements. The lowest it can go is 4/8 but realistically the floor is 5/7.
EAST ALL-STARS
PG: Jalen Brunson (NYK), Damian Lillard (MIL), Darius Garland (CLE), LaMelo Ball (CHA), Tyrese Haliburton (IND)
SG: Donovan Mitchell (CLE)
SF:
PF: Giannis Antekounmpo (MIL), Jayson Tatum (BOS), Evan Mobley (CLE)
C: Karl-Anthony Towns (NYK), Bam Adebayo (MIA), Jarrett Allen (CLE)
Based on availability, I think there are a clear 12.
I personally wouldn’t have LaMelo (would take Cade given team record, LaMelo’s stats are empty calories) but given the popular vote it seems likely at this point.
I would not hesitate to take 4 Cavs, ala the 2005 Pistons and 2015 Hawks.
It’s probable Jaylen Brown (Finals MVP reward) gets taken over Jarrett Allen by the coaches, to make a 2/3 BOS/CLE split.
It takes numerous injuries (both of ORL’s frontcourt stars, Embiid’s woes, Jimmy’s antics) for someone of Jarrett Allen’s caliber to get consideration in a given season – those seasons DO happen every now and then.
SNUBS (Injuries, Level of Play, Team Record)
PG: Trae Young (ATL), Cade Cunningham (DET), Tyler Herro (MIA), Tyrese Maxey (PHI), Jalen Suggs (ORL)
SG: Derrick White (BOS), Paul George (PHI)
SF: Franz Wagner (ORL), Jaylen Brown (BOS), Zach LaVine (CHI), Cam Johnson (BKN), OG Anunoby (NYK)
PF: Paolo Banchero (ORL), Jimmy Butler (MIA), Pascal Siakam (IND), Scottie Barnes (TOR), Jalen Johnson (ATL), Josh Hart (NYK)
C: Joel Embiid (PHI), Kristaps Porzingis (BOS), Nikola Vucevic (CHI)
WEST ALL-STARS
PG: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC), Stephen Curry (GSW)
SG: Kyrie Irving (DAL), Devin Booker (PHX), Anthony Edwards (MIN)
SF:
PF: LeBron James (LAL), Kevin Durant (PHX), Jaren Jackson Jr (MEM), Jalen Williams (OKC)
C: Nikola Jokic (DEN), Victor Wembanyama (SAS), Anthony Davis (LAL)
The West is trickier given the depth of talent.
I assume Luka will not make it due to injury (currently 3rd in guard vote).
I think the same happens to Ja Morant (only 24 of 42 GP thus far)
I don’t feel great about taking Booker > Sengun given the season their respective teams are having, but there haven’t been nearly as many injuries in the West either. If Sengun were a guard he’d make it > Booker hands down.
SNUBS (Injuries, Level of Play, Team Record)
PG: Luka Doncic (DAL), Ja Morant (MEM), De’Aaron Fox (SAC), James Harden (LAC), DeJounte Murray (NOP)
SG: Desmond Bane (MEM), Jamal Murray (DEN), Norman Powell (LAC), C.J. McCollum (NOP), Jalen Green (HOU)
SF: Kawhi Leonard (LAC), DeMar DeRozan (SAC), Brandon Ingram (NOP), Lauri Markkanen (UTA)
PF: Zion Williamson (NOP), Julius Randle (MIN)
C: Domantas Sabonis (SAC), Alperen Sengun (HOU), Chet Holmgren (OKC), Isaiah Hartenstein (OKC)
Can you present J Willams case to me ?
I just don’t see it but would like too if possible
He was ranked 157 th in effective fg last week…. Good post thru and thru id just like to further hear your thoughts on why JWill would be in
Williams shot has indeed slipped (44/23/75 shooting over the last 14 games). He was 49/39/80 prior to that.
However he is still the 2nd best player on a 34-7 team, and has often had to play Center on a team that is currently #1 in Defense (Draymond Green was a 4x All-Star and nowhere near the offensive player that J-Will currently is).
He’s essentially Jaylen Brown except he can play up 1-2 spots defensively.
I can see an argument for Sengun over him if the shooting doesn’t revert back to normal, but I think it’s fair to say a lot of J-Will’s value doesn’t show up in traditional box (Bam Adebayo would be another example)
As an aside I’m probably underestimating how much people get fooled by box score warriors like Domantas Sabonis.
He’s a better player than Sengun – I would prefer a HOU player be represented given their season.
Fair , I don’t put much thought into all star selections but I def had Sengun over him as well as a couple others
I don’t really put much stock into team records with the all star game selectors , could be right / wrong approach I’ve just never cared enough to have a firm stance i guess, solid reply
Ball, Mitchell, Brunson, Cade and Young. Lavine if someone’s not healthy. No White, Hali, Garland, Herro, Lillard
Ball, Mitchell, Brunson, Cade and Trae I’d say are all locks in the eastern backcourt.
Then there’s the likes of Lillard, Garland, LaVine, White, Maxey, Herro, Poole and Haliburton. Obviously there will be some big names missing.
As for the Front Court, Giannas, Embiid, Tatum, Brown and KAT are probably locks. Embiid only off previous performances and not on form.
Then after that I hope Mobley gets a spot, same with Paolo. Jimmy Butler shouldn’t be there and nor should PG13. The only other real shouts are Bam, Franz, Jalen Johnson and maybe Mikal or OG from the Knicks but that’s only due to lack of competition and team record really. I’d like Jalen Johnson to get some respect for his performances.
Western front court, Curry Luka Booker Kyrie ANT and SGA are locks then you have Ja, Harden and Fox.
Western backcourt, Jokic, Wemby, AD, Bron, KD and Sabonis are locks. Then there’s Sengun, JDub and JJJ.
I think this year it’s a little more obvious who deserves a spot and who doesn’t. Then when it comes to tighter decisions it’s going to be based on team record and if said team deserves two all stars. For example I don’t think Fox makes it cause Sabonis gets a spot and the western guard spots are hard to crack.
Same with Mobley probably getting a spot in the easier front court rather than Garland in the loaded backcourt. Eastern backcourt in particular is going to really tough on some guys.
Might not be the fairest way of going about it but makes the 50:50 decisions more justified I guess…
East
Brunson Ball Mitchell Trae Cade Lillard
Giannas Embiid Tatum Brown Mobley KAT
West
Steph Luka SGA Kyrie Booker ANT
Jokic Bron KD AD Wemby Sabonis
Can’t remember how many players get selected so I did 12 each side.
Snubs plenty
5 first time all stars for sure are: Victor, Cade, Mobley, JW, and Sengun.
“Bulls guard Coby White was playing like a fringe All-Star last season as the top performer on a play-in Chicago team. ”
DeRozan would like a word????
I will never understand the Coby White hype train. White is a borderline starter playing heavy minutes. He would be a 6th man on most playoff teams. A poor man’s Malik Monk.