The 2025-26 NBA season is only two weeks old, yet conversation around the league has already shifted toward which players could secure their first trip to the All-Star Game, scheduled for February in Los Angeles. During the past five years the NBA has welcomed between five and six new All-Stars each season, with six—Cade Cunningham, Evan Mobley, Alperen Sengun, Victor Wembanyama and Jalen Williams—earning the honor last February.
This season’s showcase features a new format that places one roster of international standouts against two squads made up of American players. With that structure in mind, the following ten athletes have emerged as early candidates to make their All-Star debuts:
International pool
Deni Avdija, Portland Trail Blazers, 24
Portland’s top scorer since last season’s All-Star break is averaging 22.7 points and 4.2 assists while the Trail Blazers have opened 4-2. The former Washington Wizards forward posted 23.3 points, 9.7 rebounds and 5.2 assists after last year’s break on 50-percent shooting overall and 40-percent from deep.
VJ Edgecombe, Philadelphia 76ers, 20
Selected third in June’s draft, the Bahamian guard has lifted Philadelphia to a 5-1 start by putting up 21.2 points, 5.6 rebounds and 5.4 assists on 43.8-percent three-point accuracy. No rookie has appeared in an All-Star Game since Blake Griffin in 2011.
Josh Giddey, Chicago Bulls, 23
The Australian playmaker is producing career highs of 22.0 points, 8.8 rebounds and 8.0 assists while shooting 45.5 percent from three. Chicago is 5-1 despite the absence of injured guard Coby White.
Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets, 28
The veteran guard is averaging 26.0 points on 39.4-percent three-point shooting. Murray has never been an All-Star despite a 23.8-point playoff scoring average that outpaces several Hall of Famers.
Franz Wagner, Orlando Magic, 24
An oblique injury derailed last season’s bid, but the German forward is now shooting 43.3 percent from long range while Orlando seeks to climb above .500.
American pool
Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City Thunder, 23
Through the season’s first stretch, the 7-footer owns averages of 23.0 points and 10.3 rebounds while hitting 42 percent of his threes. A hip fracture limited him to 32 games last year; he has missed the Thunder’s past three contests with back soreness.
Jalen Johnson, Atlanta Hawks, 23
Johnson is recording 20.8 points on 58-percent shooting after ranking among just four players to average at least 10 rebounds and five blocks last season. His playmaking duties should expand while Trae Young recovers from an MCL sprain.
Norman Powell, Miami Heat, 32
Acquired from the Clippers in the offseason, Powell leads Miami with 24.0 points per game while Tyler Herro rehabs an injury. The guard is currently sidelined with a groin strain.
Austin Reaves, Los Angeles Lakers, 27
Reaves has produced 32.0 points a night, topping the league with 10.2 made free throws per game. Highlights include a 51-point outburst at Sacramento and a buzzer-beater in Minnesota.
Amen Thompson, Houston Rockets, 22
The second-year guard averaged 16.0 points, 9.2 rebounds and 4.9 assists as a starter last season and earned All-Defensive first-team honors. Houston expects a larger offensive role after Fred VanVleet’s season-ending ACL tear.
Voting for the revamped All-Star Game opens in December, giving this group of emerging talents three more months to strengthen their cases for a first-time selection.
Source: ESPN.com
