The NBA released its 2025-26 All-NBA selections on Tuesday, honoring 15 players across three teams after a vote by 100 media members. Ballots awarded five points for a First Team vote, three for Second Team and one for Third Team.
First Team
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder — 500 points
Nikola Jokić, Nuggets — 500
Victor Wembanyama, Spurs — 498
Luka Dončić, Lakers — 482
Cade Cunningham, Pistons — 414
Second Team
Jaylen Brown, Celtics — 384
Kawhi Leonard, Clippers — 277
Donovan Mitchell, Cavaliers — 276
Kevin Durant, Rockets — 241
Jalen Brunson, Knicks — 197
Third Team
Tyrese Maxey, 76ers — 168
Jamal Murray, Nuggets — 149
Jalen Johnson, Hawks — 125
Jalen Duren, Pistons — 121
Chet Holmgren, Thunder — 87
Gilgeous-Alexander, this season’s Most Valuable Player, and runner-up Jokić were unanimous First Team choices. Wembanyama missed a unanimous nod by a single Second Team vote.
Dončić and Cunningham received league waivers to bypass the 65-game minimum for award eligibility. Dončić fell short because of time missed during the birth of his child, while Cunningham’s absence stemmed from a collapsed lung. Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards, who played 61 games, sought a similar exception but was denied and therefore was left off all ballots.
Additional Vote-Getters
Deni Avdija (26 points) led a group of 12 players who appeared on at least one ballot but did not make the teams. Others receiving multiple points included Karl-Anthony Towns (14), Scottie Barnes (9), James Harden (6), Alperen Şengün (6), LaMelo Ball (5), Stephon Castle (5), Bam Adebayo (4) and Derrick White (3). Cooper Flagg, Brandon Ingram and Evan Mobley each picked up a single Third Team vote.
Contract Implications
• By landing on the Third Team, Duren becomes eligible for a five-year deal projected at $287.1 million—up to 30% of the 2026-27 salary cap—when he hits restricted free agency this summer. Without All-NBA honors, his max would have started at 25% ($239.3 million). Rival clubs remain limited to four years and $177.4 million.
• Maxey and Cunningham now need another All-NBA nod in 2027 to qualify for 35% “super-max” extensions under Designated Veteran rules.
• Despite First Team recognition and a Defensive Player of the Year trophy, Wembanyama must repeat either achievement in 2027 to lift the starting salary of his next contract from 25% to 30% of the cap via the Rose Rule.
• Paolo Banchero and Jalen Williams had Rose Rule clauses in their rookie extensions but did not meet the criteria this season, leaving their deals unchanged. Holmgren’s rookie-scale extension, which lacked a Rose Rule escalator, also remains at its previously negotiated value.
• Edwards would have gained super-max eligibility this summer with an All-NBA berth. Absent that, he must make a team next season to open the same door in 2027.
The All-NBA announcement concludes the league’s annual awards cycle for the 2025-26 campaign.
Source: Hoops Rumors
