Voting for the 2025 NBA All-Star game commences tomorrow and without much effort, we could name 15-20 players who will undoubtedly find their way onto a roster. However, with the likes of Kawhi Leonard, Paolo Banchero and Joel Embiid expected to miss out this season, the final few spots on the All-Star team will be hotly contested. For the 7th consecutive season, I’ve shone the light on a handful of players yet to appear at the mid-season classic who have strong cases to become first-time All-Stars in 2025.
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Honourable mentions – Jaren Jackson Jr, Franz Wagner, Chet Holmgren, Jamal Murray, Paolo Banchero
Cade Cunningham, Pistons
Season stats: 10-13 record, 23.5 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 9.7 APG
A clean bill of health is allowing Cade Cunningham to play the best ball of his young career. Thriving under new head coach J.B. Bickerstaff, Detroit’s franchise guy sits third for total assists thus far and they’re on track to post their best record since the 2018-19 season. Only LeBron and Jokic have more triple-doubles than Cunningham this season and with spots potentially up for grabs on the East side of the bracket, Cade will be firmly in contention for his first All-Star selection.
Jalen Johnson, Hawks
Season stats: 13-12 record, 19.6 PPG, 10.1 RPG, 5.5 APG
He had his breakout season last year, but Jalen Johnson has still managed to take his game to new heights in 2024. Flirting with 20/10/5 averages, Atlanta’s frontcourt star is helping the Hawks stay in the mix for a top-6 seed and I’d argue that he should be picked for the league’s mid-season classic over his polarizing teammate, Trae Young. Johnson has been doing a ton of work on both sides of the ball for Atlanta and ultimately, the team’s win-loss record in the upcoming 4-6 weeks will go a long way to determining his All-Star legitimacy.
Image from ajc.com
Alperen Sengun, Rockets
Season stats: 17-9 record, 18.6 PPG, 10.6 RPG, 5.2 APG
The best player on the 5th best team in the league deserves recognition, right? Alperen Sengun is widely expected to be in the selection frame if Houston keeps on winning, with Ime Udoka’s men emerging as a success story 20+ games into a new campaign. It’s fair to point out that Sengun’s shooting percentages have dipped this year, however he’s still been a driving force behind the Rockets’ early-season success. Dubbed ‘Baby Jokic’ for his offensive proficiency and soft touch around the rim, Sengun should be in consideration for a wildcard berth, but he has his work cut out for himself in the ultra-competitive West.
Evan Mobley, Cavaliers
Season stats: 21-4 record, 18.4 PPG, 8.9 RPG, 2.6 APG
If the NBA opts to give Cleveland two All-Stars following the best start to the season in franchise history, then Evan Mobley should get the nod over his Cavaliers peers. It’s fair to assume that Donovan Mitchell will make the cut and both Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen will lay claim to a spot on the roster. Still, Mobley’s ability to confidently handle the rock and knock down open three-pointers will give Cavs fans optimism regarding their postseason potential. Kenny Atkinson wasn’t shy in the offseason when it came to addressing the potential of their fourth-year big man and the early results indicate that Mobley has shown enough to earn his maiden All-Star jersey.
Jalen Williams, Thunder
Season stats: 20-5 record, 21.7 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 5.0 APG
There’s no denying the fact that Jalen Williams deserves to be on the All-Star roster, but will he be able to supersede some of his more accomplished conference rivals? J-Dub has emerged as a perfect sidekick to MVP threat Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and a 20-5 record indicates that the Thunder should be rewarded by having two players make the All-Star team. I’d give him my vote over the star duo in Sacramento and guys like Kyrie Irving or Devin Booker, but history suggests he’ll end up on the outside looking in.
Image from si.com
Victor Wembanyama, Spurs
Season stats: 11-10 record, 23.6 PPG, 10.3 RPG, 3.9 APG, 3.5 BPG
It’s hard to envision a scenario where Wembanyama doesn’t make the All-Star team this year. San Antonio’s 7-3 sensation is once again leading the entire NBA in blocks and just 92 games into his career he’s already established himself as one of the best (if not the best) defensive forces around the rim. Offensively, I still believe Wemby is shooting too many threes, although he has had four games this year with 6+ makes from behind the arc – including eight made treys in a 50-point outburst vs. Washington. An appearance as an All-Star at the Chase Center in February appears to be a formality at this point.
Tyler Herro, Heat
Season stats: 13-11 record, 24.1 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 4.8 APG
Some will still claim that Jimmy Butler is Miami’s best player, although it’s obvious that Tyler Herro is their future. The ‘shoot first, ask questions later’ guard has flourished through the first 24 games for the Heat – averaging career-best scoring numbers, all while shooting the three-ball at a similar clip to Steph Curry and Anthony Edwards. Herro is almost single-handedly keeping Miami in playoff contention and his play so far this season merits a spot on the All-Star team.
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