My All-Star Game Selections 2026

Daniel Waddleton

Jan 18, 2026

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WITH THE 2026 All-Star starters set to be announced tomorrow, I figured why not put together my own list of who should make up this year’s 24 All-Stars?

If I’m being honest, I’m not even totally sure how the actual All-Star format works this year. The Sunday event has been revamped (again), and at this point I'm not even sure I'm interested in watching anymore. What I do know is that the selection process has gone fully position less -- just as All-NBA has-- which I still think is dumb.

So instead I’m doing this the old-school way, the way it should be done: five starters per conference (two backcourt, three frontcourt), the same structure for the bench, plus two wildcard spots.

To clarify, this is NOT a prediction of who will be selected. Instead this is my personal list of the 12 All-Stars in each conference, as if Adam Silver had given me the honor of making the selections myself.

Eastern Conference Starters

Backcourt: Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons

Stats: 25.7 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 9.8 APG, 56.3% TS, +4.6 EPM

In just two years, Cunningham has gone from the face of a 27-game losing streak to the engine of the Eastern Conference’s top seed. Detroit sits at 28-10 with a +6.8 net rating, and the turnaround starts with Cade blossoming into one of the league’s best offensive players. He fits this jumbo-creator mold, blending scoring and playmaking in a way that makes disrupting his rhythm nearly impossible. The Pistons post a 120 offensive rating with him on the floor, and Cunningham carries a +7.4 offensive on/off signal. The final step is cleaning up his slightly below-average shooting efficiency, but given the trajectory, it feels inevitable.

. . .

Backcourt: Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks

Stats: 28.1PPG, 3.2 RPG, 6.1 APG, 59.4% TS, +2.8 EPM

The King of New York is doing it again. Brunson is having a legitimate MVP-level impact offensively this season, putting up 28.1 points and 6.1 assists with a +2.9 rTS%, and the Knicks are a staggering +12.4 per 100 possessions better offensively when he’s on the floor. Those minutes feature a ridiculous 127.1 offensive rating. The knock continues to be what he gives back defensively, a problem compounded by the fact that his running mate shares many of the same limitations, but New York sits second in the East and firmly in the conference-title picture with Brunson at the forefront.

. . .

Frontcourt: Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics

Stats: 29.8 PTS, 6.7 RPG, 4.8 APG, 58.2% TS, +2.5 EPM

With Tatum sidelined and Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porziņģis gone, a raw numbers leap from Jaylen Brown was expected, put this output has exceeded it. Brown is averaging career highs in both volume and efficiency (29.8 PPG, +1.9 rTS%), while clearing 1.0 PPP in isolation for the first time since 2021-22 and over 1.1 PPP as a pick-and-roll scorer/passer. The Celtics’ 24-15 record has Brown’s fingerprints all over it, and has this team a Tatum return away from potential Eastern Conference favorites come April.

. . .

Frontcourt: Scottie Barnes, Toronto Raptors

Stats: 19.8 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 5.6 APG, 57.8% TS, +1.8 EPM

Redundancy was my biggest concern for Toronto's playoff viability entering the season, yet here the Raptors sit at 25-17, fourth in the East. Barnes hasn’t just been this team’s best player, he’s blossomed into the Swiss Army knife evaluators fantasized about when he was just 19-years-old. He protects the rim one possession, switches onto guards the next, then grabs the rebound and ignites the break himself. He can punish mismatches in the post, space the floor enough to keep defenses honest, and function as the primary playmaker when the offense stalls. He’s tilted games all season without needing to dominate the ball or the box score. In a positionless ballot, Maxey might sneak into this spot, but sticking to a functional format works in Barnes’ favor.

. . .

Frontcourt: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks

Stats: 28.2 PPG, 9.9 RPG, 5.6 APG, 67.7% TS, +8.0 EPM

There’s not much to say. The clear best player in the Eastern Conference is the only reason the Bucks don’t have seven wins this season. Giannis owns a +21.2 on/off signal per 100 possessions -- the highest mark in the entire NBA -- with Milwaukee playing like a 62-win team when he’s on the floor and a 16-win team when he’s off it, per Cleaning the Glass. At this point, it’s probably time for both Giannis and the Bucks to consider a divorce, making this maybe his last All-Star game representing the deer.

. . .

Eastern Conference Reserves

Backcourt: Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers

Stats: 30.1 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 6.8 APG, 59.8% TS, +4.8 EPM

While I don’t think Maxey's put together quite a Cunningham or Brunson campaign, what I love about him more than either is his portability. He can run the offense as a point guard, operate as a combo guard providing spacing and secondary creation, or thrive next to a hub big man. He’s an elite catch-and-shoot threat (63.7% eFG), an above-average off-the-bounce scorer (51.8% eFG), and for a 6’1 guard, still finishes at the rim at a 63% clip. He’s the full package as a three-level scorer, and an underrated defender on top of it.

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Backcourt: Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers

Stats: 28.9 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 5.7 APG, 61.8% TS, +4.6 EPM

The Cavaliers have been a mess -- injuries, limited lineup flexibility, and the league catching up to Kenny Atkinson’s innovative offense have all taken their toll. Fortunately, Mitchell has kept their head above water with Cleveland +13.3 points per 100 possessions better with him on the floor. Like Maxey, Mitchell is a true three-level scorer at just 6’1, trading slightly less raw burst with a more polished arsenal of gathers and shots as he approaches the rim.

. . .

Frontcourt: Michael Porter Jr, Brooklyn Nets

Stats: 25.3 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 3.2 APG, 61.6% TS, +3.3 EPM

I can’t believe I’m saying it, but Porter feels like a safe All-Star. Yes, the Eastern Conference math helps, but it doesn’t erase how strong his first half has been. Brooklyn’s offense is 11.8 points better per 100 possessions with him on the floor, posting a 117.2 offensive rating. He’s limited once he puts the ball on the floor, so on a talent-thin roster, producing this level of scoring on above-average efficiency is genuinely impressive. I guess 6’10, 99th-percentile jump shooters really do travel. He’s also continued to be a strong rebounder for his position and an additive defender when fully engaged.

. . .

Frontcourt: Jalen Johnson, Atlanta Hawks

Stats: 23.2 PPG, 10.3 RPG, 8.0 APG, 60.2% TS, +1.4 EPM

One of the few bright spots in a disastrous Hawks season, Johnson is making a case as one of the league’s most versatile offensive wings. He’s produced in isolation, in transition, spot-up, and continues to grow as a pick-and-roll handler in his first season with usage north of 25%. For a player who showed elite defensive upside earlier in his career this year has been disappointing, but that often accompanies expanded offensive responsibility. If Atlanta finds clarity at point guard post–Trae Young, Johnson has the tools (key word) to become a legitimate All-NBA-caliber two-way wing.

. . .

Frontcourt: Jalen Duren, Detroit Pistons

Stats: 17.8 PPG, 10.9 RPG, 1.8 APG, 66.2% TS, +3.3 EPM

Currently my pick for Most Improved Player, Duren’s leap as an offensive player has been massive to Detroit’s success. Along with continuing to build strong chemistry with Cunningham in the pick-and-roll, he's flashed real self-creation chops, continued to grow as a passer, and still brings immense value as an elite offensive rebounder -- fifth in the league at 4.1 per game. The first-place Pistons post a +10.8 net rating with him on the floor, and Duren carries a +5.7 on/off split. And honestly, it feels right that the team with the best record in the conference gets multiple All-Stars when they have multiple deserving candidate.

. . .

Wild Card: Franz Wagner, Orlando Magic

Stats: 22.2 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 3.6 APG, 59.3% TS, +2.8 EPM

The lion doesn’t concern himself with games played, and that’s really the only knock on one of the Eastern Conference’s best players’ All-Star case. Wagner has been an elite pick-and-roll weapon, with Orlando generating 1.134 points per possession on P&R plays involving him as the ball-handler (89th percentile). He’s also knocking down a career-high 37.5% from three, pairing that shooting with steady downhill pressure at 12 drives per 36 minutes. Add in his consistent defensive value as a key cog in a top-10 Magic defense, and the case is strong despite Orlando’s uneven first half.

. . .

Wild Card: Norman Powell, Miami Heat

Stats: 23.5 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 2.6 APG, 62.6% TS, +2.9 EPM

If personal bias played a role in any of my selections, it’s this one. You can make a solid case for Powell not being an All-Star, but I’ve been a huge fan of his game dating all the way back to Toronto, and with half a decade of consistent improvement he's earned his day. Heat coach Erik Spoelstra built an offense that moved away from traditional pick-and-roll, and when Powell is on the floor, it’s generating an offensive rating north of 117. There’s no fat in his game -- he’s an elite shooter, can attacks closeout and keeps advantages alive, defends the perimeter at an above-average level, and plays hard every second he’s out there. A completely additive player, narrowly edging out Derrick White and less narrowly Karl-Anthony Towns, both of whom I can admit may be more deserving.

Honorable Mentions: Derrick White (BOS), Karl-Anthony Towns (NYK), Bam Adebayo (MIA), Pascal Siakam (IND), Evan Mobley (CLE), Desmond Bane (ORL), OG Anunoby (NYK)

. . .

Western Conference Starters

Backcourt: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder

Stats: 32 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 6.3 APG, 67.3% TS, +9.7 EPM

The headliner of the Western Conference All-Stars, SGA is in the middle of what looks like another MVP-winning year. He’s authoring one of the most impressive scoring seasons ever from a guard (33.8 points per 75, +8.9 rTS%) while serving as the engine of a 34-7 team. At 27, firmly in his prime and somehow still improving, it's safe to write Shai’s name in pen as a West All-Star starter for the rest of the 2020s.

. . .

Backcourt: Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors

Stats: 27.4 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 4.9 APG, 61.8% TS, +4.7 EPM

This might surprise some, but Curry has done an admirable job propping up an otherwise deeply flawed Warriors roster. Golden State’s offensive cast is limited to put it kindly, yet with Curry on the floor they still post an offensive rating north of 120. That’s a testament to both his on-ball creation and the gravity that still bends defenses at 37 the same way it did at 27, regardless of who’s around him. The proof is in the pudding: when Curry sits, the offense craters to a 110.5 rating -- a mark that would rank 26th in the league.

. . .

Frontcourt: Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers

Stats: 28.1 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 3.5 APG, 63.2% TS, +5.7 EPM

A beneficiary of sticking to the old-school format, Kawhi sneaks in as my final West starter. I’m not even sure he’ll make the actual game, but he’s more than deserving. For roughly two months now, he’s been the best wing in the conference, aligning with the Clippers’ turnaround. Since December 20th -- when LA sat at 7–21 -- the teams gone 11-2. In those games, Kawhi has logged 429 minutes with the team at +17 per 100 possessions. In this stretch he's averaging 32 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 3.6 stocks, while shooting the holy grail 50/40/90. He’s fifth in EPM, trailing only SGA, Jokic, Giannis, and Wemby -- a reminder that when healthy, he’s still the league’s assassin.

. . .

Frontcourt: Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs

Stats: 24.5 PPG, 10.9 RPG, 2.9 APG, 62.6% TS, +6.5 EPM

Arguably the most destructive defensive player the league has ever seen, the 7’6 alien has the Spurs sitting as the two seed in the West which is wildly ahead of schedule. With him on the floor, San Antonio holds teams to just 105.1 points per 100 possessions, a better mark than OKC’s historic defense this season. Offensively, he’s somehow already elite, which is terrifying considering it still feels like he’s learning what he’s actually capable of. Are the Spurs the luckiest franchise of all time?

. . .

Frontcourt: Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets

Stats: 29.6PPG, 12.2 RPG, 11 APG, 71.3% TS, +9.5 EPM

They told us Jokic’s on/off numbers would normalize now that Denver’s supporting cast improved. And I guess they were right -- he’s gone from +22.6 per 100 over the last three seasons to a measly +16.9 this year. Still the clear best player in the world, even missing time since December 29th with a hyperextended knee his All-Star starter status is untouched. For our ridiculous Jokic stat of the day: the Serbian currently leads the NBA at 71% true shooting, an absurd feat given his volume and offensive responsibility.

. . .

Western Conference Reserves

Backcourt: Luka Dončić, Los Angeles Lakers

Stats: 33.4 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 8.7 APG, 60.5% TS, +5.1 EPM

My most polarizing call on my ballot. Luka coming off the bench wasn’t an easy decision -- I still believe he’s the second-most unsolvable postseason player alive at his best -- but this regular season hasn’t fully met that standard. The box-score numbers are gaudy, and the Lakers’ record has outperformed their actual play thanks largely to Luka’s ability to win the Lakers clutch games (13-1). Still, his shot selection has been loose, the turnovers sloppy, and the defensive engagement inconsistent for a team that desperately needs him to be at least neutral on that end. SGA and Steph have driven better offenses and stronger on/off signals over the first half of the season, and I think the eye test would agree even further with this decision.

. . .

Backcourt: Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves

Stats: 29.6 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 3.7 APG, 62.2% TS, +3.1 EPM

Edwards continues to be a shot-analytics sweetheart, elite at both the rim and the three-point line on high volume, and consistent trips to the charity stripe. The improvement in his off-the-dribble three last season pushed his offensive game to another level, and with the polish on his in-between game when he needs it this season, it’s no surprise he’s posting career highs in both scoring and true shooting. The on/off signals and advanced metrics still don’t fully adore him -- likely a product of lineup fit questions and inconsistent defensive engagement -- but he remains one of the best players in the league and a more than deserving All-Star.

. . .

Frontcourt: Kevin Durant, Houston Rockets

Stats: 26.1 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 4.6 APG, 63.4% TS, +3.9 EPM

Even at 37, Durant is still laying waste to NBA defenses. He’s averaging 26.1 points on 63.6% true shooting despite operating within a defensively slanted Houston roster that offers far from ideal spacing. Nearly nine dribble jumpers per game, 53% eFG on those attempts, some things never change. He’s been Houston’s offensive failsafe while still providing real value defensively with his length and weakside rim protection. All things considered, a more than worthy 16th All-Star selection.

. . .

Frontcourt: Deni Avdija, Portland Trail Blazers

Stats: 26 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 6.9 APG, 61.6% TS, +2.8 EPM

If you’re not deep in the NBA weeds, you might quietly be missing one of the more impressive seasons taking place in the deep northwest. The Avdija trade didn’t get the Woj Bomb tag, but it’s paid massive dividends for Portland since. He’s functionally been their point guard, with the Blazers posting a 118.1 offensive rating when he’s on the floor and a +16.4 offensive on/off split. Portland is a top-four offense with him, and by far the worst offense in basketball when he sits. At 6’8, 228 pounds, Avdija blends ball handling, downhill force, and instinctive passing in a way that makes all this feel sustainable, not fluky. The Blazers may have found a diamond in the rough.

. . .

Frontcourt: Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City Thunder

Stats: 17.8 PPG, 8.4 RPG, 1.6 APG, 66.2% TS, +5.3 EPM

I’ll admit I hoped for a bit more from Holmgren in year three, and the fact he’s still an All-Star speaks volumes to him as a player. He’s the defensive backbone of one of the best defensive teams we’ve ever seen, giving OKC elite rim protection and schematic flexibility at 7’1. There’s still more meat on the bone offensively before any real All-NBA conversations, but at just 23, with added strength and polish I’m still holding all my stock on him becoming a top 10-15 player in this league sooner rather than later.

. . .

Wild Card: Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets

Stats: 26PPG, 4.3 RPG, 7.3 APG, 62.1% TS, +3.5 EPM

Finally. After years of arguing about how Jokic “never played with an All-Star” despite a 26-PPG championship running mate in 2023, Murray gets his overdue nod. He hasn’t always helped his case -- slow starts tied to less-than-ideal conditioning -- but this year he came in on a mission. The shotmaking already looks like Playoff Murray -- advanced analytics would suggest he's the best three point shooter in basketball right now -- and he’s taken a real leap as a playmaker, really flashing since Jokic's injury. Career highs across the board in points, assists, rebounds, and true shooting. One of the best players to never make an All-Star no more -- the current player clubhouse leader officially shifts back to CJ McCollum.

. . .

Wild Card: Rudy Gobert, Minnesota Timberwolves

Stats: 11PPG, 11.3 RPG, 1.8 APG, 68.6% TS, +2.3 EPM

I doubt he makes the actual game, but as a consolation prize, Gobert gets the Forum's final wildcard nod. Yes, his offensive limitations cap playoff ceilings, but as a regular-season floor raiser, he remains elite. Minnesota’s defense is 15 points better per 100 possessions with him on the floor, a product of opponents attempting just 28% of their shots at the rim and shoot 11.3% worse than expected there with Gobert as the closest defender. The Wolves aren't one of the hottest teams in the league without Gobert, and that impact gives him a narrow edge over Devin Booker and Alperen Şengün for my final spot.

Honorable Mentions: Devin Booker (PHX), Alperen Şengün (HOU), Lauri Markkanen (UTA), James Harden (LAC), Jimmy Butler III (GSW), Austin Reaves (LAL), Dillon Brooks (PHX)