Next Up: The 5 Players Who Could Make Their First All-Star Game in 2026

Every season, it feels like a handful of deserving names get left off the All-Star ballot. The pace-and-space era has redefined what qualifies as elite, and stats that once guaranteed you a spot barely get you into the conversation today. Averages of 25, 6 and 5 might’ve made headlines a decade ago—now they might not even get you a nod unless you’re on a winning team. But something is shifting. We’re in a new era of accountability, where analysts and fans alike are giving props to the right players even if they don’t have the flashiest highlights or biggest brand deals. Favoritism is fading, replaced by fairness. Last season, we saw six first-time All-Stars suit up—double the amount from the year before—and it’s a clear sign that the door is wide open for rising talent. Sure, player voting can sway momentum, but ultimately, the numbers speak louder than clout.

With that in mind, I’ve narrowed it down to five players who I believe will make enough noise this upcoming season to finally earn their first All-Star selection. Whether it’s a breakout campaign, increased opportunity, or just overdue recognition, these are the names to watch heading into the 2025-26 season.

1. Austin Reaves (SG) — Los Angeles Lakers

   

   ℅ to sports.yahoo.com

2024-25 Stats — 20.2 PPG — 4.5 RPG — 5.8 APG — 1.1 SPG — 46.0 FG %

Austin Reaves has been a fan favorite in Los Angeles ever since signing with the Lakers as an undrafted rookie in 2021. In just four seasons, he’s gone from a bench player with questionable talent into one of the league’s most promising young scorers, averaging over 20 points per game on elite efficiency. His offensive bag runs deep: dribble pull-ups, crafty crossovers, smooth pacing, and high-level ball control make him a legitimate threat night in and night out. Reaves isn’t just a role-player—he’s got game.

That buzz hasn’t gone unnoticed either. In the 2025 All-Star voting, he pulled in over 200,000 fan votes, a testament to his rising profile and the love he gets across the league. Cracking the All-Star roster in the West is no small task, but Reaves absolutely has the skillset to make it happen. Even if he doesn’t land in the actual game just yet, don’t be surprised if he pops up in the festivities soon. Either way, fans clearly want to see him on that stage—and he just might earn it.

2. Jamal Murray (PG) — Denver Nuggets

   

   ℅ to sportsnet.com

2024-25 Stats — 21.4 PPG — 3.9 RPG — 6.0 APG — 1.4 SPG — 47.4 FG %

Jamal Murray feels destined to receive the CJ McCollum treatment—widely respected, clearly talented, but somehow always on the outside looking in. After an up-and-down 2024–25 season, fans and analysts alike have questioned whether teams have finally “figured him out.” But the numbers tell a different story.

Murray still averaged over 20 points per game while seamlessly adapting to whatever role the Nuggets needed. Whether as a scorer, facilitator, or secondary playmaker behind Jokic, he’s remained the glue that keeps Denver’s offense humming. And now, with Michael Porter Jr. touching down in Brooklyn, the offense just opened up for him. Expect more spacing, more touches, more control, and most importantly, more points.

This could be the first time in years that Murray truly has the keys to the offense—and if he capitalizes, an All-Star selection might finally be within reach.

3. Franz Wagner (SF) — Orlando Magic

   

   ℅ to nba.com

2024-25 Stats — 24.2 PPG — 5.7 RPG — 4.7 APG — 1.3 SPG — 46.3 FG %

Franz Wagner might be the most obvious pick on this list. The 6’10” swingman has quietly blossomed into a star in Orlando, forming a dynamic duo with Paolo Banchero and giving Magic fans real hope for the future. At just 23 years old, Wagner is coming off a breakout season, averaging 24 points per game on his highest usage rate yet—all while battling through an oblique injury.

Offensively, he’s a fearless three-level scorer who plays with controlled aggression and elite touch. His confidence and craft make him a tough cover, and that same energy could bring a spark to an All-Star Game often lacking intensity. Now that Orlando is back in the playoff picture, Wagner’s contributions are finally starting to get national attention—and statistically, there’s no reason he shouldn’t be under serious consideration.

Defense may still be a developing part of his game, but with his size, instincts, and motor, that gap can close fast. If the Magic stay competitive, Franz might not just make the All-Star conversation—he could be a guarantee.

4. Jalen Green (SG) — Phoenix Suns

   

   ℅ to dknetwork.draftkings.com

2024-25 Stats — 21.0 PPG — 4.6 RPG — 3.4 APG — .9 SPG — 42.3 FG %

Jalen Green caught a lot of heat after a quiet showing in the 2025 playoffs, but that shouldn’t overshadow the strides he made during the regular season. Green played all 82 games for the second straight year—no load management, no excuses—and consistently proved he’s capable of being the first option on a playoff-caliber team.

His explosive athleticism, high-flying finishes, deep-range shooting, and silky midrange game give him the kind of "must-see TV" appeal tailor-made for All-Star Weekend. It’s honestly surprising that, aside from a forgettable dunk contest appearance a few years back, Green hasn’t been invited to any of the festivities.

Now, with a fresh start in Phoenix, Green has a point to prove—and he’s made that crystal clear, already vowing to “light Houston up” when they meet again. With Devin Booker shifting comfortably into a lead playmaking role, Green could be primed for an offensive breakout. If the Suns play to his strengths, don’t be shocked if he forces his way into All-Star consideration this time around.

5. Chet Holmgren (C) — Oklahoma City Thunder

   

   ℅ to thebiglead.com

2024-25 Stats — 15.0 PPG — 8.0 RPG — 2.0 APG — 2.2 BPG — 49.0 FG %

Chet Holmgren sealed his first NBA championship at just 23 years old, accomplishing the most coveted feat in a player’s career—and he’s only getting started. Injuries have delayed his progression, but we've already seen what a full 82-game season looks like from Chet, and the league has every reason to be on alert.

A true two-way force, Holmgren can knock down threes, protect the rim with instinctive timing, and switch onto just about anyone defensively. His ball-handling, court vision, and feel for the game are borderline alien for a 7-footer, and the transition from Gonzaga to the NBA couldn’t have looked smoother. Chet is a legitimate do-it-all weapon who doesn’t shy away from the gritty stuff either—he thrives in it.

Already a fan favorite, Holmgren has everything you’d want in an All-Star caliber big. And with the Thunder on the rise and J-Dub and Shai leading the charge, all Chet needs is a clean bill of health. If that holds, it’s hard to imagine he stays out of All-Star consideration for much longer.

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If last season was any indication, the door to making All-Star status is more open than ever, but so is the margin for injury. If all goes well and health is on their side, it shouldn’t surprise anyone if these five rising stars make that leap. The talent is real, the opportunity is there, and I’d bet at least one of them finds their name called sooner rather than later.

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Thanks for reading!

Joel Piton

@jp7ton