Players who will become first-time All-Stars in 2024-25

Oklahoma City’s Chet Holmgren (left) and Jalen Williams both have the potential to become All-Stars for the first time this season.

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We’re counting down 24 key storylines for the 2024-25 NBA season. Our senior analysts will analyze a new topic each day as we help you prepare for opening night on October 22nd.

Here’s the plot No. 8:

These players are poised to become All-Stars for the first time this season.

Over the past 10 years, there have been an average of 5.7 first-time All-Stars, with a high of 10 in 2020. Last year there were four newcomers, all from the Eastern Conference: Paolo Banchero, Scottie Barnes, Jalen Brunson and Tyrese Maxey.

Here are six candidates (eight players) for inaugural All-Star selection in 2025:

1. Victor Wembanyama, Spurs

The first choice is obvious. Wembanyama proved in his rookie season (especially in the second half) that he is the real deal. Keep in mind that the league’s GMs already rate him as the best defensive player in the league. The Spurs may not have a track record when it comes to picking All-Stars, but Wembanyama’s numbers will be unmissable.

2. Chet Holmgren and/or Jalen Williams, Thunder

The Thunder want to be the best team in the Western Conference that deserves multiple All-Stars. Holmgren and Williams — 22 and 23 years old, respectively — both have the potential to be the second (or third) selection behind Kia MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The biggest obstacle will be the overall depth of the West and the players above and below it.

3. Alperen Sengun, rockets

Sengun was an All-Star candidate last season and finished with averages of 21.1 points, 9.3 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game. But the Rockets were outside the top 10 in the West when it came time to make reserve picks. As the team improves, it will be more about the development of Jalen Green and Jabari Smith Jr. But Sengun could be the beneficiary when it comes to All-Star selection.

4. Evan Mobley, Cavaliers

Mobley is likely to be the favorite among the Eastern Conference prospects. The Cleveland Cavaliers have the potential to finish in the top 10 on both ends of the court and finish in the top three in the East. Donovan Mitchell would be their top All-Star candidate and the second could be one of three guys. The other two – Jarrett Allen and Darius Garland – were both All-Stars, and if the Cavs take a real step forward, the 23-year-old Mobley will take a leap forward.

5. Cade Cunningham, Pistons

After adding some capable veterans, the Pistons still need improvement. And if Cunningham deserves to be selected No. 1 in the 2021 draft (and get a max extension this summer), he’s in for a breakthrough. Detroit probably won’t be able to win even close to half of its games, but when Barnes and Trae Young were named reserves last season, their teams were 17-33 and 22-28, respectively.

6. OG Anunoby or Mikal Bridges, Knicks

If Eastern Conference coaches focus on winning teams, either Anunoby or Mikal Bridges could be an additional All-Star for the Knicks alongside Brunson and possibly Karl-Anthony Towns. Bridges will score more goals, but Anunoby is probably the more valuable player in New York. Including the playoffs, the Knicks were 26-6 when he played last season.

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John Schuhmann is a senior statistical analyst for NBA.com. You can email him here, his archive can be found here and Follow him on X.

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