Oklahoma City’s Chet Holmgren (left) and Jalen Williams both have the potential to become first-time All-Stars this season.
We’re counting down 24 key storylines heading into the 2024-25 NBA season. Our senior analysts will dissect a new topic each day as we help you get ready for opening night on Oct. 22.
Here is storyline No. 8:
These players are poised to become first-time All-Stars this season.
Over the last 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 first-timers, all from the Eastern Conference: Paolo Banchero, Scottie Barnes, Jalen Brunson and Tyrese Maxey.
Here are six candidates (eight players) for first-time All-Star selections in 2025:
1. Victor Wembanyama, Spurs
The first pick is an obvious one. Wembanyama proved in his rookie season (especially in the second half) that he’s the real deal. Consider that the league’s GMs are already calling him the best defensive player in the league. The Spurs might not have a winning record when it’s time to select All-Stars, but Wembanyama’s numbers will be impossible to ignore.
2. Chet Holmgren and/or Jalen Williams, Thunder
The Thunder project to be the best team in the Western Conference, one that merits multiple All-Stars. Holmgren and Williams — 22 and 23 years old, respectively — both have the potential to be the second (or third) selection after Kia MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The biggest obstacle will be the overall depth of the West and players above and below.
3. Alperen Sengun, Rockets
Sengun was an All-Star candidate last season, finishing 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 was time to make reserve selections. If the team improves, it will be more about the development of Jalen Green and Jabari Smith Jr. But Sengun could be the beneficiary in regard to All-Star consideration.
4. Evan Mobley, Cavaliers
Mobley should be the favorite among potential first-timers in the Eastern Conference. The Cleveland Cavaliers have the potential to rank in the top 10 on both ends of the floor and finish in the top three in the East. Donovan Mitchell would be their top All-Star candidate, and the second could be any one of three guys. The other two — Jarrett Allen and Darius Garland — have both been All-Stars, and if the Cavs take a real step forward, it will come with a leap from the 23-year-old Mobley.
5. Cade Cunningham, Pistons
Having added some capable vets, the Pistons are due for some improvement. And if Cunningham was deserving of being selected No. 1 in the 2021 Draft (and getting a max extension this summer), he’s due for a breakout. Detroit probably won’t come close to winning half their games, but when Barnes and Trae Young were named injury replacements last season, their teams were 17-33 and 22-28, respectively.
6. OG Anunoby or Mikal Bridges, Knicks
If Eastern Conference coaches are focused on winning teams, either Anunoby or Mikal Bridges could be an additional All-Star for the Knicks, tagging along with Brunson and possibly Karl-Anthony Towns. Bridges will score more, but Anunoby is probably the more valuable player in New York. Including playoffs, the Knicks were 26-6 when he played last season.
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John Schuhmann is a senior stats analyst for NBA.com. You can e-mail him here, find his archive here and follow him on X.
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