Way-too-early All-Star predictions for 10 rising NBA players - ESPN

Over the past five years, the NBA has averaged between five and six new All-Stars per year, with the 2025 total of six (Cade Cunningham, Evan Mobley, Alperen Sengun, Victor Wembanyama and Jalen Williams) at the higher end of that range.

Although the 2025-26 NBA season is young, it's not too early to begin thinking about which players have a chance to join that group by making their All-Star debuts.

Two veterans in particular stand out. Jamal Murray has averaged more points in his playoff career (23.8) than Wilt Chamberlain (22.5), James Harden (22.5), Dwyane Wade (22.3) and Kawhi Leonard (21.6), yet he has never been an All-Star. Meanwhile, Austin Reaves of the Los Angeles Lakers put up historic numbers as the team's go-to guy early in the season, including a 51-point game that raised our understanding of his ceiling as a player and a buzzer-beater last week against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

This season's first-time All-Stars will get there in a slightly different fashion now that the NBA has reformatted its midseason showcase yet again, pitting a team of international stars against two teams of American players.

Keeping an eye on which pool they'll be part of, let's take a look at 10 candidates to make their All-Star debut in 2026.

Over the course of his first season in Portland, Avdija emerged as the Blazers' best player, averaging 23.3 points, 9.7 rebounds and 5.2 assists after the All-Star break with 50-40 shooting splits. He has picked up where he left off, putting up 22.7 PPG and 4.2 APG as Portland has started 4-2. If the Blazers can stay in the playoff mix, Avdija figures to be their most prominent All-Star candidate.

No rookie has made the All-Star Game since Blake Griffin in 2010-11, and that came after a