The most contentious parts of All-NBA eligibility are settled. Luka Dončić and Cade Cunningham are in. Anthony Edwards is not, joining a growing list of stars left off the ballot this year.
There are several locks for the First Team and another group safely in the 15-player pool. The real debate is which players get left out and how the three teams ultimately shake out.
Here’s how our ballot would look.
First Team
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
The soon-to-be two-time MVP led the NBA in offensive win shares and was outrageously efficient from the field. Jalen Williams missing time only added to how much Gilgeous-Alexander had to carry.
The Thunder once again finished as the top seed in the Western Conference, with Gilgeous-Alexander consistently coming up clutch in late-game situations.
Victor Wembanyama
Winner of the first of what should be many Defensive Player of the Year awards, Wembanyama was in a class of his own on that end of the floor.
San Antonio was +16.4 per 100 possessions with him on the court. The only thing that could have kept him off the First Team was the games played requirement.
Luka Dončić
A scoring title, 8.3 assists, and 7.7 rebounds should be enough to earn a First Team spot. Dončić played only 64 games, but still logged more total minutes than several players who qualified for All-NBA.
The defense, as always, comes and goes. He’s never going to be elite on that end, but he was disruptive when engaged, and his play before the late-season injury had him firmly in the MVP mix.
Nikola Jokić
Jokić didn’t just average a triple-double, he did so emphatically. He finished with 12.9 rebounds and 10.7 assists per game, along with the second-most efficient shooting season of his career.
The Joker won’t win MVP this time, though it’s not hard to make his case. It was another all-time season from the Serbian, and Denver was +10.7 in his minutes.
Donovan Mitchell
Seventh in scoring on a 52-win Cleveland team, Mitchell still flew under the radar once again. He matched his career-best efficiency and got to the line more than ever before.
The Cavaliers’ offense cratered without him, and few scorers have been as consistent as Mitchell over the last half-decade.
Second Team
Cade Cunningham
Cunningham would have replaced Mitchell in the final First Team spot if he’d reached 70 games. Instead, he lands on the Second Team.
Detroit didn’t give him a perfect roster, but he made it work, leading the Pistons to the top of the conference and finishing second in assists. His defense is also better than it gets credit for compared to many of his backcourt peers.
Kawhi Leonard
Sixth in scoring and more efficient than ever before, it’s not outlandish to suggest this was Kawhi Leonard’s best-ever regular season. He reached 65 games for only the second time since 2016-17 and got to the line at his highest rate since before the pandemic.
The Clippers collapsed on both ends of the floor when Leonard wasn’t out there. Despite Los Angeles missing the playoffs, a strong argument can be made to put the two-time Finals MVP in First Team.
Tyrese Maxey
Maxey played only 70 games but still ranked eighth in total minutes. Only four players scored more total points.
With Paul George and Joel Embiid in and out of the lineup, and a rookie backcourt alongside him, Maxey delivered his best season.
The Sixers likely don’t even reach the play-in if he misses more time. When he was on the floor, he played like one of the 10 best players in the league.
Jaylen Brown
First Team would be a bit of a stretch for Brown, even with Boston exceeding expectations. He had a strong season and handled more usage, but he’s still severely limited as a playmaker.
Second Team feels like the right spot. Brown certainly made an impact, but Boston’s roster construction and the coaching of Joe Mazzulla also deserve a lot of credit for the team’s success.
Jalen Duren
The first nine picks felt straightforward. Duren as the final Second Team spot is the most controversial call so far, with Kevin Durant, Jamal Murray, Chet Holmgren, and Jalen Brunson all having strong cases.
What pushed Duren over the line was how he played late in the season without Cunningham. Detroit ran more of the offense through him, and he averaged an ultra-efficient 22.8 points per game across the final 18.
Third Team
Kevin Durant
Fourth in total points and 11th in points per game, Durant could easily have been on the Second Team. Houston was good rather than great in his minutes, though, and more than managed to tread water when he was on the bench.
Much of this is simply a playstyle thing. Durant is certainly one of the top 15 players ever, but he’s a scorer first and foremost. It’s what Houston needs most of the time, yet he didn’t elevate the overall offense in the same way Cunningham, Maxey, or Mitchell would have.
Scottie Barnes
Cutting down his three-point volume helped Barnes post the most efficient offensive season of his career. He’s in a better role next to a primary creator like Brandon Ingram.
Barnes played elite, versatile defense all season. Offensively, he can pick his spots as a scorer while still providing plenty of playmaking.
Jalen Brunson
Brunson was markedly less efficient than he was in 2024-25. The Knicks had a solid regular season, but his defensive limitations showed up on that end.
New York was 6.8 points better per 100 possessions defensively without him on the floor. He deserved an All-NBA spot, but anything higher than Third Team would be too generous.
Jamal Murray
Murray finally earned his first All-Star nod and is set to make his first All-NBA team. This was his best season across the board.
Time without Jokić gave him more on-ball reps, and he delivered, shooting 43.5% from three, getting to the line more often, and recording 17 games with 10+ assists.
Chet Holmgren
Holmgren ranked second in defensive win shares and third in block rate. With Jalen Williams out, his usage increased and he posted a career-high in points per game.
A .653 true shooting percentage is impressive, especially on 3.5 threes per game. The Thunder were 10.9 points worse per 100 possessions without Holmgren and had a +12.1 net rating when he shared the floor without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
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