Being named an NBA All-Star is an incredible accomplishment. It means the player is recognized as one of the best current players in the sport. However, there are also times when a player has a great career but still never earns All-Star honors. Here is a starting lineup (plus top replacements at each position) of the best active players hoping to earn their first All-Star nomination. Rookies were left out, although no rookie would have made it even if they were considered. The current state of the player is being looked at here, not their entire career. Apologies to Alperen Sengun, Myles Turner, Jalen Green, OG Anunoby, Jalen Johnson, Aaron Gordon, CJ McCollum and others who were considered.
The best NBA players who are currently not making an All-Star appearance
PG – Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets
Jamal Murray is entering his eighth NBA season and is coming off his most effective scoring season. In the 2023-24 season, he set career highs with 48.1% shooting from the field and 42.5% shooting from beyond the three-point line. The 2023 NBA champion has averaged more than 20 points in his last three seasons and more than six assists in each of the last two. Murray’s problem was that the West has always been loaded with top-notch point guards. Stephen Curry, Luka Doncic, De’Aaron Fox and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander currently occupy that position in the Western Conference. Previously, Murray had to compete with players like Damian Lillard, Chris Paul and Russell Westbrook.
Substitute – Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons
SG – Derrick White, Boston Celtics
Derrick White entered the 2023-24 season as a somewhat underrated player. He left as an NBA champion and went on to win a gold medal with Team USA. The 30-year-old White was named to the All-Defensive Second Team for the second year in a row and finished eighth in the Defensive Player of the Year voting. His assist-turnover ratio was nearly 3.5 while he shot just under 40% from three-point range. He is arguably the best shot-blocking guard in the NBA.
Substitute – Desmond Bane, Memphis Grizzlies
SF – Mikal Bridges, New York Knicks
Mikal Bridges may be the Knicks’ starting shooting guard this season, but he has been used mostly at the three throughout his career. He is entering his seventh season, and his next missed game will be the first of his career. His efficiency dipped a bit last season, but he was often miscast as the Brooklyn Nets’ first-round pick, which will not be the case with the Knicks. Previously, Bridges was the runner-up in voting for Defensive Player of the Year with the Phoenix Suns in 2021-22.
Reserves – Franz Wagner, Orlando Magic
PF – Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City Thunder
In his third season, Jalen Williams was arguably the second-best player for the top-ranked Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2023-24 season. Williams, who finished fourth in the player with the greatest improvement, was an extremely efficient scorer last season with a .540/.427/.814 hitting percentage. The 23-year-old finished second in the 2022-23 Rookie of the Year voting. Whether he stays at power forward or moves to the three depends on whether the Thunder add Isaiah Hartenstein to the starting lineup.
Reserves – Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers
C – Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
ESPN’s Summer Forecast recently named Victor Wembanyama as the clear favorite for the most likely 2024-25 All-Star rookie. That should come as no surprise. The 20-year-old was unanimously voted Rookie of the Year last season and finished second in the Defensive Player of the Year voting. The 7-foot-4 prodigy led the league in blocks and dramatically increased his scoring efficiency over the course of the season. San Antonio added a veteran point guard in Chris Paul, which should allow Wembanyama to get the ball where he wants it even better.
Substitute – Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City Thunder
