Three Potential First-Time All-Stars That Could Shake Up The NBA

Many young players are looking to put the league on notice ahead of the new NBA season.

For some of the league’s top prospects, that means playing well enough to make their first All-Star game. With only 24 spots available, not every deserving player will make the 2025 edition this year, hosted in San Francisco.

Regardless, these three players have the best chance among their peers and will try to push their teams toward contention.

Victor Wembanyama, Center, San Antonio Spurs

Wembanyama’s inclusion on this list feels like a formality.

The 7-foot-4 Frenchman drew comparisons to L.A. Lakers superstar LeBron James during his rookie season, yet somehow exceeded expectations. He averaged a double-double of 21.4 points and 10.6 rebounds per game, adding nearly four assists to that impressive statline.

In the above video, Wembanyama was an absolute menace on defense, averaging 1.2 steals and a league-leading 3.6 blocks per game. San Antonio struggled when he wasn’t on the court, providing his elite rim protection and solid perimeter defense. His versatility earned him an All-Defensive First Team nod, and he finished second in Defensive Player of the Year voting.

Despite early injury concerns, sample size wasn’t an issue, as he suited up for 71 games. His case is relatively straightforward: Wembanyama was one of the best defensive players in the league last season, and his offense should only get better. That alone shoots him into All-Star status.

The Spurs will only go as far as their talented big man will take them, and San Antonio will be competitive faster with Wembanyama at full-throttle. If Wembanyama stays consistent on both ends, he should easily make his first All-Star game, and perhaps the Spurs can sneak into the playoffs if he does.

Jonathan Kuminga, Power Forward, Golden State Warriors

The Warriors desperately need Kuminga to reach his potential.

The 6-foot-8 forward looked comfortable as a starter last season, more in line with what Golden State imagined when they drafted him seventh overall in 2021. He averaged 16.1 points and 4.8 rebounds per game, shooting over 50% from the field while providing highlight-reel moments like these:

His play above the rim unlocks Golden State’s offense, and he should be the top option behind Stephen Curry. Kuminga is an efficient scorer with the tools to average over 20 points per game this season.

Last year he made over 70% of shot attempts less than five feet from the basket, shooting over 40 percent on corner three-pointers. If those stay the same, more minutes will give him the other necessary counting stats for All-Star consideration.

The catch is Golden State has to win for Kuminga to be an All-Star. Curry is a lock to make the game, and the Warriors will only have two All-Stars if it’s a contender. The Warriors are firmly in pseudo-rebuild mode, and the franchise is banking on his development to push them into contention. There’s a path where Golden State remains a playoff team, but most of that falls on Kuminga’s shoulders and whether or not he takes the next step.

Brandon Miller, Small Forward, Charlotte Hornets

Brandon Miller flew under the radar on a horrendous Hornets team last season, but he proved he belonged.

After struggling badly in Summer League, the Alabama product overcame a slow start to the regular season before finishing strong. Miller averaged 17.3 points and 4.3 rebounds per game last season, knocking down 37.3% of his 6.7 three-point attempts. He was drafted to be a plug-and-play wing that could contribute on both sides of the ball, and that’s exactly what he did.

Miller turned things up a notch in the second half of the season, earning three straight Rookie of the Month awards. At the 1:26 mark of the video above, he displayed his growth by crossing over his NBA G.O.A.T. Paul George before hitting a deep three in his face. His second-half surge earned him a third-place finish in Rookie of the Year voting, and a spot on the All-Rookie team.

Miller will have plenty of opportunity to take more shots alongside point guard LaMelo Ball, so he’ll easily be able to rack up enough counting stats. The concern for his All-Star case is similar to Kuminga’s. Ball has played in a combined 58 games the last two seasons, so if he can’t stay healthy, the Hornets will struggle to remain competitive.

If Ball can stay on the court, Miller could form one of the better young duos in the league with his teammate. That alone won’t be enough for the Hornets to make a playoff push, but it’s an encouraging start.

Depending on how far Miller progresses in Year 2, that could be enough to get him to his first All-Star game.