Future All-Star Breakout Players: Who will earn their first All-Star selection in 2025?

Three players who are most deserving of becoming first-time All-Stars in the 2024-25 season are: 1. Cade Cunningham (Detroit Pistons) - The highly-touted rookie has been making a significant impact with his scoring, playmaking, and leadership for the Pistons. 2. Ja Morant (Memphis Grizzlies) - Morant has been a consistently stellar performer for the Grizzlies, showcasing his explosive athleticism and elite court vision. 3. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City Thunder) - Gilgeous-Alexander has been putting up impressive numbers as the Thunder's primary scoring option, demonstrating his ability to excel on both ends of the court.

Steve Aschburner

Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio SpursCade Cunningham, Detroit PistonsEvan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers

Wembanyama deserves to be an All-Star, even if his stellar defensive play counts toward nothing that weekend. Cunningham has demonstrated individually and in the Pistons’ improvement that he will have his name on a roster spot for years to come. As for a third choice, I was all set to pick the LA Clippers’ Norman Powell as a deserving first-time All-Star until I realized Mobley hasn’t made it yet. Sorry, Norm, but the Cavaliers’ lean, young big is so reliable and effective at both ends that he seems like he’d have been invited by now. Mobley is shooting 42% on 3-pointers and is an inside-outside threat for the NBA’s best offense (while helping the Cavs stay Top 10 defensively, too).

Brian Martin

Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio SpursCade Cunningham, Detroit PistonsEvan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers

The trio of MVPs ahead of Wembanyama in the fan vote (Nikola Jokić, LeBron James and Kevin Durant) keep him from starting, but Wembanyama will be in the Bay. His impact on both sides of the ball — 16th in scoring (24.4), eighth in rebounding (10.8), first in blocks (4.0) and 19th in 3-pointers made (116) – makes him undeniable. Cunningham, the No. 1 pick in 2021, is having a breakout season while leading a remarkable turnaround in Detroit (which is on pace to double last season’s win total by the All-Star break). The East’s top team deserves two All-Stars and Mobley’s offensive leap (career highs of 18.8 ppg and 65.3% true shooting percentage) to match his outstanding defense makes him one of the best two-way players in the league.

Shaun Powell

Cade Cunningham, Detroit PistonsJalen Williams, Oklahoma City ThunderVictor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs

These are the three most obvious candidates as each has taken the next step in their young careers and is playing a role in their teams’ turnarounds. Cunningham is among the top players of 2025 so far with his scoring and distributing. Williams is an important second option for OKC (a team that deserves two All-Stars) while excelling defensively. Wembanyama is a strong choice for Kia Defensive Player of the Year and his offensive efficiency is much better. If I had a fourth choice, it would be Norman Powell of the LA Clippers. He’s the rare player who vastly improves late in his career.

John Schuhmann

Cade Cunningham, Detroit PistonsTyler Herro, Miami HeatJalen Johnson Atlanta HawksEvan Mobley, Cleveland CavaliersAlperen Sengun, Houston RocketsVictor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs

Wembanyama should be a starter in the West frontcourt, while Mobley deserves serious consideration to start in the East. Cunningham is an easy pick as an East reserve, while Johnson shouldn’t be far behind as one of six players averaging 18 points, 10 rebounds and five assists per game. The Hawks are at their best with him on the floor. Sengun is also in that group, anchoring the second-best team in the West on both sides of the ball. Herro will probably be on the bubble in the East but deserves serious consideration in a pretty crowded field for East guard spots.