As the 2024-25 NBA season gets into full swing and into the NBA Cup, there are several players across the league that are making early compelling cases for All-Star recognition. Annual standouts like Nikola Jokić, Stephen Curry, and Jayson Tatum continue to dominate, reaffirming their status as perennial All-Stars. Meanwhile, emerging stars such as Franz Wagner and LaMelo Ball are proving they belong in the conversation – at least through the first 20 games of the season. Performance counts and the most recent NBA odds by FanDuel have these 10 players as near locks to make an All-Star appearance this season.

Franz Wagner’s First All-Star Selection

Orlando Magic’s forward Franz Wagner is making a compelling case for his inaugural All-Star appearance. Averaging 23.3 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 5.7 assists per game while shooting 46.7 from the field. Without Paolo Banchero, Wagner has stepped up and  been instrumental in the Magic’s strong 13-7 start, placing them third in the Eastern Conference. No doubt he’ll be one of the 24 players named to the All-Star game if he and his Magic keep it up.

Houston’s Potential All-Star Representatives

The Houston Rockets have several players making cases for All-Star consideration. Center Alperen Şengün is averaging 18.7 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game is the team’s most likely all-star representative; having been on the cusp of the roster last year. After tha, we have guard Jalen Green who is putting up 19.4 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game but more importantly playing stronger defense. Then there’s former all-star veteran Fred VanVleet is adding 15.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game. After an up-and-down start, Rockets are now second in the Western Conference with a 14-6 record. They keep this up and one (or more) of these players will definitely be named an all-star.

Victor Wembanyama’s First All-Star Appearance is Nigh

Victor Wembanyama is figuring it out. Highlighted by a 34-point game against the Utah Jazz and a remarkable 50-point career-high outburst versus the Washington Wizards, the 7-5 Wemby was initially struggling with offensive consistency and three-point shooting early in the season, the San Antonio Spurs star has flipped the script, averaging 23.4 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3.5 blocks over the last six games while hitting 45.2% of his three-pointers. His season averages now stand at 26.8 points, 9.5 rebounds, 3.6 blocks (leading the league), and 3.4 assists per game, with his improved three-point percentage climbing to 34.5%. Thanks to his stellar play, the Spurs have won four of their last six games, sitting at 10-8 and 10th in the Western Conference, while Wembanyama’s All-Star candidacy looks more promising than ever.

LaMelo Ball’s Elevated Performance

Charlotte Hornets’ guard LaMelo Ball is showcasing his ability to score this season setting a career high in points with an early season 50 ball. With season averages of 31.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 6.9 assists per game, Ball has been a catalyst for the Hornets. While the Hornets aren’t doing well in the standings at 6-12 and his field goal percentage are a couple points from being respectable, we’re happy to see his aggressiveness.

Ball has come in so hot, we are wondering what changed? Did he decide to come in and dominate?  Did he put in extra work? Despite the Hornet’s record, LaMelo’s scoring the ball makes it hard at such a clip — top three in the league as of this post — it makes it hard for him to not to be named an NBA All-Star again this year.

Anthony Davis’s Dominant Presence

Los Angeles Lakers’ center Anthony Davis is performing at a level befitting his status as a top 75 player. Averaging 29.2 points, 11.5  rebounds, and 3.2 blocks per game, Davis has been crucial in the Lakers’ 11-7 start, placing them sixth in the Western Conference. AD’s dominance on both ends of the floor underscores his All-Star credentials and the gameplan new Lakers coach JJ Redick has set for the season.

Steph Curry Leading the Surprising Warriors

The Golden State Warriors may look different, but one thing you can count is the leadership of  Steph Curry. While he’s not lighting up the league as he had in past season, Curry is still averaging a respectable 22.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 6.5 assists per game. As always Curry has been instrumental in the Warriors’ 12-6 record, positioning them third in the Western Conference.

Nikola Jokić’s Triple-Double Mastery

The Denver Nuggets are relatively struggling this year even with their all-world Nikola Jokić is averaging a triple-double with 29.7 points, 13.1 rebounds, and 10.6 assists per game which would make him the third player in NBA history to average a triple double. At the end of the season and maybe by the time you read this, Jokic will have surpassed Magic Johnson for the third most triple doubles in NBA history. His unique skill set has propelled the Nuggets to a 10-7 record right in the middle of the Western Conference.

Jayson Tatum’s Championship Motivation

Even after several all-star appearances and winning the NBA Championship, Jayson Tatum seems to get no respect. First his lack of aura was called out by fans (and Carmelo Anthony) then his benching at the Olympics was big news. All this turned out to do was for the Boston Celtics’ forward to come into the season highly motivated. Averaging 28.4 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game, Tatum has been central to the Celtics’ 15-3 start, placing them second in the Eastern Conference.

Donovan Mitchell’s Leadership in Cleveland

This list wouldn’t be complete without mention of the Cleveland Cavaliers, who started with a 15-0 start – the second longest win streak to start a season in NBA history. While it’s a team accomplishment, it’s no doubt that guard Donovan Mitchell is leading his team with impressive performances. Averaging 24.7 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game, Mitchell has been key to the Cavaliers’ 17-2  record, placing them first in the Eastern Conference. Mitchell is a lock for the 2024-25 NBA All-Star Game.

Can James Harden Be An all-Star (Again)?

Los Angeles Clippers’ guard James Harden is spearheading his team’s success with averages of 21.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, and his 8.7 assists per game is sixth in the league. While the Clippers aren’t on anyone’s radar for an NBA championship; they’ve already beaten the Warriors twice and currently sit in the middle of the Western Conference with very respectable 12-8 record. Even with great play from Ivica Zubac and Norman Powell, Houston’s great record positions Harden for likely his last All-Star selection.

As the season progresses, these players’ performances will continue to shape the All-Star conversation. The early NBA season has already delivered plenty of drama, with players like Jokić, AD, and Tatum continuing to solidify their status among the league’s elite, while rising talents like Wagner, Wembanyama, and Ball aim to add their names into All-Star history. Veteran stars such as Curry and Mitchell are leading their teams to surprise starts.