The 2026 All-NBA Teams Predictions hang heavy over the hardwood as the season passes its midway point. With the old hierarchy crumbling, the air inside arenas feels different this year. Fans watch the scoreboard not just for wins but to see if Victor Wembanyama hits a quadruple-double or if the Spurs cover the spread. We see a changing of the guard happening in real time. The icons who defined the last decade now fight to hold their ground against younger, faster, and more versatile stars. When Tyrese Maxey pulls up from 30 feet with audacious confidence, you realize the torch has not just been passed but snatched. This season is no longer about who is next, but rather about who is now.
The changing face of dominance
The league has transformed into a landscape of hyper-efficiency and size. When the new CBA dropped in 2023, few predicted how quickly the positionless format would reshape voting ballots. Voters now prioritize impact metrics and availability over traditional positional rigidity. We built this ballot on three pillars: the 65-game rule, advanced efficiency, and two-way impact. The result is a roster where the center position has returned to prominence and perimeter scoring requires historic efficiency.
1. Victor Wembanyama (First Team)
The San Antonio Spurs phenom has officially made the leap from potential to undisputed reality. Watching him block a Kevin Durant fadeaway while keeping his feet inside the paint made the entire league understand the timeline had accelerated. Social media clips of the play garnered millions of views and signaled his arrival as the face of the sport.
Data from NBA Advanced Stats confirms his dominance as he leads the league in blocks per game while averaging a career-high 28.4 points on 52% shooting. He is not just a defender but an entire defensive system unto himself.
His presence on the First Team feels like a formality rather than a debate.
2. Luka Dončić (First Team)
Dallas relies on its superstar more than any other franchise relies on a single player. Despite the pressure of carrying the offense nightly, the Mavericks guard manages to manipulate defenses with a surgeon’s precision. He controls the tempo of the game as if he owns the clock itself. Basketball Reference tracking data shows he creates more points via scoring and assists combined than any other player in history through the first 60 games of a season.
This offensive engine drives a contender and forces voters to lock him into a top slot. 2026 All-NBA Teams Predictions would be incomplete without his name near the very top.
3. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (First Team)
Oklahoma City continues to thrive because of his calm, methodical dismantling of opponents. He operates with a hesitation dribble that freezes defenders before he glides into the paint. He rarely forces a shot, yet he somehow averages over 31 points per game. Per ESPN Stats & Info, he leads the league in drives per game and free throw percentage. This lethal combination ensures high-efficiency scoring every night. His game lacks the flash of a dunk contest, but his consistency builds a winning culture. He represents the ideal modern guard who blends size, skill, and an unrelenting will to win.
4. Nikola Jokić (First Team)
The Serbian center remains the gravitational center of the basketball universe. Time has passed since critics questioned his athleticism, yet he continues to outsmart the most athletic defenders on the planet. Teammates move with the understanding that the ball will find them if they simply get open. He averages a near triple-double and controls the game without needing to dominate the ball for 20 seconds of the shot clock. A CBS Sports analysis highlights that Denver’s offensive rating drops by 15 points whenever he sits. That is the largest swing for any player in the league. He guarantees offensive excellence.
5. Jayson Tatum (First Team)
Boston’s leader has refined his game to eliminate the variance that once plagued his postseason runs. Critics often overlooked his defensive versatility until this season showcased his lockdown ability on the perimeter. He guards the opposing team’s best wing while shouldering the scoring load for the defending champions. Synergy Sports data ranks him in the 95th percentile for isolation scoring and the 90th percentile for defensive stops. He provides the two-way balance that defines the modern First Team wing. His selection cements his status as the premier American-born forward in the game today.
6. Anthony Edwards (Second Team)
Minnesota boasts a dynamo who brings a visceral energy to every possession. He explodes through a passing lane for a steal and finishes with a dunk that threatens the structural integrity of the rim. His charisma matches his production, which makes him one of the most marketable stars in the sport. He averages 29 points per game and often takes over in the fourth quarter when defenses tighten. StatMuse reports that he leads the league in fourth-quarter points to prove his value as a closer.
2026 All-NBA Teams Predictions often hinge on winning, and his leadership keeps the Timberwolves near the top of the West.
7. Giannis Antetokounmpo (Second Team)
The Greek Freak has not slowed down, but the competition has simply caught up to his statistical brilliance. He remains a force of nature capable of bending a defense to his will through sheer physical imposition. He attacks the rim with a ferocity that forces opposing coaches to build walls and leave shooters open. NBA.com tracking reveals he still leads the league in paint points per game by a wide margin. His drop to the Second Team speaks less about his decline and more about the historic seasons from the First Team candidates. He remains a top-tier superstar in every sense.
8. Paolo Banchero (Second Team)
Orlando has found its cornerstone in this versatile forward who plays like a veteran ten years his senior. He developed a playmaking package that rivals elite point guards to allow him to run the offense from the high post. He bullies smaller defenders and blows past slower centers. Cleaning the Glass notes that his assist rate has jumped to 25% this season, which is a rare figure for a player of his size. He symbolizes the new prototype of power forward capable of doing everything on the floor at a high level. His ascension validates the Magic’s rebuilding process.
9. Devin Booker (Second Team)
Phoenix needs scoring, and their shooting guard provides it with lethal efficiency. When the offense stalls, he finds his spot in the midrange and rises over the defense. He has embraced a hybrid role to act as both a primary scorer and a facilitator when defenses trap him. According to Second Spectrum, he shoots 55% on contested midrange jumpers. This is the highest mark in the league. This ability to make tough shots keeps the Suns’ offense afloat during dry spells. He earns his spot through pure, unadulterated shot-making prowess.
10. Tyrese Haliburton (Second Team)
Indiana plays at a frantic pace dictated entirely by their point guard’s vision. His impact comes from his ability to generate high-value shots for teammates while rarely turning the ball over. He pushes the tempo after makes and misses alike to catch defenses sleeping in transition. AP News reports from earlier this season highlight his streak of 40 games with at least 10 assists to break a franchise record. He makes the game easier for everyone wearing a Pacers jersey. His inclusion on the Second Team rewards offensive genius and unselfish play.
The Third Team contenders
The battle for the final five spots remains the most volatile aspect of the 2026 All-NBA Teams Predictions. Ja Morant returns to form with a season full of highlight-reel acrobatics and winning basketball in Memphis to likely secure a guard spot. Bam Adebayo anchors Miami’s defense and continues to expand his offensive range, making him a safe bet for the frontcourt.
The final spots come down to team success. Jalen Brunson continues to carry New York with grit and scoring, while Chet Holmgren challenges the hierarchy with his spacing and rim protection. Donovan Mitchell puts up massive scoring numbers, but voter fatigue might slip him to the third tier. These selections often come down to the final week of the season.
The future arrives now
The league has turned a corner. We no longer wait for the future because it plays on the screen every night. The 2026 All-NBA Teams Predictions highlight a league where international stars and young phenoms dominate the conversation. The old guard fights on, but the sheer volume of talent entering their prime suggests the transition is complete. Will the veterans mount one last counterattack in the playoffs, or does this list signal the final closing of their era?
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FAQs
Who is projected to make the 2026 All NBA First Team in this article?
Victor Wembanyama, Luka Dončić, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokić, and Jayson Tatum make the First Team in these predictions.
Why does the 65 game rule matter for All NBA voting?
Voters weigh availability more now. If a player misses too many games, it can remove them from serious contention.
Which Second Team picks show the league’s new direction?
Anthony Edwards, Paolo Banchero, and Tyrese Haliburton represent the new wave. They drive offense with speed, passing, and size.
Who is on the Third Team bubble in these predictions?
Ja Morant, Bam Adebayo, Jalen Brunson, Chet Holmgren, and Donovan Mitchell sit in the mix for the last spots.
What decides the final All NBA spots late in the season?
Team success and late season momentum matter most. The final week often swings tight races on the ballot.
