To no surprise, NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander headlined the All-NBA First Team that was announced Friday.
The Oklahoma City Thunder star was joined by Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell and Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokić with forwards Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks and the Boston Celtics’ Jayson Tatum.
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Gilgeous-Alexander, Jokić, Antetokounmpo and Tatum were unanimous selections to the All-NBA First Team.
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards led the Second Team, followed by LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers, the Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry, New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson and Cleveland Cavaliers center Evan Mobley.
Making the Third Team were the Detroit Pistons’ Cade Cunningham, Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers, the Los Angeles Clippers’ James Harden, Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns and the Thunder’s Jalen Williams.
James was named to his 21st All-NBA team, six more than any other player in league history. Curry earned All-NBA honors for the 11th time in his career, while Harden made his eighth All-NBA team. Both Haliburton and Towns earned their third such honor, and Edwards and Brunson did so for the second time. Cunningham, Williams and Mobley were All-NBA selections for the first time in their careers.
Also receiving votes
Alperen Şengün, Houston Rockets
Jaren Jackson Jr., Memphis Grizzlies
Ivica Zubac, Los Angeles Clippers
Darius Garland, Cleveland Cavaliers
Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento Kings
Pascal Siakam, Indiana Pacers
Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat
Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks
Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns
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As of last season, All-NBA Teams didn’t have to be named by position (i.e., two guards, two forwards, one center). That could make some traditionalists wince, but it also doesn’t mean voters have to stretch to include someone just to fill out a position. Or exclude someone because a particular position was already filled.
Players also had to appear in a minimum of 65 games to be eligible for regular-season honors, which eliminated Luka Dončić, Victor Wembanyama and Kevin Durant from consideration.
Jaren Jackson Jr., Trae Young lose out on supermax extensions
The All-NBA Teams also have implications for certain players and the contract extensions for which they’re eligible after next season. Under the current collective bargaining agreement, a player is eligible for a supermax extension with at least seven years of service and hitting one of three criteria: (1) being named to an All-NBA Team in the most seasons or both years before that, (2) being named Defensive Player of the Year or (3) earning league MVP.
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Unfortunately, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Trae Young were not named to either of the three All-NBA Teams, costing them a supermax deal. Yet Cade Cunningham earned a boost to the rookie max extension he signed in July.
Jaren Jackson Jr.
Jackson was eligible for a three-year, $106 million extension with the Memphis Grizzlies last offseason, but decided to delay negotiations until after this season. Had he been named to an All-NBA Team, Jackson was eligible for a five-year supermax extension worth up to $345 million — or up to 35% of the Grizzlies’ salary cap in the first year of the deal.
This season, Jackson averaged 22.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 1.5 blocks. He was the only NBA player to reach 1,500 points and 100 blocks.
Cade Cunningham
Cunningham isn’t eligible for a supermax extension having just finished his fourth NBA season. But earning All-NBA honors does boost the value of the five-year max rookie extension he signed with the Detroit Pistons last July. That contract was originally worth $224 million.
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Now, Cunningham’s All-NBA status means Detroit owes him 30% of the salary cap in the deal’s first year, with subsequent raises. That increases the total value of the contract to $269 million. While that affirms Cunningham as one of the top players in the NBA and an excellent return on being the No. 1 overall pick in 2021, it also reduces the Pistons’ cap space from approximately $27 million to $19 million next season.
Cavaliers center Evan Mobley already qualified for the same increase in his rookie max contract by being named 2025 Defensive Player of the Year.
Trae Young
Young was already eligible for a four-year, $229 million extension that he had until June 30 of next year to sign with the Atlanta Hawks. However, falling short of All-NBA honors means Young is not eligible for a supermax five-year, $345 million extension.
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In his seventh NBA season, Young averaged 24.2 points, a career-high 11.6 assists and 1.2 steals per game. Additionally, he shot 34% on a career-high 640 3-point attempts.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Gilgeous-Alexander was already in line for a four-year, $293 million extension after earning All-NBA status for the past two seasons. However, he was eligible for a supermax extension of five years and $380 million, the largest contract in NBA history, after being named league MVP. All-NBA First Team was just icing on the cake.
However, Gilgeous-Alexander will have to wait until after next season to sign the deal, worth 35% of the Thunder’s salary cap. The terms won’t be affected by whatever happens next season. Additionally, he’s playing for the team that acquired him during his rookie contract.
All-NBA First Team
All-NBA Second Team
All-NBA Third Team
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