ESPN All-Star Predictions: Five International Stars Locked in as Starters, Durant and Curry as Reserves, LeBron Misses Out

As of January 15th Beijing time, NBA All-Star voting ends at noon today, with the starting five for both Eastern and Western Conferences revealed on January 20th, and reserves picked by the league’s coaching staff on February 2nd.

With fans casting their last-minute votes, who rightfully earns a spot? Which candidates are borderline selections? And which stars might sadly miss out?

According to next month’s revised All-Star format, the teams will be composed of 16 U.S.-born players and 8 international players, competing in a USA versus World round-robin style. (If one group lacks enough players, the league will expand the candidate pool, similar to how NBA commissioner Adam Silver adjusts based on actual voting results.)

ESPN has forecasted the starters and reserves for both conferences — this list includes guaranteed All-Star veterans, first-time young talents, and many tough decisions. Among the predicted starters are five international superstars (Alexander, Jokic, Giannis, Doncic, and Wembanyama), with Durant and Curry named as reserves, while 41-year-old LeBron James is left off the roster.

Eastern Conference

Starters

Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks

Cunningham, Detroit Pistons

Brunson, New York Knicks

Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers

Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics

Confirmed Reserves

Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers

Jaylen Johnson, Atlanta Hawks

Scottie Barnes, Toronto Raptors

Duren, Detroit Pistons

Bubble Candidates

Bane, Orlando Magic

Towns, New York Knicks

Powell, Miami Heat

Siakam, Indiana Pacers

Michael Porter Jr., Brooklyn Nets

Western Conference

Starters

Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder

Jokic, Denver Nuggets

Doncic, Los Angeles Lakers

Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs

Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves

Confirmed Reserves

Curry, Golden State Warriors

Holmgren, Oklahoma City Thunder

Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets

Shenggun, Houston Rockets

Durant, Houston Rockets

Bubble Candidates

Booker, Phoenix Suns

James, Los Angeles Lakers

Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers

Avdiya, Portland Trail Blazers

Reeves, Los Angeles Lakers

After thorough evaluation, ESPN predicts 24 selected players (plus one extra) —

U.S.-born players (15): Cunningham, Brunson, Maxey, Brown, Mitchell, Johnson, Barnes, Duren, Towns, Powell, Holmgren, Edwards, Curry, Durant, Booker

International players (9): Giannis, Siakam, Alexander, Wembanyama, Doncic, Jokic, Murray, Shenggun, Avdiya

It should be noted that Towns, who has represented the Dominican Republic internationally, and Powell, who has pledged to play for Jamaica, can theoretically be assigned to either camp. For this selection, an additional U.S.-born player is required.

Choosing Leonard could mean excluding LeBron James, which might be somewhat awkward, but Leonard’s performance in the first half of this season justifies him securing that final spot.