Hey, Hawkeye readers and NBA fans! As the first round of the NBA Playoffs comes to a close, it’s around the time that all the NBA awards are officially announced. While we are still waiting for a few of the announcements, most notably the 2026 Kia MVP, the final culmination of the NBA Awards season has many fans and reporters wondering what will be done. The All-NBA teams have a variety of exceptional choices, so I plan to sort through the rising stars and established figures of the Association to predict who will be on the 2025-2026 All-NBA 1st Team.
As a brief clarification, as I’ve done in previous NBA articles, it should be noted that these players are unable to receive awards due to not reaching the 65-game quota to be eligible for any regular season award: Anthony Edwards, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Stephen Curry, LeBron James, Devin Booker, and Pascal Siakam.
1. Predicted MVP: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: Averages of 31.1 Points per game, 6.6 Assists per game, and 1.4 Steals per game: Position – Point Guard (Source: https://www.nba.com/stats/leaders )
As expected, the 2024-2025 NBA MVP and Finals MVP makes the All-NBA 1st team for his 4th year in a row. The talented slasher maintained his impressive box number throughout the tumultuous season. Despite multiple injuries to his co-stars, Alexander has proven to be a consistent threat who can carry his team to greatness even when the odds are against him. The OKC Thunder had a legendary season, ending off the year with a 64-18 win/loss record while going on multiple winning streaks. Due to Alexander’s impressive effort, this team has ascended into being said with the same regards as teams like the ‘96 Chicago Bulls or ‘17 Warriors. While Alexander manages to hold his titles for now due to his persistent energy and outstanding performances, the 2026 MVP runner-up may usurp his throne next year.
2. Predicted MVP Runner-up #1: Victor Wembanyama: Averages of 25 Points per game, 11.5 Rebounds per game, 1.0 Steals per game, and 3.1 Blocks per game: Position – Center (Sources: https://www.nba.com/stats/leaders and https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/wembavi01.html )
Despite only being in his third year, the 7’5 “Alien” Victor Wembanyama has reached new heights — on the basketball court, not the kitchen shelves. He has become a well-rounded and efficient scorer while maintaining his defensive prowess. His natural athleticism and body alongside his quick reactions and gifted defensive intelligence allow him to dominate the court on both ends. While he still plays limited minutes which holds back his stats slightly, Wembanyama is able to generate high amounts of impact for his team to where opposing teams have to play based on when he is on the court. While the Spurs may be a younger team, they managed to reach the second seed after a successful rebuild, largely due to Wembanyama’s spectacular growth as a star player. Even though this year may not be his to claim the MVP, I’m confident that Wembanyana will have plenty of years to collect all the trophies he wants — given that he stays healthy. My next runner-up also needs to stay healthy if he ever wants another chance at getting the MVP he has seemingly been destined to receive.
3. Predicted MVP Runner-up #2: Luka Doncic: Averages of 33.5 Points per game, 7.7 Rebounds per game, and 8.3 Assists per game: Position – Point Guard (Sources: https://www.nba.com/stats/leaders and https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/48166967/lakers-luka-doncic-says-custody-battle-daughters )
In his first full year as a Los Angeles Laker, Luka Dončić has been through a lot — on and off the court. Multiple injuries have plagued his performance since the start of the year, alongside his unfortunate divorce from Anamarie Goltes. Despite the many trials and tribulations he has faced this season, Dončić has kept it together and has returned closer to his normal standard of basketball since being on the Mavericks. While his defense remains mostly lackluster, Dončić has worked incredibly with his new teammates to bring out the best of them and himself consistently. His explosive start alongside Austin Reaves’ ascension had many fans thinking he would be an MVP lock. Although he has since fallen off from that initial peak, Dončić remains as gifted as ever as an offensive weapon. As LeBron James begins to phase out of the rotation in preparation for his retirement, I believe Dončić will become more comfortable in the star role again as he plays at his own pace, at his own rhythm, for the next year.
4. Predicted MVP Runner-up #3: Nikola Jokić: Averages of 27.7 Points per game, 12.9 Rebounds per game, and 10.7 Assists per game: Position – Center (Source: https://www.nba.com/stats/leaders)
Many analysts have wondered whether this is the start of the decline for the Joker. While his box score numbers have technically declined, Nikola Jokić is averaging his second triple-double in a row while performing at the MVP level since the decade started. His ability to raise his team’s ceiling as an offensive unit is impeccable and notable improvements from costars Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon have allowed Jokić to take some of the scoring pressure off of himself. Fans and analysts alike have called out Jokić’s excessive flopping and foul-baiting as a fault against him, but that is a league-wide issue that shouldn’t affect the view of the player. It is simply another award Jokić can add to his Hall of Fame career.
5. Predicted MVP Runner-up #4: Cade Cunningham: Averages of 23.9 Points per game, 5.5 Rebounds per game, and 9.9 Assists per game: Position – Point Guard (Source: https://www.nba.com/stats/leaders )
The new entry into the top ten current players is the engine of the Detroit Pistons, Cade Cunningham. Cunningham has made for an impressive comeback story, as his team was undoubtedly the worst in the league only a few years ago. Now, his team is the 1st seed in the east while he has become a true dimmer and intense scorer. His efficiency and defense still leave room for growth, but the new star is still young and is only now getting his first experience in the playoffs with true stakes. Cunningham kept playing in spite of multiple brutal injuries, showing his testament to his craft and love for the game. It’s safe to say that with a motor like Cunningham behind the Pistons, the grit and spirit of Detroit has returned to the NBA, just waiting to take over the league once again.
Before I conclude my predictions, I wanted to give two honorable mentions to players I believe could make the 1st team depending on the criteria voters use.
6. Predicted MVP Runner-up #5: Jaylen Brown: Averages of 28.7 Points per game, 6.9 Rebounds per game, and 5.1 Assists per game: Position – Small Forward (Sources: https://www.nba.com/stats/leaders and https://sports.yahoo.com/article/3-jaylen-brown-bold-predictions-142418087.html )
After the tragic Achilles tear that Jayson Tatum got during the playoffs last year, it was unsure if the reigning champion Celtics would crumble without their #1 Star. Even though Jaylen Brown has been a well-regarded player, many have doubted his ability to rise into a true superstar player. Thankfully for Celtics fans, this year has put all those doubts away. Brown has evolved his scoring to be a superstar threat from all sides while playing good defense for his position and confidently leading his team while Tatum recovers. He hasn’t faltered once in his new role, and he deserves far more credit for this ascension. If he had a bit more success or improvement to the season, then I’d easily understand the argument for him making the 1st team, but I think he will have to settle for the 2nd team. Brown doesn’t care much for regular season success though, as it is pointless for him if he doesn’t prove the doubters of his 2024 Finals MVP wrong by winning again at some point — as a true number 1 player.
7. Predicted MVP Runner-up #6: Kawhi Leonard: Averages of 27.9 Points per game, 6.3 Rebounds per game, and 3.6 Assists per game : Position – Small Forward (Sources: https://www.nba.com/stats/leaders and https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/48369328/the-latest-kawhi-leonard-steve-ballmer-nba-investigation-aspiration-la-clippers#:~:text=The%20investigation%2C%20led%20by%20the,which%20Ballmer%20had%20invested%2C%20to )
For the final runner-up, it is another resurgence story, although this player has been regarded as a star for many years. When the 2026 season began, no one felt that the Clippers would be successful. They traded Paul George and Norman Powell before the season began, and they traded James Harden midway through the 2025-2026 season. As usual, there were fears about Leonard’s health as he hadn’t consistently played a full season since 2019. Yet again, Leonard proved his doubters wrong as he had a career year, with his highest points per game average and overall stat increases from last year. While the Clippers’ lack of success as a team holds Leonard back from any higher recognition, he deserves a great reward for his improvement and consistency this season — even if it was only to take eyes away from his summer controversy with the Aspiration Company.
Thank you for reading another NBA article from me! These are my predictions for the 2025-2026 All-NBA 1st Team. If you feel a different player should’ve been up here, then leave a comment down below! Enjoy the rest of the playoff season and the summer break up ahead!
