Predicting Which Young Players Could Be NBA All-stars by 2028

Over the next few seasons, the NBA will lose some of its longest-running stars in history. LeBron James, Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant are all nearing the end of their careers. Do not fret, though, because, with every outgoing All-Star class, we get an incoming group ready to take over.

The question is, who are the young guys already in the league who are future All-Stars?

A few of the names are well-known because they were high draft picks over the last couple of drafts. One is an international player who came into the league as a project that most fans have never heard of.

Below are five players who could approach household-name status and become All-Stars in the next three years.

'No-Duh' Omissions

Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images

DENVER, CO - JANUARY 3: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs looks on before the game against the Denver Nuggets on January 3, 2025 at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)

There is one obvious name, Victor Wembanyama, who should make his All-Star game this season in 2025. He will not be on the list because he is already a star and could easily have been a rookie All-Star.

Also, though, there will be other "no-duh" omissions, because the league has so much young talent:

• Franz Wagner, Orlando Magic: Wagner would have been All-Star this season had it not been for an oblique tear. Prior to the injury he was averaging 24.4 points and 5.7 assists for the surprising Orlando Magic. Expect him to be an All-Star in the coming years. 
• Alpren Sengun, Houston Rockets: The hub of the Houston Rockets' offense has a strong chance to make it as a reserve in the Western Conference this season. Sengun is averaging a double-double with 18.9 points and 10.6 rebounds. As the third seed in the West the Rockets will get an All-Star representative and it should be Sengun.
• Jalen Johnson, Atlanta Hawks:  The field is crowded for the reserve spots in the East, so Johnson may not make it this year. But Johnson will be an All-Star in the near future. He is a Most Improved candidate while averaging a double-double like Sengun. The Hawks have been a surprise team and his rise has been a big reason why. 

Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons

Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images

DETROIT, MI - JANUARY 3: Cade Cunningham #2 of the Detroit Pistons shoots a three point basket during the game against the Charlotte Hornets on January 3, 2025 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images)

Cade Cunningham has arrived as the Detroit Pistons' franchise player in his fourth season.

Cunningham is averaging career highs in points, assists and rebounds, and he's having his best three-point shooting season ever. To make things even sweeter, the Pistons are also winning games, already surpassing last season's win total.

The question is not if Cunningham will ever be an All-Star, but when. It may even be this season. He is sixth among Eastern Conference guards in this year's early fan voting results. He will not be voted in as a starter, but fans see him as a potential All-Star.

As the top draft pick in 2021, it is expected for Cunningham to be a multiple-time All-Star representing the Pistons. If he continues to average around 23.8 points, 9.7 assists and 6.8 rebounds, that should get him there.

Cunningham might even make it this season as a reserve, but the competition is fierce. There are several guards like Trae Young, Jalen Brunson and Darius Garland, who are all competing with Cunningham for one of the two backcourt reserve spots available. The other chance is getting one of the wildcard reserve spots, but that is open to all positions, so the field gets even more crowded.

Even if it does not happen this season, Cunningham is on the verge of the breakthrough to be a regular All-Star by the time the 2028 season rolls around, especially if his numbers hold steady over the next few seasons.

Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City Thunder

Joshua Gateley/Getty Images

OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - NOVEMBER 8: Chet Holmgren #7 of the Oklahoma City Thunder blocks the shot of Jalen Green #4 of the Houston Rockets during the first half at Paycom Center on November 8, 2024 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joshua Gateley/Getty Images)

Chet Holmgren had an excellent start to the season this year before being sidelined with a hip injury. He was not going to be an All-Star in 2025, but he will be one by the 2028 season, and maybe a starter a few times.

There are a few factors that will help Holmgren. For starters, he is on an Oklahoma City team that is just starting their run as one of the best teams in the league. This means the Thunder should get more than one All-Star each season.

Second, with the removal of the center position in the fan voting, he will not have to compete with Victor Wembanyama for one single position.

The biggest factor, Holmgren is very good at this stage in his career. And he seems to do a bit of everything. He is a floor-spacing big man shooting 37 percent from three for his career, and he collects eight rebounds and 2.3 blocks per night.

Holmgren only averages 16.5 points per game, which might be low for most All-Stars. But expect that to rise as he develops. His three-point shot forces defenses to press up on him, which opens the door to attack off the bounce.

With more time, Holmgren should pass Jalen Williams as the team's second option. He is the second-most important player behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. His pick-and-roll game with Gilgeous-Alexander is so important to the Thunder's offense.

Expect Holmgren to be an All-Star by 2028, barring any health setbacks.

Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers

Brock Williams-Smith/NBAE via Getty Images

CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 7: Evan Mobley #4 of the Cleveland Cavaliers celebrates during the game against the Charlotte Hornets on December 7, 2024 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Brock Williams-Smith/NBAE via Getty Images)

Let's be clear: Evan Mobley is having a breakout season. He should make the All-Star game this season. But even if he does not, he will have a few All-Star games under his belt by 2028.

The leap from Mobley is coming from behind the arc. He is shooting a career-high 43.5 percent from three on 2.5 attempts. That is up from 37 percent on 1.2 attempts. The confidence in his three-point shoot has arrived and that has led to a jump in his scoring averaging from 15.7 points last season to 18.4 this year.

On top of that, the Cleveland Cavaliers are using Mobley as a playmaker more often. He has blossomed as a hub of Cleveland's offense under new coach Kenny Atkinson. This was his vision for Mobley from the moment he got the job.

The move has unlocked Mobley and turned him into an All-Star, maybe as early as this season.

Brandon Miller, Charlotte Hornets

Stephen Gosling/NBAE via Getty Images

WASHINGTON, DC -  DECEMBER 26: Brandon Miller #24 of the Charlotte Hornets drives to the basket during the game against the Washington Wizards on December 26, 2024 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Stephen Gosling/NBAE via Getty Images)

It is easy for everyone to overlook Brandon Miller, considering the Charlotte Hornets have not been good. He has been a bright spot for Charlotte though. What everyone is missing is that Miller has All-Star talent and should be expected to make an All-Star game by 2028.

Miller's rookie campaign was overshadowed by Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren. He had an amazing season, finished third in Rookie of the Year voting, and he was voted on the All-Rookie first team. Miller has built on his rookie year with a strong sophomore campaign early in the season.

This year, Miller has upped his scoring four points this season to 21.4 points. He has also improved his rebounding and assists numbers, even though LaMelo Ball is the primary ball-handler. Even early in his career, Miller has shown that he can get his shot off-screens.

There is one area where Miller can improve, which is his defense. He has yet to show the ability to be a strong defender. He has all the physical qualities to be a Paul George-like defender but has not delivered on that.

It is clear Miller is not at an All-Star level yet, but the skills are there. He has the goods to be among the best, and by 2028, he should be an All-Star.

Bilal Coulibaly, Washington Wizards

Stephen Gosling/NBAE via Getty Images

WASHINGTON, DC -  DECEMBER 30: Bilal Coulibaly #0 of the Washington Wizards drives to the basket during the game against the New York Knicks on December 30, 2024 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Stephen Gosling/NBAE via Getty Images)

This one might be a bold prediction. But Bilal Coulibaly will appear in an All-Star game by 2028.

It will be a few years before Coulibaly is ready for the All-Star game, but if his skill set develops over the next four years, he can be in that game. He is unknown to most casual fans. He was drafted with the 13th pick by the Washington Wizards in the 2023 draft. He was expected to be a project for the organization.

Right off the bat in his rookie season, he showed he was further along than most thought. And he has been even better this year.

This is only Coulibaly's second year, and he has a ways to go in his development. He has improved as a playmaker, averaging 3.6 assists on 17 percent usage. Coulibaly's assist percentage has shot up from 8.6 percent as a rookie to 15.5 percent.

At just 20 years old, Coulibaly is just scratching the surface of what he can do and is still learning the game. The talent is there, and he'll have to improve as a scoring threat, but Coulibaly can be an All-Star by 2028.