2025 All-Star reserves revealed: 10 controversial snubs ft. Luka Doncic, LaMelo Ball, and more
The NBA released its 2025 All-Star reserves list with many elite players being snubbed due to various reasons.
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Trae Young, LaMelo Ball and Kyrie Irving make up the Top 10 2025 NBA All-Star snubs
The 2025 NBA All-Star weekend is just around the corner and the first teams for both conferences have been announced. Some names were expected, owing to either their continuous excellence in the game of basketball, or their resurgence as elite stars.
The starters list already garnered some controversy when it seemed as if the league is trying to milk the aging Big 3. Fans felt the league should start its move towards younger stars and this All-Star weekend was the best moment for them to pass on the baton.
Then earlier today, the crew of Inside the NBA revealed the reserves for the All-Star teams. The list featured the likes of Darius Garland, Cade Cunningham, Evan Mobley, Jalen Williams and Alperen Sengun. This selection seems to clearly indicate that the league focused on players on winning teams.
That meant, a lot of players from struggling teams missed the cut. Along with them, some other players on winning sides were left off as the league went with what they feel will excite fans. After the lists were revealed, the most important question was what a player needs to do to earn an All-Star callup.
What does a player need to be an All-Star
The NBA is made up of thirty teams. Only twenty of them can make the playoff spots, therefore, in most situations, they have to be .500 or better. However, for a player to be named as an All-Star, they have to play at an elite level that makes them one of the best in the league.
That would mean such players have to rank near the top in at least one statistical category. Along with that, their overall play should be able to complement that league leading statistic. For instance, a pure scorer could be scoring 20+ points a game.
But if that player does not do well in other statistical categories, it means overall, the player is not elite enough to influence a game. In addition to that, an All-Star should also be the most recognizable player on the roster with fans arriving at arenas to watch that particular player perform.
Every year there are a few players who do not make the cut despite being at an All-Star level. Keeping these criteria in mind, these are the top ten players who could have been an All-Star but were controversially cut.
The top 10 players to not make the 2025 All-Star team
10. Luka Doncic – Dallas Mavericks
If one goes by the concept of teams fighting for playoff spots, one cannot ignore last year’s NBA Finalists. The Dallas Mavericks are currently 8th in the West playing much of the season without superstar Luka Doncic. He has been sidelined since late December with a calf injury.
However, is scheduled to return to action prior to the All-Star break. If he does return, the All-Star game will not be able to witness the Slovenian superstar who was averaging 28.1 point, 8.3 rebounds and 7.8 assists per game, which generally is enough to place him in the MVP conversation.
9. Jarrett Allen – Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers are the best team in the league. On the basis of that, the NBA has selected three of their players to represent them at the All-Star Weekend. However, the Cavaliers are made up of four superstars and that meant, Jarrett Allen was not going to get his name called.
The center may not have eye popping statistics to show for, but his play has been crucial in helping the league leaders get to their position. He could have been included, bringing back the times when the league once selected four of the 2006 Detroit Pistons starting five.
8. Ja Morant – Memphis Grizzlies
The Memphis Grizzlies live and breathe through Ja Morant. He is the engine that drives them and is one of their best performers on a nightly basis. He has played only 28 games this season, but in that time, he has averaged 20.3 points per game while also dishing out 7.5 assists.
If the NBA did not think his numbers were good enough, his high-flying dunks and ability to finish shots from acute angles should have been good enough. There are not many players in the league like him, and with the All-Star game losing its entertainment quotient, Morant could have been at least a reserve.
7. Kyrie Irving – Dallas Mavericks
If statistics are a concern, then one cannot explain how Dallas Mavericks superstar Kyrie Irving could not get a call. His 24.2 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.9 assists should be good enough along with their 26-22 record.
He has kept the Mavericks afloat after Luka Doncic went down with an injury. If anything, he is still one of the best guards in the league, and his statistics this season back that up. Along with his elite ball skills, the star is a fan favorite and could have done justice to the All-Star weekend.
6. Norman Powell – Los Angeles Clippers
James Harden is the offensive engine of the Los Angeles Clippers. However, most of his assists go in the direction of teammate Norman Powell. The guard has elevated his game enough to be their leading scorer.
His contributions along with Harden’s are the reason the Clippers are sixth in the West. All without having Kawhi Leonard in the lineup for much of the season. He may not be a dazzling name, however, the player has done everything to warrant an All-Star call.
5. Franz Wagner – Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic were one of the surprise teams this season. Their young core pulled them to within the top three of the East at one stage. Then they lost Paolo Banchero to a torn oblique seemingly putting the franchise’s hopes of a playoff run in doubt.
But his star teammate Franz Wagner, stepped up to the stage. His all-round performances helped the Magic stay within touching distance of the East’s leaders. His value to the team was evident after he too went down with a similar injury and lost 20 games. The Magic wouldn’t be in the position without him.
4. Devin Booker – Phoenix Suns
Kevin Durant became an All-Star starter with a stat line of 27.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and 4.2 assists. On the other hand, his Phoenix Suns teammate Devin Booker has been averaging 25.5 points, 4 rebounds and 6.7 assists. If these numbers weren’t good enough to warrant a spot on the reserves, then one cannot explain what makes an NBA All-Star roster.
He is the offensive engine of a Suns team that is slowly making their way back up the ladder. Basketball fans will be disappointed one of the most important cogs of Team USA’s Paris Olympics squad cannot get himself on to the list.
3. LaMelo Ball – Charlotte Hornets
The NBA needs young exciting players to help the transition from the aging Big 3 to the next generation. On top of that, if that player has been performing at an elite level all season, the league should have no problem selecting him to at least the reserve list.
However, LaMelo Ball finds himself not getting the call despite racking up 28.2 points, 5.3 rebounds and 7.3 assists a game. All while exciting fans on a consistent basis. It seems the league used the Hornets’ 12-32 record against him, denying fans of an exciting young player to grace the All-Star stage.
2. Domantas Sabonis – Sacramento Kings
Domantas Sabonis has been the model of consistency in the NBA over the past two seasons. He is averaging 20.9 points, 14.5 rebounds and 6.6 assists a game. Those numbers are significantly better than Houston Rockets star Alperen Sengun.
But the Kings are eight spots below the Rockets, suggesting the league again looked at the standings. It also does not help matters that Sabonis is not a name that excites fans. Therefore, the league tried to focus on star names, leaving out a stellar player from earning his fourth NBA All-Star appearance.
1. Trae Young – Atlanta Hawks
It is unclear what more does Trae Young need to do. The Hawks guard may be posting his second worst scoring season. But even then, 22.5 points should be enough for a consideration. Add to it his league leading 11.4 assists, and the 26-year-old has evolved into a team leader.
His effort on the defensive end has seen a massive uptick and if not for injuries to teammates, was leading his team to upset strong playoff contenders. It seems the league looked at their losing record and shunned him again. Last season he made the team as an injury replacement.
It seems, this time he will have to wait for someone else to drop out to earn a call again to the East’s NBA All-Star team. He has talked about the league overlooking his performances, but this time, it was all the more apparent that the league does not value his presence.
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Joseph Varghese
(2385 Articles Published)