4 days ago
Projecting the starting lineups for a Team USA vs. World NBA All-Star Game
Projecting the starting lineups for a Team USA vs. World NBA All-Star Game
On Wednesday, NBA commissioner Adam Silver revealed some massive news for the format of the 2026 NBA All-Star Game in Los Angeles. It will officially be a "Team USA vs. Team World" setup, which feels very appropriate for the current state of the league with so many international superstars shining, and is a natural pivot to make after seeing the success leagues like the NHL had with its "4 Nations Face Off."
If the NBA was worried about meaningful competition in an exhibition, I have a hunch this is the exact way you motivate the faces of the league to give it their all.
Now, while the 2026 NBA All-Star Game is still a ways away, it's never too early to project the possible starting lineups. Below you'll find the 10 players who I think will start this affair. I'm factoring in talent, lineup fit, and of course, some good old-fashioned basketball politics into my rationale.
Barring health and expected performance during the regular season, here's the starting lineup we should probably expect for Team World:
Point guard: Luka Dončić (Slovenia)
Widely regarded as one of the best passers in the world, making Dončić the primary guard initiator for the international team is a no-brainer. Plus, if he's not dumping the ball off to his massive frontcourt, Dončić is absolutely lethal as a decelerating, patient scorer in his own right.
Shooting guard: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Canada)
The reigning MVP has no real flaws in his game. In fact, he's this close to being a 50-40-90 player if he can ever become a more proficient 3-point shooter (not that he's a bad one). Slotting Gilgeous-Alexander next to Dončić in the backcourt is kind of unfair.
Small forward: Giannis Antetokounmpo (Greece)
There's something funny about slotting Antetokounmpo, who is a listed 6-foot-11, 243 pounds, at small forward. But that's more so about who his frontcourt teammates are. And we're not really worried about spacing concerns, considering who else is playing, too. Plus, there's no feasible realm where the two-time MVP and 2020 Defensive Player of the Year isn't starting for Team World. He's too good and too much of a physical force to be reckoned with.
Power forward: Victor Wembanyama (France)
Before a scary blood clot derailed his sophomore NBA season, Wembanyama was averaging over 24 points, 11 rebounds, nearly four assists, and almost four blocks a game. Oh, and he was also a 35-percent 3-point shooter on high volume ... as someone who stands at 7-foot-3. All at the age of 21. Yeah, he's a lock to start in these kinds of settings for the foreseeable future.
Center: Nikola Jokić (Serbia)
Jokić followed up his third MVP season by becoming the third NBA player ever to average a triple-double over an entire season. In other words, the all-around big man and best player in the world is at the peak of his powers. And in this specific All-Star context, the all-timer might just have the starting five that can truly accentuate and complement him in the best ways.
Likewise, assuming health and expected performance, here's the starting lineup we'll probably see for Team USA:
Point guard: Steph Curry
Listen, even at the age of 37, Curry remains one of the best players in the game. He's still the league's top shooter. His gravity is still mostly unmatched. And even if you somehow wanted to start someone else, there's virtually no way one of the three core pillars of American basketball this century would ever let you make that decision. As he should.
Shooting guard: Anthony Edwards
At his current trajectory, Edwards may soon become the face of American basketball. He's led the Timberwolves to back-to-back conference finals appearances and already has an Olympic gold medal, albeit as more of a supporting player. His unique combo of explosiveness and lights-out shooting should make him a lock for the USA's starters.
Small forward: Kevin Durant
Like Curry, Durant might be older at the age of 36, but he remains an All-NBA-caliber player when he's firing on all cylinders. He's arguably the greatest mid-range "assassin" ever. And again, assuming he's available, you're simply not leaving off someone like Durant from the starting lineup no matter what, especially when he has made playing for Team USA one of his main calling cards.
Power forward: LeBron James
James, one of the two best NBA players ever, will be an All-Star until he retires. And no one is telling the living legend he's not starting against Team World in a first-time international All-Star environment. Even if James is in his 40s, I would have zero concerns about making him the small-ball power forward for just one game. He can handle it.
Center: Joel Embiid
There's no perfect answer for Team USA's starting center given Embiid's recent health issues. But the Americans do need something to combat Team World's MASSIVE frontcourt, and assuming Embiid will be healthy, the 2023 MVP is easily the best possible option to withstand and hold his own against that trio.
