Tatum and Haliburton’s Absences Could Open Doors in the East’s All-Star Race
The 2025-26 NBA season hasn’t even tipped off, yet the Eastern Conference All-Star picture is already shifting. With both Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton sidelined due to injury, a rare opportunity emerges for a new group of players to break into the midseason showcase.
Instead of highlighting players who might make a massive leap, let’s focus on four names who have already shown near–All-Star-level production in recent years. With a mix of personal performance and team success, each has a realistic shot at their first All-Star selection.
Franz Wagner – Orlando Magic
Now entering his fifth year, Franz Wagner has steadily improved every season since arriving from Michigan. In 2024-25, he averaged 24.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game — numbers that could easily earn All-Star consideration.
The Magic are projected to contend for a top-four seed, giving Wagner the perfect stage to cement his case. His biggest hurdle? Efficiency. He shot just 46.3% from the field and 29.5% from deep last season. If those numbers climb, he could become the highest-scoring Eastern Conference player yet to make an All-Star Game.
Jalen Johnson – Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta is expected to take a step forward in 2025-26, thanks in part to the additions of Kristaps Porziņģis and Nickeil Alexander-Walker — but also to the healthy return of Jalen Johnson.
Limited to only 36 games last season due to shoulder surgery, Johnson still managed 18.9 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game. If he maintains that pace over a full campaign — and the Hawks climb the standings — he could be a lock for his first All-Star nod.
Desmond Bane – Orlando Magic
The lone offseason Eastern Conference newcomer on this list, Desmond Bane arrived via a blockbuster trade from Memphis, forming a compelling trio alongside Wagner and Paolo Banchero.
While his numbers dipped slightly last season, Bane’s three-year averages — 21.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 5.0 assists while shooting 39.4% from beyond the arc — speak for themselves. The only challenge may be internal competition: sharing the spotlight with Wagner and Banchero could make it harder for voters to single him out.
Derrick White – Boston Celtics
Derrick White’s All-Star window might have been widest last year, when he posted career highs in scoring (16.4 PPG) and rebounding (4.5 RPG) for one of the league’s best teams. A two-time top-10 finisher in Defensive Player of the Year voting, White is already recognized as one of the NBA’s elite two-way role players.
This season, circumstances could push him into a bigger offensive role alongside Jaylen Brown. With Tatum, Porziņģis, and Jrue Holiday unavailable or gone, White will have the chance to boost his numbers — and if Boston remains competitive, that could be enough to finally earn his All-Star debut.
