The 2025 NBA All-Star game includes a highly decorated roster of the NBA’s best and brightest stars. Tonight, in a first for the NBA, the rosters for each of the three teams were set in a draft format where Shaquille O’Neal, Kenny Smith, and Charles Barkley built their ultimate lineup of superstars.
This format has never been done in the NBA All-Star game before. Instead of the traditional East Vs. West showdown, four teams will compete in a tournament-style event with the legendary TNT hosts serving as honorary general managers. The fourth team will be the winner of the NBA’s Rising Stars game.
The total pool of players includes Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jaylen Brown, Jalen Brunson, Cade Cunningham, Darius Garland, Tyler Herro, Damian Lillard, Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, Pascal Siakam, Jayson Tatum and Karl-Anthony Towns in the East and Stephen Curry, Anthony Davis, Kevin Durant, Anthony Edwards, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, James Harden, Jaren Jackson Jr., LeBron James, Nikola Jokic, Alperen Sengun, Victor Wembanyama and Jalen Williams in the West.
Shaquille O’Neal was awarded the first pick in the 8-round draft, and Kenny Smith came next with Charles Barkley at third. Their full roster is included below, in the order that they were picked by their respective team captains.
Team Shaq
– LeBron James, Lakers (21x All-Star)
– Stephen Curry, Warriors (11x All-Star)
– Anthony Davis, Mavericks (10x All-Star)
– Jayson Tatum, Celtics (6x All-Star)
– Kevin Durant, Suns (15x All-Star)
– Damian Lillard, Bucks (9x All-Star)
– James Harden, Clippers (11x All-Star)
– Jaylen Brown, Celtics (4x All-Star)
Team Kenny
– Anthony Edwards, Timberwolves (3x All-Star)
– Jalen Brunson, Knicks (2x All-Star)
– Jaren Jackson Jr., Grizzlies (2x All-Star)
– Jalen Williams, Thunder (1x All-Star)
– Darius Garland, Cavaliers (2x All-Star)
– Evan Mobley, Cavaliers (1x All-Star)
– Cade Cunningham, Pistons (1x All-Star)
– Tyler Herro, Heat (1x All-Star)
Team Chuck
– Nikola Jokic, Nuggets (7x All-Star)
– Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks (9x All-Star)
– Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder (3x All-Star)
– Victor Wembanyama, Spurs (1x All-Star)
– Pascal Siakam, Pacers (3x All-Star)
– Alperen Sengun, Rockets (1x All-Star)
– Karl-Anthony Towns, Knicks (5x All-Star)
– Donovan Mitchell, Cavaliers (6x All-Star)
The NBA is trying something new with this format and while we still have to see the results of the game, the draft was interesting as it led to all sorts of conversations. As for which team is the best, there are many variables to consider and any team could win, but one group in particular stands out above the rest.
Ranking The 2025 NBA All-Star Teams
Since all the players involved are All-Star caliber any of the teas could realistically win the event but it’ll be effort and chemistry that determines the winner. Still, roster construction matters, and not every team is built equally. For now, at least, most fans can agree that Charles Barley ended up with the weakest roster.
3. Team Kenny
Kenny started off strong with Anthony Edwards as his first pick but his roster saw a major drop in quality as the draft went on. Instead of accumulating experienced veteran superstars, Kenny’s team is full of young and unproven talent like Evan Mobley, Cade Cunningham, Jalen Williams, and Jaren Jackson Jr.
To beat out the other teams, Team Kenny will have to play on their youth and use their athleticism to bully their opponents on All-Star weekend. Of course, with so much to prove, it’s possible that Kenny’s team could rally and win based on nothing but willpower alone.
2. Team Chuck
In second place is Charles Barkley’s squad. With his first three picks being a well-balanced spread of bigs and guards, he made sure to fill every position. Arguably the biggest problem for this squad is their lack of rim protection.
As it stands, Victor Wembanyama is the only defense around the rim and that could pose some major problems going against Anthony Davis, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Evan Mobley. Still, with Nikola Jokic, SGA, and Giannis Antetokounmpo on the team, Barkley was able to land three of the top five best players in the game and they will be tough to beat.
1. Team Shaq
Shaq made it a point very early to stack up as much big-name talent as he could. While they’re All-Star players, O’Neal wanted to build his team with the best and most accomplished of these stars, regardless of age or fit. For O’Neal, cache and recognition are what he was looking for.
As a result, Shaq may have stumbled into building the best roster of All-Star weekend. Featuring most of the older veteran All-Stars, these players know what it takes to win, are not afraid of the moment, and have experience working together in prior All-Star games. Those qualities should help Team Shaq dominate the competition. The only concern is the frontcourt defense, where Anthony Davis will have to hold it down by himself.
With such a star-studded event, the All-Star tournament is anyone’s to win and you can’t be surprised with whichever team wins it. The important thing is that it delivers an excellent and highly competitive game, which all signs are pointing toward an intense, high-stakes showdown.
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