LeBron James has once again rewritten the history books. The Los Angeles Lakers forward is now both the youngest and the oldest player to ever make an All-NBA team. This incredible feat comes as he extends his record to 20 consecutive selections, marking his historic 20th All-NBA selection, a milestone that stands unrivaled in NBA history.
LeBron Shatters Records Again: 20th All-NBA Selection Sparks Debate
This season’s All-NBA first team includes unanimous choices Denver’s Nikola Jokic and Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, along with Dallas’ Luka Doncic, Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Boston’s Jayson Tatum. The second team features New York’s Jalen Brunson, Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards, Phoenix’s Kevin Durant, the Los Angeles Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard, and Anthony Davis, LeBron’s teammate from the Lakers. Rounding out the third team are Golden State’s Stephen Curry, Sacramento’s Domantas Sabonis, Indiana’s Tyrese Haliburton, Phoenix’s Devin Booker, and LeBron James.
In a bold move, the NBA has shifted to a positionless voting system for All-NBA teams this year, abandoning the traditional formula of selecting two guards, two forwards, and one center. This change, coupled with the requirement for players to appear in a minimum number of games, aims to ensure the most deserving players are recognized.
The stakes are high for Doncic and Gilgeous-Alexander, who are on track for record-breaking supermax extensions. Doncic’s potential five-year deal could be worth approximately $347 million, starting at nearly $60 million in 2026-27 and escalating to about $79 million by 2030-31. Gilgeous-Alexander could secure a four-year extension worth around $294 million, starting in 2027-28 at about $65 million and peaking over $81 million in 2030-31—nearly $1 million per game, an unprecedented figure in NBA history.
LeBron’s 20 All-NBA selections extend his lead over legends like Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. He remains a trailblazer, being the first player aged 39 or older to earn such recognition in a regular season.
This year’s All-NBA announcement also brings financial windfalls for Anthony Edwards and Tyrese Haliburton. Their summer extensions, initially worth about $205 million, have now ballooned to around $245 million over five seasons.
Meanwhile, Kevin Durant’s inclusion in the second team marks his 11th All-NBA honor, tying him for the 12th most in league history.
As the dust settles, the NBA landscape continues to be shaped by historic achievements and staggering financial prospects, promising an electrifying future for the league.
Comments