The trading deadline isn’t the only major event currently happening in the NBA calendar.
The league will reveal its reserves for the 2026 All-Star Game Sunday, Feb. 1 at 6 p.m. ET during the pregame show of the “Sunday Night Basketball” premier on NBC.
This comes after the league on Jan. 19 announced the 10 players — five from each conference — who were named All-Star starters.
Of course, there are more than 10 players deserving of the honor, and NBA coaches will determine the 14 reserves — seven from each conference — who will be making the trip to Los Angeles for the All-Star Game Feb. 15.
NBA All-Star Game reserve selection process
There are 24 All-Stars, with 12 per conference. Players are selected without regard for position.
The 10 starters (five per conference) are selected through three tranches: fan votes (50%), current NBA player votes (25%) and a media panel (25%).
For reserves, the collection of NBA coaches will cast votes for the players they think deserve the honor, and the totals are tallied, regardless of position.
There is one wrinkle this year, however.
Because the league is using a USA versus the world format in which three, 8-player teams will compete in a round-robin tournament, NBA commissioner Adam Silver will intervene and appoint additional All-Stars so that there are enough players to reach the quota of at least 16 U.S.-born players and eight international players. If necessary, the international players can include American players with ties to other countries.
NBA All-Star Game reserves predictions
Based on their performance from this season, here are the players I would pick as All-Star reserves.
Eastern Conference
Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers
Jalen Johnson, Atlanta Hawks
Jalen Duren, Detroit Pistons
Scottie Barnes, Toronto Raptors
Brandon Ingram, Toronto Raptors
Michael Porter Jr., Brooklyn Nets
Norman Powell, Miami Heat
Western Conference
Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves
Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets
Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns
Kevin Durant, Houston Rockets
Deni Avdija, Portland Trail Blazers
Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers
LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers
NBA All-Star Game starters
Here are the players already selected as All-Star starters.
Eastern Conference
Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons (second All-Star selection)
Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks (third)
Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers (second)
Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics (fifth)
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks (10th)
Western Conference
Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors (12th All-Star selection)
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder (fourth)
Luka Dončić, Los Angeles Lakers (sixth)
Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs (second)
Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets (eighth)
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