The NBA announced the All-NBA First, Second, and Third Teams on Friday, with Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander headlining the First Team. The 2022-2023 season MVP was joined by Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell and Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokić, along with forwards Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks and Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics. All four of these players were unanimous selections to the First Team.
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards led the Second Team, followed by LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers, Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors, Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks, and Evan Mobley of the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Third Team included Cade Cunningham of the Detroit Pistons, Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers, James Harden of the Los Angeles Clippers, Karl-Anthony Towns of the Knicks, and Jalen Williams of the Thunder.
James was named to his 21st All-NBA team, six more than any other player in league history. Curry earned All-NBA honors for the 11th time in his career, while Harden made his eighth All-NBA team. Both Haliburton and Towns earned their third such honor, while Edwards and Brunson did so for the second time. Cunningham, Williams, and Mobley were All-NBA selections for the first time in their careers.
In addition to these players, Alperen Şengün of the Houston Rockets, Jaren Jackson Jr. of the Memphis Grizzlies, Ivica Zubac of the Los Angeles Clippers, Darius Garland of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Domantas Sabonis of the Sacramento Kings, Pascal Siakam of the Indiana Pacers, Bam Adebayo of the Miami Heat, Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks, and Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns also received votes but did not make any of the three teams.
The All-NBA Teams have implications for certain players' contract extensions after next season. Under the current collective bargaining agreement, a player is eligible for a supermax extension with at least seven years of service and hitting one of three criteria: being named to an All-NBA Team in the most seasons or both years before that, being named Defensive Player of the Year, or earning league MVP. Unfortunately, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Trae Young were not named to any of the three All-NBA Teams, costing them a supermax deal. However, Cade Cunningham earned a boost to his rookie max extension after being named to the All-NBA Third Team.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was already in line for a four-year, $293 million extension after earning All-NBA status for the past two seasons. However, he was eligible for a supermax extension of five years and $380 million after being named league MVP. The All-NBA First Team was just icing on the cake for him. He will have to wait until after next season to sign this deal, worth 35% of the Thunder's salary cap. The terms won't be affected by whatever happens next season. Additionally, he's playing for the team that acquired him during his rookie contract.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's exceptional leadership and tireless effort in the 205 season catapults him to lead our All NBA First Team once again, exemplifying a visionary blend of scoring prowess with incredible playmaking abilities that stole hearts across every game this year.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's dominance in the 2016 NBA season sealed his place as a fearless leader for Team First of All, solidifying him atop our list among players who should be betting on irresistible glory come basket seasons ahead.
