Anshari Taslim
The announcement of the 2026 All-NBA teams on Sunday night has set in motion a series of significant financial implications for players and franchises alike, with the league’s collective bargaining agreement linking elite individual honors directly to maximum contract eligibility. Under current NBA rules, All-NBA selections are position-less, recognizing the top 15 players irrespective of their traditional roles, and require players to meet a 65-game minimum threshold for eligibility. These distinctions are crucial as they determine which players can command higher max salaries, a mechanism designed to help teams retain their homegrown talent.
The 2025-26 All-NBA teams are as follows:
All-NBA First Team
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- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City Thunder)
- Nikola Jokić (Denver Nuggets)
- Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio Spurs)
- Luka Dončić (Los Angeles Lakers)
- Cade Cunningham (Detroit Pistons)
All-NBA Second Team
- Jaylen Brown (Boston Celtics)
- Kawhi Leonard (Los Angeles Clippers)
- Kevin Durant (Houston Rockets)
- Jalen Brunson (New York Knicks)
- Donovan Mitchell (Cleveland Cavaliers)
All-NBA Third Team
- Tyrese Maxey (Philadelphia 76ers)
- Jamal Murray (Denver Nuggets)
- Chet Holmgren (Oklahoma City Thunder)
- Jalen Duren (Detroit Pistons)
- Jalen Johnson (Atlanta Hawks)
The financial ripple effects stem from specific provisions within the CBA. The "Derrick Rose rule" allows players with between four and six years of experience to receive 30% of the salary cap in their next contract, a significant bump from the standard 25% for their experience level. The "designated veteran player" or "supermax" rule further elevates this for players with seven to nine years of experience, raising their max salary from 30% to 35% of the cap. To qualify for these enhanced contracts, a player must meet one of the following criteria: be named to an All-NBA team in the season immediately prior to signing the extension, be named to two All-NBA teams in the three seasons prior to signing, or be named Most Valuable Player in any of the three seasons prior to signing.
No Immediate Contract Impact for Established Stars
Several players recognized in the 2026 All-NBA selections are already operating under max or supermax contracts, or their current deals predate the need for such an eligibility trigger. For instance, First Team selections Nikola Jokić, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Luka Dončić have already secured their long-term financial futures, with Jokić having signed a five-year, $276 million supermax extension in 2022, and Gilgeous-Alexander and Dončić having previously met the criteria for their respective max deals. Similarly, Second Team members Kawhi Leonard, Kevin Durant, and Donovan Mitchell are either veterans on substantial contracts or have already established their max eligibility through prior accolades. Their selections reaffirm their elite status but do not trigger new contract discussions based on these specific rules.
Duren’s Ascent and the Pistons’ Dilemma
Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren’s selection to the All-NBA Third Team represents a significant individual achievement and positions him for a substantial pay raise. Duren, drafted in 2022, completed his fourth NBA season with a breakout performance, averaging 16.8 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game while shooting an efficient 65% from the field. His consistent double-doubles and improved rim protection were central to the Pistons’ surprisingly competitive regular season, which saw them secure a play-in tournament berth. As a result of his All-NBA selection, Duren is now eligible for a "Derrick Rose rule" extension, allowing him to command up to 30% of the salary cap in his next contract.
However, Duren’s situation is complicated by his playoff performance. After a strong regular season, Duren reportedly struggled in the Pistons’ first-round series, particularly against more experienced frontcourts. His offensive efficiency dropped, and defensive lapses became more pronounced, raising questions about his consistency in high-stakes environments. Furthermore, his on-court synergy with emerging forward Ausar Thompson, another promising Pistons talent, was scrutinized, with some analysts suggesting their overlapping skill sets create spacing challenges.
Duren did not sign a rookie-scale extension last offseason, a decision that proved financially beneficial given his All-NBA nod. Now, as a restricted free agent this summer, the Pistons face a critical decision. While Duren’s camp is expected to leverage his All-NBA status to push for the 30% max, the Pistons must weigh his regular season brilliance against his playoff struggles and the team’s long-term salary cap strategy. Only the Pistons can offer Duren a five-year deal at 30% of the cap; other teams are limited to a four-year, 25% max offer sheet, which Detroit would have the right to match.
"Jalen showed flashes of elite potential this season, but his playoff performance raises questions about committing a full 30% max," a source close to the Pistons organization reportedly stated. "We need to evaluate the entire picture – his fit, his development trajectory, and the financial flexibility needed to build a sustainable contender around Cade [Cunningham] and our young core." The Pistons, currently projected to have significant cap space, are in a rebuilding phase, and locking up a center at a potential 30% max could impact their ability to pursue other high-value free agents or retain other key players like Cunningham, who is already on a max deal. The negotiations are expected to be complex, potentially inviting offer sheets from rival teams looking to pry Duren away.
Edwards and Haliburton Miss Supermax Window
The 2026 All-NBA selections also brought disappointment for two stars from the 2020 draft class, Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers. Both players had signed max rookie extensions in 2023, which were converted to "Derrick Rose rule" 30% maxes after their All-NBA selections in 2024. Their goal for the 2025-26 season was to secure another All-NBA nod, which, combined with a potential 2027 selection, would have made them eligible for the "designated veteran" supermax extension in 2027 – a contract worth 35% of the salary cap.
Haliburton’s absence from the list was anticipated, as he suffered a torn Achilles tendon early in the season, limiting him to just 38 games. Despite his injury, the Pacers enjoyed a successful season, reaching the NBA Finals, a testament to the team’s depth and Haliburton’s foundational impact when healthy. Given his injury history, sources indicate Haliburton and the Pacers may adopt a more cautious approach to future contract negotiations, potentially prioritizing long-term security over maximizing every percentage point of the cap.
Edwards’ situation, however, was a near miss. He played 63 games, just two shy of the 65-game minimum eligibility threshold, due to a late-season ankle injury. Edwards averaged 28.5 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 5.5 assists for the Timberwolves, leading them to the second seed in a highly competitive Western Conference. His strong individual performance was undeniable, but the injury denied him the All-NBA recognition needed to stay on track for the supermax.
While both players can still qualify for the supermax in 2027 by earning an All-NBA selection next season, the 65-game rule introduces an element of risk. Another injury could derail their eligibility entirely. For the Timberwolves, missing this window for Edwards is particularly impactful. Minnesota’s roster, which includes other significant contracts like Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert, faces increasing financial pressure. The supermax was considered Minnesota’s strongest tool to ensure Edwards, their undisputed franchise cornerstone, remained committed long-term, especially as rival Western Conference powers like Oklahoma City and San Antonio continue to develop their young cores. While Edwards is still three years from unrestricted free agency, the inability to offer the supermax as early as possible could create future complexities if the Timberwolves’ championship aspirations do not align with Edwards’ expectations.
Tyrese Maxey Begins Supermax Journey
In contrast to Edwards and Haliburton, Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey, also from the 2020 draft class, successfully navigated his path to his first career All-NBA selection, earning a spot on the Third Team. Maxey did not sign a rookie extension and subsequently inked a new deal in restricted free agency that did not include a "Derrick Rose rule" bump, as he was not All-NBA eligible at that time.
His 2026 All-NBA selection now formally places him on the trajectory for a "designated veteran" supermax contract. Like Edwards and Haliburton, Maxey will need to secure another All-NBA selection in 2027 to trigger full supermax eligibility for his next contract, which would commence after the 2028-29 season. Maxey’s 2025-26 campaign saw him continue his ascent as a dynamic scorer and playmaker, averaging 26.3 points and 7.2 assists, leading the 76ers through a season marked by injuries to key players.
If Maxey maintains his current trajectory, the 76ers are widely expected to offer him the supermax extension. However, the organization’s history with such large contracts has drawn scrutiny. The 76ers’ last two 35% max deals, reportedly for Joel Embiid and a recent signing of veteran Paul George, have been associated with significant cap commitments that have not always yielded sustained championship contention, with Embiid’s recurring injury issues and George’s advanced age and recent performance being points of concern.
The financial landscape for the 76ers is further complicated by future roster planning. A new supermax deal for Maxey would align with the potential rookie extension for highly-touted prospect VJ Edgecombe, a projected high draft pick who joined the team in 2025. This scenario could see the capped-out 76ers commit an estimated 60% of their salary cap to their two primary guards, Maxey and Edgecombe, for an extended period. While the team may be shedding the significant contracts of Embiid and George in the coming years, this new financial commitment could limit their flexibility to build a deep and versatile roster around their new core, presenting a strategic challenge for Philadelphia’s front office as they navigate their long-term competitive window.
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