The announcement of the 2024 All-NBA teams on Friday evening confirmed some clear selections, including NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as a unanimous first-team pick. However, the final roster spots, especially on the third team, ignited debate as several prominent players, notably Houston Rockets center Alperen Şengün and Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr., narrowly missed inclusion. This notably left many fans and analysts questioning the choices, particularly regarding the Alperen Sengun NBA All-NBA team snub.

Amid the controversy, other established players such as four-time All-Star guard Trae Young and Los Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac also failed to secure All-NBA honors, despite strong individual performances throughout the season.

Trae Young’s Season and Missed Recognition

Trae Young, who leads the NBA in assists averaging 11.6 per game, posted 24.2 points per contest for the Atlanta Hawks, a team that clinched a play-in tournament spot despite injuries to key players. The Hawks lost forward Jalen Johnson, who was contributing 18.9 points and 10 rebounds per game, to a torn labrum in January, and midseason they traded second-leading scorer De’Andre Hunter to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Burdened with heightened responsibilities, Young still earned an All-Star appearance but was left off all the All-NBA teams, continuing a trend in his seven-year career where he has only made one All-NBA team—the third team in 2022.

Jaren Jackson Jr.’s Solid but Insufficient Campaign

Jaren Jackson Jr. averaged 22.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks each game while securing a spot on the NBA’s All-Defensive Second Team. Despite these respectable numbers and solid defensive contributions, Jackson fell short of making any All-NBA team this season. This exclusion also means he will miss out on qualifying for a lucrative supermax contract extension.

Alperen Şengün’s Near-Miss for All-NBA Honors

Houston Rockets’ Alperen Şengün had an impressive season as the leading player on the Western Conference’s second seed. He posted averages of 19.1 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game. The 16th pick of the 2021 NBA draft made his All-Star debut this year and delivered strong performances in the Rockets’ first-round playoff series against the Golden State Warriors, averaging 20.9 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 5.3 assists over seven games. Despite these achievements, Şengün was the first player excluded from the All-NBA teams, leaving him just outside the final selections.

Ivica Zubac’s Defensive Breakthrough and All-NBA Snub

Ivica Zubac, who finished second in the Most Improved Player voting behind Atlanta’s Dyson Daniels, had an excellent year both offensively and defensively. Averaging 16.8 points with an outstanding 62.8 percent shooting efficiency and 12.6 rebounds per game, Zubac earned a place on the NBA’s All-Defensive Second Team. Now in his ninth season, the Los Angeles Clippers center narrowly missed All-NBA recognition, though many expect him to earn this honor in the near future given his continued progress.

Difficulty of Selecting the All-NBA Teams and Future Outlook

Choosing All-NBA teams remains a tough process each year due to the close competition among players for limited spots. The 2024 selections underscored this challenge, with several deserving candidates narrowly missing out, especially on the third team. The snubs of players like Alperen Şengün, Jaren Jackson Jr., Trae Young, and Ivica Zubac highlight ongoing debates about how player contributions are evaluated.

For Şengün, Jackson, and Young, this disappointment may fuel their performances in the coming seasons as they seek to strengthen their cases for All-NBA consideration. For Zubac, the recognition he did receive signals increasing respect around his game and suggests potential future All-NBA honors.