Byron Spruell, the NBA’s president of league operations told The Associated Press that the NBA is mulling “formats that lean into this idea of international play, to some extent leaning a little bit on this idea of U.S. versus rest of the world.”
The NBA All-Star Game, once the crown jewel of midseason entertainment, has lost its competitive edge in recent years. But that may be about to change. On Monday, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver confirmed that the league is in discussions with the NBA Players Association and NBC about a bold new direction: replacing the current All-Star Game format with an international competition starting as soon as next season.
“We’re in active conversations with the NBPA and NBC about reimagining what All-Star Weekend could look like,” Silver said. “One of the ideas on the table is shifting to a true international competition that would bring a new level of excitement and pride to the game.”
According to The Athletic, this proposed format would pit a team of U.S.-born NBA stars against a team of international NBA players—a concept fans have long discussed but that the league has never seriously pursued until now.
The potential change couldn’t come at a more appropriate time. The NBA is more global than ever, with international superstars like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Dončić, Nikola Jokić, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Joel Embiid dominating MVP conversations and All-NBA ballots. In fact, only one U.S.-born player—Jayson Tatum or perhaps Stephen Curry—has consistently cracked that tier in recent years. The idea of a Team USA vs. Team World format not only reflects the current state of the league but adds real competitive intrigue.
For the players, the All-Star Game has become more of an exhibition than a showcase of elite competition. Even the addition of the Elam Ending and team captains drafting squads failed to restore the game’s intensity. A national pride element, however, could change that dynamic dramatically.
Players have already expressed interest. Giannis, for one, has been vocal in the past about the pride he feels representing Greece and Europe. The chance to go head-to-head with the U.S.’s best under the global spotlight might just inject the kind of edge that the All-Star Game has been missing.
NBC’s involvement in these talks is also significant. With the network expected to re-enter NBA broadcasting rights negotiations soon, helping to launch a revamped All-Star Weekend could become a major branding opportunity. Think: Olympics-style storytelling, global player features, and a marquee event that speaks to the league’s international growth.
There are still many details to be ironed out—team selection, player availability, injury concerns, and how this would fit into the broader All-Star Weekend schedule. But the fact that these discussions are happening at the highest level signals a willingness from the league to evolve.
If all goes according to plan, next year’s All-Star break could mark the start of a new tradition—one that reflects the NBA’s global identity and raises the competitive bar.
For fans, it could mean something we’ve been waiting for: an All-Star Game that actually matters again.
