Draymond Green Wants LeBron James at the 2026 All-Star Game: “The NBA Must Find a Solution”
Despite LeBron James’ 41-year-old season being marked by injuries, he still is one of the most iconic faces of the league, and Draymond Green wants him at the All-Star Game
For the first time in over two decades, LeBron James looks vulnerable and human. Since entering the NBA in 2003, James has consistently delivered nearly unstoppable performances, but this season has shown the unavoidable toll of time, interrupting his historic streak of games with at least ten points.
The initial returns from fan voting for the 2026 NBA All-Star Game indicate that James will not start: he currently sits 9th in the Western Conference standings with 536,555 votes. However, Draymond Green believes that alone shouldn’t keep the Lakers icon from the midseason showcase.
Productivity Still Matters
LeBron’s numbers this season – 20.3 points and 6.5 assists per game – prove he remains a key contributor for the Los Angeles Lakers, even if he’s no longer the unquestioned focal point of the offense with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves handling more playmaking and scoring responsibilities.
You ask yourself: coaches will pick him as a reserve? I don’t know. He’s only played 14 games. I don’t know how they are evaluating him and what they will decide.
Draymond Green
A Call for an Exception: LeBron like Wade and Nowitzki
Green’s proposed solution is clear: the commissioner Adam Silver should add LeBron as a ‘special add’. Like in 2019 with Dwyane Wade and Dirk Nowitzki during their final seasons.
I’ve played an All-Star Game where the commisioner added Dirk and D-Wade as “legend” of the game. It was theyr last game and they deserved it. Same goes for LeBron
Draymond Green
LeBron deserves the All-Star Game?
Even if there’s a tough competition in the Western Conference, Green insists: the NBA should find a way to honour LeBron, at 41, at the end of an incredible career.
Many people say: ‘He shouldn’t be an All-Star.’ But yes, he should be. He’s been one of the league’s faces for 20 years. There’s no scenario in which LeBron isn’t an All-Star this year,” Green said.
Draymond Green
If the league already made exceptions in the past like with Wade and Nowitzki, there is no reason why LeBron James shouldn’t deserve the same treatment, recognizing he’s hystoric impact in the basketball all around the world.