Last Updated on July 14, 2026 by Mat Diekhake
The NBA All-NBA Third Team recognizes five of the league’s top performers each season who narrowly miss First and Second Team honors. Introduced in the 1988–89 season, the Third Team has become one of the NBA’s highest individual achievements, rewarding players who produce elite regular seasons in an era of extraordinary talent.
Many MVPs, Hall of Famers, and NBA champions—including Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Nikola Jokić, Dirk Nowitzki, Dwyane Wade, Chris Paul, Damian Lillard, and Jayson Tatum—have earned multiple All-NBA Third Team selections during their careers.
What Is the NBA All-NBA Third Team?
The All-NBA Team is selected annually by a panel of media members to honor the league’s best players during the regular season.
Since 1988–89, three All-NBA teams have been selected:
- All-NBA First Team
- All-NBA Second Team
- All-NBA Third Team
Beginning in the 2023–24 season, All-NBA voting became positionless, allowing the 15 highest vote-getters to be selected regardless of position.
Prior to 2023–24, each team consisted of:
- Two guards
- Two forwards
- One center
NBA All-NBA Third Team Players by Season
| Season | Third Team Players |
|---|---|
| 1988–89 | Mark Price, Joe Dumars, Chris Mullin, Terry Cummings, Patrick Ewing |
| 1989–90 | Clyde Drexler, Joe Dumars, Chris Mullin, Tom Chambers, Patrick Ewing |
| 1990–91 | Kevin Johnson, Joe Dumars, Chris Mullin, Charles Barkley, David Robinson |
| 1991–92 | Tim Hardaway, Joe Dumars, Detlef Schrempf, Dennis Rodman, Patrick Ewing |
| 1992–93 | Tim Hardaway, Dražen Petrović, Dominique Wilkins, Derrick Coleman, Hakeem Olajuwon |
| 1993–94 | Mark Price, Latrell Sprewell, Dominique Wilkins, Derrick Coleman, Shaquille O’Neal |
| 1994–95 | Reggie Miller, Latrell Sprewell, Dennis Rodman, Glen Rice, Shaquille O’Neal |
| 1995–96 | Mitch Richmond, Anfernee Hardaway, Grant Hill, Dennis Rodman, David Robinson |
| 1996–97 | Tim Hardaway, Mitch Richmond, Glen Rice, Vin Baker, Shaquille O’Neal |
| 1997–98 | Rod Strickland, Mitch Richmond, Glen Rice, Tim Duncan, Shaquille O’Neal |
| 1998–99 | Gary Payton, Mitch Richmond, Tim Duncan, Grant Hill, Alonzo Mourning |
| 1999–00 | Vince Carter, Reggie Miller, Karl Malone, Grant Hill, Alonzo Mourning |
| 2000–01 | Allen Iverson, Ray Allen, Vince Carter, Chris Webber, Dikembe Mutombo |
| 2001–02 | Steve Nash, Paul Pierce, Dirk Nowitzki, Ben Wallace, Jermaine O’Neal |
| 2002–03 | Steve Nash, Paul Pierce, Jamal Mashburn, Ben Wallace, Jermaine O’Neal |
| 2003–04 | Baron Davis, Sam Cassell, Peja Stojaković, Ron Artest, Yao Ming |
| 2004–05 | Ray Allen, Gilbert Arenas, LeBron James, Dirk Nowitzki, Ben Wallace |
| 2005–06 | Allen Iverson, Gilbert Arenas, LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Ben Wallace |
| 2006–07 | Tracy McGrady, Gilbert Arenas, Tim Duncan, Carmelo Anthony, Yao Ming |
| 2007–08 | Tracy McGrady, Manu Ginóbili, Paul Pierce, Tim Duncan, Dwight Howard |
| 2008–09 | Chauncey Billups, Brandon Roy, Paul Pierce, Pau Gasol, Dwight Howard |
| 2009–10 | Brandon Roy, Joe Johnson, Tim Duncan, Pau Gasol, Andrew Bogut |
| 2010–11 | Zach Randolph, Pau Gasol, LaMarcus Aldridge, Dwyane Wade, Rajon Rondo* |
| 2011–12 | Dwyane Wade, Rajon Rondo, Carmelo Anthony, Dirk Nowitzki, Tyson Chandler |
| 2012–13 | Dwyane Wade, Tony Parker, David Lee, Paul George, Tim Duncan |
| 2013–14 | Damian Lillard, Goran Dragić, LaMarcus Aldridge, Al Jefferson, James Harden |
| 2014–15 | Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson, Blake Griffin, Tim Duncan, DeAndre Jordan |
| 2015–16 | Kyle Lowry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, Paul George, DeMarcus Cousins |
| 2016–17 | Isaiah Thomas, DeMar DeRozan, Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green, Rudy Gobert |
| 2017–18 | Victor Oladipo, Jimmy Butler, Paul George, LaMarcus Aldridge, Karl-Anthony Towns |
| 2018–19 | Russell Westbrook, Kemba Walker, Blake Griffin, LeBron James, Rudy Gobert |
| 2019–20 | Ben Simmons, Russell Westbrook, Jimmy Butler, Jayson Tatum, Rudy Gobert |
| 2020–21 | Kyrie Irving, Bradley Beal, Jimmy Butler, Paul George, Rudy Gobert |
| 2021–22 | Chris Paul, Trae Young, LeBron James, Pascal Siakam, Karl-Anthony Towns |
| 2022–23 | De’Aaron Fox, Damian Lillard, LeBron James, Julius Randle, Domantas Sabonis |
| 2023–24 | Devin Booker, Stephen Curry, Tyrese Haliburton, LeBron James, Domantas Sabonis |
| 2024–25 | Cade Cunningham, Tyrese Haliburton, Jalen Brunson, Evan Mobley, James Harden |
*The 2010–11 All-NBA teams were selected by position, with forwards and guards eligible only at their listed positions.
Players with the Most All-NBA Third Team Selections
Several stars have accumulated multiple Third Team honors over the course of their careers, including:
- Tim Duncan
- LeBron James
- Dwyane Wade
- Damian Lillard
- Jimmy Butler
- Rudy Gobert
- Mitch Richmond
- Joe Dumars
- Paul George
- Shaquille O’Neal
Many eventually earned numerous First and Second Team selections as their careers progressed.
MVP Winners Who Made the Third Team
Several NBA MVPs have appeared on the All-NBA Third Team during different stages of their careers, including:
- LeBron James
- Stephen Curry
- Kevin Durant
- Dirk Nowitzki
- Tim Duncan
- Shaquille O’Neal
- Nikola Jokić
- James Harden
- Russell Westbrook
The Third Team often reflects the exceptional depth of talent across the NBA, where MVP-caliber players can occasionally finish behind other elite performers in a given season.
Hall of Fame Third Team Players
Many Hall of Famers have earned All-NBA Third Team honors, including:
- Shaquille O’Neal
- Tim Duncan
- LeBron James
- Dirk Nowitzki
- Dwyane Wade
- Paul Pierce
- Ray Allen
- Patrick Ewing
- Charles Barkley
- David Robinson
- Reggie Miller
- Clyde Drexler
- Dominique Wilkins
- Chris Mullin
- Alonzo Mourning
Why the Award Matters
An All-NBA Third Team selection signifies that a player ranked among the NBA’s 15 best performers during the regular season. In many years, the margin between First, Second, and Third Team selections is extremely small, making every All-NBA honor a significant career achievement.
Third Team selections are frequently considered when evaluating Hall of Fame résumés, contract incentives, legacy discussions, and historical player rankings.
Related Player Lists
- All-NBA First Team Players
- All-NBA Second Team Players
- NBA MVP Winners
- NBA All-Star Players
- NBA All-Defensive First Team Players
- NBA All-Defensive Second Team Players
- NBA Hall of Fame Players
- NBA Champions (Players)