A new NBA season brings with it the promise of a new NBA All-Star Game. And while the actual Sunday games themselves have almost completely lost their luster over the past ten years, qualifying for the match itself remains a very big problem for any player. Last year there were seven first-time honorees: Yes Morant, Andrew Wiggins, LaMelo Ball, Dejounte Murray, Fred Van Vleet, Jarrett Allen and Darius Garland. Many of those first-timers seem likely to return this season, but invariably some will fall short.
For the 2022/23 season, it seems very possible that several young hoopers in the making could take the next steps and achieve All-Star glory.
This writer’s smart money is on Timberwolves shooting guard Anthony Edwards, who enjoyed a 2021/22 second season breakout in Minnesota — and not just because today is his 21st birthday. The 2021 No. 1 draft pick from Georgia increased his output across the board, evolving into a two-way leader for a scrappy playoff-bound Timberwolves club that nearly fought its way out of a hard-fought first-round matchup against the Grizzlies. In 72 games for the 46-36 Timberwolves, the hyper-athletic 6’4″ wing averaged 21.3 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 3.8 APG, 1.5 SPG, and 0.6 BPG. His shot from the floor improved significantly from season to season as he converted 44.1% of the field last year, including making 35.7% of his 8.4 three-point attempts.
Although big man Karl-Anthony Towns was Minnesota’s lone All-Star representative last season, Edwards’ two-way contributions to what projects should be an improved Timberwolves roster could help him make his first All-Star club in 2023. Sure, the addition of three-time defensive player of the Year Rudy Gobert next to Towns means there are two current multi-time All-Stars rated for Edwards in the team’s pedigree order. But Edwards has more intriguing upsides at the moment than his starrier comrades.
reigning birds of prey Rookie of the Year ahead Scottie Barnes looked like a seasoned pro during his inaugural NBA season. Although VanVleet eventually represented Toronto at the Cleveland All-Star Game in 2022, Barnes’ ceiling is towering. Barnes will face some competition from another teammate for the All-Star honors next year. After a slow start, Raptors ahead Pascal Siakam completed in form by the end of the season, making the third team All-NBA. The 6’9″ striker averaged 15.3 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 3.5 APG, 1.1 SPG and 0.7 BPG in 74 games played for Toronto, all starts. The team finished the season with a record of 48-34, good for the fifth seed in a busy Eastern Conference.
Despite a disappointing performance by the Western Conference Semifinals in 2022, Sun tanning Centre Deandre Ayton has been the focus of much speculation this summer. The No. 1 pick of 2018 became a restricted free agent and his fate seemed a little up in the air. For a while, there was speculation that he could become the center of a trade for Nets All-Star Kevin Durant. Later, the Pacers offered Ayton a $133MM up to four-year offer letter, which Phoenix chose to match. He will remain with the Suns until at least January 15, 2023. There’s a reason Ayton was so coveted: the 24-year-old big man is already an excellent player on both sides of the floor. If he ramps up his offensive output this season, he could finally reach All-Star status — with the Suns or elsewhere.
Pistons sophomore point guard Cade Cunningham will be joined this season by a flurry of exciting young prospects, including the 2022 lottery picks Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren. Cunningham completed the entire season in form, joining Barnes in the 2022 All-Rookie First Team. At 6’6, the jumbo-sized lead guard finished with 17.4 PPG, 5.6 APG and 5.5 RPG on a Pistons team with bottom feeding. Should Detroit rise through the standings to around .500 territory, it seems entirely possible that it will be the result of the 20-year-old’s contributions.
Another great 2022 All-Rookie First Teamer, cavaliers big man Evan Mobley, formed a formidable frontline tandem alongside Jarrett Allen, the first All-Star center in 2022. Along with All-Star guard Darius Garland, the trio was largely responsible for Cleveland doubling its win tally from the 2020/21 (shortened) season , from a record of 22-50 to a record of 44-38. Mobley’s defense played a big part in that turnaround. His offense was nothing to sneeze at, either. The seven-legged friend averaged 15.0 PPG on 50.8% floor shots, plus 8.3 RPG, 2.5 APG, 1.7 BPG and 0.8 SPG in 69 games.
All-Star point guard Yes Morant led the grizzlies to a surprisingly robust No. 2 seed in the West this season, but he didn’t get there alone. Breakout shooting guard Desmond Bane and 2022 All-Defensive First Team power forward Years Jackson Jr. provided ample two-way support for their turbocharged lead ball handler. If Memphis’ team success continues this season, one of these players could make the All-Star cut.
sixers guard Tyrese Maxey had a better postseason run for Philadelphia in 2022 than his inconsistent All-Star teammate James Harden, who hasn’t looked the same since he was hamstringed by a hamstring injury with the Nets in 2020/21. The third-year swingman could round out Harden and become the Sixers’ second All-Star recording this year besides the All-NBA center Joel Embiid. In his second NBA season, Maxey averaged 17.5 PPG, 4.3 APG, and 3.2 APG on .485/.427/.866 shooting splits. In the playoffs, he averaged 20.8 PPG, 3.9 APG, 3.5 RPG, and 0.8 SPG.
Other candidates on this writer’s list are the HeatThe sixth man of the year Tyler Herro, new ones Knicks point guard Jalen Brunsonand maybe, just maybe, prolific young guards Tyrese Haliburton and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, two players saddled with teams that look ready to refuel in 2022/23. But things can change.
We want to know what you think. Will any of the above NBA player(s) make their All-Star debut in Salt Lake City in February? Do you have someone else in mind to take the plunge? Hit the comments section below and let us know!