4 rising talents who could become a first-time NBA All-Star in 2023
With the draft and the hottest period of free agency long gone, especially with no movement on Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant and Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell, We’re in the dog days of the NBA offseason. It’s now time to look ahead to some potential first-time NBA All-Star players in this upcoming NBA season.
The league is currently brimming with so much young talent — probably the best it’s ever been. With many great young players, some have yet to make the jump to All-Star status. Before taking a look at some of the brightest up-and-comers, let’s give credit to two players who are on the cusp of making this jump, but didn’t make the final cut.
Honorable Mentions to become a first-time NBA All-Star
Deandre Ayton, Phoenix Suns: The No.1 pick in 2018 has improved every year in the NBA, but he hasn’t reached the point where he’s competing for an All-Star game just yet. The Suns are coming off a disappointing playoff performance last season that saw them lose in embarrassing fashion to the Dallas Mavericks. Adding insult to injury, that team was led by Luka Doncic, who was chosen two spots after Ayton.
The 6-foot-11 center signed a massive contract this offseason after the Suns matched an offer from the Indiana Pacers. Phoenix is betting on Ayton to become the dominant interior force he can be, and now is the time to become a franchise cornerstone.
Tyler Herro, Miami Heat: The reigning Sixth Man of the Year for the No. 1 seed in the East balled out last season by averaging 20.7 points, five rebounds and four assists per game. He shot 45% from the field and nearly 40% from three.
Herro does not lack confidence as he has shown throughout his young career. If he wants to make the jump from Sixth Man to NBA All-Star, ala James Harden, he’ll have to continue improving on both sides of the floor. While his offensive production needs to increase, Herro also must become more of a disruptor on the defensive end of the floor, where he averages less than a steal per game.
If Herro can make a similar jump to the one he made last offseason, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him as an All-Star reserve in Salt Lake next year.
First-time NBA All-Star candidates: Anthony Edwards
How would the Minnesota Timberwolves describe 21-year-old star Anthony Edwards? Confident, explosive and dynamic. Edwards is coming off a very productive sophomore campaign that sure has the front office thrilled about his potential ceiling. He averaged 21.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.5 steals per game last season. He shot 44% from the field and 36% from beyond the arc. He improved all his averages across the board from his rookie season and seems to be the next great shooting guard in this league.
Edwards sure doesn’t seem to lack confidence, as he believes he can become the next “Face of the NBA” once LeBron retires. Edwards showed what he was capable of in his postseason debut this past spring against another young electrifying guard in Ja Morant. In his series against the Memphis Grizzlies, he averaged 25.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and over a steal and block per game with an effective field goal percentage of over 55%.
“Ant-Man” will need to continue developing as a playmaker in order to have a chance at making his All-Star debut in 2023. With the addition of Gobert to the roster, the Timberwolves will be looking to make some serious noise in the Western Conference this season and try to stamp themselves as a true title contender.
He has the chance to become a two-way force in this league with his strong body frame and otherwordly athleticism. Edwards is riding off a lot of momentum from a great first impression in the postseason to starring in the hit Adam Sandler movie “Hustle” to elevate his profile as a star athlete. The flair, swag and confidence he brings to every game by believing he’s the best no matter who he’s going up against will get him his first All-Star selection.
First-time NBA All-Star candidates: Cade Cunningham
From the 2020 No. 1 pick in Edwards to the 2021 No. 1 pick in Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham. If dynamic and exhilarating is what describes Edwards, poised and methodical is what I would use to describe Cunningham. Despite the Pistons’ poor record last season, the star rookie averaged 17.4 points, 6.3 rebounds, 6.1 assists and 1.4 steals per game. He did only shoot 43% from the field and 32% from three, which will have to improve along with his production in order to make the rare jump as an All-Star in just his second season.
The Pistons will also have to improve their record in the Eastern Conference from being in the gutter of the NBA to potentially a play-in or playoff team. Cunningham is as poised as they come, never fearing the big moment and always making the right play. He’s a huge lead guard at 6-foot-8 who can see over the defense and has a solid post-up game for such a young player.
If Cunningham can improve his efficiency and help be the catalyst to help the Pistons make a run for the playoffs, he’ll easily find himself as an All-Star this season and should make for an exciting young backcourt with Jaden Ivey. Stand up, Motown!
First-time NBA All-Star candidates: Scottie Barnes
The reigning 2022 NBA Rookie of the Year and Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes comes as another potential All-Star next season. Barnes had a very productive rookie campaign with averages of 15.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and a steal per game on 49% from the field with a true shooting percentage of 55%. Coming out of Florida State, many knew of Barnes’ elite defensive prowess, but few would have ever thought he would be this impactful early on.
Barnes was a big reason why the Raptors were able to make the postseason. Right now, he is probably the third scoring option behind All-NBA forward Pascal Siakam and All-Star guard Fred VanFleet. Barnes did not back down from any challenges guarding the best wings in the league last season from LeBron James to Kevin Durant to Giannis Antetokounmpo. He even stripped the ball from Durant and slammed it home on the other end during one of their meetings. That’s how special of a player he is on the defensive end.
Jheeez… Scottie really said 'GIMMIE DAT' pic.twitter.com/MkrnYDFYzr
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) November 7, 2021
For Barnes to make the All-Star game next season, he’ll have to improve his shooting and shot creation off the dribble. If the Raptors run more plays to give him more opportunities and score, potentially as the second option behind Siakam, then he could find his way to his first All-Star selection. Barnes surprised everyone last season with how far ahead he was offensively than many thought. With more improvements to his game offensively, he can find his way onto an NBA All-Star spot this season.
4 rising talents who could become a first-time NBA All-Star in 2023
With the draft and the hottest period of free agency long gone, especially with no movement on Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant and Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell, We’re in the dog days of the NBA offseason. It’s now time to look ahead to some potential first-time NBA All-Star players in this upcoming NBA season.
The league is currently brimming with so much young talent — probably the best it’s ever been. With many great young players, some have yet to make the jump to All-Star status. Before taking a look at some of the brightest up-and-comers, let’s give credit to two players who are on the cusp of making this jump, but didn’t make the final cut.
Honorable Mentions to become a first-time NBA All-Star
Deandre Ayton, Phoenix Suns: The No.1 pick in 2018 has improved every year in the NBA, but he hasn’t reached the point where he’s competing for an All-Star game just yet. The Suns are coming off a disappointing playoff performance last season that saw them lose in embarrassing fashion to the Dallas Mavericks. Adding insult to injury, that team was led by Luka Doncic, who was chosen two spots after Ayton.
The 6-foot-11 center signed a massive contract this offseason after the Suns matched an offer from the Indiana Pacers. Phoenix is betting on Ayton to become the dominant interior force he can be, and now is the time to become a franchise cornerstone.
Tyler Herro, Miami Heat: The reigning Sixth Man of the Year for the No. 1 seed in the East balled out last season by averaging 20.7 points, five rebounds and four assists per game. He shot 45% from the field and nearly 40% from three.
Herro does not lack confidence as he has shown throughout his young career. If he wants to make the jump from Sixth Man to NBA All-Star, ala James Harden, he’ll have to continue improving on both sides of the floor. While his offensive production needs to increase, Herro also must become more of a disruptor on the defensive end of the floor, where he averages less than a steal per game.
If Herro can make a similar jump to the one he made last offseason, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him as an All-Star reserve in Salt Lake next year.
First-time NBA All-Star candidates: Anthony Edwards
How would the Minnesota Timberwolves describe 21-year-old star Anthony Edwards? Confident, explosive and dynamic. Edwards is coming off a very productive sophomore campaign that sure has the front office thrilled about his potential ceiling. He averaged 21.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.5 steals per game last season. He shot 44% from the field and 36% from beyond the arc. He improved all his averages across the board from his rookie season and seems to be the next great shooting guard in this league.
Edwards sure doesn’t seem to lack confidence, as he believes he can become the next “Face of the NBA” once LeBron retires. Edwards showed what he was capable of in his postseason debut this past spring against another young electrifying guard in Ja Morant. In his series against the Memphis Grizzlies, he averaged 25.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and over a steal and block per game with an effective field goal percentage of over 55%.
“Ant-Man” will need to continue developing as a playmaker in order to have a chance at making his All-Star debut in 2023. With the addition of Gobert to the roster, the Timberwolves will be looking to make some serious noise in the Western Conference this season and try to stamp themselves as a true title contender.
He has the chance to become a two-way force in this league with his strong body frame and otherwordly athleticism. Edwards is riding off a lot of momentum from a great first impression in the postseason to starring in the hit Adam Sandler movie “Hustle” to elevate his profile as a star athlete. The flair, swag and confidence he brings to every game by believing he’s the best no matter who he’s going up against will get him his first All-Star selection.
First-time NBA All-Star candidates: Cade Cunningham
From the 2020 No. 1 pick in Edwards to the 2021 No. 1 pick in Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham. If dynamic and exhilarating is what describes Edwards, poised and methodical is what I would use to describe Cunningham. Despite the Pistons’ poor record last season, the star rookie averaged 17.4 points, 6.3 rebounds, 6.1 assists and 1.4 steals per game. He did only shoot 43% from the field and 32% from three, which will have to improve along with his production in order to make the rare jump as an All-Star in just his second season.
The Pistons will also have to improve their record in the Eastern Conference from being in the gutter of the NBA to potentially a play-in or playoff team. Cunningham is as poised as they come, never fearing the big moment and always making the right play. He’s a huge lead guard at 6-foot-8 who can see over the defense and has a solid post-up game for such a young player.
If Cunningham can improve his efficiency and help be the catalyst to help the Pistons make a run for the playoffs, he’ll easily find himself as an All-Star this season and should make for an exciting young backcourt with Jaden Ivey. Stand up, Motown!
First-time NBA All-Star candidates: Scottie Barnes
The reigning 2022 NBA Rookie of the Year and Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes comes as another potential All-Star next season. Barnes had a very productive rookie campaign with averages of 15.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and a steal per game on 49% from the field with a true shooting percentage of 55%. Coming out of Florida State, many knew of Barnes’ elite defensive prowess, but few would have ever thought he would be this impactful early on.
Barnes was a big reason why the Raptors were able to make the postseason. Right now, he is probably the third scoring option behind All-NBA forward Pascal Siakam and All-Star guard Fred VanFleet. Barnes did not back down from any challenges guarding the best wings in the league last season from LeBron James to Kevin Durant to Giannis Antetokounmpo. He even stripped the ball from Durant and slammed it home on the other end during one of their meetings. That’s how special of a player he is on the defensive end.
Jheeez… Scottie really said 'GIMMIE DAT' pic.twitter.com/MkrnYDFYzr
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) November 7, 2021
For Barnes to make the All-Star game next season, he’ll have to improve his shooting and shot creation off the dribble. If the Raptors run more plays to give him more opportunities and score, potentially as the second option behind Siakam, then he could find his way to his first All-Star selection. Barnes surprised everyone last season with how far ahead he was offensively than many thought. With more improvements to his game offensively, he can find his way onto an NBA All-Star spot this season.
