NBA: Top 10 candidates to be first-time All-Stars in 2017-18

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7. Rudy Gobert

With Gordon Hayward leaving the Utah Jazz high and dry, Rudy Gobert has the power of narrative on his side — especially since even DeAndre Jordan was surprised to make the All-Star team last year, when many felt Gobert was more deserving.

Averaging 14.0 points, 12.8 rebounds and a league-leading 2.6 blocks per game, the Stifle Tower posted career numbers across the board, all while posting a 66.1 field goal percentage. If he does it again in 2017-18 and the Jazz are still well-positioned in the playoff picture, he’ll be one of the chief candidates.

The West is loaded with frontcourt talent now that so many Eastern All-Stars have switched conferences, but Gobert is poised to prove himself as one of the best centers in the league. As the new leader of the Jazz, it’ll be hard to deny him a spot if Utah remains competitive in its first year without Hayward.