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

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6. Hassan Whiteside

The Miami Heat struggled out of the gate in 2016-17, but now that everyone on the roster is more familiar, the start of 2017-18 should be different. If the team is more like the version of itself that closed last season on a 30-11 tear, the Heat could very well have two All-Stars this season.

The first of those two is Hassan Whiteside, who averaged 17.0 points, 14.1 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game on 55.7 percent shooting last year. If he can take another step forward in his fourth season in South Beach, Whiteside will have the numbers and the team success to earn a spot on the All-Star roster.

At age 28, Whiteside is in his prime. With the Heat looking to ride continuity and Whiteside’s interior presence on both ends of the floor to surge back to the playoffs, the first All-Star appearance of his career could be waiting.