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

9 of 11

Photo by Steven Freeman/NBAE via Getty Images /

3. Kristaps Porzingis

With Carmelo Anthony gone, the New York Knicks are going to be an even worse team in 2017-18. However, that also means that Kristaps Porzingis is now the go-to guy on offense, and it’s going to lead to a remarkable breakout year from an individual standpoint.

Last year, the Zinger put up 18.1 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game on .450/.357/.786 shooting splits — and that was while having to defer to Melo on the offensive end. In what looks like a developmental year, Porzingis’ exponential growth will be the main reason to pay attention to the Knicks.

New York figures to be one of the worst teams in the East, but that won’t stop this unicorn from earning one of the many available All-Star spots as long as he stays healthy and puts up even marginally improved numbers.