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NBA: Best current players to never make an All-Star game

By Corey Rausch

PORTLAND, OREGON - JANUARY 11: Fred VanVleet #23 of the Toronto Raptors passes the ball against CJ McCollum #3 of the Portland Trail Blazers in the third quarter at Moda Center on January 11, 2021 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OREGON - JANUARY 11: Fred VanVleet #23 of the Toronto Raptors passes the ball against CJ McCollum #3 of the Portland Trail Blazers in the third quarter at Moda Center on January 11, 2021 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
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NBA (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
NBA (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) /

Best to never make an NBA All-Star Game: The Under 25 Group

As is clear by the group of All-Stars under the age of 25 already, the depth of young talent in the league is stunning. The seven names discussed here, while currently the most promising, do not fully encompass just how many potential future stars there are.

Starting with the two who were closest to making it this season, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Christian Wood had reasonable cases to make it this year. Gilgeous-Alexander was argued by many to be named over Conley and if the narrative around the Utah Jazz guard had not existed, he may have indeed made it. He is 6’5” with a 6’11” wingspan and has turned into the leader of a young Oklahoma City Thunder team. He is averaging 23.2 points, 6.2 assists and 5.1 rebounds per game this season.

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Wood was on track to make his first appearance as the face of the new Houston Rockets roster (22.0 points, 10.2 rebounds per game) but missed the last 13 games of the first half, effectively eliminating him from consideration.

In the Western Conference, guards De’Aaron Fox and Jamal Murray compete nightly in what may be the deepest position group in the league. Murray (21.8 points, 4.6 assists this season) was electric in the postseason last season and has figured things out over the last month. Fox is averaging 23.0 points, 7.6 assists and 1.2 steals per game and has added a 3-point shot (34.2 percent this season) that is continuing to expand his game.

In the East, Collin Sexton is coming for the throne, taking steps on both sides of the ball. He would have been an All-Star if the defense for the Cleveland Cavaliers had not imploded. Finally, even if it is early, LaMelo Ball is going to be an All-Star very soon. He is the runaway leader for Rookie of the Year, averaging 15.8 points, 6.3 assists, 6.0 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game. He is also extremely popular, so a voting bump is quite likely.