Ranking first-time NBA All-Stars by future potential

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CLEVELAND, OHIO – JANUARY 04: Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies steals the ball from Darius Garland #10 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the fourth quarter at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on January 04, 2022, in Cleveland, Ohio. The Grizzlies defeated the Cavaliers 110-106, Ranking first-time NBA All-Stars by future potential. NOTE TO USER: The user expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, the user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

The NBA All-Star Game is stacked with the game’s current stars. Some won’t always hold that position, though – LeBron James is going to have to retire someday, right?

There are seven players who are competing in the All-Star Game for the first time this year, when considering those subbed in as injury replacements. In alphabetical order: Jarrett Allen, LaMelo Ball, Darius Garland, Ja Morant, Dejounte Murray, Fred VanVleet, and Andrew Wiggins.

Not all first-time NBA All-Stars are created equally. Which players will provide the most value to their teams moving forward?

The first-time competitors pretty much run the gamut in terms of experience. Garland, Ball, and Morant have gained a lot of momentum as the future of elite guards in the NBA this season. Meanwhile, Wiggins has been around since the Obama presidency, making his selection a surprise.

For this exercise, we’re going to say that all seven of these players are at an inflection point in their careers. Each player is deserving of their All-Star status in their own way. But how will they develop and evolve at this point going forward?

The answers may seem obvious, but judging by this crop of first-time All-Stars, it’s clear that we never have a definitive grip on how the future will turn out. After all, last year’s rosters included four first-time All-Stars. Jaylen Brown and Zach LaVine still seem to be on the come-up, but Zion Williamson can’t stay healthy, and Julius Randle is regressing before the eyes of the New York Knicks.

So what will these future NBA All-Stars contribute in the future?