Ranking first-time NBA All-Stars by future potential

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DENVER, CO – JANUARY 21: Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies reacts against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena on January 21, 2022 in Denver, Colorado, Ranking first-time NBA All-Stars by future potential. 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 Ethan Mito/Clarkson Creative/Getty Images) /

Ranking first-time NBA All-Stars by future potential: Ja Morant

Ja Morant is the obvious choice as the first-time All-Star with the most potential. He’s playing at an MVP level this season and there’s no reason to think he won’t continue to do so for years to come.

Morant is averaging 26.8 points, 6.9 assists, and 5.8 rebounds per game this year. His assists average is actually the worst of his three-year career, but considering how much his scoring has jumped, he can be forgiven.

The youngster has gotten better at taking smart shots, boosting his field goal percentage. While he’s still not overly efficient from three (33.0 percent), he’s hitting 49.5 percent of his shots and 54.2 percent of two-pointers. Both marks are career bests.

The star guard has yet to collapse under the weight of being relied upon to produce every single game. His usage ranks fifth in the NBA, but behind the Morant machine, the Memphis Grizzlies have surged in the standings.

The former Rookie of the Year is now one of the sport’s best and brightest. His box plus/minus ranks ninth, while he ranks just outside the top 20 in win shares, despite missing some time – he’s only played in 46 games this season.

Morant is slightly older than Garland, but still won’t turn 23 years old until next season. He also becomes eligible for a rookie extension after the season and will surely command the max available to him from the franchise.

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The Memphis Grizzlies have one of the best young players in the NBA in Morant. This may be his first All-Star appearance, but he’ll have plenty more in his future.