A way-too-early prediction of five first-time NBA All-Stars in 2023-24
With the festivities of All-Star weekend being the topic of discussion until NBA games resume on Thursday, many players love to cherish the moment because they never know how many chances they will get to participate in the events.
This year, multiple players were named as first-time members of the NBA All-Star team. These players include Lauri Markkanen, Tyrese Haliburton, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, De’Aaron Fox, Anthony Edwards, and Jaren Jackson Jr.
But as we start to look ahead to the future, here are five players who could potentially break out as all-stars for the first time next season.
Future NBA All-Star #5: Paolo Banchero
The first overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft has played himself into being the heavy favorite to win Rookie of the Year this season. Banchero had shown signs of a future sign since the beginning of the season when he had six consecutive 20-point games to open his career. While he has struggled to shoot the ball efficiently since the start of 2023, there is still plenty of promise in his candidacy for making the 2024 NBA All-Star team.
Paolo Banchero in his NBA debut:
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 20, 2022
27 PTS, 9 REB, 5 AST, 11/18 FG
It's the first 25/5/5 debut since LeBron 👀
(h/t: @statmuse) pic.twitter.com/gUWTnlRrbA
After starting the season 5-20, the Orlando Magic went 19-15 in their last 34 games before the break. Players such as Markelle Fultz, Cole Anthony, Jonathan Isaac, and Wendell Carter Jr. have all missed a collection of games this season. When the core of the Magic is together next season, the defense will have to give more attention to the supporting players in Orlando.
Additionally, Orlando is scheduled to have two of the top seven picks in the upcoming NBA Draft. If they could provide more floor-spacing threats to complement the young power forward or package the picks for a tremendous secondary star, the workload would become less demanding and the game would become so much easier for him.
Being that Banchero takes the most shots on the team and acts as their first option, expect to see growth in his efficiency and decision-making from playing with a more consistent and talented unit next season.