Fubo News projects the first-time All-Stars in the NBA for the 2023-24 season. Watch the NBA on Fubo all season live.
It is very early in the NBA season but there are stars starting to shine bright across the league. Those shining stars could lead to becoming voted in as All-Stars for the first time in their careers.
The NBA is as talented as it has ever been with so much skill, athleticism, shooting and potential stars all looking to break through.
Over the past five seasons, the NBA has seen at least five new All-Stars voted in to play as one of the 24 best players in the league. On average, there have been 6.6 new All-Stars a year since 2019 – a total of 33 first-time All-Stars.
Looking at the landscape of the NBA after just 10 games, there are some players that have already started their resumes to be first-time All-Stars.
Here are the five most likely first-time All-Stars with some honorable mentions just in case there is another explosion like in 2020 with 10 first-timers.
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TYRESE MAXEY – PHILADELPHIA 76ERS
Stats: 28.4 points, 7.0 assists and 5.3 rebounds per game on 49-43-94 splits in 10 games
The No. 1, easy prediction to be a first-time All-Star is Maxey. As long as he stays healthy, there is a good chance could be named a starter with the way he is playing. The last time a first-time All-Star was also voted a starter was in 2022 when both Ja Morant and Andrew Wiggins made the team.
This season, Maxey has flourished alongside Joel Embiid.
Maxey is one of only six players this season averaging 25.0 points, 5.0 assists and 5.0 rebounds per game. The other five players are Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic, Joel Embiid, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Anthony Edwards.
ALPEREN SENGUN – HOUSTON ROCKETS
Stats: 19.4 points, 8.2 rebounds and 6.0 assists per game on 62.5% True Shooting in nine games
Sengun might be the second “no-brainer” on this list. The big man came into the league as the next Nikola Jokic or Domantas Sabonis. For two years he showed flashes, but never really got there.
This year, he is there. Not quite as elite as Jokic, but potentially showing he can be the linchpin of the Houston Rockets going forward. He is one of the most consistent players in the league this year and has taken over as the best young player in Houston by a wide margin.
There are not a lot of big men”who make the All-Star team; an average of 5.0 true centers have made the All-Star roster since 2019. Jokic and Joel Embiid are locks to make it. Healthy Sabonis and Anthony Davis make four. Who is No. 5 this year? It could be Sengun.
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PAOLO BANCHERO – ORLANDO MAGIC
Stats: 18.9 points, 6.8 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game on 46-39-65 splits in 10 games
This is where the list gets tricky. If Orlando is not in the playoff mix or at least over .500 when voting is commencing, the team might not have an All-Star.
Banchero seems to be getting there statistically as one of only seven players to average at least 19.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game. After a rocky start, he is on track statistically with Orlando right about where it has to be for Banchero to be considered this season.
SCOTTIE BARNES – TORONTO RAPTORS
Stats: 20.1 points, 9.7 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game on 46-34-75 splits in 10 games
Barnes is right where Banchero is at this season leading a .500 team but with outstanding individual statistics. He has taken over as the best player in Toronto and consistently plays on both ends of the floor, something most All-Stars cannot claim.
There are only two other players doing what Barnes is doing this season statistically: Jokic and Embiid.
Keeping up these statistics while boosting Toronto more in the standings will be key to getting Barnes on the All-Star team for the first time. The wing positions in the Eastern Conference have also thinned out some leaving the door open for Banchero, Barnes and others.
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JAMAL MURRAY – DENVER NUGGETS
Stats: 16.3 points, 7.4 assists and 2.6 rebounds per game on 43-44-84 splits in seven games
Obviously, injuries and games played will play a role here for Murray who has missed some time early in the season. In his seven games, Murray has made strides as a playmaker, deferring to teammates.
The other variable here is the “Andrew Wiggins Effect.” While Murray may not have the games played or the stats as some of his peers, he is coming off a championship, a title run where he played great basketball, which could lead to a late reward for being named to the All-Star team for the first time, like Wiggins.
Murray missing a month this early in the season hurts his chances greatly, though.
Honorable Mentions
- DESMOND BANE – MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES
Stats: 25.5 points, 4.5 assists and 4.5 rebounds per game on 45-35-84 splits in 11 games
- VICTOR WEMBANYAMA – SAN ANTONIO SPURS
Stats: 18.6 points, 9.3 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game on 52.1% True Shooting in 11 games
- EVAN MOBLEY – CLEVELAND CAVALIERS
Stats: 16.1 points, 10.3 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game on 55.9% True Shooting in 10 games
- CAM THOMAS – BROOKLYN NETS
Stats: 26.9 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game on 48-32-85 splits in eight games
Regional restrictions may apply.
