It’s easy to forget that before stellar postseason runs, Anthony Davis and Devin Booker were not All-Stars last season.
The talent-to-team ratio might be the deepest it’s been since the NBA expanded to 25 teams and beyond in and after 1988. That depth fuels the All-Star “snub” debate, which has turned into an annual affair, but it also leads to absences that seem surprising after the fact.
One example for context: four teams pegged by many to contend in the Western Conference this season — the Nuggets, Suns, Lakers and Warriors — each boasted just one All-Star in 2022-23.
With that in mind, here’s a look at 10 reigning non-All-Stars who could formally return to the league’s elite this year, listed alphabetically.
1. LaMelo Ball, Charlotte Hornets
It’s easy to forget how quickly Ball rose to stardom. A fractured right ankle last season blunted the momentum of becoming the fourth-youngest All-Star in league history in 2022.
With Ball healthy, the Hornets are reinforced with the arrival of No. 2 overall pick Brandon Miller and the return of Miles Bridges.
- Most recent All-Star season: 2021-22
- Last season’s stats: 23.3 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 8.4 apg
2. Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns
Another victim of early-season games missed last season, Booker made people forget he wasn’t an All-Star with a historic postseason performance.
Now he and the revamped Suns are eager to reclaim the magic and respect of their 2021 Finals run after losing in blowout elimination games each of the last two postseasons.
- Most recent All-Star season: 2021-22
- Last season’s stats: 26.8 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 5.5 apg
3. Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat
Jimmy Butler hopes to build on last season’s Finals run with another All-Star selection.
Miami’s slow start following a top-seeded season, combined with a crowded East talent pool, left Butler off the All-Star team last season. He has earned that honor just two out of the last five seasons, only to follow up with unforgettable playoff performances. A better start and fewer missed games in November will help his cause.
- Most recent All-Star season: 2021-22
- Last season’s stats: 22.9 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 5.3 apg
4. Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers
Another victim of early-season games missed, Davis proved how elite he still is by being healthy when the Lakers needed him most — in the postseason. Since Davis’ 2012-13 rookie campaign, the last two seasons are the only years he failed to make the All-Star team.
If the Lakers finish better than seventh place for the second time since 2012, Davis could break the streak.
- Most recent All-Star season: 2020-21
- Last season’s stats: 25.9 ppg, 12.5 rpg, 2.0 bpg
5. Darius Garland, Cleveland Cavaliers
Despite minimal statistical dropoff, Garland’s All-Star chances took a hit with the arrival of Donovan Mitchell. Now he and Cleveland hope to build on the franchise’s first 50-win non-LeBron season since 1993 — and earn another All-Star nod with it.
- Most recent All-Star season: 2021-22
- Last season’s stats: 21.6 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 7.8 apg
6. Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls
A lack of team success ended LaVine’s breakthrough two-year run as an All-Star. Now he and the Bulls are tasked with showing improvement despite little change in the locker room. LaVine has the talent. Will it produce the wins he needs?
- Most recent All-Star season: 2021-22
- Last season’s stats: 24.8 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 4.2 apg
7. Kawhi Leonard, LA Clippers
Kawhi Leonard’s All-Star trajectory has been hampered by missing games the last few seasons.
Games missed (and when he misses them) continue to hurt Leonard’s resume. The Clippers’ landmark run to the conference finals in 2021 ended with Leonard on the bench, as did last season’s first-round exit.
With a new arena forthcoming and a contract extension in question, Leonard and the Clippers face a defining season.
- Most recent All-Star season: 2020-21
- Last season’s stats: 23.8 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 3.9 apg
8. Dejounte Murray, Atlanta Hawks
Murray’s first season with the Hawks was messy, but offseason trades and a full year under head coach Quin Snyder could straighten that up in a mostly muddled East.
Snyder has coached equal opportunity offense and multiple All-Stars before. Murray could be an immediate beneficiary of that.
- Most recent All-Star season: 2021-22
- Last season’s stats: 20.5 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 6.1 apg
9. Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves
There is optimism in Minnesota, where a spirited finish to last year saw hints of cohesion that was missing for much of the regular season. Towns will have to earn every ounce of All-Star shine as long as he plays next to Anthony Edwards.
A dramatic step forward on the team level — and an overdue turn of good health for Towns — could make that happen.
- Most recent All-Star season: 2021-22
- Last season’s stats: 20.8 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 4.8 apg
10. Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks
Both Dejounte Murray (left) and Trae Young come into the new season with solid chances to return to the All-Star Game.
Young’s fortunes carry the same optimistic forecast as Murray’s, with the added benefit that Young only recently turned 25 years old. His stats have never been the question. A respectable wins total — and improved 3-point shooting — could vault him back to no-brainer status.
- Most recent All-Star season: 2021-22
- Last season’s stats: 26.2 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 10.2 apg
Honorable Mentions
Bradley Beal, Suns: If Booker makes it, both Beal and Phoenix will need to be unquestionably elite for the Suns to merit three All-Stars.
James Harden, 76ers: The league’s reigning assist champion is involved in another uncertain situation, this time in Philadelphia. Large-scale resolutions would need to take place for an All-Star return.
Rudy Gobert, Timberwolves: Gobert will need to offset his lack of offset with a return to top-tier defense — and outshine at least one of Edwards or Towns in the process.
Chris Paul, Warriors: Now a full season removed from his last All-Star appearance, the 38-year-old Paul will be hard-pressed to stand out above Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and Andrew Wiggins.
Zion Williamson, Pelicans: It’s all about health for the former No. 1 overall pick. His All-Star chances, his team’s chances, everything.
