Rising Stars to 2024 All-Stars

So the All Star Weekend has passed. Just like that. Highlights were everywhere, Anthony Davis couldn't shut up just for two days about his trade options, Dirk bounced back from his disappointing three point contest showing to drill 3 deep balls in a row, Wade threw one last lob to LeBron, Hamidou Diallo brought us one of the most unforgettable dunks in recent memory, Joe Harris dethroned Splash Bro No.1 in the three point contest, Jayson Tatum straight up embarassed Trae Young in the Skills Challenge and KD dropped a 30 piece on Team Giannis to take home the All Star MVP award.

We loved every second, so hoping to extend the All Star fever into this week, we've decided to show some love to the players who perhaps didn't make the team this year and compile our own lists of 5 players we think will be suiting up five years from now in the 2024 All Star Game. Spoiler Alert: 1 player isn't even in the NBA yet. So without further ado, let's get to it.

Jake's 1st pick: Devin Booker

Age in 2024: 27

2018-19 Notable Stats: 24.6PTS/6.7AST/18.8PER

Predicted Stats in 2023-24: 27.3PTS/5.1TRB/7.5AST/0.2BLK/1.1STL/45.5FG%/38.1 3P%/88.2FT%

Before I get into this, I just want to draw some attention the fact that Devin Booker's middle name is Armani...

Okay, now we've got that out of the way, Devin Booker isn't going anywhere folks. His points per game and PER (Player Efficiency Rating) have increased every year he's been in the league, but despite averaging at least 22 points for the last 3 seasons he hasn't gained much recognition - I'm presuming it's to do with his numbers not really translating to winning basketball games. But Phoenix has a bright future in the league with it's fate in the hands of incredible young stars like Booker and Ayton and intriguing prospects like Mikal Bridges, Dragan Bender and Josh Jackson. I really like their potential to develop into a dangerous team and five years time sounds about the right length for them to find their rhythm. I can picture Booker leading this team in a Harden-esque role, I love "Point Booker" and think even though the Suns need a point guard that they should look more for a George Hill-style guard who can competently run the offense but also sag off as a shooter when Booker steps in at the 1. Devin Booker will be 27 in five years time, so I've got high hopes that barring any major setbacks he'll be in his physical prime at the same time his playmaking vision and shot selection work in sync. I think this kid is going to make at least 7/8 All Star teams in his career and I'd be very surprised he doesn't make a couple even before 2024.

Chad’s 1st Pick: Donovan Mitchell

Age in 2024: 27

2018-19 Notable Stats: 22.4PTS/32.2FG3%/-0.1OWS

Predicted Stats in 2023-24: 24.5PTS/4.1TRB/4.1AST/0.3BLK/1.6STL/46.7FG%/35.4FG3%/83.2FT%

If you check the notable stats for Mitchell’s current campaign you’d notice his three point percentage is well below what an elite two-guard shoots from long range these days and that his offensive win shares is in the negatives. He’s been in a relative slump though when comparing his sophomore season to his near rookie-of-the-year run he made last year. The production is clearly still there though with 22.4 points per game. So I chalk this up to nothing more than a mild, very mild sophomore slump.

In 2024 I see Mitchell already having some legendary playoff performances like Dwyane Wade scorching teams in the years leading up to his first championship with Shaq. I don’t see him winning a ‘ship by then though. But still if he lives up to the D. Wade comparison he’s gonna be doing just fine. And I personally would love to see Utah, Denver, some new teams be perennial contenders out West. Already a physical beast for his size, stature, and age, Mitchell will be entering right in the midst of his physical prime in 2024, so again, I see flashes of The Flash euro stepping through the paint and hammering on heads or finishing with a crafty reverse finger roll. I don’t think it will take five years for Mitchell to become an all-star either. I think he’ll be a multi-time all-star and maybe even a starter by the time 2024 comes around.

Jake's 2nd Pick: De'Aaron Fox

Age in 2024: 26

2018-19 Notable Stats: 17.2PTS/7.2AST/1.7STL

Predicted Stats in 2023-24: 22.3PTS/4.2TRB/10AST/0.5BLK/2.3STL/47.3FG%/33.5 3P%/75.4FT%

I could talk for days about Swipa and I've previously mentioned how much I love his game - so I'll keep this short and speak more about how I see him developing. He's already got ridiculous athleticism and might be one of the fastest players up and down the court in the entire league. Unless his three point shot and shot creating ability massively improve I'm not sure how many All Star games he'll go to, I've spoken before about how my lowest comparison for him is Mike Conley, and honestly he could end up like Conley being snubbed year after year just for being in the West (Conley recently mentioned his desire to go to the East, presumably to finally make an All Star squad - I don't blame him!). However if Fox can develop into a more potent scorer over the next few years, sustain his athleticism and add more muscle to his wiry frame - he could become a sub-version of Russell Westbrook - that's how great I think De'Aaron could become, and I think that would coincide with the five year span we're talking about here. I think his assist rate could be the highest in the NBA by this point and he could even make All-Defense teams with his long frame and knack for playing passing lanes. So long as his shooting efficiency stays reasonable and he can lead his team to some relative success I think he makes the 2024 All Star Game over players like Russ, Lillard, Aldridge and CP3.

Chad’s 2nd Pick: Jayson Tatum

Age in 2024: 25

2018-19 Notable Stats: 16.5PTS/38FG3%/86FT%

Predicted Stats in 2023-24: 27.9PTS/7.6TRB/3.2AST/0.7BLK/1.4STL/45.1FG%/40.2FG3%%/86.4FT%

This is a tough prediction, not because he may not be an all-star, I feel that’s a given, but because he could very well be in New Orleans in a few months. So I’ll give two short takes here…

Boston: If Tatum stays in Boston he will be an all-star by 2024 no doubt but he’ll be there kind of like Klay Thompson and Draymond during past all-star games. He’ll be one of two or three Celtics repping the Leprachaun’s on all-star weekend. I think Tatum can reach insane heights in the league while still being on Boston but those heights will be team centered. I see him reaching 2024 and us as fans feeling like we haven’t really seen the full Jayson Tatum.

New Orleans: If Tatum gets traded in a package for Anthony Davis this summer lookout! This could be like Kobe finally getting rid of Shaq and having the spotlight all to himself. I could easily see Tatum turning into a one man offensive juggernaut with footwork like the Black Mamba himself by the time the 2024 all-star game comes around. And in that game I see Tatum going at people’s throats (as much as one can in that glorified pick-up game) and coming away with the MVP award. If Tatum does in fact turn into this player, I would love to see him and your second pick, Fox team up even if only in the all-star game. That could be one hell of an exciting squad.

Jake's 3rd Pick: DeAndre Ayton

Age in 2024: 25

2018-19 Notable Stats: 16.5PTS/10.5TRB/21.0PER

Predicted Stats in 2023-24: 24.3PTS/12.2TRB/2.5AST/1.8BLK/0.8STL/56FG%/12.2 3P%/78.5FT%

It's hard not to feel a bit sorry for this guy. He was the number 1 pick this year in the draft and he's quietly having a hell of a season, which is just being overshadowed by Luka Doncic's heroics and Trae Young's hype. But he's got a higher efficiency rating, more win shares and a higher true shooting percentage than both of them - despite having a usage rate at least 6% lower than both of them. If that doesn't make your mouth water at his potential then I don't know what will. True, he lacks some defensive prowess right now, but it's his rookie season and he's still finding his feet. He's got incredible offensive versatility and his numbers shoot up when predicted for 36 minutes. His 77.2% free throw rate shows that he clearly has some good shooting mechanics, so despite going 0/4 during three point attempts this season, there's good hope for the future - just look at players like Brook Lopez and Marc Gasol, big men who transformed themselves into stretch fives. If he doesn't add range to his game he's going to at least develop into a nightly 20-10 threat without a jumpshot, similar to Andre Drummond or I think when we look back on Ayton's career we'll laugh at how much we overlooked him during his rookie season, these are great numbers for a rook and they're only going to get better - whether the Suns ever hit .500 or not.

Chad’s 3rd Pick: Luka Doncic a.k.a. The Fog

Age in 2024: 25

2018-19 Notable Stats: 20.7PTS/7.2TRB/19.2PER

Predicted Stats in 2023-24: 24.1PTS/8.9TRB/6.2AST/0.2BLK/1.2STL/48.1FG%/38.8FG3%/75.0FT%

Yes, The Fog. Like you said, we’re all so fascinated with the Wonderkid that we forget to even mention guys like Ayton who is having a tremendous season. But I believe you’re right in claiming that Ayton will be an all-star by 2024. He’s gonna be a beast. But as for the 2019 Rookie of the Year recipient…

Luka is incredible. He’s top five in points, assists, and steals for all rookies. Incredible. He has the game figured out already and he’s 19 years old. Incredible. And he’s having fun doing it too. It’s like watching an NBA vet like James Harden just toy with people…except this vet is a rookie from Slovenia. Incredible. If Porzingis gets healthy I can see Luka and the Unicorn making big splashes in the Western Conference and both being named to the 2024 all-star game. It won’t be the first for either of them. Obviously Porzingis has already been in an all-star game and Luka will most certainly be in next year’s and every one after that as well. If you watched Luka in the Rising Stars game, or even saw highlights of him mic’d up, you’d be drooling just like I am waiting to see him on an all-star floor.

Jake's 4th Pick: Brandon Ingram

Age in 2024: 26

2018-19 Notable Stats: 17PTS/3AST/48.4FG%

Predicted Stats in 2023-24: 26.7PTS/4.5TRB/4.1AST/1BLK/1.3STL/46FG%/35.0 3P%/70.3FT%

Brandon Ingram will only be 26 in five years, what?! It feels like he's been around for a long time despite only playing 3 seasons, he joined the league when he was 18 which shows you why I'm still a believer that he'll turn the narrative around. I'm working from the prediction here that the Lakers eventually flip him in a package for another star during the LAbron era - I don't think that's out of the question considering how low his value is right now, which I really don't think is accurate (Chad will almost certainly disagree). No matter how much people have doubted this kid, he's improved as a scorer and defender in each of his 3 seasons and hasn't publicly taken a bite of the countless amounts of media bait that question his tenacity and basketball IQ. There are definitely times when he looks a bit lost on the court, which is why I wonder if a fresh start in the aforementioned trade would give him the kick he needs. I'd love to see him wind up somewhere where he could be the number one option without expectations to win straight away, like New Orleans, Phoenix or maybe the Grizzlies (him and Jaren Jackson Jr would make a pretty awesome potential pairing). Anyway, I'm definitely in the club that hopes he begins to take Kevin Durant-style leaps in scoring and defense so that everyone who ever doubted him can eat their words. Did I mention that maybe 50% of my love for Ingram comes from simulating 10 seasons on 2k with him as a number one option - he did develop into KD 2.0 and set numerous scoring records, just call me a prophet because I've seen his future.

Chad’s 4th Pick: Kyle Kuzma

Age in 2024: 28

2018-19 Notable Stats: 19.1PTS/5.6REB/2.8WS

Predicted Stats in 2023-24: 22.4PTS/5.9TRB/3.0AST/0.5BLK/0.9STL/47.7FG%/35.5FG3%/79.0FT%

I wasn’t sure about your selection of Ingram until I saw you actually performed a study in which you simulated Ingram’s career on 2K and he turned into KD 2.0. That may sound sarcastic but oddly enough it’s kind of intriguing. I can very well see that happening on 2K and given the right circumstances in real life I believe it could play out similarly. I’d be interested to see what Kuzma’s career looks like in the same study with being the main option for ten seasons. I actually don’t think it would look as good in the video game as Ingram’s did…mostly because everyone hypes up Ingram’s potential including video game producers.

My argument for Kuzma over Ingram as an all-star in 2024 may sound very emotional and un-researched but hey, it’s the eye test here for me. Or maybe the heart test. Yeah, probably the heart test. And no, not my heart, but Kuz’s. There’s a reason Staples Center showers the court with “Kuuuuuuzzzzzz” every time he makes a great play. They’ve bought into his hustlers mentality, his intangibles. Sure he may not look to have the same upside as Ingram who was a top recruit going into Duke and then top draft pick the very next year, but he has things Ingram doesn’t. I see a heart, a toughness, a drive in him that I don’t see in Ingram. When I watch the two play I see one guy who is performing and one guy who is working. I’ll take the worker every. single. day. I feel like this argument is turning around on me a bit because the worker rarely gets selected to the all-star game but Kuzma isn’t a worker who just plays his role like a Shane Battier kind of guy. He’s a worker who in his second season, on a team that features Ingram (and LeBron of course) is averaging two points per game more than the Kevin Durant lookalike. And just to top off why I like Kuzma better, he shoots 3% better from three, 10% better from the foul line, and most importantly, he’s averaging 2.8 win shares to Ingram’s 1.3. This all may only translate into a few all-star selections over the course of his career but he’s definitely on track to become at leeaasstt a single time all-star by 2024.

Chad’s 5th Pick: Jamal Murray (Yeah, I'm going first for this one. You'll see why when you get to Jake's take.)

Age in 2024: 26

2018-19 Notable Stats: 18.3PTS/5.0AST/84.3FT%

Predicted Stats in 2023-24: 20.1PTS/5.2TRB/5.8AST/0.3BLK/1.1STL/48.2FG%/40.0FG3%/88.0FT%

Jamal Murray has been a quiet but effective player for his first three seasons in the league. You rarely see him posting highlights on Sportscenter Top Ten yet he (and Nikola Jokic) have the Denver Nuggets sitting in second in a beast of a Western Conference. Jokic gets most of the individual credit but the team couldn’t operate the way it does without Murray. At 18 points and 5 assists per game, Murray’s stat line in his third season is on par with career averages of a multi-time all-star Demar Derozan who happened to not be nominated this year I believe because he’s in the West. By the time 2024 rolls around LeBron will surely be slowing down, KD may be beginning to decline, Westbrook’s athleticism could start to waiver, so a new wave of young talent will be fighting for those all-star selections. I don’t see Murray being a James Harden kind of guy who gets in because he’s just torching teams. I see him getting in because he’ll stay loyal to Denver and they’ll be a perennial contender in the West. And we all know winning helps your case for all-star selection tremendously.

Jake's 5th Pick: Zion Williamson (This was clearly the finale!)

Age in 2024: 23

2018-19 Notable Stats: 22.4PTS/9.2TRB/68.3FG%/42.3PER

Predicted Stats in 2023-24: 28.5PTS/11.4TRB/3.4AST/2.2BLK/1.5STL/53FG%/29.0 3P%/69.2FT%

I'm on the bandwagon. I think this kid is going to absolutely destroy opponents in the NBA. He's basically a stronger version of rookie LeBron, relying on his absolutely monstrous athleticism to dominate opponents - if he develops a jumper, it's over. That's more likely than it seems, because he's good a nice shooting touch and is ceding a lot of three point attempts to RJ Barrett and Cam Reddish this season - whichever team that gets him the summer should be looking to make him the number one option immediately so that he can play through any mistakes or teething problems while winning isn't mandatory. This kid is already 285lbs and 6-7. He's 18. That shouldn't be possible, which probably means he's capable of doing other things deemed impossible - like making the All Star squad during his rookie year... That's right. I've eurostepped the criteria and I'm pinning him to do what Luka couldn't this year, make the squad. He's certainly going to put up huge numbers with whatever team he's on, he just needs to becoming even more of a hype machine than the Euro Wonderkid, which shouldn't be too difficult considering the enormous following he's had since before he was even in high school. Honestly, as long as Zion has this freakish athleticism - so until he's either 30 years old or gets injured (let's hope the former) - he's going to dominate the league, jump shot or no jump shot. At worst he's Charles Barkley with springs in his shoes, at best he could be LeBron 2.0.

Chad: I. Cannot. Wait.

Did we miss someone obvious? Got a hot take to share? Hit us up in the comments below or on IG.