Projecting the NBA All-Star Game 5 Years From Now
The NBA All-Star game is an accolade and honor that every player yearns for. I will be looking at who those players may be in five years’ time. The 2027 All-Star game does not even have a location yet, but I am going to predict who the 24 players in the game will be. There are usually 12 players per conference that make the All-Star team, but since we do not know who will be on what team, I will be selecting the top 24 players.
The 24 players I selected for this team, range from still being in high school to winning back-to-back MVPs. 15 players have already made an all-star team in the NBA, and five haven’t. There are even four players I selected that are not currently in the NBA, with two entering this years draft.
I have broken down the players into five separate sections. Firstly, the consistent All-Stars, guys who should be in this game for sure and have already been many times in their career. Secondly, The young All-Stars are trending in the direction of being consistent All-Stars, but have only made the game once or twice. Thirdly, the proven young players who have yet to make an All-Star game, but should get there long before 2027. Lastly, the teenagers, guys who haven’t made the NBA yet and are hoping to become future stars of the league. Additionally, I have some honorable mentions and omitted players that I believe will be retired by then.
Consistent All-Stars
Joel Embiid, C, Philadelphia 76ers
2027 Age: 33
2021-2022 Stats: 30.6 PPG, 11.7 RPG, 4.2 APG, 1.5 BLK
The only way Embiid is not an All-Star in 5 years would be if his injuries caught up to him and we saw some regression in his game. There is no reason to think he is slowing down anytime soon, as he is currently 28 and in the prime of his career. He has been the runner-up for MVP in back-to-back seasons and just led the NBA in scoring. At the time of the 2027 All-Star game, Embiid will be 33 and near the end of his prime, but should still be an elite player in this league.
Luka Doncic, SG, Dallas Mavericks
2027 Age: 28
2021-2022 Stats: 28.4 PPG, 9.1 RPG, 8.7 APG, 3.1 3PM
Luka is one of the youngest and brightest stars in our league. If he isn’t already considered a perennial All-Star he absolutely will be by 2027. He has made the All-Star game every year except his rookie year where he still won ROY. At this point, people are talking about Luka as someone who has the potential to not only be a top 10 player of all time but maybe even the GOAT. Although that may be pushing it he is one of the best players ever at his age and should continue to get better as he will only be 28 and in the prime of his career in 2027.
Luka Dončić:
– The youngest-ever NBA player to record 40 career triple-doubles
– One of 11 players in NBA history to score 40 triple-doubles
– Scored half of the total triple-doubles in Mavs historyUnreal 🤯 pic.twitter.com/Y0x4Nje9Zt
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 15, 2022
Jayson Tatum, SF/PF, Boston Celtics
2027 Age: 29
2021-2022 Stats: 26.9 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 4.4 APG, 3.0 3PM
Tatum is one of the best young scorers in the NBA and is becoming a great all-around player as well. He is a smooth shot creator who possesses a great basketball IQ and decision-making ability. He is already the star of the 2nd seeded, Boston Celtics, and has been fantastic for them in the regular season and playoffs. He has made the All-Star game three years in a row and took his game to another level this season placing sixth in MVP voting. Tatum will be in his prime when the 2027 All-Star game rolls around, and it is impossible to speculate the heights he will reach in that time.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, SF/PF, Milwaukee Bucks
2027 Age: 32
2021-2022 Stats: 29.9 PPG, 11.6 RPG, 5.8 APG, 55% FG
This was my easiest pick to make by far. Giannis almost has too many accolades throughout his career to run through, but I will try my best. He is a two-time MVP, DPOY, Finals MVP, five-time All-NBA player, and a six-time All-Star. He has made the All-Star game every year since he was 22. If Giannis who will only be 33 in 2027 can stay healthy, and continue to produce at a similar level he should be a shoo-in for the All-Star game.
Let's compare the accolades of Giannis, MJ and LeBron at age 26… pic.twitter.com/VpVf0JHBFv
— HoopsHype (@hoopshype) July 21, 2021
Kawhi Leonard, SF, Los Angeles Clippers
2027 Age: 35
2021-2022 Stats: Did not play
Kawhi Leonard averaged 27.1 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 5.2 APG, and 1.6 STL in his last healthy season, 2020. He is one of the most established players in the league as a two-time defensive player of the year, two-time Finals MVP, and two-time champion. Kawhi is a five-time All-Star and has made the game every year he has been healthy since 2015. His health status and proneness to injury have become the biggest question mark in his game, but as long as he can stay healthy there is no reason to believe he won’t be here in five years.
Anthony Davis, PF/C, Los Angeles Lakers
2027 Age: 34
2021-2022 Stats: 23.2 PPG, 9.9 RPG, 3.1 APG, 2.3 BLK
Although he was hurt for most of last season and received a lot of criticism, he is a star player and one of the ten best players in the NBA. Davis made the All-Star game eight times in a row before last season. He is a star two-way player and impacts the game in so many different ways. That is why I do not believe he will experience a lot of regression with age, as he will be 34 at the time of the 2027 All-Star game. This does seem quite old in today’s NBA, but there were three players 34 or older who made the All-Star game this season.
Karl-Anthony Towns, C, Minnesota Timberwolves
2027 Age: 31
2021-2022 Stats: 24.6 PPG, 9.8 RPG, 3.6 APG, 41% 3FG
KAT is unquestionably the best shooting big man of all time, but he can do so much more than that. Towns ranks in the top 15 all-time in many offensive stats such as his offensive rating of 119.37, true shooting percentage of 62.1, and his 57.6 field goal percentage. KAT has made the All-Star game three times in his career but took a major step forward this year with his efficiency. He improved his field goal percentage from 48% to 53% and his three-point percentage from 38% to 41%. Should KAT continue in this positive direction he should be a mainstay in the All-Star game for years to come.
Nikola Jokic, C, Denver Nuggets
2027 Age: 32
2021-2022 Stats: 27.1 PPG, 13.8 RPG, 7.9 APG, 58% FG
This is one of the easiest picks I made. Jokic is the back-to-back MVP of the NBA at only 27 years old and has been to four straight All-Star games. Additionally, his game and skillset are one that will not drastically decrease with age. In Jokic’s 2022 season he broke the record for the highest PER in NBA history at 32.85, and it has gone up every season of his career. There is no reason Jokic should not be an All-Star in 2027 and this is one of my easiest and most confident picks.
Devin Booker, SG, Phoenix Suns
2027 Age: 30
2021-2022 Stats: 26.8 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 4.8 APG, 1.1 STL
Devin Booker is technically a three-time All-Star but was an injury replacement twice before fully making it last season. This is kind of insane as Booker is someone that has averaged 25 PPG since he was 21 years old. 2022 was Booker’s best season by far as he finished fourth in MVP voting, and the three people above him, and behind him are also on this list. The thing that people do not talk about enough is how young Devin is. He is only 25 and has been in the NBA for seven seasons. If Booker can keep up this pace or even something similar to it he should be an All-Star easily in 2027.
Young All-Stars
Ja Morant, PG, Memphis Grizzlies
2027 Age: 27
2021-2022 Stats: 27.4 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 6.7 APG, 1.2 STL
Ja Morant made his first All-Star game last season in what was his third year in the NBA. This was a breakout campaign for Morant who won the most improved player and finished seventh in MVP voting. While playing less than one more MPG this year than last he improved his scoring by 8.3 PPG. Ja is one of the most exciting players to watch with the way he attacks defenses and drives the paint. Should he be able to stave off the injury bug he should be one of the most electrifying players in the league for years and has the potential to be a perpetual All-Star.
Trae Young, PG, Atlanta Hawks
2027 Age: 28
2021-2022 Stats: 28.4 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 9.7 APG, 3.1 3PM
Trae or, “Ice Trae,” as he is referred to by some has taken the league by storm in recent years. Although he has only made the All-Star team twice what he did in the 2021 playoffs was nothing short of remarkable. Trae almost averages a double-double and is one of the best playmakers and facilitators in the league. That is not at all to say his scoring isn’t elite because it absolutely is. Young averages 25.3 PPG in his career and if you remove his rookie season it is 27.8 PPG. That would be the third most PPG for a career in NBA history, behind only Michael Jordan and Wilt Chamberlain.
Donovan Mitchell, SG, Utah Jazz
2027 Age: 30
2021-2022 Stats: 25.9 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 5.3 APG, 1.5 STL
Who knows where the Jazz or even Donovan Mitchell will be in five years, as they deal with an internal feud between star players. Mitchell is a star in this league and that is evidenced by his special two-way capabilities that not many players possess. He is someone who can score at will, this was proven tenfold in the playoffs when he averaged 35 PPG in a series against the Clippers and 36 PPG against the Nuggets. With the development, Mitchell has already shown in the NBA and his potential for so much more, he was an obvious pick for the All-Star game.
Lamelo Ball, PG, Charlotte Hornets
2027 Age: 25
2021-2022 Stats: 20.1 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 7.6 APG, 1.6 STL
Lamelo was a first-time All-Star in 2021 in his second season in the NBA. The prior year he made the All-Rookie first team and beat out Anthony Edwards to win rookie of the year. Lamelo’s career has been on an upward arc ever since he joined the NBA. If he continues in that direction he should be a consistent All-Star by the time the 2027 game comes around. Lamelo will be 25 in 2027 and should be near his peak by that time.
LaMelo Ball will become the youngest player to appear in an All-Star Game since LeBron James in 2005 🔥 pic.twitter.com/U9Vee6D1WJ
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 8, 2022
Zion Williamson, PF, New Orleans Pelicans
2027 Age: 26
2021-2022 Stats: Did not play
Zion averaged 27 PPG, 7 RPG, 4 APG, and a 61 FG% in 2020 when he was healthy. ZIon averaged 27 points on 61% shooting in only his second season in the NBA. Zion has already broken many longstanding scoring records. Firstly, he is the first player ever to average 25 points before turning 21. Secondly, he has the highest FG% in NBA history by a player who has averaged at least 25 PPG. Lastly, he is the player with the second most points all time in the paint in a season and led the NBA last season. That does not even mention all the other records he has broken, if he can figure out his foot injuries he should be a perennial All-Star in the future.
Brandon Ingram, SF, New Orleans Pelicans
2027 Age: 29
2021-2022 Stats: 22.7 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 5.6 APG, 0.6 STL
Brandon Ingram is much younger than most people think. He is only 24 years old right now and will be 29 in 2027, but has played six seasons in the NBA for two different teams. Ingram is a skilled scorer who has even drawn comparisons to Kevin Durant and can score inside and outside. Ever since he got traded to the New Orleans Pelicans he has really stepped his game up and is averaging 23.4 PPG on 52 eFG%. Should Ingram continue this positive trend and potentially add more to his game outside of scoring he should be a mainstay in the All-Star game for years to come.
Proven Young Players
Evan Mobley, PF/C, Cleveland Cavaliers
2027 Age: 25
2021-2022 Stats: 15.0 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 2.5 APG, 1.7 BLK
Mobley was picked second in last year’s NBA draft and many people thought he was the best player. He started off his rookie campaign proving those people right being the ROY favorite, for almost all of the season until Scottie Barnes overtook him near the end. Mobley is a force on the defensive end using his 7″0 frame and 7″4 wingspan to protect the rim. This also helps him on the offensive and defensive glass to get rebounds. He led all rookies in rebounds and blocks last season. Mobley has all the skills to be a two-way star, and if he can develop his scoring a little more should become a perpetual All-Star in the near future.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, PG/SG, Oklahoma City Thunder
2027 Age: 28
2021-2022 Stats: 24.5 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 5.9 APG, 1.3 STL
Shai who hails from Toronto, Canada is a smooth, shifty combo guard who is fantastic on or off the ball. He is fantastic when driving at the rim, and leads the NBA with 23.8 drives per game. He was one of the Thunder’s only positive pieces last season and just finished his fourth NBA season. He will be 28 by the time the 2027 All-Star game rolls around and will be in the prime of his career.
Scottie Barnes, SF, Toronto Raptors
2027 Age: 25
2021-2022 Stats: 15.3 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 3.5 APG, 1.1 STL
Scottie Barnes was just named first team All-Rookie and Rookie of the year. Barnes is one of the most versatile players in the league, can guard one through five easily, and even runs the point from time to time. His combination of size, speed, and quickness is unparalleled, and when combined with his basketball IQ and skills are something special. He is fantastic when attacking the rim, has a great mid-range jumper, and has an array of moves to get it off. He is also a great playmaker, both as a primary and secondary ball handler, and is a great rebounder. Scottie’s potential is sky high and should he even tap into some of it he will be an All-Star long before 2027.
Cade Cunningham, PG, Detroit Pistons
2027 Age: 25
2021-2022 Stats: 17.4 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 5.6 APG, 1.2 STL
Cunningham was the first overall pick in last year’s draft and after a very shaky start to his rookie campaign, he picked it up and had a stellar second half of the season. Cunningham has shown that he can be a go-to scorer who can create his own shots. Additionally, he is a primary playmaker and runs the point for the Pistons at 6″6. He is a versatile player who can score in all phases of the game, and projects to be someone who can defend all five positions.
Cade Cunningham in March:
22.9 PPG
5.9 RPG
7.0 APGHe is the first rookie to put up those numbers (or better) in a month (min 10 games) since Michael Jordan. pic.twitter.com/3BssJi8sRt
— StatMuse (@statmuse) April 1, 2022
Cade is already being pinned as the Pistons franchise player and savior. He definitely lived up to those expectations in his rookie season becoming the eighth youngest player in NBA history to reach 1000 points, 300 assists, and 300 rebounds. If Cade can continue to develop and become the player that Piston fans and myself believe he could be, he will not only be a frequent All-Star but one of the best players in the league.
Anthony Edwards, SG, Minnesota Timberwolves
2027 Age: 25
2021-2022 Stats: 21.3 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 3.8 APG, 1.5 STL
Edwards is already a young budding star in the league but has the potential to become so much more. Many people believed Edwards was snubbed from last year’s All-Star game in only his second season in the NBA. Edwards is the third youngest and fastest player in NBA history to reach 2000 career points. The two players above him? Two future Hall of Famers and all-time greats in Lebron James, and Kevin Durant. This is fantastic company for Edwards to be in and although he may not have a career like theirs, I believe he will be a multiple-time All-Star throughout his career.
Teenagers
Paolo Banchero, PF, Duke
2027 Age: 24
2021-2022 Stats: 17.2 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 3.2 APG, 1.1 STL
Banchero is a projected top 3 pick in this year’s upcoming NBA draft. I believe he is the best player in this class and will be the best in five years’ time. Paolo is a versatile scorer who can fill it up from inside and outside. His interior scoring is where he really shines, a strong and skilled post-up player with an excellent face-up game as well. Although he stands at 6″10 with a 7″1 wingspan he’s very quick with a fluid handle and a solid jump shot. He is also a very versatile and strong defender who has the potential to become a defensive stopper. The only question in Paolo’s game is if he can become an NBA-level playmaker, and develop more in his game than just scoring. The Ringer puts it best when they say, “Banchero will get buckets in the NBA. Can he do even more?”
Shaedon Sharpe, SG, Kentucky
2027 Age: 23
2021-2022 Stats: Did not play
Sharpe is the most interesting player on this list for many reasons. Firstly, he left Dream City Christian high school during his senior year and joined the Kentucky Wildcats in January. Despite that, he did not play a minute for Kentucky in 2022, so he will be entering the NBA draft this summer with no college experience. This is obviously something that has worked for players such as Lebron James, Kobe Bryant, and Dwight Howard, but has failed for so many others. So what makes Shaedon Sharpe different than all those great high school draftees who failed in the NBA?
Kentucky's Shaedon Sharpe official measurements from the NBA Combine: 6'5.25 in shoes, 6'11.5 wingspan, 8'7.5 standing reach, 198 lbs with 4.8% body fat
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) May 18, 2022
Sharpe is an elite athlete and reportedly has a 49-inch vertical jump. He is 6″5 with almost a 7-foot wingspan and loves playing above the rim skying for dunks, alley-oops, and blocks. He’s a shifty ballhandler and a willing and capable passer who can get to his spots with ease. He has an advanced layup package and many different moves in the paint. He is also an elite shooter who can shoot off the dribble, or on a catch or screen. Should Sharpe’s game translate to the NBA as most people expect he could become a premier scorer in the NBA with the potential to be a top-tier playmaker and defender as well.
Victor Wembanyama, C, France
2027 Age: 23
2021-2022 Stats: 9.4 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 0.8 APG, 1.8 BLK
Wembanyama who will be 23 by the time of the 2027 All-Star game is the projected first pick in the 2023 NBA draft. This draft is even being referred to by some as the, “Victor Wembanyama Sweepstakes.” Victor is a 7″2 center with a 7″8 wingspan who has amazing length, mobility, and movement skills. He is a fantastic rim protector with his 9″7 standing reach and shows great timing and anticipation in the post. He averages 3.6 blocks per 36 minutes and is the only Euroleague player to ever record a block percentage over 12%.
Who is the true prize of the 2023 NBA Draft? Victor Wembanyama. We often overuse the term "generational prospect." This is not one of those times. https://t.co/Cf5xYRYecK pic.twitter.com/Dh7YuA6aZp
— Mike Schmitz (@Mike_Schmitz) May 7, 2022
The French center also possesses fantastic perimeter skills with advanced dribbling and shooting. It is almost insane to watch him play as he looks like a 7″2 Kevin Durant when he puts his handle and footwork on display. He is not just a great shooter for his size, but a very good shooter in general who has the ability to take and make very difficult shots over any defender.
DJ Wagner, PG/SG, Camden
2027 Age: 22
2021-2022 Stats: 19.8 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 3.1 APG, 3.2 STL
Wagner is the youngest player I selected and is only 17 years old. He will be eligible for the 2024 draft, and is the projected first pick, by almost every source. Wagner is ranked as the number one player in the 2023 high school class by 247 Sports, ESPN, ON3, and just about every main recruiting service. DJ is the son of former NBA player and top 10 pick Dajuan Wagner.
DJ is a scoring machine that can get a bucket whenever he wants. He’s shifty with a quick dribble and lightning fast in the open court. He is a true three-level scorer and can get buckets from anywhere on the court. He is also a very complete player with a high passing IQ and is adept as a pick-and-roll ball handler. Lastly, he is a great defender with quick hands, shown in his 3.2 steals per game. Should Wagner go to college and enter the draft after his first season, he will be in his third season at the time of the 2027 All-Star game.
Honorable Mentions
There are multiple players who I did not include in this list that I still think deserved a mention. Some of the best players in the world right now may be retired and out of the NBA by 2027. Those players include Lebron James who would be 42, Kevin Durant who will be 38, and Steph who will be 39, just to name a few.
There are also many players who I had a hard time leaving off this list, but ultimately I felt that in 2027 the players on this list will be better and more deserving. These players include Chet Holmgren, Bam Adebayo, Zach Lavine, Jalen Green, and Jaylen Brown just to name a few.
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