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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
