EDGE Podcast host Drew Dinsik explains why these five players deserve their first All-Star appearance.

Could Indianapolis deliver multiple NBA All-Stars for the first time in 2023-24? All things being equal, the league is more talented than ever. From the struggling Philadelphia 76ers to the Los Angeles Lakers, most teams have at least two players playing every day. This made assigning many players to the All-Star Game a fruitful discussion. Given how layered each location is, there will likely be a few mushrooms worth chopping. But who deserves to be selected as an All-Star for the first time this season?

Feeling out of the loop? We’ll keep you posted on Chicago news. Subscribe to the weekly Chicago Catch-Up newsletter here. Last year we had Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City Thunder), Tyrese Haliburton (Indiana Pacers), Anthony Edwards (Minnesota Timberwolves), Lauri Markkanen (Utah Jazz), De’Aaron Fox (Sacramento Kings) and Jaren Jackson Jr I. saw. (Memphis Grizzlies) ) Enter.

The five representing the 2023-2024 period are:

G Tyrese Maxey (Philadelphia 76ers)

The 76ers wouldn’t be a top three team in the East if Maxey hadn’t stepped up. There have been some stellar performances in recent seasons, but since the Clippers trade, fourth-year guard James Harden has fully emerged. Maxey, a Kentucky native and 21st overall pick in the 2020 class, is currently averaging 25.9 points, 6.4 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 0.8 steals on 46/39/87. For these percentages the volumes are 19.5/8.2/5.6. All stats except field goal and 3-point percentage are career highs. There are many guards fighting for different spots in the conference and Maxey is one of them. Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets

Either way, the 26-year-old guard from Kentucky has never played in an All-Star game. That could change this year after he proves himself to be a legitimate supporting star on a title-winning team. The Nuggets star is currently averaging 19.7 points, 6.2 assists, 3.9 rebounds, 0.9 steals and 0.8 blocks on 47/45/89 15.4/5.7/3 shooting. 0. He missed some time this season due to injury, but he should eventually find a place in Indianapolis, which also has some elite guards in the Western Conference. As predicted at the start of the season, Orlando looks to be a sleeper team in the East, led by forward Franz Wagner and second-round pick Paolo Banchero. Wagner, the eighth overall pick in 2021, is putting it all together, averaging 21.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.2 steals on 16.9/4 and 47/28/85. Volume is 9/4.9. Banchero is very similar to Wagner statistically, averaging 21.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 1.0 steals, 16.9/3 rebounds and 7/6.9 on 46/36/70 shooting innings, but has a higher ceiling. The Wizards deserve at least one All-Star if they are successful, so we should see either Wagner or Banchero in Indy. Brunson underperformed last season for the first time with the Knicks since spending four years with the Dallas Mavericks. He remains prospectus no. 1 of New York, averaging 25.6 points, 6.2 assists, 4.0 rebounds and 1.1 steals on 46/43/82 shooting on 19.4/6 and 4/5 ,9 volumes. Both 3-point shooting percentage and volume are at career highs. His stats are very similar to last year’s numbers, but it will be interesting to see if the Knicks get over .500 this time around. But again, there will be a lot of competition in the East.