Players selected in the 2021 NBA Draft are now in their fourth seasons in the league. There are quite a few that are experiencing breakouts, and they potentially can be named an NBA All-Star for the first time. Here are five from that draft hoping to hear their name selected to the NBA All-Star Game. Players are named in alphabetical order by last name.
2021 NBA Draft Has 5 Potential First-Time All-Stars
Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons (1st Overall Pick)
Cade Cunningham had certainly put up solid numbers in his first three seasons, but it amounted to little winning. Last season, the Pistons lost a single-season record 28 consecutive games en route to a 14-68 record. A left shin injury ended Cunningham’s 2022-23 season prematurely after he appeared in just 12 contests.
Despite being under .500, Detroit is vastly improved compared to last season with an 11-16 record. The 23-year-old Cunningham is putting up career-highs nearly across the board including in scoring (23.5), rebounds (7.5), assists (9.7), blocks (0.8), field goal shooting (45.1%), and three-point accuracy (38.6%). He has recorded six triple-doubles after having just two after his first three seasons. His play surely has Cunningham in NBA All-Star contention .
Jalen Johnson, Atlanta Hawks (20th Overall Pick)
After barely playing as a rookie, and just around 15 minutes per game in his second year, Jalen Johnson broke out in 2023-24. He likely would have finished near the top of Most Improved Player voting had he played the requisite 65 games. In his 56 appearances, the 6-foot-9 forward posted averages of 16.0 points, 8.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.2 steals, and 0.8 blocks.
All of those averages were easily career-bests, but Johnson has improved on them all in 25 outings this season. Those averages have increased to 19.6, 10.1, 5.5, 1.4, and 1.1 respectively. Johnson has 14 double-doubles and 15 games with at least 20 points.
Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers (3rd Overall Pick)
Evan Mobley made an impact on both ends of the court, particularly on the defensive end right from the get-go. In 2021-22, he finished as the runner-up to Scottie Barnes for Rookie of the Year. The following season, Mobley finished third in Defensive Player of the Year voting only behind Jaren Jackson Jr. and Brook Lopez .
The Cavaliers are off to a wonderful 23-4 start, best record in the NBA . Mobley has continued his elite rim protection and also has become more of a threat on the offensive end. He is averaging a career-best 18.4 points and is slowly beginning to expand his offensive repertoire beyond the arc.
Alperen Sengun, Houston Rockets (16th Overall Pick)
Just 22 years old, Alperen Sengun entered the starting lineup full-time in his second season. In 2023-24, he was given more of a role and finished third in Most Improved Player voting behind Tyrese Maxey and Coby White . The way Houston’s offense flowed through him at times made him utilized as a Nikola Jokic -lite.
While Sengun’s scoring and efficiency have gone down a tad from last season, he is giving more effort on the defensive end. Houston is near the top of the leaderboard in many defensive categories, and Sengun has played a large role in that. He is also averaging 18.6 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 5.2 assists on the year.
Franz Wagner, Orlando Magic (8th Overall Pick)
Many questioned if Orlando made the right call giving Franz Wagner a max five-year, $224 million rookie scale extension in July. Sure, the 6-foot-10 forward played a substantial role on a surprising 2022-23 Magic team. At the same time though, his three-point shooting fell off a cliff.
Wagner has answered his critics in resounding fashion, especially after Paolo Banchero got injured. The 23-year-old has averages of 24.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and 1.7 steals while the Magic hardly missed a beat without their star player. Unfortunately, Wagner’s torn oblique injury has him out of action. It is the same injury that has Banchero sidelined. Being shelved likely takes Wagner out of the NBA All-Star running, but he deserved a shoutout for playing like one prior to getting hurt.
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