With the NBA All-Star rosters finally revealed, basketball enthusiasts are once again engaged in the age-old tradition of dissecting the selections. Every year, the unveiling of the All-Star roster sparks intense debates about the players who made the cut and those who were left out. Highlighted are five notable snubs from this year’s lineup. These players, despite their undeniable talent and contributions to their teams, were overlooked when the All-Star nods were handed out. Just like the real All-Star team, we limited the lineup to two guards and three front court players:
G — Trae Young (Atlanta Hawks)
It’s rare to see a player miss the All-Star cut when putting up the numbers Trae Young has. In fact, it’s unfathomable. No player in NBA history has averaged at least 27 PPG and 10 APG and been left off the All-Star team. That’s primarily due to the fact so few have ever been able to achieve those gaudy averages (just four players in league history fit the bill — Oscar Robertson (five times), Nate Archibald, James Harden, and Russell Westbrook). Young ranks 11th in scoring (27.0 PPG), and second in assists (10.9 APG). The Hawks star guard is almost among the most recognizable players in the league among younger fans — making his exclusion even more puzzling.
G — De’Aaron Fox (Sacramento Kings)
Kings fans have the right to be frustrated with the voting process. After snapping their playoff drought in ’23, Sacramento is on a mission to prove last year was no fluke. A first-time All-Star last season, De’Aaron Fox is arguably having an even better year in ’24. Fox’s scoring is up to a career-high 27.2 PPG thanks to a massive improvement from beyond the arc. Out of nowhere, Fox has become one of the most lethal shooters in the league (3.0 3PM) at a career-high clip (38-percent). He’s been able to accomplish this while showing an improved effort on the defensive end which has led to a career-high steal rate (1.6 SPG).
F — Domantas Sabonis (Sacramento Kings)
While Fox certainly had a strong case to make the roster, perhaps the King with the biggest gripe should be center Domantas Sabonis. The three-time All-Star missed the cut for the first time since the 2019 season despite posting 19.9 PPG, 13.0 RPG (league-high) and 8.0 APG (career-high). Unlike Fox who has tailed off just a bit in January, Sabonis is playing his best ball heading into the break. He’s the league leader in double doubles, and is actively riding a streak of double doubles in 29 straight games. Sabonis is also second in triple doubles behind only Nikola Jokic. It should be noted Sabonis has been an iron man for the Kings. He labored through a nasty thumb injury during last year’s playoff run, but has appeared in all 46 games for Sacramento this season.
F — Alperen Sengun (Houston Rockets)
The 22-25 Rockets have already matched their win total from last year, climbing out of the depths of the Western Conference to become a competent basketball team. The veteran additions over the offseason certainly played a part, but the development of 21-year-old big man Alperen Sengun has been the biggest bright spot for Houston this year. Sengun’s counting stats make him worthy of All-Star inclusion — 21.7 PPG, 9.2 RPG, 5.1 APG, 1.2 SPG on 54-percent shooting — but his play against the other top big men across the league has really stood out.
The Rockets are 3-1 against Nikola Jokic and the defending champion Denver Nuggets this season. Also, Sengun has had some of his best games against Anthony Davis and the Lakers — recently posting a 31/12/7 line in a blow out win for Houston. He hasn’t backed down from anyone, and will have plenty of chances to be an All-Star for years to come.
F — Rudy Gobert (Minnesota Timberwolves)
The first-place Timberwolves got two players on the reserves list (Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns) but could they have had a third? Minnesota’s trade for Rudy Gobert was heavily scrutinized last season, but the French big man has been invaluable in ’24. A heavy favorite to win Defensive Player of the Year, Gobert has been everywhere for a Timberwolves team that ranks first in defensive rating. His shot blocking numbers are back up, and he’s been as efficient as ever finishing around the rim. Working against Gobert each year is his style of play doesn’t exactly fit in with the guard-centric vibes of an All-Star game. Though, it can be argued he’s been more valuable to the Timberwolves this year than Towns.
It’s essential to recognize that the list of overlooked players extends beyond those mentioned. Utah’s Lauri Markkanen, Toronto’s Scottie Barnes, Los Angeles’ James Harden, Denver’s Jamal Murray, Boston’s Kristaps Porzingis and Derrick White, among several others, all narrowly missed the cut. Each year, the debate over All-Star selections highlights the depth of talent in the league and the difficulty in narrowing down the choices to just 12 spots per conference.
