5 Players who can become NBA All-Stars for the 1st time in the 2020-21 season

#3 Dennis Schröder

Brought in to replace the departing Rajon Rondo and give the LA Lakers more depth at point guard this offseason was Dennis Schröder. The German guard will be hoping to be selected to his first NBA-All Star team. The one negating factor for Schröder's selection is whether he starts from the bench or not. Schröder has epitomized what an NBA sixth-man should be for the past two seasons - a versatile player who is also a high percentage scorer.

Frank Vogel said that it’s too soon to decide upon a starting lineup, but he’s definitely going to give Dennis Schroder "strong consideration” to start. Vogel said Schroder is a great fit to play alongnside LeBron because he can be effective on and off the ball.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) December 4, 2020

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Schröder has made his intentions clear though, stating that he's done with being a bench contributor and wants to make a starting berth his own. And why shouldn't he? Schröder averaged 19 points last season and was inevitably brought into the Lakers to complement LeBron James and Anthony Davis. With Schröder starting, the Lakers could be even more offensively clinical this season and the German could be receiving his first NBA All-Star call-up.

#4 Fred VanVleet

Toronto Raptors v Brooklyn Nets - Game Three

Considering Fred VanVleet was pivotal in the Toronto Raptors' incredible NBA Championship run, it's surprising he hasn't been selected as an NBA All-Star yet. Granted, his numbers haven't necessarily warranted being chosen. However, his game has developed dramatically over the past two seasons and could be a definite contender for the All-Star game this year.

VanVleet signed a 4-year, $85 million contract with the Raptors this offseason, showing both the faith and reliance the franchise have for their young shooting guard. VanVleet averaged 17.6 points and 6.6 assists last year and dominated the Brooklyn Nets in the first round of the playoffs.

The 26-year-old will face a much stiffer test this season, however, without teammates Serge Ibaka and Marc Gasol. Furthermore, several teams in the East such as the aforementioned Nets, Atlanta Hawks and Milwaukee Bucks have gotten stronger this offseason. VanVleet has what it takes though to gain his first NBA All-Star selection. He epitomizes the Raptors organization with his steely play and will hope to follow in teammate Kyle Lowry's footprints, who has made 6 All-Star appearances.

#5 DeAndre Ayton

The final member of our list is the Phoenix Suns' center DeAndre Ayton. Although Ayton only managed to play 38 games last season, the 22-year-old averaged 18 points and 11.5 rebounds. If Ayton had maintained those numbers while playing more, it would have put him 6th in the league for rebounds per game. The Phoenix Suns drafted Ayton with their No.1 overall pick in 2018 and are hoping that he and Devin Booker can lead the side back into contention in the West after missing the playoffs for the past decade.

Ayton will benefit greatly from Chris Paul's arrival at the franchise and we could see the big man's numbers increase exponentially. Paul served up countless lobs for DeAndre Jordan in L.A. and could help Ayton to his first All-Star appearance. In fact, if Phoenix hit the ground running we could see all three of Paul, Booker and Ayton in contention for All-Star selection.

Edited by Parimal