NBA 2019-20: 3 current All-Stars that could miss out on the All-Star Game this season

The 2019-20 NBA season has yet to start, but basketball fans are already looking forward to All-Star Weekend. The annual event brings together the biggest stars of the NBA for a showcase weekend that concludes with the much anticipated All-Star Game.

Only 12 players (five starters and seven reserves) are selected from each Conference, and competition around the league is at an all-time. The likes of Trae Young, Zion Williamson, and Luka Doncic will all be in the mix for first-ever appearances, while former All-Stars such as Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler will be hoping to return in Chicago after missing out last year.

As always several players who made the team last season will drop out this time around, and here we will take a look at three individuals that are likely to miss out on being named to the 2020 All-Star roster.

Note: Klay Thompson and Victor Oladipo were excluded from selection due to the fact that they will miss much of the 2019-20 season

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#3 Khris Middleton - Previous All-Star Appearance: 2019

Khris Middleton will find it difficult to return to the All-Star mix

The 2018-19 season marked the first All-Star appearance of Khris Middleton’s seven-year career. The veteran swingman was named as an All-Star after averaging 17.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.2 steals over the first half of the season.

Nevertheless, while Middleton's individual performances earned plenty of plaudits, his All-Star push was boosted by Milwaukee Bucks' excellent early season form.

The Bucks once again enter the new season as the favorites to post the best regular-season record, although Middleton will need to take his game to the next level to earn another All-Star call-up.

Additionally, with increased competition from the likes of Jimmy Butler, a call-up could prove a tough ask for Middleton and Giannis Antetokounmpo is likely to be Milwaukee's only representative in Chicago.

#2 Karl-Anthony Towns - Previous All-Star Appearances: 2018, 2019

Karl-Anthony Towns' All-Star prospects will be impacted by the Timberwolves' struggles

Karl-Anthony Towns has made consecutive All-Star appearances, although the 23-year-old faces a tall task to make it to the showcase game in Chicago.

While there is no doubting that Towns is among the best bigs in the NBA, his All-Star prospects will be negatively impacted by Minnesota Timberwolves' likely struggles in a Western Conference that is stacked with teams that possess more quality and depth than the Timberwolves.

Additionally, KAT also faces immense competition to land a spot ahead of a number of elite bigs in the West. Nikola Jokic will certainly make the team thanks to his near triple-double numbers, while Rudy Gobert and Steven Adams will also push for first All-Star call-ups.

When combined with the fact that LaMarcus Aldridge could also spend the entire season at center, KAT's chances appear slim.

#1 D'Angelo Russell - Previous All-Star Appearance: 2019

D'Angelo Russell's prospects of being named an All-Star took a significant hit following his move to the Golden State Warriors

Following a resurgent season with the Brooklyn Nets, D'Angelo Russell sneaked into the 2019 All-Star Game as a replacement for the injured Victor Oladipo.

Russell's selection was deserved as he was averaging a career-high 19.6 points and 6.4 assists at the point of selection, however, a repeat appearance is incredibly unlikely following his offseason move to the Golden State Warriors.

Russell's stats are set to decline in every category as he shares playmaking duties with Steph Curry, and the Western Conference is also home to an influx of the NBA's top guards.

This removes any realistic path to the All-Star Game, and Russell is unlikely to make another appearance until he is traded to a team that will give him a starring role.