Who can Giannis Antetokounmpo select as No. 1 draft pick in the 2023 NBA All-Star Game? Exploring 3 most favored options

For the first time in NBA history, the All-Star game will be preceded by a draft that will allow LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo to pick their teams on Sunday.

The process will be fairly straightforward. Conference affiliations will not matter during the All-Star draft. As LeBron James is the leading vote-getter during the balloting process, he will get the first pick in the draft. LeBron will select from the pool of 8 All-Star starters, after which Giannis will get his first pick from the remaining 7.

Once all the starters have been chosen, the two captains will select 7 reserves each from the pool of 14 reserves. Considering LeBron James will get the first pick, we look at the top 3 candidates who Giannis Antetokounmpo can pick from the pool of 8 starters. In the absence of Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry, several players have a chance of being Giannis Antetokounmpo's first pick.

Top 3 options for Giannis Antetokounmpo in 2023 NBA All-Star game

#3 Jayson Tatum

The fact that the All-Star game has multiple notable absentees means Jayson Tatum might be one of the players to watch out for. Joel Embiid is also said to be doubtful and LeBron James is unlikely to pick a player who predominantly plays in his position.

Of course, barring LeBron James and Giannis himself, Tatum is arguably the most in-form forward in the starting pool this year.

#2 Luka Doncic

Considering the likes of Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant are injured, Luka Doncic might pull up with some exhibitionist basketball in the All-Star game. Doncic is another player whom LeBron might end up picking. However, Kyrie Irving’s availability and the fact that LeBron himself prefers to be the primary ball handler on his teams might leave Doncic unpicked.

A potential partnership between Giannis Antetokounmpo and Luka Doncic surely has the potential to be mesmerizing.

#1 Nikola Jokic

Nikola Jokic is having one of those seasons this year. He is averaging a triple-double with 24.7 points and has been the driving force behind the Denver Nuggets’ rise this season. Considering LeBron James will get the first pick, it is unlikely that Jokic will be available for Giannis to pick.

Of course, LeBron might as well have a shooter as his top priority in the All-Star draft, which might pave the way for Giannis to pick the big man.