'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The 2019-20 NBA season is just a week old, but Utah Jazz fans are already speculating as to which members of the current roster could make the 2020 All-Star Game in Chicago. Despite being among the Western Conference's most consistent teams over the past few years, only Gordon Hayward (2017) has made the All-Star Game since Deron Williams made back-to-back appearances in 2009-10 and 2010-11.
Nevertheless, the Jazz enter the new season in a strong position following an excellent off-season, and the team is likely to have at least one player present in Chicago.
On that note, here we take a look at the three Utah players that are in with a chance of being named as an All-Star this season.
#3 Mike Conley
Mike Conley completed a trade to the Jazz during the early weeks of the off-season, and the point guard was widely viewed as a considerable upgrade over the departed Ricky Rubio. However, Conley has started the season in dismal form - shooting just 15% from the field during his first four appearances for his new team.
While Conley's early season form has been a concern for the Jazz, it was always likely that he would need a few games to adapt after spending more than a decade with the same team. It is also worth remembering that Conley is coming off a season where he averaged 21.1 points, 6.4 assists, and 3.4 rebounds with one of the NBA's worst teams.
If Conley can regain his confidence and form over the next two months he could at the very least replicate those numbers. And the 32-year-old would be a popular choice for the All-Star Game after narrowly missing out over the past few seasons.
Conley faces intense competition at point guard, but he will be in with a chance of featuring in Chicago if he can play an important role in guiding the Jazz towards the top of the West.
#2 Rudy Gobert
The NBA has moved increasingly towards the small ball in recent seasons, but Rudy Gobert has demonstrated exactly why throwback bigs can still be so effective. His presence on the court was enough to eliminate the United States from the 2019 World Cup, and his performances for the Utah Jazz have resulted in back-to-back Defensive Player of the Year awards.
But despite being widely regarded as the NBA's best defender, Gobert has yet to make an All-Star appearance.
There is little doubt that Gobert deserved a place at last year's All-Star Game. And the Frenchman has started the new season well, averaging 9.0 points and 11.8 rebounds per game.
He remains a monster on the defensive end, and an uptick in offensive numbers should be enough for the 27-year-old to finally make his bow at the showcase game.
#1 Donovan Mitchell
Donovan Mitchell was present for the Jazz at the 2019 All-Star Weekend in Charlotte, although the guard was forced to play in the Rising Stars Challenge rather than the All-Star Game.
At the time of selection, Mitchell was averaging 22.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.9 assists, but the New York native struggled at shooting the ball throughout October and November. Mitchell has hit the ground running this time around though, averaging 24.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game while connecting with more than 50% of his field-goal attempts.
At 23, Mitchell is also starting to enter his prime, and his game will benefit from playing alongside the unselfish Mike Conley. Everything seems in place for Mitchell to make his first All-Star appearance; only an injury is likely to halt him representing the Jazz in Chicago.
