Who can LeBron James select as No. 1 draft pick in the 2023 NBA All-Star Game? Exploring 3 most favored options
LeBron James' "LeGM" monicker will be in full effect ahead of the 2023 NBA All-Star game. The LA Lakers superstar will continue as one of the captains for the sixth consecutive year. There have been some changes to the All-Star game draft format this time around.
The captains will select the reserves before the starters. Additionally, the draft will be held right before the game instead of a couple of days before the main event of the All-Star weekend. James has a 5-0 record as captain and will be eager to extend that streak.
Historically, LeBron has picked the best player in the pool as his No. 1 pick every year when he was captain. He selected his counterpart and captain of the Eastern Conference for the third time, Giannis Antetokounmpo, as his first pick over the last two years.
Before that, LeBron James picked Anthony Davis in 2020 and Kevin Durant as his No. 1 picks for consecutive years in 2018 and 2019.
Who can LeBron James select as the No. 1 draft pick in the 2023 NBA All-Star Game?
The big question will obviously be LeBron James' No. 1 pick in the 2023 NBA All-Star Game. The four-time MVP will have to strike some names off the board. Kevin Durant and Steph Curry are among those, as they are both unavailable to play in the All-Star game due to injuries.
As the leading vote-getter, LeBron will get the first overall pick. He will have plenty of options at his disposal. James has picked a frontcourt player with his No. 1 pick, and the trend could continue.
James could look to pair up alongside Jayson Tatum as his other forward. The Boston Celtics superstar is among the MVP frontrunners, averaging 30.6 PPG. He has emerged as one of the most reliable players in the league, playing 37.3 minutes per game and appearing in 55 of 59 games.
Predicting LeBron James' other options as No. 1 picks
LeBron James has always looked to add a three-level scoring point guard who is efficient from deep. He has picked Steph Curry over the last two years, but the Warriors star is injured. This allows James to reunite with his 2016 championship-winning teammate, Kyrie Irving.
James expressed his disappointment about the Lakers failing to land the dynamic guard after he demanded a trade from Brooklyn a few days before the trade deadline. Irving eventually joined the Mavericks. There were rumblings that the Lakers could pursue Irving in the offseason.
However, the new additions to their roster give them more flexibility and depth, and LA might use their cap space to re-sign them instead of pursuing Irving. James could have had this thought on his mind during the draft. Additionally, the two have remarkable chemistry on the court, so Irving appears to be a nice fit. He also played alongside Tatum during his stint in Boston.
With Joel Embiid expressing concerns over his availability for the All-Star game, Luka Doncic could be James' third option as the No. 1 pick.
Embiid, on whether he'll play in the All-Star game (1/2):
"I’m not sure, I’m not healthy. I haven’t been healthy for the past three weeks or month, I was just trying to get to the All-Star break without missing games and stuff."
James has picked the Slovenian on his team since 2020, so there could be a real possibility that Doncic will get picked by the LA Lakers superstar again.