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This Thursday night at 7 p.m will mark the first televised NBA All-Star game draft, led by captains LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo. The draft will consist of three “rounds.” The first round will be where the all-star starters are drafted. The second round will be dedicated to the reserves, and the third round will be dedicated to the legends. Here’s a list of the player pool for each round of the draft.

All-Star Starters (Round 1):

Eastern Conference:
G: Kyrie Irving
G: Kemba Walker
F: Giannis Antetokounmpo (captain)
F: Kawhi Leonard
F: Joel Embiid

Western Conference:
G: Stephen Curry
G: James Harden
F: LeBron James (captain)
F: Paul George
F: Kevin Durant

All-Star Reserves (Round 2):

Eastern Conference:
G: Kyle Lowry
G: Bradley Beal
G: D’Angelo Russell
G/F: Ben Simmons
F: Khris Middleton
F: Blake Griffin
C: Nikola Vucevic

Western Conference:
G: Russell Westbrook
G: Damian Lillard
G: Klay Thompson
F: LaMarcus Aldridge
F: Nikola Jokic
F: Anthony Davis
C: Karl-Anthony Towns

Legends (Round 3):

G: Dwyane Wade
F: Dirk Nowitzki

Let’s get to the Mock Draft now. Team LeBron is on the clock.

(Stats via basketballreference.com)

Round 1 (Starters):

Team LeBron selects Kyrie Irving

Career ASG Stats: 5 G, 18.4 PPG, 9.2 APG, 5.6 RPG, 58.5 FG%, 48.4 3PT%

LeBron James and Kyrie Irving seem to have pushed aside their feud that they had after Kyrie was traded from Cleveland. Kyrie admitted to apologizing to LeBron, and ever since then they seem to be buddy-buddy again. Now let’s move to the basketball part. Kyrie Irving is a free agent come 2019. Is it possible that LeBron James can try and recruit Kyrie Irving to Los Angeles at all-star weekend? It’s definitely possible. LeBron is always thinking ahead when it comes to this stuff. Let’s also not forget that Kyrie is someone who has arguably the best handles in NBA history. Kyrie Irving is made for the all-star game and won MVP of the game in 2014.

Team Giannis selects Stephen Curry

Career ASG Stats: 5 G, 17.0 PPG. 6.6 APG, 5.4 RPG. 41.0 FG%, 33.9 3PT%

Giannis follows up LeBron’s selection with a guard as well, as guards are normally the one’s who have the most success in all-star games. Stephen Curry is the best shooter in NBA history, and without a doubt will be pulling up from 30-35 feet all game. Curry, who will be appearing in his sixth all-star game, has never been MVP, and has been a bit underwhelming in all-star games. That just makes me think he’s bound to go off eventually though. Seeing Steph face off against Kyrie should be a ton of fun. It always is.

Team LeBron selects James Harden

Career ASG Stats: 6 G, 16.5 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 6.5 APG, 47.4 FG%, 41.7 3PT%

James Harden is having one of the best seasons offensively that we’ve ever seen. He’s averaging 36.5 PPG, single-handedly putting the Rockets on his back while half the team was injured. Harden’s also dishing out 8 assists per game and leads the NBA in win shares at 9.9. Team LeBron now has 2 of the most unstoppable guards in the league in Kyrie Irving and MVP favorite James Harden.

Team Giannis selects Kevin Durant

Career ASG Stats: 9 G, 24.3 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 3.9 APG, 52.4 FG%, 31.2 3PT%

I guess Giannis will get a bit of a taste of what it’s like to play with the Warriors during this game. The Greek Freak adds Kevin Durant to the squad, joining his teammate Steph Curry. Durant adds a ton of length and a ton of scoring to Team Giannis with his 27.5 PPG that he’s averaging this year. Durant’s also averaging a career high in assists per game, at 6.0. Imagine trying to guard Kevin Durant and Giannis Antetokounmpo at the same time. That’s right, you can’t.

Team LeBron selects Kawhi Leonard

Career ASG Stats: 2 G, 10.5 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 2.5 APG, 52.6 FG%, 12.5 3PT%

If there’s one guy that can guard anyone in the league, it’s probably Kawhi Leonard. That’s exactly what LeBron James is thinking after Team Giannis just selected Kevin Durant. Leonard will have the tough task of defending two 7-foot small forwards. He’ll also chip in on offense as he’s averaging a career-high 27.3 PPG this season, leading the Raptors to a 39-16 record in the season.

Team Giannis selects Joel Embiid

Career ASG Stats: 1 G, 19.0 PPG, 8.0 RPG 1.0 APG, 61.5 FG%, 50.0% 3PT%

Let’s just make this team even bigger than it already was. Welcome Joel Embiid to Team Giannis. Embiid is possibly the closest player we’ve seen to Shaq ever. The major difference is that Embiid can pull up from downtown. He’s that good, averaging over 27 PPG and over 13 RPG this season. A team with Giannis, Durant, and Embiid is going to be insanely hard to stop.

Team LeBron selects Paul George

Career ASG Stats: 5 G, 20.8 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 3.4 APG, 49.4 FG%, 36.2 3PT%

Team LeBron gets a steal here in Paul George, who’s having the best season of his career. George is averaging 28 PPG, and is one of the favorites to win this season’s Defensive Player of the Year award. George ranks top-10 in defensive rating, and top-5 in defensive win shares. Team LeBron is going to need his defense, as Team Giannis will be extremely hard to stop with their three 7-footers.

Team Giannis selects Kemba Walker

Career ASG Stats: 2 G, 9.0 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 3.5 APG, 50.0 FG%, 22.2 3PT%

Team Giannis gets Kemba Walker by default here, as he’s the last starter available. Don’t overlook Walker though, who’s having the best season of his career averaging 24.7 PPG and 5.7 APG. Walker’s a nice addition to team Giannis, who will see more minutes than he ever has in an All-Star game since this is the first time he’s a starter.

Round 2 (Reserves – Team Giannis gets first pick):

Team Giannis selects Anthony Davis

Career ASG Stats: 4 G, 24.5 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 0.3 APG, 73.1 FG%, 0.0 3PT%

Giannis selects the 2017 all-star game MVP, Anthony Davis, with the first reserves pick. Davis had 52 points in the game last season and is by far the best reserve in this game. Team Giannis gets another 7-foot athletic freak.

Team LeBron selects Russell Westbrook

Career ASG Stats: 7 G, 24.4 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 4.0 APG, 54.6 FG%, 39.6 3PT%

Russell Westbrook is a 2x All-Star Game MVP, so who says he can’t do it again? We all know that Westbrook is the type of guy who’s going to go as hard as he can, even in an all-star game. That’s Westbrook for you. No one would be surprised if Westbrook gives Team LeBron a triple-double off the bench.

Team Giannis selects Damian Lillard

Career ASG Stats: 3 G, 13.7 PPG, 2.0 APG, 1.3 RPG, 47.1 FG%, 39.1 3PT%

Giannis can’t keep taking 7-footers every pick, so he selects the next best guard in Damian Lillard. You can’t go wrong with Lillard, who’s a consistent 25 PPG scorer every year.

Team LeBron selects Nikola Jokic

Career ASG Stats: First Career All-Star Appearance

Nikola Jokic is one of the most unique NBA talents we’ve ever seen. Jokic is a 7-footer who’s averaging a near triple double with 20.1 PPG, 10.4 RPG, and 7.7 APG. He’s the main reason the Nuggets currently sit second in the Western Conference. Jokic is a nice player to add to Team LeBron, and a guy that’ll be intriguing to watch vs. the bigs on Team Giannis.

Team Giannis selects Ben Simmons

Career ASG Stats: First Career All-Star Appearance

Ben Simmons makes his first all-star game appearance this season, and he’s another player averaging close to a triple double this season. Simmons has a flexibility of playing guard and forward, and his passing abilities should help out Team Giannis tremendously.

Team LeBron selects Klay Thompson

Career ASG Stats: 4 G, 10.8 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 3.3 APG, 35.7 FG%, 31.4 3PT%

It’s recruiting season for LeBron again! There are rumors that if Klay Thompson decides to leave the Warriors, it could be for LeBron and the Lakers. LeBron selects Thompson, the 4x All-Star, and shows us what it could be like with Thompson catching and shooting from LeBron.
 
Team Giannis selects Khris Middleton

Career ASG Stats: First Career All-Star Appearance

We all knew this was coming at some point. Giannis takes his teammate Khris Middleton, who’s having a solid year averaging a tad over 17 PPG. Middleton is a great shooter and defender, and a main reason why the Bucks have the best record in the NBA right now.

Team LeBron selects Bradley Beal

Career ASG Stats: 1 G, 14 PPG 0.0 RPG, 0.0 APG, 50.0 FG%, 50.0 3PT%

Bradley Beal might be one of the most underrated players in the NBA in my opinion. You don’t hear too much about him, but the 25-year-old shooting guard is averaging 24.8 PPG, 5.1 RPG, and 5.1 APG. Beal is making his second all-star performance after a solid showing in last year’s game, and should help Team LeBron as instant offense off the bench. Also, Beal is the type of player that’d fit perfectly on the Lakers. Just something to keep your eye on for the future.

Team Giannis selects Blake Griffin

Career ASG Stats: 4 G, 21.8 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 3.0 APG, 78.8 FG%, 25.0 3PT%

Blake Griffin is having a sneaky good season, his best by far out of his last few. He’s averaging a career-high 26 PPG and has a lot of all-star game experience. Giannis gets a steal in Griffin, who’s performed well in the all-star games he’s played in.

Team LeBron selects Karl-Anthony Towns

Career ASG Stats: 1 G, 17.0 PPG, 10.0 RPG, 0.0 APG, 63.6 FG%, 25.0 3PT%

Karl-Anthony Towns adds more size to team LeBron, as the 23-year-old center is averaging just over 22 PPG and 12 RPG this season. Towns had a double-double in last year’s game, and it wouldn’t surprise me to see him do the same this year.

Team Giannis selects LaMarcus Aldridge

Career ASG Stats: 6 G, 5.0 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 0.5 APG, 36.1 FG%, 80.0 3PT%

Team Giannis goes with the experience here. Aldridge has played in six all-star games, and knows exactly what it’s like to be on this stage. Aldridge will likely be one of the last players off the bench, but it’s always good to have the vet on your team.

Team LeBron selects Nikola Vucevic

Career ASG Stats: First Career All-Star Appearance

Nikola Vucevic is having a phenomenal season for the Magic in a contract year, averaging 20.6 PPG and 11.9 RPG. He also has 6.1 win shares, showing how valuable he’s been to Orlando. Vucevic adds one last big to Team LeBron.

Team Giannis selects Kyle Lowry

Career ASG Stats: 4 G, 11.8 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 7.3 APG, 37.5 FG%, 27.5 3PT%

Kyle Lowry is having his best passing season ever with 9.2 assists per game. He also has all-star game experience. Not a bad combination for the last pick of the second portion of the draft.

Team LeBron selects D’Angelo Russell

Career ASG Stats: First Career All-Star Appearance

D’Angelo Russell has been so valuable to the Nets this season, and a main reason why they’re the 6th seed in the Eastern Conference right now. He’ll take his near 20 PPG to Team LeBron as the last reserves pick.

Round 3 (Legends)

Team LeBron selects Dwyane Wade

Career ASG Stats: 11 G, 16.5 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 4.9 APG, 63.8 FG%, 21.4 3PT%

One last ride for LeBron James and Dwyane Wade? Yes! We love to see it.

Team Giannis selects Dirk Nowitzki

Career ASG Stats: 13 G, 8.7 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 1.2 APG, 43.4 FG%, 22.6 3PT%

By default, Giannis ends up getting Dirk, so it’ll be the international captain and international legend on the same team.


Team LeBron

Starters:
G: Kyrie Irving
G: James Harden
F: Kawhi Leonard
F: Paul George
F: LeBron James

Reserves:
G: Russell Westbrook
G: Klay Thompson
G: Bradley Beal
G: D’Angelo Russell
F/C: Nikola Jokic
F/C: Karl-Anthony Towns
F/C: Nikola Vucevic

Legend:
G: Dwyane Wade

Team Giannis
Starters:
G: Stephen Curry
G: Kemba Walker
F: Kevin Durant
F: Giannis Antetokounmpo
C: Joel Embiid

Reserves
G: Damian Lillard
G/F: Ben Simmons
G: Kyle Lowry
F: Khris Middleton
F: Anthony Davis
F: Blake Griffin
F: LaMarcus Aldridge

Legend:
F: Dirk Nowitzki

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