A look at potential All-Star replacements for Kevin Love

Kevin Love earned an All-Star nod on the strength of his 20 points and 11 rebounds per game in Cleveland. Now injured, a replacement will need to be named.

Kevin Love underwent arthroscopic knee surgery today, and the repercussions of this affect the whole NBA. The surging Celtics and Wizards may now feel they have a better chance to pass the Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference standings. The Raptors, along with newly acquired Serge Ibaka, have visions of it too. Cleveland may have to make a move to help maintain their position out East going forward.

Outside of its bearing on Eastern Conference standings, Love’s injury has other ramifications. He was submitting his best season as a Cav and had been selected as an All-Star reserve for his efforts. An injury replacement will be needed now, and one final All-Star will be named. Here’s a look at which players should be on the short list:

Bradley Beal

The Washington Wizards have come on strong this season. The young squad is 33-21 on the strength of a 17-game home win streak. Washington especially came on after Beal came back from injury, and he has submitted the best play of his career. With nightly averages of 22.3 points per game with career best shooting marks of 47.2 percent from the field and 39.9 percent from three, its easy to see the Wizards getting a second All-Star.

Joel Embiid

Joel Embiid has broken out during his rookie year thus far. He has managed to average 20.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per night in only 25.4 minutes per game. Embiid has quickly endured himself to fans and finished fourth in voting among Eastern Conference frontcourt players. However, he has been injured for the duration of February. Announced as a “minor” torn meniscus, Embiid might not be ready for the All-Star game himself.

Carmelo Anthony

Carmelo Anthony’s run of eight straight All-Star games appeared to have ended this season. The disappointing Knicks have not turned out to be a “super team” as Derrick Rose predicted and are currently 23-33, 12th in the East. Anthony hasn’t played as well during a tumultuous season as he has in years past.  However, his 23.2 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.9 assists are still very solid and could be deserving of an All-Star nod.

Goran Dragic

Goran Dragic has exceeded expectations for much of his career. A one time second-round pick, he was the leader of a surprise 49-win season for the Suns in 2013-2014. Dragic was named All-NBA Third Team for his efforts but has disappointed since. The now 30-year-old is playing at an All-NBA level again, averaging 20.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 6.3 assists nightly with .484/.44/.787 shooting splits. Along with Dion Waiters and Hassan Whiteside, Dragic keyed Miami’s 13-game winning streak, and the team now looks poised to make a second half run. This would be a good season for Dragic to make his first All-Star appearance.

Hassan Whiteside

Hassan Whiteside became the first player in NBA history to go from a minimum contract to a max this summer. The expectations were high for the 27-year old to build on his success in Miami, and he has managed to do that thus far. His averages of 16.7 points and a league leading 14.1 rebounds are new career highs. Whiteside’s blocks have fallen as he has chased less of them, but he is arguably a better defender this season. If Whiteside is to be rewarded with an All-Star selection, he would be worthy.

Any of these players would be worthy of being named an All-Star in Kevin Love’s place. While there is no set timetable for a named replacement, one should be announced relatively soon. And one man’s pain will become another man’s pleasure when it happens.