NBA season preview: 5 players most likely to be first-time All-Stars

2. RJ Barrett – Frontcourt – New York Knicks

RJ Barrett was worlds better for the surprising New York Knicks last season. After putting together a rough rookie season, Barrett put up 17 points per game last season on 40 percent shooting from 3-point land. His greatest jump in production came at the free-throw line. Not only was he getting to the line more often, but he was shooting at a better clip. He shot 60 percent from the free-throw line in his rookie season, but he turned that into just under 75 percent in his sophomore campaign.

Barrett is primed for a breakout performance in 2021-22. This might be the surprise on this list, but Barrett has a chance to be the star in the Big Apple playing in Madison Square Garden every night. The Knicks added Evan Fournier and Kemba Walker in the offseason to help Barrett grow even more, but this team is built on Barrett and Julius Randle. As long as Randle can move past that dreadful playoff performance, the Knicks will be in good shape this season.

Barrett can make a case for frontcourt or guard, which should help his argument to make the All-Star Team. He has all the talent to be a superstar in this league, it just seems like he has to harness that talent. Barrett has been putting the work in under Tom Thibodeau, and it will show with even more progress in his third year in the league.