The NBA has instituted yet another new format for the All-Star Game, one that will ensure there are eight international All-Stars no matter what. That could provide a way for RJ Barrett to make his first ever All-Star Game - a brand new loophole, if you will, for the Canadian wing to skate right through.
The Toronto Raptors did not have an All-Star last season as they stumbled their way through a lost year. This season the team has leveled up and is right in the playoff mix in the Eastern Conference. Scottie Barnes is their best player, but their success has largely come from a team effort, with four different players averaging between 16 and 21 points per game.
One of those players is RJ Barrett, who had a white-hot start to the season and continues to be a solid member of their new-look starting five. The six-year pro is averaging 19.1 points, five rebounds and four assists per game for the Raptors and has appeared in all 12 games to start the year.
RJ Barrett has averaged at least 19 points per game in each of his last five seasons, yet has not sniffed the All-Star Game in any one of those seasons. Interestingly enough, his teammate Brandon Ingram is the only other player in the league to match that ignominious accomplishment. While Ingram is a longshot to make the All-Star Game this season, Barrett has a real shot at breaking the streak.
The NBA's new All-Star Game rules will pit one international team of stars against two teams of American players. If everything happens to fall into place, that would neatly divide the 24 All-Stars into three teams of eight, with 16 Americans and eight international players.
Yet the NBA has a plan if that does not come to pass: NBA Commissioner Adam Silver will name additional All-Stars to the game to balance out either side. If there are more than eight international players, he will add American players to fill up the other teams. If there are too many Americans, an international player or two will be added in.
What's interesting looking at the field of potential All-Stars -- and there is obviously a lot of season to be played before these selections are made -- is that the top of the league is being absolutely dominated by international stars. The top 5 players in the league are all international: Nikola Jokic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Victor Wembanyama and Luka Doncic.
After that, however, there is a long run of American players having great seasons. From Stpehen Curry and Donovan Mitchell at the top down through breakout years from Tyrese Maxey and Jalen Duren, there are plenty of options to fill out the two American teams. That opens up the question: after the Top 5, who else will make the international team?
RJ Barrett could be picked for the All-Star Game
Lauri Markkanen is playing well but trapped on a terrible Utah Jazz team. Alperen Sengun seems like an obvious All-Star, but he could be beat out on his own team by Kevin Durant and Amen Thompson. Deni Avdija is an intriguing name but seems like a longshot. Franz Wagner is both likely to be eclipsed by Paolo Banchero and is on a wobbly Orlando Magic team. Which team would Karl-Anthony Towns play for? Is Josh Giddey going to fall off?
Even assuming that Sengun and Towns take slots six and seven, that opens up a final place for an international All-Star. RJ Barrett is unlikely to make the cut line to begin with, but if the Raptors continue to have a strong season but have zero All-Stars, could Adam Silver name Canadien RJ Barrett as the final member of the international team to honor the Raptors?
It's not unthinkable, especially if Barrett continues to play well. He has plenty of name value -- going from Duke to the Knicks will help with that -- and his scoring and playmaking should factor well into an All-Star Game format. He will need some help from his fellow international players falling off, but it's absolutely in play with the new rule.
Barrett could finally get his first All-Star nod -- thanks to the NBA yet again changing the rules.