Will Trae Young (left) and Tyrese Maxey be selected as reserves for the East All-Stars this season?
Periodically, NBA.com editors will offer their thoughts on key storylines or hot topics around the league.
Who are your Eastern Conference All-Star reserves?
Editor’s Note: The All-Star reserves will be officially announced Thursday night on TNT (7 ET).
> Trending topics: selection of West All-Star reserves
Steve Aschburner
- Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks
- Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers
- Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics
- Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat
- Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic
- Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers
- Julius Randle, New York Knicks
When I submitted my media ballot to the league, I had Brunson as a starter, so he’s automatic for me here. The others’ cases are explicit cases, either as second-best players among top contenders (Maxey, Brown) or as leading men on higher-tier teams (Adebayo, Banchero, Mitchell). The toughest call for me was Randle’s old-school impact against Trae Young’s scoring/passing combo play. The Knicks’ team success tipped the scales in Randle’s favor.
Brian Martin
- Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks
- Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers
- Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics
- Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat
- Julius Randle, New York Knicks
- Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers
- Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic
When we were selecting our starters, I debated Brunson or Maxey for my second guard next to Tyrese Haliburton. With Damian Lillard getting the nod, I have them as backup guards. In the first zone, Brown gets Celtics second spot, especially with Kristaps Porzingis missing double-digit games. Bam Adebayo has the numbers and versatility on both ends.
Randle will likely be replaced due to his shoulder injury but is recognized here. Donovan Mitchell was an easy choice; he was there with Brunson and Maxey as go-to guards. The final spot had several candidates: Trae Young, Derrick White and Scottie Barnes were considered, but Banchero got the nod, leading the Magic to over .500 near the 50-game mark.
Shaun Powell
- Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers
- Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks
- Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics
- Julius Randle, New York Knicks
- Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat
- Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers
- Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks
Let’s not waste any bytes explaining the obvious (Mitchell, Brunson, Maxey, Brown, Adebayo, Randle) and get straight to the point. polarizing choice, which would be Young. I understand why people are mad at him, like he’s the reason the Hawks are fading (he’s not). Regarding Atlanta’s place in the standings, I give more importance to the team record for the big awards (MVP, Defensive, All-NBA, etc.) than for All-Star. Hence, a pick-and-roll maestro averaging 27 points and 10 assists enters. Sorry, Paolo Banchero. Your time is coming.
John Schumann
- Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat
- Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics
- Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks
- Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers
- Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers
- Julius Randle, New York Knicks
- Derrick White, Boston Celtics
The top three candidates – Brunson, Maxey and Mitchell – are all guards. Randle is the only candidate to put pen to paper in the frontcourt, with Adebayo and Brown doing so despite having fewer resumes than a year ago. Last place goes to Whitebecause defense and efficiency matter, and the best team in the league has been to his favorite with him on the ground. Paolo Banchero narrowly misses the cut, as the Magic’s success relies more on defense and excellent bench play, but with Randle injured, he might get a spot anyway.
Michael C. Wright
- Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks
- Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers
- Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat
- Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic
- Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics
- Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers
- Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks
It could be argued that Brunson and Mitchell both deserved to be starters. The same could be said for Maxey, one of the favorites for Kia’s Most Improved Player award. These three deserve to be All-Stars, as each player in the trio plays an important role for the top five teams in the Eastern Conference. A two-time All-Star, Brown is Jayson Tatum’s true co-star on the best team in the East. It belongs. Julius Randle, Myles Turner and Kristaps Porzingis each deserved consideration for the final three spots. But entertainment value rules for the NBA All-Star Game. SO, Adebayo, Banchero and Young fit the bill in this regard.
