All-Star weekend is close. Despite the Covid pandemic and the different rules implemented this season, it’s an event that everyone is looking forward to.

In every All-Star Game, there are always multiple players that miss out on the selection despite the fact that they deserve.

Whether it’s due to injuries, or just having tough competition in their playing position or just not being enough in the eyes of the NBA Coaches, there have been players that missed out though they may have deserved a spot.

This season, multiple former role players are now playing at a much higher level and are a crucial piece for their team’s success in this first half of the season.

These players have a low chance to actually become an All-Star because of the competition in their position, their record this season, or are just not winning the eyes of the coaches yet.

Here are three players that have a small case to be included in the game.

Collin Sexton

First on this one is Cleveland’s Collin Sexton.

The 22-year-old scoring guard is playing at a high level this season. Fueled by the need to prove himself, Sexton is putting up a career-high 24 points, 2.5 rebounds. 4.1 assists in 50.4% shooting at the field.

He’s the scoring leader in Cleveland and is averaging more points than Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram and Paul George.

He’s also the main reason why the Cavaliers are currently sitting seventh in the Eastern Conference with a record of 9-11.

Sexton also had the best game of his life this season when he dropped 42 points against the Brooklyn Trio of Kevin Durant, James Harden and Kyrie Irving.

Unfortunately, despite undoubtedly playing like one, Sexton’s chance to become an All-Star is very low because he’s up against the likes of Irving, Trae Young, Malcolm Brogdon who are all either playing better than him or have a better team record.

Jerami Grant

Detroit’s Jerami Grant is playing like a beast this season!

After relinquishing his role as a role player for a title contending Denver, the 26-year-old forward is now playing like an All-Star as a member of the Pistons.

Grant is currently averaging 23.6 points, doubling last year’s production of 12.0 points per game. He’s also grabbing 5.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.1 blocks in 44.8% shooting at the field.

He’s been the only silver lining of Detroit this season as they’ve been struggling right out of the gates.

He had his career-high 32 points, six rebounds and five assists performance against Atlanta last January.

Unfortunately, his individual numbers aren’t translating into wins as they’re 14^th in East with a 5-14 record.

He may not make it this year, but Grant is slowly making his name as a serious threat in the NBA.

Christian Wood 

After a superstar leaves his team, they usually get worse, but then have a shot a finding new stars.

This is exactly what happened to Houston and Christian Wood.

Even before the departure of James Harden, Wood has already been playing at a high-level but after the departure of the 2018 MVP, Wood took things to a new level.

Now, being given a bigger role, the 25-year-old forward is playing like a potential crucial piece for a championship team.

Scoring, rebounding and defending has been the bread and butter of Wood this season.

After averaging only 13.1 points last season, the undrafted forward out of UNLV is now putting up 23.6 points, 10.7 rebounds with 1.6 blocks per game in 55.3% shooting from the field.

He’s one of the main reasons why the Rockets are not too far out of the playoff picture as they’re sitting as the 10^th seed with a 9-9 record.

Wood had multiple big games this season, including a career-high game against Portland where he dropped 31 points and 13 rebounds.

As well as a 27 and 9 game against New Orleans.

Unfortunately for Wood, not only is his team not winning enough but he’s up against the likes of Anthony Davis, Williamson and Nikola Jokic which slims down his chances of making it.

But despite the possible All-Star snub, no one can deny the possible rise to stardom of an undrafted player that took the league by storm.

Do you think one of them will be selected as an All-Star? Who do you think will be the selected as a 1^st time All-Star this year? Sound off in the comment section!