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Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green made the NBA All-Star team for the fourth time in his career. The former Defensive Player of the Year has been a major part of Golden State's successful campaign so far. Unfortunately, Green is dealing with a calf and back injury that will prevent him from playing on February 20.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver will select the replacement for the 3-time NBA champion. As it happens every year, there are snubs that don't make the initial cut of 12. But they'll get a chance to get the nod with Green not able to suit up. With that said, here are the three best replacement options for Draymond Green on the Western Conference All-Star pool.
3 best replacements for Draymond Green on West All-Star team
1. Dejounte Murray
Dejounte Murray is having his breakout campaign for the San Antonio Spurs. On the season, the 25-year old is averaging 19.6 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 9.2 assists per game. He and Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic are the only players averaging at least 19-8-8 this season.
Perhaps the biggest reason why Murray was initially snubbed is because of San Antonio's placing on the league standings. All-Star selections by coaches typically account winning, which the Spurs haven't done as much this season. San Antonio is just at 20-34 on the season and is on the outside looking in on the play-in tournament.
By all accounts, Murray is having an All-Star caliber campaign. He has improved in each of his five seasons in the league and is playing the best individual basketball of his career this season. It's time for the NBA to give him that recognition.
2. Anthony Edwards
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Anthony Edwards isn't one to lack confidence. The Minnesota Timberwolves sophomore will be the first to tell you should've made the All-Star team outright.
The Timberwolves are having one of their best campaigns over the last decade and a half. And this is due to the emergence of Edwards as a franchise cornerstone for this team alongside 3-time All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns.
Edwards is one of the most colorful personalities in the NBA. He's also one of the fastest rising stars in the league today. On the season, the 20-year old is averaging 22.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 3.6 assists.
Edwards will be in Cleveland to compete in the Rising Stars. He even went first in the draft of the revamped tournament. Adam Silver might as well include him in the All-Star game if he wants to Edwards sky-rise for some nasty dunks in the main game. He would be a great option as a replacement for Draymond Green.
3. Anthony Davis
The Los Angeles Lakers are having a disappointing campaign. They are just at ninth in the West with a 25-28 record on the season. And while Anthony Davis is part of the problem due to the amount of time he's missed, it's hard to discredit that he's been playing like an All-Star whenever he sees the floor for the Purple and Gold.
On the season, Davis is averaging 23.6 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks. He's been a monster over the Lakers' last four games with averages of 29.5 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks.
With LeBron James out, Davis has had to carry a huge chunk of the offensive load for Los Angeles, while also playing elite defense on the other end of the floor.
It might be hard for Adam Silver to leave out a perennial All-Star like Davis on the team. It also helps that Davis is playing on the team with arguably the largest fanbase in the NBA. As a Draymond Green replacement, AD seems to make sense.
