Odds to Be Named an NBA All-Star for 2019-20 Season: Best Bets from Locks to Longshots

• From Anthony Davis to Alex Caruso, sportsbooks have provided All-Star odds
• Which big names could miss out?
• Read below to find the best value All-Star bets

The NBA season is fast approaching. As season previews are readied and predictions made, bettors are evaluating the pre-season odds.

All-Star betting is an area that can present some handy winnings. Starting with the locks – led by new Laker Anthony Davis – this article looks through the All-Star odds from the guarantees, to fringe players like Rudy Gobert all the way to the long shots, including Lonzo Ball and Otto Porter.

While the All-Star game has come in for plenty of criticism over the years, being named on an All-Star roster is still a highlight of a player’s career. The players in the table below are expected to feature in Chicago on  February 16th 2020.

The Locks: Odds to Make All-Star Game

*All Odds taken 10/10/19

Look Out for Luka & Vucevic

Luka Doncic, the reigning rookie of the year, received a lot of fan support last season. His Dallas Mavericks are a borderline playoff team, and his numbers are expected to improve from an already impressive 21/8/6. Doncic’s case to be an All-Star is a solid one, particularly if the Mavericks overachieve.

In the loaded Western Conference, even a dazzling first half of the season from Doncic doesn’t guarantee an All-Star selection. Damian Lillard, Steph Curry, James Harden are all assured of their spots. It would be a surprise to see Westbrook miss out, and there’s a significant group of other contenders, featuring Jrue Holiday, Donovan Mitchell and Jamal Murray.

He’s a name to keep an eye out for in NBA MVP odds, but the -400 to be an All-Star is on the short side considering his competitors.

Switching to the Eastern Conference, Nikola Vucevic at -300 doesn’t represent great value. The Magic are a bit of an unknown quantity heading into the new season, and Vucevic is coming off a big year, but is he really a lock?

The East isn’t blessed with great big men beyond the superb Joel Embiid. That said, Marc Gasol, Myles Turner, Andre Drummond, Brook Lopez and John Collins are all rivals with Vucevic for that backup centre berth.

If Vucevic can reproduce the same offensive production, he’s got a good chance of winning that race. On the other hand, should the Magic find themselves in the middle of the pack, it’s not hard to see any of that quintet beating Vucevic to the All-Star bench.

Bets to avoid: Doncic (-400), Vucevic (-300)

The Fringe Players: Odds to Make All-Star Game

Drummond & Siakam Should Take the Leap

Two-time All-Star and three-time total rebound leader Andre Drummond represents very good value at +180.

Drummond is the best rebounder in the league and averaged a career-high in points last season. The main obstacle to an All-Star spot is likely to be team success.

The Detroit Pistons scraped into the playoffs last season with Blake Griffin clearly their best player. It’s not often that an eight seed gets two All-Stars, and that counts against Drummond’s candidacy. He probably needs the Pistons to overachieve to get in. That’s certainly possible this year – the Eastern Conference is open behind Milwaukee and Philadelphia.

Vucevic is the man to beat for Drummond, and while the Orlando seven-footer has the edge, their odds should be a lot closer together. The competition for the backup centre spot will be fierce this season.

At a price of +100, it doesn’t get more ‘Fringe All-Star’ than Pascal Siakam. The Cameroonian was unfortunate to miss out last season and should take another step forward this season with the team built around him. Kawhi Leonard’s departure leaves an opening at forward on the Eastern Conference roster – Siakam should be the favourite to fill that spot.

Kyle Lowry’s surprise contract extension has given an insight into the Raptors’ season. A retool – which could’ve seen Lowry, Serge Ibaka and Marc Gasol traded away – now seems unlikely.

While Toronto looked like they could be a lottery team, backing Siakam seemed riskier. The expectation should now be that they make the playoffs – maybe even as a top four seed – with Siakam as their best player. That would make him a lock to be an All-Star.

Picks: Drummond (+100), Siakam (+100)

The Longshots: Odds to Make All-Star Game

Brogdon and Porter Present Potential

Malcolm Brogdon is the first name that stands out from this list. At a longer price than his former backcourt mate Eric Bledsoe, he represents great value if he can stay healthy.

The Indiana Pacers performed admirably without Victor Oladipo last season. His return date is unconfirmed, and in Brogdon they have acquired someone who can run the offense in his absence.

Brogdon was an underrated component on the Bucks last season – he has the ability to keep the Pacers competitive while they wait for Oladipo. Once he returns, they could become one of the league’s best two-way backcourts.

I think it's important to keep our expectations in check for Michael Porter Jr.

I, for one, would be happy with him just being an All-Star as a rookie and then eventually winning MVP in Year 2.

— Ryan Koenigsberg (@RyanKoenigsberg) October 9, 2019

Brogdon, like Siakam and Drummond, will benefit from playing in the East. Kemba Walker, Kyrie Irving, Bradley Beal and Ben Simmons should occupy four of the guard spots. Lowry and Oladipo were the two others last season (with D’Angelo Russell an injury replacement). There’s going to be a space for a player like Brogdon, Zach LaVine or Trae Young. Brogdon’s odds are the pick of that group.

The ultra-talented Michael Porter Jr. has already attracted a lot of attention in pre-season. Not so long ago, Porter was the number one high school prospect in the country. Injury derailed his college career, but he was still a lottery pick, and he didn’t play last season, meaning he qualifies a rookie this year.

At +4000, it’s worth a wager. Porter can do it all. If the Denver Nuggets are a top two seed again, and Porter stays healthy, he’s got a chance. The former 14^th overall pick is more likely to make the All-Star team than Serge Ibaka, Brandon Ingram or RJ Barrett, who are all at shorter odds.

Picks: Brogdon (+750), Porter (+4000)