The 2025 NBA All-Star Game is Sunday, February 16, at Chase Center in San Francisco. Golden State Warriors fans will be losing their minds cheering for a Stephen Curry MVP in the only All-Star Game he’ll ever play on his home court. All while, about 635 miles up I-5, Portland Trail Blazers fans will watch, wondering how long until one of their own is back in the NBA’s midseason contest.
Throughout the years, Portland has built a rich history of grooming All-Stars. Damian Lillard, who will be in San Francisco on Sunday representing his hometown, Oakland, was and remains an All-Star staple. His seven appearances while on the Trail Blazers are second only to Clyde Drexler’s eight, and prior to Dame, the team had LaMarcus Aldridge, Brandon Roy, and Rasheed Wallace scattered post-2000.
Today, with a young and developing core, the Blazers are searching for their next star to break into the prestigious event.
Could Portland’s next All-Star already be wearing a Blazers jersey? Or will the team need another new piece to get itself back in on the action?
Let’s take a look.
Scoot Henderson
If you look at Scoot Henderson’s entire body of work through one-and-a-half seasons, he’s been disappointing. But his recent play has started to change the narrative around him, especially whenever he’s inserted into the starting lineup.
Overall, in what feels like a sign of things to come, Scoot’s confidence has grown. With it, his decision-making has improved. He’s playing more in control, starting to limit turnovers, and is showing flashes of why he was a highly touted prospect (and highlight machine) with G League Ignite.
If his trends continue, it should convince people that his rookie struggles were growing pains—not a sign that he’s a bust. Because Scoot really has all the physical tools to be a star, including size, speed, explosiveness, strength, and an overt determination to dominate.
Shaedon Sharpe
Shaedon Sharpe’s career arc has fascinated fans ever since his missed solo season at Kentucky. He entered the league with a uniquely refined, smooth game for someone as raw as he was. And as he’s steadily improved his skill set, the memorable moments are becoming memorable box scores, and it feels like his ceiling is rising as a result.
Of course, the next step for Sharpe, as with most of the current Blazers, is consistency. There are nights when he looks like a future star, and the future is closer than we think. But there are stretches where he lurks less in the shadows and more simply gets overshadowed.
If Sharpe can sustain his production and improve his playmaking and his long ball, he’ll have a real shot at making an All-Star Game, as he’s already the proud owner of a style of play tailor-made for All-Star Weekend.
Deandre Ayton
Throughout his career, Deandre Ayton has shown flashes of All-Star-caliber play. He was the starting center on the Phoenix Suns’ NBA Finals team. He was a No. 1 overall pick who fell out of favor with the team that drafted him, and while he has struggled at times to earn over Portland, he’s also had some incredible games and stretches that look straight out of an All-Star’s game log.
While Ayton hasn’t reached the All-Star level yet, you know general manager Joe Cronin was hopeful that a change of scenery could help unlock his full potential.
If Ayton can shed the reputation about his motor and remain a double-double threat, his next chapter has a chance to include an All-Star appearance.
Anfernee Simons
As Portland’s longest-tenured player, Anfernee Simons has grown into a lead scorer who forces defenses to respect his shot off the catch, his shot off the dribble, and his playmaking.
That said, breaking into the All-Star ranks as a guard in the Western Conference isn’t easy, and Simons feels like he needs to evolve from lead scorer to elite scorer during the second half of his 20s.
Jerami Grant
Jerami Grant has been a high-level contributor for years, dating back to his days with the Detroit Pistons, but he never seems to be on a serious contender. That’s hurt his All-Star status throughout his career.
Today, Grant is arguably the Blazers’ most polished player as a multi-faceted scorer. However, at 30 years old, he’s missed his best window for an All-Star selection.
Toumani Camara, Deni Avdija
Assuming the Blazers don’t become sudden contenders next season (and assuming Grant is perhaps traded off the roster), the small forward/power forwards with the better shot would be Toumani Camara and Deni Avdija.
If Camara develops into a regular offensive threat to complement his already elite defensive chops, he could become a niche fan-favorite well outside Rip City.
And Avdija, while potentially already near his ceiling, plays with an enthusiasm and offensive authority that coaches would love to vote for if he becomes a top-three Or even a top-four scorer on a contender.
Donovan Clingan
If you’re like me, you’re happy to put unrealistic expectations on Donovan Clingan. Don’t worry, I’m also happy to wait it out while we slog through losses, off-games, and DNPs. I’m in no rush. But I think there’s something special to his game, and I’m happy to dream big.
Making an All-Star Game would mean Clingan has checked every single one of the following boxes: Defensive Player of the Year contender, reliable three-point shot, playmaker off the elbow, dominant screener, elite rebounder, strong pick-and-roll finisher.
That is a lot to ask for. But like I said, if you’re like me, you’re not afraid to ask. Because I think there’s a reality where Clingan answers.
2025 NBA Draft Class
Portland will likely end up with a 2025 NBA Draft lottery pick. If they land either Cooper Flagg or Dylan Harper, the Blazers would have an immediate new leader in the All-Star quest.
Ace Bailey and V.J. Edgecomb could come in and be instant options, too.
Is the Portland Trail Blazers’ Next NBA All-Star Already On the Roster?
I’m going to do something with the Blazers that I haven’t done in a while.
I’m going to be an optimist.
At this point, I’d bet that the Trail Blazers’ next All-Star is on the roster. Right now. Today.
Despite a fear from fans that this roster lacks direction, I think there’s something positive forming. For the record, I reserve the right to change that status if Portland lands Flagg or Harper in June’s draft.
But the larger point is that I believe there is one, perhaps two, possibly even three players on the current team that can reach All-Star status. And I think those top two could really battle it out.
Most Likely Candidate
Scoot Henderson stands out as the most likely long-term option. As the team’s potential future leader, he has the highest ceiling if he can develop into a star playmaker and scorer. He also has the charisma of someone who could genuinely be the face of the league.
That, of course, likely won’t be Scoot’s fate, but that characteristic and confidence could help land him plenty of All-Star votes down the road.
If you’re looking for a second-place candidate, Shaedon Sharpe is right there behind Scoot. And frankly, reasonable minds could debate if he’s ahead of him as well. Natural scoring ability and athleticism make Sharpe a high-upside wild card, and his dunks alone will gain him a bigger national audience at some point.
Also, I’m putting a lowkey bet on Cling Kong. Clingan’s style of play doesn’t scream All-Star, but I think he can add wrinkles to his game that get him closer, and I think he has the potential to be one of the league’s great rebounders and rim protectors.
Notable Omission
The most notable omission from top-three consideration is Anfernee Simons. That may be more of a bet that he’s traded and less of an indictment against his future All-Star status. But I also think he’s closer to his ceiling than Scoot, Shaedon, or Donovan. And I think he’s more CJ McCollum than Dame Time.
The Big X-Factor
Of course, making an All-Star team is about more than just stats. Winning matters. Captivating audiences matters.
If the Trail Blazers become a more competitive team over the next couple of seasons and grow their audience, Scoot or Shaedon, in particular, will increase their All-Star chances significantly.
If they can’t, those odds will shrink.
Do you have as much faith as I do that Portland’s next All-Star is already on the roster?
Hit the Oregon Sports News comments to share your take.
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