Top 3 Players Who Could Replace Harden on East All-Stars

Now that James Harden has been ruled out of the NBA All-Star Game in Cleveland this coming weekend, a spot has opened up for a deserving replacement. So who should get the nod from commissioner Adam Silver? We present the 3 top options:

Pascal Siakam

The former All-Star has simply been playing like an All-NBA beast. The Toronto Raptors' 2020 2nd-team All-NBA forward is averaging 22 points, 8.7 rebounds and 5.2 assists. And the numbers since Jan. 1st have been even better: 24 points, 9.3 rebounds, 6.1 assists. He's been pretty much unstoppable in the paint, and has also been shooting threes at a 42% clip over that 23-game span. The Raptors are 8-1 in their last 9 games.

Jarrett Allen

Considering the game is being played in Cleveland, Allen would be the sentimental and crowd favorite. But make no mistake, he has had an All-Star worthy season. At 16 points and 11 rebounds a game, with defense and rim protection that has helped the Cavs to the 3rd-best defensive rating in the league, Allen also would be a deserving choice.

Jaylen Brown

Brown has helped lead the Celtics to an 8-game win streak, while averaging 23.5 points, 6.6 rebounds and 3.2 assists this season. Brown would pick up a cool $1.4M bonus if he makes the All-Star team. And besides, his teammates are certainly pulling for him.