2023 NBA All-Star Game Mock Draft: Team LeBron vs. Team Giannis (Full Selection)

As the years pass on, the NBA looks to evolve its product. That is the case another year as the league announced a slight rule change for this year’s All-Star Game. For the last several years, the All-Star Game rosters have been drafted by team captains. For the sixth consecutive year, LeBron James will serve as a captain but will not select his team until Sunday. 

Kevin Durant suggested last year that captains should select their teams directly ahead of the All-Star Game on that same day played. In the past, a presentation of the two captains was broadcasted. James will get the first selection because he was the leading vote-getter, while Giannis Antetokounmpo will serve as the opposing captain. Antetokounmpo has served as a team captain two times but is searching for his first win. He is currently 0-2 against Team LeBron up to this point.

So far, James has won every year since the new rules. James is 5-0 as a captain and will be searching for his sixth straight win and third straight win over Antetokounmpo. The way the draft will work is that each captain will draft from the starter’s pool. After the five starters have been drafted, the captains will draft from a pool of reserves to complete their bench. Athleticism, relationships, and competition all go into these selections. If we had to mock out how this process went, this is likely how the 2023 All-Star Game draft will go. 

Starter Pool

Luka Doncic, Nikola Jokic, Lauri Markkanen (replacement for Zion Williamson), Ja Morant (replacement for Stephen Curry), Donovan Mitchell, Jayson Tatum, Kyrie Irving, Joel Embiid (replacement for Kevin Durant)

Let’s see who will LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo select from the starter pool. Because of the rule, LeBron James will select first.

No. 1 Pick: Team LeBron Selects Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks

Star power always leads the way. There is no bigger star than Doncic right now. Doncic is averaging a league-leading 33.3 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 8.1 assists per game. He is shooting 50.5% from the field. Doncic can run the point and let James return to the forward position. James doesn’t want to dominate the ball during this game. He can draft a player that can do that for him with the efficiency to back it up.

Going a little bit deeper, Doncic is potentially the most popular player in the world outside of James. While players are drafting teams to win, they take into account the other tangibles. On the floor, Doncic is the best overall scorer, so having that offense would be a huge plus.

No. 2 Pick: Team Giannis Selects Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics

The fact that Giannis is big is going to impact his first selection and not take a big. He needs to add a non-post player to the mix because that is where Giannis owns the league. Selecting Tatum is the best overall option available, and someone that can take the small forward position. Tatum is averaging 30.6 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 4.5 assists on the year. He is shooting 35.7% from three-point range, so it adds a bit of outside shooting. The idea of selecting Nikola Jokic could be tantalizing, but other post options on the board will fall to him, so he can spare his pick on a forward that will bring a lot to the table.

Tatum is having a great season as he is leading the Celtics to the best record in the NBA. He is also just a great overall player. Playing with Tatum would be like playing with an improved Khris Middleton, who is a former three-time All-Star in his own right. That familiarity should make it easier to select Tatum with his first overall selection.

No. 3 Pick: Team LeBron Selects Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets

This will be deja vu for LeBron. This was his second starter pick last year and the No. 3 overall selection. The two-time MVP will be available because of Giannis’ need for help at other positions. That will allow LeBron to steal the 2021 and 2022 MVP selections. That would appease fans because it would give the world the Luka Doncic-Nikola Jokic pairing that all fans in the world would love to see on the same team. 

This would potentially give LeBron the best overall passing team in the game. For starters, Doncic is an outstanding passer in his own right, but Jokic is averaging a triple-double right now. Jokic is averaging 10.1 assists, which is third-best in the NBA. Pair that with 24.7 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 10.1 assists; it could be the greatest stat line ever. Don’t forget James led the league in assists in 2020 as well.

No. 4 Pick: Team Giannis Selects Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers

This all depends on if Embiid plays because Embiid said he is “not healthy” in recent reports. For the sake of the argument, Embiid would need to be selected because LeBron took a center. While Embiid is the only center left, he is also the best overall player as well. Embiid is second in the scoring race at 33.1 points per game. Having Embiid and Giannis together would be a tough defensive squad to score on as well. 

If Embiid plays, he deserves to be taken this high. He is averaging 33.1 points, 10.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.5 blocks. That includes a 53.7% shooting percentage with a 35.5% mark from downtown. The 76ers star is unstoppable and would need to be drafted to go head-to-head with Jokic on the other side.

No. 5 Pick: Team LeBron Selects Kyrie Irving, Dallas Mavericks

Originally, Irving was a starter for the Eastern Conference because the rosters were announced before he was traded from the Nets to the Mavericks. Drafting Irving would give the team a respectable shooting guard. What makes this an easy choice for LeBron is familiarity. Irving and James played together in Cleveland, making three consecutive NBA Finals from 2015 to 2017 and winning a title in 2016.

Irving was reported to want to go to the Lakers when he issued his trade demands. The Nets refused to honor those requests and traded him to the Mavericks. It even prompted a response from LeBron after the deadline about the trade. The idea of playing with Irving will still be thought of, and this will be seen as a potential preview for if Irving joins the Lakers in free agency. What better way to reunite the flame of Irving and LeBron rumors than getting drafted, right?

No. 6 Pick: Team Giannis Selects Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies

Getting Morant at six is a huge steal because this is a perfect relationship on the floor. Morant’s ability to drive to the basket will set up so many pick-and-rolls. Morant is going to have a field day driving to the rim from screens from his two big men. Not to mention, Morant is a skilled passer as well and can feed his two bigs. Morant is fifth in assists with 8.3 per game. 

Morant is also averaging 27.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 1.0 steals per game. Having Stephen Curry would be nice, but getting Morant as the starting point guard would be great too. Morant has handles and explosiveness and knows what to do in the lane. He’ll have great chemistry with his teammates here.

No. 7 Pick: Team LeBron Selects Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers

LeBron’s ties to Cleveland would remain relevant here. Along with Irving and James, he would keep the Cleveland ties rolling with his selection of Donovan Mitchell. The All-Star shooting guard from Cleveland would give Team LeBron a “small ball” lineup that would flourish from James and Jokic as the bigs. LeBron can play the power forward position and could help feed the scoring of Doncic, Irving, and Mitchell. 

Mitchell is averaging 27.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 4.9 assists. He also brings a second outside scoring threat to the team. Mitchell is shooting a career-high 38.7% from three-point range. With guards flying all over the place, guarding this team will be difficult. This selection, it completes the starting lineup of Doncic, Irving, Mitchell, James, and Jokic.

No. 8 Pick: Team Giannis Selects Lauri Markkanen, Utah Jazz

Team Giannis will be big, no doubt about that. However, Giannis would get another solid player to fall to him. Markkanen is shooting 51.2% from the field and 41.2% from three-point range. Before this pick, the team would be lacking in outside shooting. Now, the team finally has a spot shooter that completes the team.

With Embiid and Markkanen on each side, it provides bugs that can stretch the floor. The team also has three solid rebounders, as well as Markkanen is averaging 8.6 per game this season. With Markkanen falling to the last starter’s pick, it completes the starting lineup of Morant, Tatum, Markkanen, Antetokounmpo, and Embiid.

Reserve Pool

Bam Adebayo, Jaylen Brown, DeMar DeRozan, Tyrese Haliburton, Jrue Holiday, Julius Randle, Pascal Siakam, Paul George, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Damian Lillard, Domantas Sabonis, Jaren Jackson Jr., Anthony Edwards, De’Aaron Fox

Giannis Antetokounmpo will select the first reserve for his All-Star team.

No. 9 Pick: Team Giannis Selects Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers

Since LeBron got the first pick for the starters, Giannis will get the first pick for the reserves. There are only a handful of players averaging over 30 points per game in the league. “Dame Time” is one of those players. Lillard is a veteran in this league that is respected by many players. Having shooters on the team is something Giannis will need to address, so why not take advantage of the first pick of the reserves pool by getting someone who proves he can handle it?

Lillard is fourth in scoring this year with 31.4 points per game. He is also shooting 37.2% from three-point range, so that adds another proven outside threat. Having a backup point guard that can shoot this well is a luxury. Then again, this is the All-Star Game.

No. 10 Pick: Team LeBron Selects Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat

With three guards, LeBron will need to add another post player. Adebayo is a two-way hustle player that is averaging a career-high in points and a double-double. Adebayo is averaging 21.6 points and 10.0 rebounds. With his Miami Heat ties, it will make it easier to select Adebayo as a member of his team.

Adebayo would give Team LeBron a defensive option for Giannis. For now, the team doesn’t have a true defensive stopper. Granted. The All-Star Game often lacks defenses, but when the game is heading toward the final parts, the defense turns up. Team LeBron will need a rim protector to make sure they can hold on to the win if they are given the opportunity.

No. 11 Pick: Team Giannis Selects Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder

With another 30-point scoring guard left on the table, Giannis will jump at the chance to bring another proven shooter to the fold. SGA is having a great season, averaging a career-high 30.8 points with 4.7 rebounds and 5.7 assists. He is fifth in the scoring race and would give Giannis more offensive options if the team is failing to score outside.

Rolling Lillard and SGA together would not be a bad idea, either. Both can mix and match at the point or the two-guard. One of these players will probably sub in quickly, given that the starting lineup is missing guard play. If a deficit occurs quickly, look for one of these two to spark a flame off of the bench.

No. 12 Pick: Team LeBron Selects Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics

LeBron will keep Brown from playing with his Celtics teammate in Tatum by drafting him here. Brown is the best available scorer on the board. He is averaging a career-high 26.5 points per game. That includes shooting 48.7% from the field with a career-high 7.0 rebounds as well. LeBron can cover a rebounding whole but also bring a talented wing as well.

Brown brings versatility to this lineup. He would fit in with the small-ball lineup. Most importantly, he is just a fun player to watch. He has consistently improved his scoring and rebounding each of the last four years. When given opportunities, he is going to convert.

No. 13 Pick: Team Giannis Selects Paul George, Los Angeles Clippers

With back-to-back guards, it would be a good idea to snag a forward. George gives Team Giannis a perfect punch of scoring and “big” tangibles. George is averaging 23.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 1.5 steals. Snagging George, it brings a 38.3% shooter from three-point range.  

By this point in the draft, Team Giannis is taking care of his limitations from the starter’s pool. The lack of three-point shooting is getting addressed with Markkanen, Lillard, and George. This will give Giannis some ease about potentially defeating LeBron for the first time at the All-Star Game.

No. 14 Pick: Team LeBron Selects Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers

The common theme for LeBron’s team is that the ball movement is far superior. To bolster the team’s passing abilities, LeBron will take the up-and-coming star in Haliburton. With 19.9 points and 10.1 assists, Halliburton is averaging a double-double for the first time in his career. He is also averaging 39.9% from three-point range to add another sharpshooter.

Haliburton will also bring energy to the team. While some veterans like to play off this game, this is his first appearance. How many times have we seen youngsters pedal to the metal? The team might need a spark. Not to mention, having a double-double guard come off the bench will be useful for running the offense as well.

No. 15 Pick: Team Giannis Selects Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento Kings

After shoring up the lineup with some shooters, Giannis will need to eventually add another post player to the mix. What better way to add a player that is replicating your rebounding game? Currently, Sabonis is tied with Giannis for the league lead in rebounds at 12.3 per game. If Giannis needs to come out of the game and needs a player to take up the rebounding responsibilities, he can at least trust a player that is doing exactly what he is doing this regular season.

Sabonis is averaging 18.8 points and shooting 61.1% from the field as well. What Sabonis also brings is an average of 6.9 assists as well. If he is playing with a string of shooters, the team can trust he is capable of getting the ball into their hands.

No. 16 Pick: Team LeBron Selects Pascal Siakam, Toronto Raptors

LeBron will react to the post-player selection by taking a post-player of his own. Jokic will need a backup, and Siakam can provide minutes. Siakam is having a career season offensively by averaging 25.2 per game. That also includes 7.8 rebounds and 6.1 assists. Even though Siakam is not as gifted as a passer as Jokic, he can fill the void at center with a respectable number.

Siakam is originally a power forward, so he could slide into that position and move LeBron or others to the point guard position. His versatility as a passer gives more flexibility to the lineup. Given how many minutes he plays, Siakam can provide valuable minutes.

No. 17 Pick: Team Giannis Selects Jrue Holiday, Milwaukee Bucks

By now, Giannis will have allowed his Bucks teammate to slide down long enough. There will be some laughs, and we might even hear a joke about Giannis not wanting to “overdraft” Holiday. The familiarity component will be a huge factor, but Holiday is a great player in his own right. 

Holiday is averaging 19.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 7.1 assists. He is also shooting 38.1% from three-point range. This gives the team another shooter from outside, but it also gives him a chance to play with his friend.

No. 18 Pick: Team LeBron Selects Julius Randle, New York Knicks

Randle’s play this season has him back at the All-Star Game. Randle is averaging 24.8 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 4.1 assists. Bringing a point guard to New York, Jalen Brunson, has certainly helped take a load off.

With plenty of guards on this team, Randle should be equipped to provide some production as well. Randle’s outside shooting (33.8%) has taken a dip this season, but we know he is capable of shooting from outside (41.1% during the 2020-21 season).

No. 19 Pick: Team Giannis Picks Jaren Jackson Jr., Memphis Grizzlies

Since Morant is on the team, Giannis will continue to use familiarity to complete his roster. Morant and Jackson have led the Grizzlies into contention for a top seed this season. Their play has made the Grizzlies a very good team, so why break that up?

In theory, Jackson gives the team the best overall rim protector. Jackson is leading the league with 3.3 blocks per game. He is also averaging 16.9 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.1 steals. It’s his first time shooting 50.2% from the field since his rookie season. All in all, this pick makes sense at this stage of the draft.

No. 20 Pick: Team LeBron Selects DeMar DeRozan, Chicago Bulls

DeRozan’s availability will be limited as DeRozan continues to nurse a hip injury that has lingered for weeks. LeBron will not let the veteran drop any further by adding him to his team here. DeRozan is the “midrange king” of the NBA. If DeRozan can play a few minutes, he will easily give the team some easy midrange buckets.

DeRozan is averaging 25.4 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 5.1 assists for the season. He is shooting 50.7% from the field as well. The team has plenty of outside and inside options. Adding the midrange choice solidifies the team.

No. 21 Pick: Team Giannis Selects Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves

Giannis doesn’t need another point guard, so he will use his last selection on Edwards. In his third season, Edwards is proving he is a reliable swingman in the league. Edwards is averaging a career-high 25.7 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 4.5 assists. That includes a 46.5% shooting percentage with 36.6% from three-point range.

With two players left, choosing Edwards gives his team another scoring threat. With Morant and Holiday on the roster, the team doesn’t need to draft another point guard. This will complete the reserves for Team Giannis with Lillard, Gilgeous-Alexander, George, Sabonis, Holiday, Jackson, and Edwards.

No. 22 Pick: Team LeBron Selects De’Aaron Fox, Sacramento Kings

Being a replacement player comes with some baggage of potentially getting picked later. Fox is no slouch, though. He has scored at least 30 points in all of his last four games. In his first All-Star season, Fox is averaging 24.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, 6.2 assists, and 1.1 steals. That includes shooting 50.7% from the field.

Assuming Fox gets some playing time, he brings value with his slashing to the rim. For his career, Fox has averaged 19.9 points and 6.2 assists. Not a bad player for a last pick. With Fox’s addition, this completes the reserves for Team LeBron with Adebayo, Brown, Haliburton, Siakam, Randle, DeRozan, and Fox.

2023 All-Star Rosters

Team LeBron

Starting Lineup: Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, Donovan Mitchell, LeBron James, Nikola Jokic

Bench: Bam Adebayo, Jaylen Brown, Tyrese Haliburton, Pascal Siakam, Julius Randle, DeMar DeRozan, De’Aaron Fox

Team Giannis

Starting Lineup: Ja Morant, Jayson Tatum, Lauri Markkanen, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Joel Embiid

Reserves: Damian Lillard, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Paul George, Domantas Sabonis, Jrue Holiday, Jaren Jackson Jr., Anthony Edwards

Who Will Win The All-Star Game?

For the first time in his career, Team Giannis will defeat Team LeBron. For the first time in six years, LeBron’s team will falter. The reserves on Team Giannis will complement the post players on the team. Giannis hit home runs by drafting Lillard, SGA, Holiday, and Edwards. Each of those players will play big role.

The experiment of Doncic and Jokic will not work despite public support. The reserves do not have enough outside shooting to hang with Team Giannis. The All-Star Game MVP is going to be Giannis himself. He is going to take advantage of the space freed up from guarding the three-point line. Giannis will finish with a line of 34 points, 12 rebounds, and three blocks to win his second All-Star Game MVP in three years.

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