NBA: 5 players who could blossom into All-Stars in 2020-21

De’Aaron Fox, Sacramento Kings

The Sacramento Kings have been condemned to mediocrity for what seems like forever, and that doesn’t look likely to change heading into next season. However, Sacramento fans should continue to be excited about the development of De’Aaron Fox. The former Kentucky standout has improved every season since being drafted No. 5 overall in 2017, and there’s no reason to believe the trend won’t stick moving forward.

Coming off a 2019-20 campaign in which he averaged 21.1 points and 6.8 assists per game on an efficient 48 percent rate from the field, the sky is the limit for Fox, who turns 23 later this month. The lightning-quick guard’s role in Sacramento’s offense should only increase in 2020-21, given Bogdan Bogdanovic’s absence and Buddy Hield’s ongoing feud with the front office. He won’t get an All-Star nod by his win tally, but his numbers may take a big enough leap for him to be in consideration.

The Kings clearly believe in their franchise cornerstone, as both sides agreed to the max five-year, $163 million extension in free agency. Perhaps sooner rather than later, he will be able to end their nightmarish streak of missing every postseason since 2006.