The J-Notes
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Which current/former Utah Jazz players could be All-Stars in 2018-19?

By Jared Woodcox

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 17: (EDITOR'S NOTE: Image is a digital composite created by layering in Photoshop) Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz dunks the ball during the Verizon Slam Dunk Contest during State Farm All-Star Saturday Night as part of the 2018 NBA All-Star Weekend on February 17, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 17: (EDITOR'S NOTE: Image is a digital composite created by layering in Photoshop) Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz dunks the ball during the Verizon Slam Dunk Contest during State Farm All-Star Saturday Night as part of the 2018 NBA All-Star Weekend on February 17, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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BOSTON – DECEMBER 25: Boston Celtics’ Gordon Hayward comes out to greet the crowd before the start of the game. The Boston Celtics host the Washington Wizards in a regular season NBA basketball game at TD Garden in Boston on Dec. 25, 2017. (Photo by Jessica Rinaldi/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
BOSTON – DECEMBER 25: Boston Celtics’ Gordon Hayward comes out to greet the crowd before the start of the game. The Boston Celtics host the Washington Wizards in a regular season NBA basketball game at TD Garden in Boston on Dec. 25, 2017. (Photo by Jessica Rinaldi/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) /

Gordon Hayward

I know, Jazz fans. Just the guy you were looking forward to seeing on this list. But let’s be honest, especially in a shallower Eastern Conference, had Gordon Hayward remained healthy last season, he almost certainly would have qualified for the All-Star Game. He’ll need health and a solid recovery to be on his side this year, but that statement holds true once more. If he can be 2016-17 Hayward, he’ll be an All-Star.

Although the Western Conference is undoubtedly more daunting and deep than the East, there’s still plenty of talent to be found there. When it comes to an All-Star selection, Gordon Hayward will face stiff competition from the likes of Kawhi Leonard, Kyle Lowry, Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, Victor Oladipo and even his own teammates such as Kyrie Irving and Al Horford, to name a few.

But his 21.9 points per game on 47.1 percent shooting from the field and 39.8 percent shooting from deep that he posted in his last All-Star campaign will easily be more than enough to get him in despite the surrounding talent in the East. That’s especially true in a Boston Celtics system where he should thrive under a coach that knows him very well.

Of all the players on this list, past and present, make no mistake about it, if Gordon Hayward is healthy in 2018-19, he’s a near shoo-in to be an All-Star this upcoming year.

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