Trail Blazers' chances of having a player in the All-Star Game just skyrocketed

The Portland Trail Blazers' roster depth has already been on full display early on in the 2024-25 season. Portland can win in a variety of ways, between Dalano Banton's multiple fourth-quarter performances, career games from Shaedon Sharpe and Donovan Clingan, or other x-factors stepping up. They're deep, long, athletic, and defensive-minded. But until they get an All-Star level player to lead the way, the Blazers are always going to be a step behind in the loaded Western Conference.

Portland is still years away from having an actual All-Star on their team, whether they get that through the draft or the internal development of someone such as Sharpe, Clingan, Scoot Henderson, or even Toumani Camara with the way he's played to start the season. However, they could potentially have players representing the team and playing in the All-Star game due to a new format change that the league is considering.

The NBA is considering a new All-Star Game format

ESPN's Shams Charania reports that Commissioner Adam Silver and league officials are considering implementing a change to the All-Star Game, which has been relatively unentertaining the past few years due to the lack of effort. Last year, the final score was at an all-time high of 211-186 to put the lackadaisical defensive effort into perspective.

Charania writes, "The NBA is in serious discussions on a new tournament-style format for the 2025 All-Star Game, consisting of three All-Star teams of eight players each and the winner of the Rising Stars game, sources told ESPN on Friday."

Since becoming a commissioner in 2014, Silver has been open to experimenting and implementing changes to improve the NBA, with the SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament and Emirates NBA Cup being examples.

What this means for the Blazers

The Rising Stars teams consist of rookies, sophomores, and G League players who are selected by assistant coaches and the league office. Throwing them into the mix could create a higher level of competitiveness. It would also create intriguing storylines and allow fans to see how the up-and-coming players who "have next" stack up against the current All-Stars in the league.

For the Blazers, three players that could potentially make the Rising Stars team include Henderson, Camara, and Clingan. Last season, both Henderson and Sharpe made the Rising Stars team, although Sharpe was unable to play due to injury.

If Camara were to make the team, he'd be an extremely useful addition as a 3-and-D wing. He's known to guard the opposing team's best player frequently, and they'd need all the defensive help they could get. Clingan, like many defensive-minded centers, is one of those players who is more exciting to watch in real game action rather than this type of event. But it would still be great to see any of these players get recognition, as the Blazers have an underrated rebuilding core.

The NBA All-Star Weekend will take place at the Chase Center in San Francisco beginning Feb. 14, with the All-Star Game on Feb. 16.