Predicting future All-Star appearances for Thunder's current roster: Sky's the limit

Chet Holmgren will be an All-Star

The Oklahoma City Thunder were a Play-In team last season, and they are in the mix for the No. 1 seed this year. The primary thing that changed was inserting Chet Holmgren into the lineup. The rookie big man has been everything the Thunder could have hoped for, a steady outside shooter with ball skills, passing chops and touch around the basket. On defense, Holmgren is already among the best interior defenders in the league. A generational superstar is playing his rookie year and Holmgren might still win Rookie of the Year.

The presence of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams will elevate the team's success, helping Holmgren's case, but interestingly enough it may keep his role small enough for him not to absolutely dominate statistically over the next decade. Even so, Holmgren will be a perennial Defensive Player of the Year candidate, a strong offensive player, and likely play on a Top-4 seed each and every season. He will make his fair share of All-Star Game appearances.

Prediction: 6 All-Star appearances

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will be an MVP

At the age of 25, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is not only playing in his second All-Star Game, he is starting and jostling with Nikola Jokic as an MVP frontrunner. Last season he was named to the All-NBA First Team at the age of 24; the list of players who can claim that distinction are almost all in the Hall of Fame (or heading there).

Gilgeous-Alexander has already stepped onto the top tier of NBA guards; the question now is simply longevity. As with his teammates, the fact that the Thunder look set up for consistent success for a decade or more will only strengthen his case for making numerous All-Star appearances.

Chris Paul made 12 All-Star teams in his career. Stephen Curry has made 10 and counting. Dwyane Wade made 13 and Jason Kidd made 10, as did James Harden and Ray Allen. Allen Iverson made 11 teams in his career. Russell Westbrook made it to nine games, and Damian Lillard is at eight. Barring a devastating injury, SGA should be in line for double-digit appearances given his team's success and how much he has already accomplished.

Prediction: 11 All-Star appearances