UCLA Men’s Basketball: Expert Predicts Ex-Bruin Will Be 2024 All-Star Starter

In a season preview for the Chicago Bulls, a few team experts predicted that one member of the team had a chance to make the All-Star team in the Eastern Conference.

Mentioning a possible hot take for one former UCLA product, the prediction that Zach Lavine could be a starter for the mid-season classic was one made by the Cash Considerations podcast earlier this month.

"Zach Lavine starting the All-Star Game for the East. Last year, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant started in the East and now they're both in the West. You look at the rest of the guards in the East and yeah you could pencil Trae Young in there or Donovan Mitchell. Maybe James Harden. Haliburton in the mix. But I'm going Zach Lavine. I think Zach is poised for a big time year. We are going to be obnoxious online about it.

via Cash Considerations Podcast

Mentioning a bounce back season with more time removed from his recent knee surgery, the former Bruin missed out on an All-Star nod in 2023 after appearing in the contest the prior two seasons.

Since becoming a Bull in the Jimmy Butler trade from Minnesota, Lavine has averaged nearly 25 points with over four rebounds and assists per contest on 47/39/84 splits.

Such efficient scoring hasn't exactly led to much playoff success in the Windy City for Lavine's six year tenure there, but individually he seems poised for another great campaign.

Pairing alongside Demar Derozan and Nikola Vucevic for another season, the trio will look to navigate yet another season without another former Bruin great.

Though Lonzo Ball's absence has been sorely missed in Chicago, the Bulls have another UCLA phenom to hopefully get them back into a playoff spot.

Even with such stiff competition, Lavine looks ready to re-establish himself as one of the best players in the NBA in 2024.