NBA: 5 East players who could become first time All-Stars this season

#4 Josh Richardson

Josh Richardson of the Miami Heat.

The 40th overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, Josh Richardson has come along way in four years in the league. After an up and down first two seasons in the league, Richardson established himself as one of the franchise cornerstones of the Miami Heat last season. He showed everyone that he deserved the four-year, $42 million deal that Heat gave him in the summer of 2017.

In his fourth year in the NBA, Richardson is a having a career year by averaging 20.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.3 steals for the Heat. He is also shooting 41.1 percent from deep and 84.4 percent from the charity stripe.

With the Eastern Conference lacking in star power, Richardson could sneak into the final All-Star spot or as a potential replacement if someone gets injured. While a losing record does not help his case, Miami has the knack for turning it around especially after New Year.