Jayson Tatum Discusses If LeBron James Should Start 2026 NBA ASG, Talks Michael Jordan-Vince Carter

Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum is firmly in favor of Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James being part of the NBA All-Star Game even though James wasn't named an All-Star starter for the first time since 2006.

Tatum made his remarks during a lengthy interview on The Pivot Podcast that covered a host of topics (53:19 mark). His comments followed a question about whether he thought a player would step out of the starting lineup and let James take his place.

"It depends. We don't know if it's 'Bron's last year. Not seeing 'Bron in the All-Star Game don't seem right. If it's his last year, obviously he should still be a part of All-Star Weekend. And I do think if he gets put in by the coaches and if it is his last year, like they did with [Michael Jordan] on his last year, I think Vince Carter gave up his starting spot, I think that's just the right thing to do."

Tatum was referencing the 2003 NBA All-Star Game. The 2002-03 season was Michael Jordan's last-ever campaign. He wasn't voted in as a starter, but Allen Iverson, Tracy McGrady and Vince Carter all offered to take his place. Eventually, MJ started in place of fellow UNC Tar Heel in Carter, who initially balked at the idea before changing his mind.

"My decision was to start," Carter said, per the Associated Press. "After a while I sat back and thought about it and said, 'Hey, this is his last one, he is the greatest player and I'm going to get this opportunity to come out here and play again.'

"This is a chance for me to tell all my fans thank you very much for voting for me, but he deserves it, he deserves it."

In the present day, James was not named an All-Star Game starter for the first time since 2006.

Through 28 contests, the 41-year-old is averaging 22.4 points on 50.7 percent shooting, 6.7 assists, 6.0 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game.

Those are very good numbers, especially considering that James is in his 23rd NBA campaign and dealt with sciatica on his right side that cost him the first four weeks of the regular season and perhaps led to a slower start to the year before he's picked it up of late.

Those figures aren't all All-Star Game starter numbers in an era where offense is shining and 16 players are posting 25 or more points per game.

That being said, this year offers a greater opportunity for James to start.

This year features a USA vs. World format with two American squads and one international team. All three teams will have eight players (at minimum): 16 American players and eight international stars total.

The three team will all play each other via round robin, and the two best-performing teams will then face off in a championship game to decide the winner.

Although James wasn't named a "starter," technically, he can still start anyway.

There are 10 American starter spots over two teams. Right now, five Americans have been named as starters: Tyrese Maxey of the Philadelphia 76ers, Cade Cunningham of the Detroit Pistons, Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors, Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks and Jaylen Brown of the Boston Celtics. Half the starter spots remain, and they'll presumably be picked out of the reserve pool.

NBA head coaches are responsible for naming 14 reserve players to fill out the rosters. James could be in that pool.

In addition, in theory, coaches may not pick enough American players to fill out the 11 remaining U.S.A roster spots that need to be filled.

If that happens, commissioner Adam Silver would step in, per a press release announcing the format.

"If NBA All-Star voting does not result in the selection of 16 U.S. players and eight international players (which can include American players with ties to other countries if necessary), then NBA Commissioner Adam Silver will select additional All-Stars to join either group to reach that minimum. In that case, at least one team would have more than eight players."

So, if James isn't pick as a reserve, and the American team needs at least one more player, Silver could choose him to be on the team.

To make a long story short, although James wasn't named a starter, it's very possible he's named a starter anyway. It seems likely he'll at least make the game as a reserve, and with five American starter spots still open, one can surmise he'll be getting one given his legacy.

This year's All-Star Game will take place on Sunday, Feb. 15 in Los Angeles' Intuit Dome, home of the Clippers.