Welcome to the club: 4 players set to make All-Star debuts in Toronto

The 2016 NBA All-Star Game in Toronto will feature several high-profile names who have become staples at the yearly exhibition, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, and Carmelo Anthony among them.

Joining them north of the border will be four first-timers, ready to leave their mark on a highlight-filled, occasionally competitive showcase.

This won't be the last time the following players will take center stage during All-Star Weekend:

Kawhi Leonard

The San Antonio Spurs are fortunate to have their "Big Three" of Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, and Tony Parker all still playing at a high level. The offseason addition of LaMarcus Aldridge gave head coach Gregg Popovich another elite toy at his disposal, and further solidified the Spurs as a title contender once again.

With all of those pieces rolled into one, it almost seems crazy to think that a 24-year-old in just his fifth season in the league has become the team's most important player and the face of San Antonio's long-term future.

To be fair, Kawhi Leonard isn't just any 24-year-old kid. In fact, he's the first player in NBA history to have a Finals MVP and Defensive Player of the Year award to his name before being named an All-Star - a feat we'll likely never, ever see again.

Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr recently called Leonard "the best two-way player" in all of basketball. Good luck disputing that.

Draymond Green

We can talk endlessly about the play of reigning NBA MVP Stephen Curry and the legendary campaign he's having for the defending champions. The bottom line, though, is that the Warriors wouldn't be where they are now in the standings if not for Draymond Green.

A second-round pick in 2012 who still feels he should have gone much higher, Green continues to play with a giant chip on his shoulder, which makes a player of his skill all the more dangerous.

The NBA's triple-double leader (8) does just about everything for the Warriors, whether it's moving the ball in transition, attacking the glass, playing lockdown defense, or knocking down buckets from deep. His scoring numbers won't blow you away, but playing alongside "The Splash Brothers" limits what he can do offensively.

Andre Drummond

The Motor City's man in the middle has a great deal more breathing room around the basket with ex-teammate Greg Monroe now a member of the Milwaukee Bucks.

"Moose" was a consistent double-double threat for the Detroit Pistons, putting up 16.2 points and 9.8 rebounds last season. Now that he's out of the picture, those extra opportunities have fallen in the hands of Drummond, who has 20 games this season with 17 or more rebounds after having 23 all of last year.

There's monsters, and then there's Drummond. Just go back and watch his 25-point, 29-rebound performance against the Indiana Pacers to further appreciate the sheer presence he has when he takes the floor for his 25-21 squad.

Isaiah Thomas

The All-Star Game hasn't had a player of Isaiah Thomas' stature suit up in 37 years, joining Calvin Murphy of the Houston Rockets as the only guards under 5-foot-10 to make the team.

The Boston Celtics are often viewed as a team devoid of stars, and rightfully so. General manager Danny Ainge has constructed a roster full of complementary pieces who have meshed together to form a credible middle-of-the-pack playoff team in the East's playoff picture.

Perhaps that thought process will change now that Thomas - the lowest draft pick of any All-Star since the league went to two rounds in 1989 - has elevated his game to the degree he has. He's a top-5 scorer in the conference at 21.6 points per game, while his 6.6 assists rank third.