Dwyane Wade to miss All-Star Game due to injury, Brandon Knight next in line?

UPDATE: Well, so much for that. Kyle Korver has been announced as Wade's replacement.  There's still a chance Carmelo Anthony's spot could open up if he sits out Sunday's all-star spectacle due to the knee that has bothered him all season, but it's generally been assumed that he'll find a way to play in front of his home crowd at Madison Square Garden.

Original, hopelessly optimistic post follows.

Dwyane Wade will miss the 2015 NBA All-Star Game due to a hamstring injury that has sidelined him for the past two weeks, it was announced Tuesday. Wade was selected by the coaches as a reserve for the Eastern Conference squad, his 11th appearance on the NBA All-Star Team.

Wade's absence means NBA Commissioner Adam Silver now has another injury replacement to name, and Milwaukee Bucks point guard Brandon Knight is widely viewed as one of the top contenders for that spot. Knight, the Bucks' leading scorer and assist man, is one of 11 players in the NBA averaging 17 points, 5 assists, and 4 rebounds per game this season. Every other player on that list has been named to the All-Star team (h/t Ball Don't Lie).

Also vying to replace Wade are Atlanta Hawks sharpshooter Kyle Korver and Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love. Korver earning the spot would give the Atlanta Hawks four players on the team. He'd be an interesting choice, being viewed as much more of a "role player" than the typical All-Star participant, but as long as he's making more than half of his three-point shots, there is no arguing with how good he's been this season. Love's numbers have dropped significantly since his days in Minnesota, but he's still one of the game's premier stars and a critical piece of a Cavaliers team that is playing much better basketball in recent weeks. Other possibilities include Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic and Charlotte's Al Jefferson.

Knight will be participating in All-Star weekend festivities either way, having been named to the Taco Bell Skills Challenge taking place on All-Star Saturday night.

For what it's worth, Knight's candidacy has some support from Wade himself, as well as others in the NBA.

Dwyane Wade says he hopes South Florida native Brandon Knight takes his spot at All-Star.

— Tom Haberstroh (@tomhaberstroh) February 10, 2015

@Bucks Brandon Knight should be Wade's replacement, he's been playing some good basketball #Udigg

— Marquis Daniels (@Marquis_Daniels) February 10, 2015

Hope they give Wade's all star-spot to B Knight..

— Jamal Crawford (@JCrossover) February 10, 2015