This rookie draft class is as deep as one may think. There are many great rookies who are proving to be difference-makers for their respective teams. Who is performing the best, though? Here are TGH’s picks for the top ten rookies in the NBA.
Number Ten: Jalen Green
Green hasn’t been the greatest player this year but he has been given the most opportunity. He’s averaging 15.3 points, 3.0 boards, 2.2 assists, 0.6 steals and 0.2 blocks a game. His shooting has been alright, shooting a shade below 40% from the field, 32% from three and 82% from the line. The shooting has definitely gotten better since the beginning of the season but he still doesn’t do a whole lot besides score the ball. Expect Green to continue getting minutes for the rebuilding Rockets.
Number Nine: Davion Mitchell
Mitchell has been very up and down this season but his role remains steady at 24.8 minutes a game. His tenacious defense is very fun to watch and once he gets his offense up to speed, he can easily be one of the best two way players in the league. He is averaging 9.2 points, 2.2 boards, 3.3 assists, 0.6 steals and 0.2 blocks a game on 39% from the field, 30% from three and 66% from the line. Once Sacramento keeps losing games, expect Mitchell to see a bump in minutes at the end of the season. Despite being behind Tyrese Haliburton and De’Aaron Fox, his ceiling remains high at the moment.
Number Eight: Alperen Şengün
Sengun is one of the more fun prospects in this entire rookie draft. He is regarded as a “Baby Jokic” because of his nice passing and offensive abilities. However, he isn’t getting a whole lot of minutes due to Coach Silas opting to play Christian Wood and Daniel Theis. As weird as it sounds, Sengun has looked very good when given the minutes. He is averaging 9.0 points, 4.8 boards, 2.6 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.9 blocks a game. The shooting splits aren’t half bad either: 50% from the field, 30% from three and 70% from the line. Not to mention, he’s averaging only 18.4 minutes a game. His per 36 stats are very promising as well: 17.6 points, 9.3 boards, 5.1 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.7 blocks a game. Wood is said to be on the block so just be patient with him.
Number Seven: Omer Yurtseven
Yurtseven is an undrafted rookie who the Heat happened to snag. Pat Riley is just a natural when it comes to finding hidden diamonds in the rough. Over the last month, Yurtseven has been averaging 9.1 points, 12.3 boards, 1.8 dimes, 1.0 steals and 0.6 blocks a game on 45% from the field and 63% from the line. Over the last week, He upped his averages to 11.3 points, 15.3 boards, 2.8 dimes, 1.7 steals and 0.5 blocks a game. He’s also the first rookie since Shaq to put up 15+ boards in four straight games (16.3 boards a game over the last week). This guy looks insane and Spoelstra has a decision to make once Bam Adebayo and Dewayne Dedmon come back.
Number Six: Herb Jones
Jones has been a very pleasant surprise this season for the tanking Pels. He is averaging 8.5 points, 3.8 boards, 1.9 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.0 blocks a game. His defense is terrific for a rookie and his disruptive playstyle is very important for this club. The absence of Zion Williamson has opened up a ton of opportunity for the 23 year old rookie and he has not disappointed one bit this whole season. Due to his unexpectedly good season and consistent defensive play, he has rendered Naji Marshall and Nickeil Alexander-Walker nearly useless. Expect Jones to continue getting big minutes while Williamson continues rehabbing his foot.
Number Five: Josh Giddey
Giddey has been so fun to watch lately. The kid is a triple double threat every night and it’s quite amazing that he’s a rookie. Over the season, he’s averaging 11.1 points, 7.5 boards, 6.4 dimes, 1.0 steals and 0.5 blocks a game on 40% from the field, 28% from three and 68% from the line. Over the last couple of weeks, he has been averaging some hefty numbers: 13.0 points, 10.0 boards, 8.3 assists and 1.8 steals a game. Giddey is not your average rookie and his game is much more mature than one may think. Expect Giddey to continue averaging over 30 minutes a game for a team that’s looking towards the lottery.
Number Four: Cade Cunningham
Cunningham missed some part of the beginning of the season. He definitely hit the ground running when he was inserted into the starting lineup, though. He’s averaging 15.2 points (third among qualifying rookies), 5.9 boards, 5.3 assists, 1.3 steals and 0.6 blocks a game on 38% from the field, 31% from three and 84% from the line. The percentages are tough to swallow but his heavy volume and his stat-stuffing ways are like no other. Cunningham is must-watch television whenever he hits the floor and once he reaches his full potential, who knows what he’s capable of.
Number Three: Franz Wagner
Wagner turned a switch and now, he’s a candidate for the ROTY award. He’s currently leading all rookies in points per game and remains one of the premier rookies in this league. Wagner is averaging 15.7 points, 4.7 boards, 2.6 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.5 blocks a game on 45% from the field, 36% from three and 84% from the line. How this guy is this efficient and this good so early on is anyone’s guess but he might be the best rookie on the Magic at the moment. Suggs has his work cut out for him.
Number Two: Scottie Barnes
Barnes was a surprising pick in this past draft. However, he may have been the best selection that day. Barnes has somehow gotten better and better after every single game and his offensive game took a major leap forward compared to his college days. He is averaging 14.7 points, 8.0 boards, 3.5 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.9 blocks on 48% from the field, 32% from three and 71% from the line. He’s averaging a heavy 35.5 minutes a game so his opportunity is beyond massive in Nick Nurse’s. Expect Barnes to be one of the top two candidates for Rookie of the Year,
Number One: Evan Mobley
Mobley has been the defensive anchor and one of the main reasons Cleveland is in the playoff race right now. He is averaging just about the same numbers as Barnes: 14.8 points, 8.1 boards, 2.5 assists, 0.8 steals and 1.8 blocks a game. He’s shooting 50% from the field, 30% from three and 73% from the line. Mobley is beyond a rookie and looks like a seasoned vet in all honesty. What’s also fun is that he’s starting next to fellow center Jarrett Allen (listed at 6’10) and Lauri Markkanen (listed at 7’0). This lineup is proving the small-ball theory wrong and Mobley is a huge reason why. Mobley and Barnes are going to be fighting neck and neck for the ROTY award so it’s going to a fun race to watch.
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