Rookies in this league are never a guarantee (sorry Markelle Fultz) but some have proven their worth in this league. In a previous article, I mentioned how rookies nowadays are better than previous years. This statement proves to be true due to the amount of talent the draft class of 2017 is presenting us.
My insight into the top five NBA rookies is solely based on performance thus far, but before I dive in, I have a few notable considerations that should be recognized.
Notable Considerations:
John Collins (ATL)
The Atlanta Hawks made a good move by drafting Collins, and although he hasn’t made a huge impact on the court, we all know that the kid can ball. Averaging 10 and 7, as a rookie and playing for a team like Atlanta, is acceptable. His ability to attack the basket is one of his strong suits. For a forward, his jump-shot is very consistent, and as a Hawks fan, this brings a sense of hope to the organization. With that being said, Collins is a true freak of nature and has athleticism similar to Kevin Durant and Giannis Antetokounmpo, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves. His rebounding ability is one of the main reason why he was drafted as a true sleeper at the 19th pick this past year.
Josh Jackson (PHX)
Josh Jackson is an under-the-radar player with a huge potential. His play has been all over the place because he plays behind TJ Warren who is an offensive mastermind for the Suns. Jackson has seen a shift in minutes, and with the month of February springing to an end, he’s averaging 30 minutes a game while putting up 16 points. Jackson has great potential in this league, and for the Suns organization, they’ll need to choose who they want to go with moving forward. He’s on my list of considerations because he isn’t the main option in Phoenix, but he has great potential in this league. If he had gotten more minutes earlier in the season, then he may have snuck his way into the top five.
Dennis Smith Jr. (DAL)
The guard that many say should have been drafted to the New York Knicks has been put into a tougher position than most rookies this season. With Dallas, Smith couldn’t have come at a better time. What do I mean by that? If you look at the PG position for the Mavericks, the list is rather short. Smith starts over guys like Yogi Ferrell and Seth Curry. The problem with that is Smith is the only player who is capable of being effective on the floor. Playing a strong 29 minutes a game posed a few challenges for the rookie, and with full control of the offense for Dallas, Smith is having trouble adjusting even though his numbers tell a different story. He doesn’t meet the expectations of a rookie of the year candidate, but I expect him to grow and be a consistent starter in this league.
LET’S GET INTO THIS LIST
5: Lauri Markkanen (CHI)
Despite being humiliated by Brooklyn’s Jarrett Allen, Markkanen is having himself a great rookie year. He’s a perfect fit for Chicago and playing alongside a backcourt consisting of Kris Dunn and Zach Lavine complements the seven-footer well. Not many rookies find themselves as a go-to option, but for Markkanen he’s easily the third look on offense. He has a build similar to Kristaps Porzingis, making it difficult to contain him offensively and allowing him to rebound efficiently as well. Give him two more years, and he’s the next Porzingis.
4: Kyle Kuzma (LAL)
Along with being drafted with Lonzo Ball, Kuzma has stood his ground this season. You don’t see too many forwards these days who are primary slashers, and he attacks the rim with ease. He even has a decent mid-range jump-shot to add to his arsenal. One thing that should be taken into consideration is that Kuzma pays attention to detail and knows his role. There have been numerous times where he’s came off the bench and hasn’t had a problem with it. That’s a good quality to have, and he’s gained minutes by having that mindset. Most say he’s hit the “rookie wall,” but Kuzma has held his own thus far.
3: Jayson Tatum (BOS)
I’ve mentioned before the season started that Tatum was the most NBA ready prospect in the 2017 draft, and his build is very rare to find, especially in a 19-year-old. With the way the season has gone for Boston, Tatum has been a huge part of the team’s success. When Gordon Hayward went down in the home-opener against Cleveland, it became clear that Tatum would have to take on a bigger role. His size, strength, and versatility are impacting his level of play in a positive way. Tatum went into a system where everything was being put into place, and Brad Stevens, Kyrie Irving, and Al Horford helped guide the rookie and created a lot of trust within Boston. Tatum has been put into multiple late-game situations where he’s had the ball in his hands or has been a part of a play that impacted the outcome of a game. How many rookies have been in those positions? His team is a top contender in the east, and Tatum has been a huge part of that.
2: Ben Simmons (PHI)
Technically Simmons isn’t a rookie, but according to the league he is, and for that reason, he’s at the number two spot for many reasons. He’s extremely talented, and all-around PG like him hasn’t been seen since Magic Johnson. Constantly flirting with triple-doubles, Simmons is able to impact a game in so many ways. Alongside Joel Embiid, Simmons is a large part of the team’s success, and while other teams in the East are tanking, Philadelphia sees ’s themselves contending for the first time in years.
1: Donovan Mitchell (UTA)
Doing what Mitchell does at 6’3″ is something that shouldn’t be overlooked while considering who’s a top candidate for rookie of the year. His explosiveness is beyond his years, and referencing Vince Carter in the dunk contest gained him some fans. I think the two should be compared closely when it comes to finishing at the rim because they’re similar in a number of ways. Now, I can state the obvious and tell you that Mitchell leads all rookies in scoring, he has multiple 30-point games, but that’s too obvious. His resume already looks impressive, but he’s at number one on my list because of his height. The kid can shoot the lights out and attack the rim with aggression. I mean is there an archetype for that on 2K that won’t be considered cheating? He’s the messiah of Utah, giving people no time to mourn the loss of Gordon Hayward. They have to start remembering the name Donovan Mitchell.