(Translator's note: The Athletic writer Sam Vecenie, the views expressed herein do not represent the views of translators and platforms.) ）
The 2021-22 NBA regular season is over, so it's time to dig deeper into how rookie players have performed this season. Their performance is amazing: Oh my God, what an incredible rookie.
At last year's draft, I thought it might be the strongest rookie in a long time. And it turns out that they didn't disappoint. Scotty Barnes won Rookie of the Year, and I have no problem with that because he did so well in the closing stages of the season. Evan Mobley has maintained a high level of defense throughout the season. Cade Corningham and Jaylen Green each performed well for a while and made the most impressive impressions. The performances of other rookies have also had a huge impact. But beyond that, I think there are all the signs that the depth of this rookie is outstanding. I think in previous years, there were about 16 players who qualified for the Rookie Team, which is almost equivalent to the number of rookies in the last two years. But guys like Corey Keypoint and Jonathan Cumminga are likely not going to get a lot of votes, which is a difficult choice, given that they also did exceptionally well late this season.
Here, I will rearrange the top 20 of this year's rookies based on my current assessment of them. It's worth noting that the assessment here is not based solely on their rookie season performances, but also on how they overcome their weaknesses and how they grow and mature.
It's a ranking based on their long-term development, not their rookie season performance. For example, while I think Franz Wagner's rookie season was more comprehensive than Jaylen Green's, given green's ability to create shooting opportunities at the end of the season, it's never possible for me to rank Wagner ahead of Green now. Green looks like the kind of player who can one day lead the league in scoring per game. Also, while I think Herbert Jones is one of the six most influential rookies of the season, in the long run I'm skeptical that he can improve on the offensive end, so I can't rank him in the top six of this rookie season.
Gossip aside, here's my re-listing of the NBA's 2021 rookies, a ranking that I believe will satisfy every fan and will never let me retire for a day because I can't accept the different opinions in the comments section and the "attacks" fans have made on me through Twitter.
First pick: Cade Cunningham | defender | Detroit Pistons | actual pick: first pick
Given that the latter two rookies have been consistent and outstanding this season, Cade Conningham is not the best rookie of the season in my mind. But in the long run, I'm still bullish on him, he's the player worth betting on in this rookie season, and his excellent performance at the end of the season is the biggest reason. I don't think any rookie has had a performance this season that rivals that of Corningham's at the end of the season. In the final 21 games of the season, he averaged 21 points, 5.8 rebounds and 6.4 assists per game, shooting 45 percent from the field.
Cunningham's three-point level didn't live up to expectations, but in the long run, I'm not worried about that at all. He suffered an ankle injury at the start of the season and it was extremely difficult to fully recover. His shots are very smooth and his steps are good, which makes him an efficient stop-and-go shooter. After playing with the ball cover, he can also effectively read the defense and keep the ball running on the offensive end. He was selfless. He doesn't form an assist by simply dribbling and passing to his teammates, but by constantly moving the ball on the outside or assisting teammates by breaking points. In addition to his contributions on the offensive end, he is also an efficient defender who can change defenses, which allows him to take on more difficult defensive tasks in key moments.
Once the shot improves, Corningham's all the potential will allow him to be very efficient in the playoffs. He's one of the top ten players in the league that I'm most bullish on this rookie season.
Second pick: Scotty Barnes | forward | Toronto Raptors | actual pick: fourth pick
At the start of the draft, I thought Barnes would be selected with the sixth pick because as a scorer his offense still needs to be strengthened. But he's a great defender, a passer, and a threat in terms of switching offenses, and I appreciate his abilities. He's the kind of player who can win by playing with him because he can make his teammates better. He is a "Swiss Army knife" and can play a number of different roles. In his rookie season, he showed all his strengths, and he quickly became a good defender with the ability to change defenses. But I didn't think he was going to be the team's main scoring option at the time, and I felt he had limited upside on the offensive end.
As it turned out, I was dead wrong. Barnes, who is just 20 years old this season, averaged 15.3 points per game and is already a huge improvement on the offensive end than he was at prep school and Florida. He's a shooting player with the ability to shoot from mid-range, and he can also hit shots from 14-18 feet. According to Synergy's statistics, Barnes actually shot 56.6 percent from within 17 feet, the league's top level. He's only 30.1 percent from three-point range, but he's shown enough value in the stop-and-jump shot that I think his ceiling on that front is very high. What impresses Barnes most impressive is his versatility. If the Raptors need someone to organize the offense, Barnes can play point guard; if the Raptors need to put a small lineup, Barnes can also act as a big man in the small lineup, covering teammates, and even sometimes even standing in the fifth position. He's a valuable part of the team, and the potential he's shown to create shooting opportunities this season has seen him climb higher and higher on this rookie list.
I'll pick him as rookie of the year, and he looks like the Raptors' signature player right now, especially since he has a great work ethic. If he can continue to improve in creating shooting opportunities, then his ceiling must be to become a top ten player in the league.
Third pick: Evan Mobley| Center | Cleveland Cavaliers| Actual Pick: Third pick
For most of the season, Mobley was my best rookie until Barnes caught up at the end of the season. Why? Just because of one word: defense. Mobley was justified in the all-defensive team in his rookie season, and he and center Jarrett Allen raised the team's defense to the top seven in the league. In my opinion, Mobley's defense is still a bit far from the top level, because during the time when Allen was out of the league due to injury at the end of the season, the Cavaliers struggled a bit on the defensive end, which shows that Allen has contributed more to the team's elite level of defense than Mobley. I believe Mobley will be named to the NBA's All-Defensive Team for many years after the age of 23. I would be surprised if he hadn't won a Defensive Player of the Year award once in his career. He has a lot of the abilities that the modern NBA needs big players: he can change defenses, he can also assist, and his blocking ability is also very prominent, and he has averaged 1.7 blocks per game this season, ranking sixth in the league.
For me, Mobley as the cornerstone of the team is one notch lower than Cunningham and Barnes because I think he still needs to improve in terms of creating shooting opportunities and shooting. He's averaged 15 points and eight rebounds per game this season, but most of his offensive tactics are what traditional big men have: empty cuts, fixed dunks, blocking and down to the basket offense, switching to a teammate pass offense or pointing shots. Mobley's shooting this year is a big problem. According to synergy's website, Mobley's catch shot was only 29 percent from the field, and the emergency jump shot was only 38 percent. That's the direction he needs to improve in the future, and he has to hit those shots. But overall, in the future, Mobley will be selected to the NBA's All-NBA Team, along with Cunningham and Barnes. To choose between these three is tantamount to picking a bone in an egg.
Fourth pick: Jaylen Green | guard | Houston Rockets| actual pick: second pick
I thought Green would be selected with the fourth pick at the beginning of the draft. At the beginning of the season, Green's performance was a bit difficult, but fortunately, he gradually adapted to the rhythm of the game and began to be able to hit shots steadily, which also allowed him to stay in the fourth pick. For a 20-year-old young player, it is very difficult to create good shooting opportunities by having the ball cover or singles. His first step was extremely explosive, he was able to rely on athleticism to get rid of defenders, and he had excellent hand feel and incredible physical control, but he also needed to hone his shooting or finishing ability to really reach the level of a top player. In this season's half-court offensive, Green shot only 51% from the basket. According to synergy's website, Green is only ranked 170th in efficiency out of 209 players in the league who have made at least 100 shots under the basket in a half-court positional attack. In addition, before January 31 this year, Green was one of the least efficient players in the league to shoot a stop jump shot (among the 122 players in the league who shot at least 100 stop jump shots, Green shot only 36.4% from the field, ranking 112th). In addition, his defense at the beginning of the season was not very good.
But in the second half of the season, the final 32 games to be exact, Green's performance was very prominent, telling people why he was selected by the Rockets with the second pick. During that time, he averaged 20.7 points and 3.1 assists per game, shooting 47.3 percent from the field and 39 percent from three-point range. He is more comfortable on the offensive end, and he can also break through to create fouls and find his own accustomed rhythm of the game. He slowed down, knowing how to find his familiar position to shoot instead of attacking recklessly. These are the progress great shooting guards need to make early in his career, and Green quickly did it, which is a testament to his prowess. Compared to the three rookies in front of him, I appreciate his ability to attack and defend well, which will play a huge role in the playoffs. I think Green is the fourth rookie of the year to be named to the NBA's All-NBA Team in the coming season.
Fifth pick: Franz Wagner| forward | Orlando Magic| actual pick: eighth pick
There is no doubt that Wagner was named to the All-Rookie Squad for a while. His arsenal is very rich and he is a player who can help the team win. I think he's just one notch below the top four rookies in terms of creating shooting opportunities, which is why I prefer to see the four of them as a long-term asset to the team. But throughout the season, Wagner has been doing well and has the opportunity to become a very competitive player in the future. As a 6-foot-9 forward, he shoots 35 percent from three-point range. He was well-rounded enough on the defensive end to always be in the right defensive position. He can also finish under the basket. He has averaged 15 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3 assists per game this season, which is relatively comprehensive in statistics and still has room for improvement in the future.
The key point of Wagner's progress is how to do better in handling the ball when blocking and dismantling, and in this area we have seen some of his shining points this season. As he goes a step further, I think he could be a player who averages 20 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists per game. If he can play such a statistic, coupled with an efficient defense, he will definitely be able to enter the All-Star discussion. Magic management has a high opinion of Wagner, who is also the cornerstone player who will lead the team forward in the future.
Sixth pick: Josh Kitty| guard | Oklahoma Thunder | actual pick: sixth pick
The Thunder (who chose Kiddy) are definitely making a lot of money. Kiddy has been very good as the main point player at different times, showing his all-roundness and feeling at the top of the game. He's arguably the smartest player in this rookie, and he and Cunningham are clearly two brilliant basketball prodigies. There have been a lot of humble moments this season that show How Kitty thinks about the game at different levels than most young players. But one of the moments that struck me was when, with seven seconds left in the Game against the Lone Rangers in February, Kidy served from the sideline and he signaled Kenridge Williams to go to the bottom line and there was a big gap. So Kiddy threw a 40-foot pass that accurately passed into williams' hands, who completed the layup to help the Thunder tie the score.
Kiddy has averaged 13 points, eight rebounds and six assists this season, and he's been even better in the first 21 games the team kept him off to recuperate. I'm not sure if I should predict that he'll be named to the NBA's All-NBA Team in the future, but he's definitely a very talented player who can help the team win in the playoffs once his jump shot ability is enhanced. It is rare for a player at this age to be able to adapt so quickly to this highest level of league.
Seventh pick: Jonathan Cumminga | forward | Golden State Warriors| actual pick: seventh pick
Now let's talk about a very explosive player. While Cumminga's role with the Warriors is very limited, his performances will make you jump up with excitement every time he plays. In the final 30 games of the regular season, he was an absolute "monster," averaging 13 points and 4 rebounds per game, shooting 52 percent from the field and 35 percent from three-point range. The Warriors have always tended to let young players develop slowly, and that's no problem for Cuminga.
In short, his ability to cut in and attack without the ball fits perfectly with Kerr's attacking system. His teammates will always find him near the bottom line waiting for an opportunity to attack. He can also sometimes hit three-pointers to punish opponents' defenses. It's worth mentioning that he did all this on a championship favourite team. I hope that in the future he will improve his ability to handle the ball and increase his creativity in holding the ball. By that day, he's far from just seventh in line. While he may not be able to compete with the top four picks of this year, he has a huge upside like other rookies in the picks. I think Cumminga's lower limit is probably a little lower, which is why I ranked him behind Kiddy and Wagner. But I wouldn't be surprised if he became yet another All-Star for the Warriors.
Eighth pick: Jaylen Sagas | defender | Orlando Magic | actual pick: fifth pick
Judging purely from the performance of the rookie season, Sargas should not be ranked so high. He's only a measly 21.4 percent three-point shooting percentage this season, and his ability to finish under the basket is mediocre, with a poor 47 percent shooting percentage from the basket in half-court offense. He tried to make adjustments and ended with more throws, but the shot shooting percentage was only 30%. His catch and dribble shots were not very good, shooting only 24 percent from the field and only 31 percent from the mid-range jumper. Basically, it can be said that there is no improvement in his shooting. You could say he shot badly because his shooter had a broken thumb, but that reason only worked after he was injured. Before his injury this season, he only shot 26 percent from three-point range, so it's clear he needs to make leaps and bounds in shooting and scoring.
So why did Saggers still finish eighth? That's because I appreciate what he does besides his ability to finish. I'm still more bullish on him. He brought his athleticism into the NBA. He has a strong explosive and bouncing power, which helps him gain a position advantage. Although, like other rookies, he needs to improve in decision-making, he is generally very good at passing. On the defensive end, he's also very good. Judging by his performances this season, he has the potential to be selected for the best defensive team in the future. Simply put, he is a rookie defender who needs to play an important role in a bad team, but his finishing ability is somewhat lacking. I still think he has a chance to be an All-Star in the future, but in this offseason, he needs to polish his jump shot skills and strengthen his ability to finish after the breakthrough. My concern is that his lower limit is lower than I expected him before the draft because his jump shots were far worse than I thought.
Ninth pick: David Mitchell| defender | Sacramento Kings| actual pick: ninth pick
Having Mitchell is equivalent to having a defensive "evil worm" on the defensive line. From his first day in the league, he made opposing defenders feel uncomfortable attacking. By the end of the season, people stopped paying attention to the Kings, but in the final 25 or so games of the regular season, Mitchell had evolved into a great defender, even on the offensive end. In the last 35 games of the season, he averaged 15 points and nearly six assists per game, with about two turnovers. In his last 14 games, he exploded, averaging 18 points and eight assists per game. What's even more impressive is that in these games he shot decently, shooting 46 percent from the field, 35 percent from three-point range and 78 percent from the free throw line, respectively.
Mitchell looks like he's already the starting point guard for an NBA team. Although his size limited him, I think he deserves to be named to the All-Rookie Team with his rookie season performances. With him about to turn 24 before the start of next season, all of his space may not be as big as the other rookies mentioned above. But he's hard-working, and if he can be a player with 15 points, seven assists and a tough defense in the future, it's clearly worth it to pick him up with the ninth pick.
10th pick: Trae Murphy | forward | New Orleans Pelicans| actual pick: 17th pick
Murphy is the kind of player who can help teams win in the playoffs. The Pelicans made their way to the playoffs at the end of the regular season, and Murphy showed his worth as a team bench during that time. He's not just a good three-point shooter; he's going to be one of the league's elite three-point shooters. He has a long arm span and excellent lateral movements, so he gives the team a solid defense. In the last 16 games of the regular season, when the Pelicans launched their final assault for the playoffs, they desperately needed Murphy to step up. He doesn't lose sight of it, averaging 10 points and 3 rebounds per game, shooting 46 percent from the field and 45 percent from three-point range. Plus, you can feel that the Pelicans are significantly better when Murphy is on the court. He makes sense of everything. You can't let him go no matter where he is, or he could hit a three-pointer.
It's hard to find a real 3D player. Murphy is already one of them, but if his body can get stronger, then his defense still has room to improve. His footsteps were good, but now opponents can easily push him away. He needs to learn to dribble and to read defense when it comes to passing. As a 6'9 striker, he still has huge upside, he can open up space on the court and hit shots with unusual ease – much easier than a 6'5 shooter. I'm totally bullish on Murphy's long-term potential. Murphy is a very important player in the Pelicans' renewed team, especially when Zion returns, and they need to have more shooters around him.
Eleventh pick: Herbert Jones | forward | New Orleans Pelicans| actual pick: Thirty-fifth pick
Given Jones' excellent performances this season, ranking Murphy above Jones may be somewhat controversial. He does have a reason to be named to the All-Rookie Squad for a while. He gave the Pelicans rock-solid defense and has become one of the upper-up outside defenders in the league. Last year I thought he was going to be drafted in the first round in large part because of his defense, but I didn't expect him to make such a big improvement defensively after he entered the NBA. He is an elite-level no-ball player, who also dares to make moves, and has an incredible ability to change defenses, even against opponents who are difficult to defend in position. Defensively alone is enough to get him into the top 15 of this year's rookies.
But ultimately, given that he's older than some of the other rookies, his performance on the offensive end is a problem, so I put him in that position. In the playoffs and playoffs this season, we've seen players defending Jones keep him some distance or let him go to assist. This defensive approach worked because Jones wasn't enough to bring a shooter-like offensive threat. If his shooting abilities can be strengthened, then he will be one of the wing role players in the upper and middle of the league. But if not, he's still a valuable player because he's good enough on the defensive end. I look forward to being named to the Defensive Team of the Year several times in his career and achieving what he deserves as a pick-up player." I have to say that the Pelicans really made a lot of money in selecting Jones with the thirty-fifth pick.
Twelfth pick: Moses Moody| guard | Golden State Warriors| actual pick: Fourteenth pick
Where to put Moody's is a headache. He was not 20 until the end of May. This season he plays for a title-contending team with limited playing time. But he did quite well in his limited playing time. In his starting 11 games, he averaged 22 minutes per game and scored 10 points, shooting 59.6 percent from the field. He never looked flustered on the defensive end. He is efficient in decision-making and shooting. In addition to this, he also played in the G League for a while, and his performance was also very prominent, showing that there was no problem in playing at that level with his quality.
I ranked Moody very close last year and thought he should be the seventh pick. I'm still bullish on his talent, and I think the Warriors' selection of him and Cuminga was a smart move.
Thirteenth pick: Zaire Williams | forward | Memphis Grizzlies | actual pick: tenth pick
Williams, 20, who started as the Second Seed of the West for nearly half a season, is a young, dynamic winger who can use his height, arm span and speed to play a role on the defensive end. The team usually put him on the defensive for smaller defenders and flanks, and he largely succeeded in his mission. He even played a small role on the team in the playoffs because his ability to change defenses was good enough. He's also a keen passer and he knows what he's doing on the pitch. In a high-pressure environment, it's hard to find a more reliable 20-year-old like him, but Williams has done it.
What position Williams can place in this rookie has to do with his jump shot ability. He prefers outside shots, averaging four three-pointers per game, but shooting only 31 percent from the field. Williams has some breakthrough ability, but if his jump shot ability is enhanced, then it will unleash more of his breakthrough potential and may also give the Grizzlies a flanking offensive initiator of their dreams. Williams still has a long way to go to achieve this goal, but once it is achieved, he will not just be in the thirteenth pick. His upper limit is still very high, and his lower limit is also very stable.
Fourteenth pick: Alpiran Sague| center | Houston Rockets | actual pick: Sixteenth pick
Sagu's output this season has been incredible, averaging nearly 10 points, six rebounds and three assists in 21 minutes per game. In fact, he has room to rise on the offensive end because his hands are very agile and able to put the ball into the basket. He has a rare field view and is able to complete the attack through hand-handed passes after dribbling in the neutral zone and outside. He can also make balls for other big men on the team. As an interior, he is physically fit, and although he is a little small in the center position, he can still keep the basket.
So why did he only come in the fourteenth pick? My concern is whether his defense will be able to adapt to the high load of playoff games. While Jaylen Green has been improving defensively throughout the season, Sague has been terrible defensively. I think Stephen Silas should let Sargudo play a dozen, he needs to bear the pain of growing up, but I also understand to some extent why Silas doesn't trust Sagu's execution. His lateral movement speed is poor, and his overall footsteps need to be improved. His hands are good, but I think his position is not good. Sagu still has a long way to go to reach a certain level on the defensive end so that it doesn't become a liability in the playoffs. I think he's better on the offensive end, so I'm putting him in such a high position.
I'm skeptical about how Sagu will behave at key moments. When drafting, I usually tend to think of these players as "players who can play 16 good games" rather than "players who can play good games all season." Sagu is very young and skilled, and he may become the former, but now he is more like he is moving in the direction of the latter.
Fifteenth pick: Chris Duarte | guard | Indiana Pacers| actual pick: thirteenth pick
There's nothing exciting about Duarte's fifteenth pick, and in the first half of the year, he did his job well. He's a plug-and-play starter, averaging 13 points, four rebounds and two assists per game. While his defense is not very good, it is still reliable. He's shooting 43 percent overall this season, 37 percent from three-point range and 80 percent from the free throw line.
Of course, he still has room for improvement. He can improve his finishing ability, or practice throwing. Adding some strength will make him better at changing defenses, which is an important factor in the survival of today's role players. But overall, Duarte looks like the kind of player who can open up space, his offensive end should be more than that, and his defense is enough to keep him on the field at key moments at the end of the game.
Sixteenth pick: Corey Keyspert | forward | Washington Wizards| Actual pick: Fifteenth pick
At the start of the season, Keyspert struggled a bit, but he found himself in form in the second half of the season. In the last 30 games of the season, he averaged 12 points per game, shooting 48 percent from the field overall, 37 percent from three-point range and 86 percent from the free throw line, which is already great for a rookie. As a player who can pull away space, he's done a great job, and if you look at the Heat's playoffs this year, you'll see that he's more of a Heat Max Strus than Duncan Robinson. Given that Dunroe's defense is not very good, and Strus's athleticism and physical fitness are more prominent, he can stay on the field steadily, help the team's defense, and at the same time as an outside threat, he can also open up space. The same goes for Keyspert. He is stronger and athletic than people think he is. With his size, he does have the potential to stay on the field at critical moments. He may not be a very good defender yet, but he's definitely good enough on the defensive end.
Like Duarte, who is one of his top ranks, Kispert was able to play the team's starting wing at the end of the season. If he can continue to make some progress, then obviously he can play a stable role in a playoff team.
Seventeenth pick: Trey Mann| defender | Oklahoma Thunder | actual pick: Eighteenth pick
Before the team let him truce due to a hamstring injury, Mann showed a "killer" side. In the last 25 games, Mann has averaged 15 points and three assists per game, including a high number of three-point shots and a 36% three-point shooting rate. His defense still needs to be greatly improved, but he is also one of the newest talents in my mind. He was able to make a stop-and-go jump shot with ease. His ceiling may be higher than the two rookies above him, but I can't rank him ahead of them because I'm very worried about his defense. Whether it's his rookie season or in college, he struggled defensively. But because his shots are so efficient, he can be an efficient sixth on the team even if his defense doesn't improve at all.
Eighteenth pick: Nashon Hyland | guard | Denver Nuggets| actual pick: twenty-sixth pick
Hyland is a creative player who is a perfect fit for the Nuggets right now. So far, he is the second-biggest player in this rookie promotion, behind herbert Jones. Given his defensive prowess, coaches generally let him play early and averaged 10 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists per game. But Hyland knows how to score the ball the way NBA players do. His ball-holding attack is creative and makes opponents unpredictable. His range is up to 30 feet away, which means opponents have to defend him away from the basket, which creates room for his teammates and himself to break through quickly. The Nuggets selected him as an excellent choice. Whether as a future starter or a very valuable sixth man, he will have a very good performance.
Nineteenth pick: Isaiah Jackson | Forward & Center | Indiana Pacers | Actual Pick: Twenty-second pick
Jackson had a real outburst at the end of the season, forming a terrifying combination with Thales Halliburton. He can pick up a high ball to attack and can also send a volleyball cap on the defensive end. His athleticism is outstanding throughout the NBA center, and he's bouncing fast. In the final 24 games of the season, he averaged less than 20 minutes per game, but contributed 12 points, five rebounds and two blocks. His attacking chances are limited, but he is a "spring man" who can play a role every time he touches the ball. He has the opportunity to be a steady starting center, guarding the basket, and because of his excellent mobility, his outside defense will not be a burden to him.
Twentieth pick: Ayo Dawsum| defender | Chicago Bulls| actual pick: thirty-eighth pick
Daussom mainly got into the first round of his defensive, efficient and stable play. On a playoff team like the Bulls, playing as a bench player can make a difference because he can defend against tough outside players in 27 minutes per game; on the offensive end, his statistics look good, averaging 9 points and 3 assists per game, shooting 52% and 37% from the field, but I think judging by his performance this season, I am hesitant to become a long-term starter for a reason. Opponents don't see him as a shooter or an offensive player. He's reluctant to shoot right now, but in order to continue to have an impact on the team, he'll have to increase the number of shots he makes. But in any case, the Bulls used the 38th overall pick to select the players who can now rank in the top 20, which is equivalent to robbery. Given his performances on such a strong team as the Bulls this season, I would consider giving him a vote for the best rookie second team.
Other Rookies:
Kessler Edwards | forward | the Brooklyn Nets| actual pick: the 44th pick
In the series where the team was swept by the Celtics, Steve Nash didn't try to turn on Edwards, who can defend and shoot three-pointers, which made me feel a little strange. They need players who are tall, can defend multiple positions, and occasionally hit three-point shots. Edwards did just that in the regular season, shooting 35 percent from three-point range, and he's an effective team defender. His ability is limited because he's too thin and doesn't contribute much on the offensive end other than shooting, but he can grow into the player the Nets need, and he's needed by the team more than Cameron Thomas.
Cameron Thomas | guard | the Brooklyn Nets' actual pick |: the twenty-seventh pick
Thomas's performance didn't impress me much because he didn't like defense very much and didn't do well with catches and shots. But in his limited playing time, he did get some points, averaging 17 points per 36 minutes. In addition, as a player who can create shooting opportunities, there have been some highlight moments.
James Berkeight | guard | the Charlotte Hornets | actual pick: the eleventh pick
It's hard to play a season that's worse than Birknett's rookie season. As a lotto show, he's only played 300 minutes this season and hasn't been particularly good. He also had a stand-off with head coach Borrego on the sidelines. He was also banished while watching a game in Connecticut. Even if he still has room to rise, I'll still rank him in the top 30 or so of the former rookie, but obviously he needs to be more prepared than this season.
Joshua Primo | guard | the San Antonio Spurs | actual pick: twelfth pick
I've never been as bullish on Primo as the Spurs, mostly because of my concerns about his athleticism and body type. He's had some highlight moments in the G League, especially as a player who can actively create opportunities, constantly stopping, creative, but less efficient and more error-prone. I fully understand that as the youngest player in this rookie, he still has some room to rise and will always be the subject of the team's training. I would have ranked him in the top 30, but I didn't enjoy his game as much as Primo Prophet and my blog partner Matt Pennie did.
Kay Jones | Center & Forward | Charlotte Hornets | actual pick: the eighteenth pick
Before entering the NBA, Jones was also a rookie who was predicted to be a top player, but now he still needs to find his sense of play and improve his defensive awareness. Like the ten rookies here, he had a strong season in the G League. But I still doubt that he can take his defense to an acceptable level, especially for a center like him, who has a higher standard of defense for a center than for other positions.
Jaylen Johnson | forward | the Atlanta Hawks| actual pick: the twentieth pick
In the next few rookies, I prefer to mention Johnson first, because I actually appreciate his performance in the G League. The Hawks' frontcourt is crowded, so Johnson doesn't have a chance yet. During his short season at Duke, he fully fulfilled what people expected: he played as a point guard, slammed the basket, grabbed rebounds, had a clever passing hand, and was aggressive in offense. He also shot 37 percent from three-point range. He needs to stabilize his three-point shooting percentage to find a role around Trae Young. The next step he needs to perfect is his ability to catch the ball and jump shot.
Quentin Grimes | guard | the New York Knicks| actual pick: the twenty-fifth pick
I think I appreciated the Knicks' performance in the lineup more than the Grimes under Tom Thibodeau. He defended well and was able to hit three-pointers. In addition, he has a stable dribbling ability. In my mind, he should be in the twenty-first place. As long as his shooting and defensive abilities can be maintained, then he can become a player who makes a difference in the playoffs.
Josh Christopher | guard | houston rocket | actual pick: the twenty-fourth pick
I appreciate a lot of what Christopher has shown this season. He's a flank with great athleticism and works both ends of the board. Now his energy is better than his technique, but he can handle the ball, and impacting the basket is his advantage. He also worked very hard defensively against ball carriers. He needs to improve his shooting and no-ball defense.
Isaiah Rivers | forward | detroit Pistons | actual pick: the 42nd pick
When Rivers returned from injury, everyone stopped paying attention to the Pistons' game, but it can be seen from the game video that he has played well in 19 games this season. He shot 46 percent from the field and 42 percent from three-point range, and his seemingly simple shooting skills translate well into points. Actually, I think he's in the top 25 of this rookie season. He really has a chance to rely solely on his ability to open up space and become the "non-sale" of the Pistons after Cunningham.
Jeremya Robinson Earl | forward | oklahoma Thunder | actual pick: the thirty-second pick
I'm a fan of Earle. At last year's draft, I thought he would be picked in the first round. And after a season of solid rookie performances, I still support him because he has shown professionalism from day one, has a great sense of defense, and as a role player, he also has the ability to connect teammates and fill vacancies.
Lost Draft:
Austin Reeves (guard, Los Angeles Lakers) & Jose Alvarado (guard, New Orleans Pelicans)
I'm very appreciative of these two failed drafts, and I wouldn't be surprised if they got the vote for the best rookie lineup.
Alvarado has become an extremely influential player on the offensive end of the season, injecting tremendous dynamism into the team during the Pelicans' end-of-season game. In such an extremely disappointing season for the Lakers, Reeves is one of the only shining points, and he seems to be one of the few selfless role players on the team. He can keep the team moving on the offensive end and be in the right position on the defensive end, which makes him stand out in such a team that does not have much cohesion.
By Sam Vecenie
Compilation: Can't hold the basket at all