NBA Rookie Breakdown
With a month into the NBA season, it’s time to take an early look at how this year’s rookie class is shaping up. Top pick Zion Williamson has yet to take the floor in a game for the Pelicans after a torn meniscus is scheduled to keep him sidelined for about another month. How have the rest of the top picks fared so far this season?
Number two pick Ja Morant out of Murray State has been excellent for the Grizzlies so far. He’s leading the team in scoring at 18.4 points per game, hitting 42 percent from beyond the arc. He’s also tops on the team in assists at six per game, and 3.3 rebounds.
The Knicks are just 3-10 so far but the fault doesn’t lie with third pick RJ Barrett. He leads the team in minutes played and is second in scoring at 15.8 per game. Barrett is also averaging nearly six rebounds and four assists per game. The only negative is a poor 48.6 percent from the free throw line.
In Atlanta, the fourth selection in the draft, De’Andre Hunter has been a solid contributor, although not spectacular. He’s averaged 30 minutes in 13 games, all starts, scoring just under ten points and four rebounds per contest. Hunter’s offensive production is down due to a poor 37.3 percent shooting from the floor.
The Cavaliers have gotten overall inconsistent play from number five pick Darius Garland. The point guard out of Vanderbilt has started all 12 games, averaging nine points and 3.4 assists in 28 minutes per game, but is shooting only 33.1 percent from the floor and 3.4 assists compared to 2.3 turnovers per game.
Miami rookie Kendrick Nunn is second among rookies in scoring, averaging nearly 18 points per game. Nunn was undrafted last season and spent the year playing for the Warriors G League affiliate. Speaking of the Warriors, 41st selection Eric Paschall is third among rookies in scoring at nearly 18 per game, seeing significant playing time with both Steph Curry and Klay Thompson out of the lineup. Tyler Herro, 13th pick overall, is averaging 13 points per game for the Heat.
Williamson will likely be the favorite for Rookie of the Year when he finally gets into action, but fans will have to wait about another month for his era in New Orleans to begin.