It’s early, but three weeks into the season, we’re getting a glimpse at how well this year’s rookies are transitioning to the NBA, and we’re finding out which teams have expectations of receiving early dividends. We’ll check in on all 30 first-round picks:
- Karl-Anthony Towns, Timberwolves — Towns has looked sharp. He’s the leading rebounder among rookies at 10.2 per game and is second among first-rounders points per game with 15.5.
- D’Angelo Russell, Lakers — His lack of playing time during fourth quarters has been well-documented, but he’s still playing more than half the game, with 9.5 points and 2.7 assists in 24.8 minutes per contest.
- Jahlil Okafor, Sixers — Philadelphia has given him plenty of opportunities, and he’s taken advantage, leading all first-rounders in points (19.2) and minutes (33.7) per game.
- Kristaps Porzingis, Knicks — The Latvian has surprised with his early adaptation to the NBA, notching 11.4 points and 8.4 boards per game so far.
- Mario Hezonja, Magic — He’s brought the shooting, as advertised, knocking down 38.5% of his 3-pointers, but he’s only seeing 14.8 minutes per game, fewer than all but one other top 10 pick.
- Willie Cauley-Stein, Kings — He’s been in and out of a fluctuating Kings starting lineup, but he’s been efficient on the boards with 5.9 rebounds in just 19.8 minutes per game.
- Emmanuel Mudiay, Nuggets — Denver handed its offense over to him, and while he leads all first-rounders with 6.2 assists per game, he’s also turning it over 4.7 times a night. His 30.4 minutes per game are second only to Okafor’s among first-rounders.
- Stanley Johnson, Pistons — He’s been up and down, springing for 20 points against the Warriors a night after scoring only three against the Trail Blazers.
- Frank Kaminsky, Hornets — Four years of college ball were supposed to allow him to step right into a prominent role, but instead he’s seen only 10.2 minutes per game.
- Justise Winslow, Heat — He isn’t starting yet, but he’s already playing the majority of the game and is looking like the steal he was thought to be.
- Myles Turner, Pacers — An injury will shelve him for at least six weeks, and minor ailments had helped limit the big man to just 15.9 minutes per game so far, despite Indiana’s high hopes for him.
- Trey Lyles, Jazz — The power forward has made two starts but has seen just 8.7 minutes per game.
- Devin Booker, Suns — The youngest draftee has predictably seen little playing time, with just 8.3 minutes per contest.
- Cameron Payne, Thunder — He may be a lottery pick, but among first-rounders who’ve made it into games so far this year, he has the third fewest minutes per game, with 4.0.
- Kelly Oubre Jr., Wizards — Injuries have thrust a modicum of playing time on Oubre, though the expected December return of Alan Anderson threatens to change that.
- Terry Rozier, Celtics — The point guard has made it into six games and averaged 8.3 minutes per, but he’s also gone on D-League assignment.
- Rashad Vaughn, Bucks — Vaughn’s a project, but he’s shown glimpses, as his 10-point, 12-minute opening-night performance demonstrates.
- Sam Dekker, Rockets — No first-rounder has seen less playing time than Dekker has, as he’s managed just six minutes total so far, despite Houston’s struggles.
- Jerian Grant, Knicks — Like Porzingis, his teammate, Grant has also played a surprisingly prominent role for New York, averaging 6.8 points, 3.7 assists and 1.5 turnovers in 21.3 minutes per contest.
- Delon Wright, Raptors — Kyle Lowry and Cory Joseph have the point guard position locked down in Toronto, where Wright has only seen 10 total minutes thus far.
- Justin Anderson, Mavericks — The Mavs have found opportunities to give Anderson at least a taste of game action amid their fast start, as he’s notched 3.2 points in 7.4 minutes per game.
- Bobby Portis, Bulls — The frontcourt in Chicago has simply proven too stacked for Portis to get much run. He’s only appeared in a pair of games, averaging 10 minutes per appearance.
- Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Nets — It’s been a woeful season in Brooklyn, where Lionel Hollins hasn’t been reluctant to turn to the rookie. At 6’7″, he’s grabbed an impressive 5.7 boards in just 18.7 minutes per contest.
- Tyus Jones, Timberwolves — The Final Four Most Outstanding Player is behind Ricky Rubio and Zach LaVine, and he’s only seen 14 total minutes so far.
- Jarell Martin, Grizzlies — He’s yet to play because of a broken foot he suffered in the offseason.
- Nikola Milutinov, Spurs — Playing overseas and averaging 3.4 points in 12.9 minutes per game for Olympiacos of Greece.
- Larry Nance Jr., Lakers — He’s played in each of the team’s last seven games, averaging 5.0 points and 4.1 rebounds in 17.7 minutes per contest, including a 6 for 6 shooting night against the Magic.
- R.J. Hunter, Celtics — Unlike Rozier, he hasn’t gone on D-League assignment, and he’s averaging 12.3 minutes per game even though he’s yet to find his outside shot.
- Chris McCullough, Nets — Still recovering from the torn ACL he suffered in college.
- Kevon Looney, Warriors — He’s yet to play after offseason hip surgery.