For the 10th time in 12 years, John Schuhmann of NBA.com got the opportunity to ask the NBA’s incoming crop of rookies a series of questions related to their fellow draftees.
Historically, the NBA rookies haven’t been particularly clairvoyant when it comes to their predictions — they haven’t accurately identified a Rookie of the Year winner since Kevin Durant in 2007/08. Still, it’s an interesting exercise, and one that occasionally results in a dead-on prediction, like when last year’s rookie class named Donovan Mitchell the steal of the 2017 draft.
Here are a few of the most interesting responses from this year’s rookies about the 2018/19 class:
- Deandre Ayton (Suns) and Collin Sexton (Cavaliers) are viewed as the co-favorites for the Rookie of the Year award this season, with each player earning 18% of the vote. No other rookie had more than a 9% share of the vote.
- Opinions were a little more divided on which player would have the best long-term NBA career, with Wendell Carter Jr. (Bulls) narrowly earning that title by receiving 13% of the vote. Interestingly, reigning EuroLeague MVP Luka Doncic (Mavericks) wasn’t picked by a single player for this question.
- No. 48 overall pick Keita Bates-Diop (Timberwolves) was named the steal of the 2018 NBA draft by his fellow rookies, edging out 14th overall pick Michael Porter Jr. (Nuggets) and 18th overall pick Lonnie Walker (Spurs).
- Trae Young (Hawks) is widely considered the best shooter and play-maker in this year’s class. Jevon Carter (Grizzlies) earned the most votes for best rookie defender, while Zhaire Smith (Sixers) is viewed as the most athletic rookie.
- Be sure to check out Schuhmann’s full piece for the rest of the rookie survey results.
What about Ben Simmons
Can’t win Roy 2 yeses in a row, honky
If I had to put money on it I’d probably go with Trae Young. I’m not blinded by his subpar performance in the summer league, the kid is a really good playmaker and has a ton of options to work with to rack up assists in Prince,Spellman, and Collins. Everyone is trashing him but I think he averages 15-16 ppg with 7-8 apg and takes it.
Their past ROY predictions show the last time they got it right was Kevin Durant.
Sexton hasn’t got a chance to be ROY, is gonna be between Ayton, MBIII, Doncic, Young, WCJ, Giles & as a wild card MPJ.
Again all of the ones I mentioned can have very good careers (depending on Giles & MPJ health)
MPJ is the overwhelming steal of the draft.
That’s for sure Young is the best playmaker in the draft, he is gonna be special with his long range shot & vision to pass the ball & set up team mates.
The rooks voted about how how I would have, at least for the first 5 names– Ayton, Sexton, Big Carter, Little Carter, BatesDiop yes, Doncic just okay.
Sexton will be the rare rookie who will wear down… his opponent! He has to be minded constantly. Stamina will be an issue with Doncic.