A month ago, we asked in a poll whether you’d take Zion Williamson or the field in the race for Rookie of the Year. At the time, professional oddsmakers had made the No. 1 overall pick the heavy favorite for the award, and an impressive preseason only strengthened his position as the frontrunner.
However, news that Williamson would miss six to eight weeks after undergoing meniscus surgery put a damper on the start of the NBA regular season and threw some cold water on Williamson’s Rookie of the Year bid. If he comes back strong in December and doesn’t miss more time the rest of the way, the former Duke standout could absolutely still win the award, but he’s no longer the overwhelming favorite he was a month ago.
With that in mind, we want to check in to see where you stand on the top contenders for this season’s Rookie of the Year award. Are you still riding with Williamson? Or are you betting on another top pick from the 2019 draft, such as Ja Morant (No. 2; Grizzlies) or RJ Barrett (No. 3; Knicks)?
Both Morant and Barrett had promising debuts on Wednesday night. The Grizzlies’ point guard scored 14 points to go along with four assists and four rebounds, though he turned the ball over six times. Barrett was more efficient, scoring 21 points on 9-of-13 shooting while adding five rebounds and a couple steals.
Neither of those players had the best night among rookies though. That honor belongs to Hornets forward PJ Washington, who announced his arrival to the NBA by pouring in 27 points and making 7-of-11 shots from three-point range. The No. 12 overall pick had a strong preseason and looked like an impact player in his debut, as Scott Fowler of The Charlotte Observer writes.
Morant, Barrett, and Washington are all on teams expected to finish comfortably in the lottery this season, so there’s no reason they shouldn’t play big minutes as long as they remain productive, making them prime candidates for Rookie of the Year consideration.
Bulls point guard Coby White (17 points, seven assists), Wizards forward Rui Hachimura (14 points, 10 rebounds), and Heat shooting guard Tyler Herro (14 points, eight rebounds) are among the other rookies who had promising debuts this week after receiving some preseason hype and should have regular roles. Darius Garland (Cavaliers) had a more modest opening game, with eight points and five assists, but the fact that he played 32 minutes was a good sign.
What do you think? Who is your current pick for Rookie of the Year? Are you rolling with Zion or another top pick like Morant or Barrett? Or do you have your eye on a dark horse?
Head to the comment section below to weigh in!
Washington has a very good chance at inserting himself amongst the presumed top rookies this year (Zion, Ja, RJ), because Charlotte lacks a star or even a go to scorer. He could seize a bulk of the responsibility, along with Rozier, offensively if he continues to show range and poise
Tyler Herro
Longer Zion is out, more likely RJ takes it.
Zion if he comes back healthy… If not is gonna be RJ. Dark horse Rui Hachimura.
Ja Morant will run away with it.
I know the grizzlies suck but he’s probably the only rookie who will get to run an offence himself and be the leader of the team. He’s an elite passer and a pretty alright scorer and is really smart. I think Zion will be injures to often, Rj Barrett will be given way to much work to do and struggle, he’s a great great scorer and can do some playmaking but that team his overload him. I like Porter Jr but he won’t get enough game time, Tyler Herro also really like him but he won’t have the same responsibilities cause he has Winslow and Butler whereas Ja is the leader.
I see Ja putting up a stat line of 16/7/3 possibly more assists and he will have a lot of 20/10’s.
Neither team won the AD trade.
The future isn’t looking bright for either the Pelicans or the Lakers.
For both teams the future looks brighter than Houston’s, that’s for sure!
I think Pelicans did alright. Even tho Ball has struggled, Ingram did alright but they chose not to extend him. Aside from those two they still have Zion, NAW, Hayes and Hart. Plus the pelicans still have 2 more Lakers first rounders and the choice to swap first in another draft. They might not be in the playoffs this year but they have 6 really good youngsters and a bunch of the Lakers first to pick from in the future too
I think it’s unfavorable to see Cam Johnson’s chances gotten in the way of by a faulty disciplining of his team on behalf of testing being disintegrative and not worthwhile when happening during regular season games
Barrett’s the most likely but on the coolest team New York Knicks can Julius Randle’s presence really be the only one that supports you? I kind of think so, though; NY is a tight team I think is so full of young and real tight passion, Barrett = an equal blossom to fellow talents all around him. I dig them
Michel Porter, Jr. comes to mind. PJ Washington, Jordan Poole or Coby White for second choices.
The whole 2019 draft would be up for an award if they had one!
Thybulle for ROY bandwagon starts here