Rookie of the Year
Zack Padmore – DeAndre Ayton (Phoenix)
I’m going with DeAndre Ayton to win Rookie of the Year because of the opportunity he has to put up big numbers in Phoenix right away. He has a chance to be a walking double-double as a rookie. He’s a physical specimen that’s going to bring a lot of toughness to a Suns team that has really struggled over the years.
As much as I love Luka Doncic over in Dallas, I think Ayton is going to have the chance to put up some monster numbers. Just like last year, it’s going to be another fun season of watching rookies. Ayton will give Phoenix fans hope as they try to put together a roster that will contend in the wild Western Conference.
Hayden Van de Maat – Luka Doncic (Dallas)
I’ll go with Luka Doncic for this one. I believe he’ll lead all rookies in usage and be an efficient offensive player for the Dallas Mavericks.
Josh Padmore – DeAndre Ayton (Phoenix)
The 1st overall pick of the 2018 NBA Draft has a perfect opportunity in Phoenix. Dave Pasche of ESPN always refers to Ayton as a once-in-a-generation talent. That may be true, given Ayton’s ridiculous size, strength and skill. He didn’t go all out during Summer League, yet still averaged a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds.
Ryan Aston – Trae Young (Atlanta)
I don’t think that Trae Young will go down as the best player in the 2018 draft class by a long shot. For my money, Jaren Jackson, Jr. will own that distinction. What he will do, though, is score all kinds of buckets for an Atlanta Hawks team that will essentially be playing for lottery position for the second year in a row.
He’s Steph lite (or Steph East?) in a run and gun offense befitting his scoring chops. That bodes well for his trophy chances.
Jared Woodcox – Luka Doncic (Dallas)
Although he’s flown under the radar to several American basketball fans due to the fact that he has played overseas rather than in the NCAA, Luka Doncic comes in as perhaps the most decorated and NBA-ready rookie of any in the class. He’s an exceptional shot-creator and scorer that I think is primed to do some real damage with his experience and basketball savvy.
Not only that, but he’s in an exceptional situation to thrive in Dallas where he’ll have ample opportunity to adapt to the NBA game and eventually thrive in it. Doncic is going to be an exhilarating player to watch all year and I believe he will eventually separate himself as the ROY.