With the NBA regular season coming to a close, it’s time to unveil our fourth and final version of Rookie Power Rankings, which features a new first-year star at No. 1. Treat this as a Rookie of the Year ballot as this list is formulated based on the type of rookie season each player had, not his long-term potential or outlook.
While Caesars Sportsbook has Cleveland’s Evan Mobley at -200, Toronto’s Scottie Barnes at +160 and Detroit’s Cade Cunningham at +800, this is as close a ROY race as I can remember with three deserving candidates at the top, each bringing something different to the table.
The 2021 draft class has lived up to the hype and then some with a handful of stars, role players and intriguing long-term prospects.
Which rookie has leapfrogged the rest of the pack to land at the top?
1. Cade Cunningham | Detroit Pistons
Stats: 17.4 PPG, 5.6 APG, 5.5 RPG
Although Cleveland’s Evan Mobley is the betting favorite to take home the award after a tremendous season, Cunningham would be my vote given his sensational second half of the season while playing a role that no other rookie in this class has the ability to shoulder with the same level of success. Not only has Cunningham earned the respect of his peers with his unshakable confidence, methodical pace and smooth game, he has been the driving force in the newfound optimism surrounding a Pistons organization that hasn’t won a playoff game since 2007-08 while playing the most coveted role in the NBA as a 6-foot-8 shot creator.
With Detroit at 23-58, Cunningham hasn’t experienced the team success of Barnes or Mobley. He’s not going to win any arguments with his advanced stats. But 27 different players have suited up for the Pistons this season. Detroit has zero All-Stars, with Cunningham the closest thing to one. Jerami Grant was limited to 47 games this season. The Pistons aren’t exactly flush with floor-spacers for Cunningham (28th in 3-point shooting). So when you consider the fact that Cunningham is already the best player on his team at 20 years old along with the different ways he was able to generate offense for himself and his teammates through 64 games, I’d give him the ever-so-slight edge for ROY.
“The other guys in my class are big time so I’ve always felt like we’ve all had our own things that make us special but for me, I just feel like the fact that I can do so many different things,” Cunningham said of what makes him the Rookie of the Year. “I feel like playmaking for others and then being able to go and score on your own is something that every team wants. … I feel like I compete on defense. I’m still trying to get my group together so we can be in playoff contention soon. There’s been a lot of things about my game that I’ve shown and just who I am as a person that would make me Rookie of the Year.”
In 20 games after the All-Star break, Cunningham averaged 21.1 points, 6.5 assists and 5.7 rebounds with 53% true shooting. The list of players averaging at least 21-5-5 on over 53% true shooting features mostly All-Stars and MVPs: Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Luka Doncic, Ja Morant, Jimmy Butler, James Harden, Steph Curry, Pascal Siakam and Brandon Ingram. Not only did Cunningham put up traditional counting stats with by far the highest usage rate among rookies (27.7), but Detroit went 8-12 with the No. 1 pick in the lineup post-All-Star break. For the entire season, the Pistons are 20-44 with Cunningham in the lineup and 3-14 without him.
Cunningham’s second half has featured everything from a 34-point outburst in a narrow loss to Kevin Durant’s Nets to 27 points and six assists in a win over James Harden, Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers to 25-9-7 against Luka Doncic’s Mavs to 22-5-12 and a game-sealing block in a win over former high school teammate Scottie Barnes and the Toronto Raptors.
The ROY award is clearly based on the full season, and his post-All-Star break run is less than a fourth of 82 games. Despite the slow start, he still leads all rookies in scoring while only 37% of his total made baskets were assisted, one of the lowest rates in the NBA. For reference, 48% of Barnes’ buckets were assisted, while 67% of Mobley’s were created by his teammates (according to CleaningTheGlass.com), which emphasizes the difference in role. He also finished second in assists (5.6 per game), third in made 3s and fifth in rebounds (5.5). He’s one of only two rookie starters with a steal and block percentage over 1.8%, joining Herbert Jones.
Although his off-ball activity still has peaks and valleys, Cunningham has a positive defensive real plus-minus (1.71), which you don’t always see for a rookie on a bad team. Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball were both negative last season, with Ball ranking 81st among point guards and Edwards 51st among small forwards. He may not be a true “sit and slide” lockdown defender with elite lateral quicks, but Cunningham has quick hands, long arms, good instincts and a solid compete level. During our recent film session, Cunningham lit up when he talked through his game-sealing block against the Raptors, likening it to his two-handed rejection against Kansas that ultimately led to a win. After seeing two possessions of him stopping Mobley one-on-one, Cunningham, who recorded a 19-10-10 triple-double against Cleveland, made it clear he knew what was at stake.
“Come on now, you know I’m aware of that,” Cunningham said. “I remember telling the squad, ‘No help.’ I like being a post defender anyways. I kind of take pride in that. I know it’s the Rookie of the Year race going on. Me and him [Mobley], we see each other, no help. If he scores it, then I gotta shake his hand. If not, I win that possession. I just wanted to see what I had … I love Evan’s game. I love his game but you know I’ve gotta hold my own too.”
After initially struggling a bit to adjust to the NBA’s length and athleticism, Cunningham eventually showed how well-rounded he is. While still far too streaky, he lifted his 3-point percentage to 31.4% after going 1-for-21 to start the season, looking comfortable both on and off the ball. He proved he can score out of the post against smaller guards. He showed he can go get his own shot on the perimeter, hesitating into pull-ups or breaking down his defender with an excellent blend of wiggle, change of pace and strength, regularly going through powerful opponents such as Andre Drummond or OG Anunoby and around or over long-armed defenders such as Durant, Matisse Thybulle, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Mitchell Robinson. Of the 49 players to use over 250 isolation possessions this season, Cunningham ranked 16th in points per chance, ahead of noted creators such as Devin Booker, Jaylen Brown and Khris Middleton. The only other rookie to use that many isolations was Barnes, who ranked 45th.
“I don’t want anyone feeling like they’re getting the best of me when they’re guarding me,” Cunningham said of creating against even the NBA’s best defenders. “I just try to trust my moves, trust that my moves will get me open. I feel good on anyone for real. I feel like if I’ve got the ball in my hands, I’m straight.”
Cunningham also used more pick-and-rolls than any other rookie, despite playing only 63 games, at 1,857 (14th-most in the NBA), with second-place Josh Giddey over 400 reps behind him. Cunningham’s ability to fire one-handed passes to the weakside corner or toss it up to Marvin Bagley III has made him effective against drop coverages. He’s incredibly patient, often giving Isaiah Stewart time to seal his man and clear the runway for Cunningham to navigate toward the rim. He’s a reliable midrange shooter in the pocket with the length to finish from different angles with either hand. While incredibly inefficient in ball screens and far too turnover prone, a lot of that is a product of Detroit’s lack of shooting, which could receive a major boost this offseason from either Chet Holmgren, Jabari Smith or Paolo Banchero.
Add in the pick-and-roll feel, poise, skill level, positional size, defensive versatility, late-game comfort and the fact that he’s highly regarded as a leader, Cunningham is about as complete a prospect as you’ll find at this age. Although it took him some time to get going and there is a clear case for both Mobley and Barnes, Cunningham showed why he was the No. 1 pick with a Rookie of the Year-caliber campaign that has NBA stars and execs alike buzzing about his future.
2. Evan Mobley | Cleveland Cavaliers
Stats: 14.9 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 2.5 APG
The case for ROY: Mobley was the model of consistency during his rookie campaign while impacting winning on both ends of the floor for the Cavs and showing flashes of incredible skill and feel offensively. The 20-year-old 7-footer averaged at least 14 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists and 1.4 blocks in November, December, January, February and March, all while playing a key role on a Cavs team that appeared poised for home-court advantage before being hobbled by injuries. Mobley’s defensive versatility alongside Jarrett Allen changed Cleveland’s identity from day one, and the rookie finished with the sixth-best defensive real plus-minus in the NBA, ahead of Robert Williams, Joel Embiid, Bam Adebayo and Jaren Jackson Jr. That’s just one metric, but Mobley’s ability to slide with guards and wings and protect the rim has been paramount for Cleveland, which is 2-6 with Mobley out of the lineup. He is already one of the NBA’s premier switch defenders, ranking sixth in points per chance allowed against isolations.
On the other end, Mobley’s ability to shift all over the floor, keep the ball moving side to side with his handle and feel, and space the floor as a lob-catcher via excellent chemistry with Darius Garland allowed him to put pressure on the defense without needing plays called for him. Although not quite a full-time offensive hub like Cunningham, the fact that he could fit so seamlessly in virtually any lineup on both ends of the floor on a winning team makes him incredibly valuable. With a 7-5 wingspan, Mobley has been able to do things Barnes and especially Cunningham simply aren’t capable of.
The case against ROY: After showing quite a bit of promise as a 3-point shooter and shot creator early in the season, Mobley quietly tailed off, knocking down just five 3s since Jan. 26. Among the 229 players to attempt at least 150 jump shots in the half court, he finished 225th in efficiency. Mobley also ranks 54th among the 61 players to use at least 200 isolation possessions (points per chance). As a partial product of the shooting inconsistencies, the Cavs scored 6.9 more points per 100 possessions when Mobley was at the 5 versus the 4. Cleveland allowed six more points per 100 with Mobley at the 5 as opposed to the 4, where he can roam free and use his length, agility and instincts without bruising bigs being able to take advantage of his frame.
While he still had no shortage of impressive scoring nights, topping 20 points four times in March, Mobley’s slight regression as a perimeter shooter and creator — along with missing time due to injury — opened the door for Cunningham to take the microscopic lead in my rankings. One other argument against Mobley as ROY is that he has been able to slide in alongside an All-Star point guard in Garland (although I would say Mobley has enhanced Garland’s play) and next to an All-Star center in Allen. When alongside a healthy Allen, some of Mobley’s shortcomings (which are very few) aren’t as pronounced as they might be if he were drafted into a situation where he was asked to shoulder heavy minutes at the center spot on a losing team.
Mobley has played a huge part in completely turning around the post-LeBron Cavs, is likely to become the first center to win ROY since Minnesota’s Karl-Anthony Towns and is deservedly regarded as one of the most promising young players in the NBA.
3. Scottie Barnes | Toronto Raptors
Stats: 15.4 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 3.4 APG
The case for ROY: Barnes has as strong an argument for taking home the award as anyone given his production, durability, versatility, two-way play and impact on winning for a Toronto Raptors team currently fifth in the Eastern Conference. Barnes is the only rookie to rank in the top five in points (third), rebounds (third), assists, (fifth), minutes (first), steals (fourth) and blocks (fourth). Only six rookies in NBA history have finished in the top five of all those categories: Ben Simmons, DeMarcus Cousins, LeBron James, Vince Carter and Chris Webber. Not only is Barnes stuffing the stat sheet, he’s doing so while playing a key role in important games on a team that has the pieces to make noise in the playoffs. And when some of Toronto’s key pieces have been out like Friday night against Houston, Barnes has been able to energize the rest of the group, as he sparked an impressive fourth-quarter comeback in a win over Houston. Barnes has proved he’s the true definition of positionless. We have seen him push off the glass himself and fit one-handed passes into tight windows. We have seen him sprint down the middle of the floor, bury opponents in the post and finish. His combination of strength and handle allow him to get wherever he wants on the floor.
He can function as the pick-and-roll ball handler (5.3 times per game) or the roller (8.3). He’s an excellent offensive rebounder (2.7 per game) who finishes over 71.8% of his shots in the restricted area with great touch on his floater and then reach to finish over shot-blockers. He’s a switchable defender who can truly guard all five positions in a pinch when he’s fully engaged. Barnes still has his lapses in discipline defensively and is more of a disruptor than a true stopper in one-on-one situations or a Draymond-like rim protector in help-side situations. But he makes winning plays more often than not, evidenced by the fact that he ranks fourth among small forwards in defensive real plus-minus, tied with potential Defensive Player of the Year Mikal Bridges.
Barnes is a rare rookie who makes highlight plays that show well on Twitter yet also has substance to his game in terms of his ability to help drive winning at 20 years old. Then add in how he has brought a youthful exuberance to this Raptors organization and it’s hard to argue against Barnes as the most impactful rookie in the NBA with as bright of a future as anyone in his class.
The case against ROY: One of the only true knocks on Barnes is his shooting, which is actually further ahead of where most evaluators expected it to be. Barnes is shooting just 29% from 3 on 2.6 attempts per game. Among the 150 players to attempt at least 300 jump shots so far this season, Barnes ranks 147th in eFG%, ahead of only Russell Westbrook, Jimmy Butler and Julius Randle. The fact that he’s shooting them with confidence is a plus, and his 73% free throw shooting is a strong indicator that he’ll continue to improve. But Barnes certainly doesn’t offer the same type of floor spacing or shot creation as Cunningham, as he ranks 47th in points per chance among 50 players to use at least 250 isolations. While Barnes has been able to use his long strides, strong frame and handle to get to the rim in the regular season, it will be interesting to see what he looks like as a half-court scorer when the game slows down and the defense tightens up in the playoffs.
For as impressive as his highs are defensively, Barnes will also have possessions at the point of attack where he simply gives up after one slide and allows a free lane to the rim, not always sprinting to get back in the play. Among the 22 players to have defended at least 200 isolations, Barnes has allowed the fifth-most points per chance, only slightly better than Tyler Herro, Lauri Markkanen and Duncan Robinson. Aside from his sometimes-inconsistent defensive discipline and lack of shooting, the only other argument you could make against Barnes is that he entered the best situation of the three ROY candidates alongside All-Stars Siakam and Fred VanVleet, where he doesn’t have to generate all of his teammates’ offense like Cunningham. The Raptors are actually 3.6 points better per 100 possessions when Barnes sits versus when he’s on the floor according to CleaningTheGlass.com.
Even though I give Cunningham and Mobley the very slight edge over here, I’ve been extremely high on Barnes since I first saw him as a 15-year-old at USA Basketball Camp, and there is no shortage of NBA personnel who see the Raptors rising star as the eventual best player to come out of the 2021 draft class.
4. Franz Wagner | Orlando Magic
Stats: 15.2 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 2.9 APG
Wagner has been a top-five mainstay and comes in at No. 4 to close out his stellar rookie campaign, just beating out the surging Jalen Green thanks to his versatility and impact on both ends of the floor. If he suits up Sunday, Wagner will end the season having played 80 of 82 games for the Magic, making him the most durable rookie in this class while logging over 30 minutes per contest. Like Barnes, Wagner is one of the few players in this class who can function both as a pick-and-roll ball handler and a screener, while also adding value as a floor spacer (35% from 3).
The Magic get Wagner going toward the rim out of handoffs, use him as the primary ball handler in ball screens, and even allow him to initiate the offense some off made baskets, where his feel and vision shine. Wagner has also proven to be more than just a “high floor piece” like most evaluators expected, evidenced by the shot creation chops he has shown. Wagner is one of the most efficient late-clock scorers in the NBA, as he ranks fifth in points per possession with less than five seconds left on the shot clock, ahead of Antetokounmpo and Durant.
Wagner has the size, toughness and defensive discipline to check multiple spots, even if he is not overly quick-footed with a high stance. Although it has been a forgettable season in the win-loss department for the Magic, they have been 9.8 points per 100 possessions better with Wagner on the floor, by far the best among the 10 rookies on this list. At just 20 years old with positional size, shooting touch and the ability to handle the ball out of different actions, Wagner figures to be one of the best pros to come out of this 2021 draft class not named Cunningham, Mobley or Barnes.
5. Jalen Green | Houston Rockets
Stats: 16.9 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 2.6 APG
After a slow adjustment to the NBA through the first few months of the season, Green has looked far more like the player we expected to see when he was selected No. 2 ahead of Mobley and Barnes. Since the All-Star break, Green has been one of the NBA’s best newcomers, averaging 21.3 points on 58% true shooting across 23 games while finishing second among rookies in scoring. Although it didn’t come against the NBA’s elite (Sacramento Kings twice, San Antonio Spurs, Minnesota Timberwolves and Brooklyn Nets), Green scored 30 points or more in five consecutive games while connecting on at least four 3s in every contest and shooting 43% from distance during that stretch. That came before an 8-point, 3-for-10, 5-turnover outing in a loss to the Raptors on Friday, but no rookie has made more total 3s this season than Green, who closes the year out at a respectable 49.7% from 2, 34.2% from 3 and 79.6% from the free throw line.
Not only is Green shooting it much better off the catch (65% eFG in March and April), he looks far more comfortable with the ball in his hands. He’s more patient with his setups getting into pick and roll, coming off tighter and often snaking the ball back to open space. While he still dances with the ball too much, he has been more decisive as a decision-maker, showing a better understanding of how to pitch the ball to his bigs and then sprint into handoffs to get the defense in motion. He is knocking down the type of self-created pull-ups we see from All-Stars, showcasing a greatly improved handle and excellent footwork, balance and elevation.
Green is utilizing his dynamic speed, quickness and leaping ability to attack the rim with ferocity, not shying away from contact in the paint and putting several helpless defenders on a poster — 36% of his shots have come at the rim (80th percentile) and he draws a shooting foul on 10.1% of his field goal attempts (79th percentile).
Defense is still an adventure for the 20-year-old. He has shown the ability to guard one-on-one on the perimeter and has certainly made strides in terms of containing penetration, but the nuances of team defense, getting through screens cleanly and staying engaged off the ball are important growth areas. Teams hunt him on switches to attack him in the post, which has been the case all season. But if he keeps progressing like he has this year and the Rockets can somehow put more defenders around him and potentially add a defensive anchor such as Chet Holmgren, Green is more than capable of developing into an adequate all-around defender teams can’t simply target.
Green’s rookie campaign likely didn’t go quite as he and the Rockets hoped when he was drafted, with so many highs and lows on a team with just 20 wins. But the dynamic guard showed enough down the stretch to prove he’s a top-five rookie in this class with the potential to have an Anthony Edwards-like Year 2 if Houston can continue adding more talent around him.
6. Josh Giddey | Oklahoma City Thunder
Stats: 12.5 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 6.4 APG
While it looked like Giddey was making a potential ROY push with three consecutive triple-doubles heading into the All-Star break, a hip injury ultimately limited him to just one game after the break and cut his season short. With Giddey playing only 54 games, both Green and Wagner were able to leapfrog the Australian passing savant in our rankings. Despite the injury, Giddey and the Thunder have a lot to be excited about given how effective the 6-9 19-year-old proved to be as a playmaker and rebounder — fourth among all rookies in rebounding percentage.
He is already one of the NBA’s most advanced passers, able to pick defenses apart off a live dribble like few teenagers you’ll see. For Giddey to take the next step as a prospect, however, he’ll have to continue improving as a shooter. He finished at 26% from the 3-point line and toward the bottom of the league in catch-and-shoot efficiency, which will be incredibly important for his fit alongside franchise star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. After earning comparisons to a 6-9 Ricky Rubio in the pre-draft process, making enough pull-up 3s to force his defender over the top of screens will be incredibly important for Giddey moving forward, especially because he is not all that wiggly off the bounce. But Giddey’s size, passing, basketball instincts and understated confidence made him one of the most exciting rookies in the NBA this season. And if the Thunder are able to add a two-way floor spacer such as Holmgren or Jabari Smith, Giddey’s game and efficiency (47.8 true shooting percentage) should start to take off even more.
7. Herbert Jones | New Orleans Pelicans
Stats: 9.6 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 2.2 APG
Although his perimeter shooting has regressed a bit down the stretch (30.6% from 3 since the All-Star break), Jones remains firmly in the top 10 thanks to his ability to guard multiple positions, handle, slash and fill in the gaps on both ends for the play-in-bound Pelicans. He’s an advanced stats darling as one of only three regular starters averaging block-and-steal percentages over 2.5. He guards everyone thanks to his range, quickness, instincts and elasticity at 6-7.
He’s an excellent cutter, a heady offensive rebounder and a nice fit alongside stars Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum. The Pelicans are 8.7 points per 100 possessions better when he’s on the floor. He may never average 20 points or shoot 40% from 3 on high volume, but Jones has been one of the best rookies in the NBA this season outside of the big three.
8. Davion Mitchell | Sacramento Kings
Stats: 11.2 PPG, 4 APG, 2.2 RPG
Take one glance at Mitchell’s raw numbers and you’ll likely question why exactly he belongs on this list. Among the 25 rookies to average at least 15 minutes per game, Mitchell ranks 20th in true shooting percentage on a 29-win Kings team. Among the 79 players in the NBA to use at least 800 half-court possessions this season, Mitchell ranks 77th, one spot ahead of Westbrook. His perimeter shooting has been wildly inconsistent.
On top of that, he has been unable to generate easy buckets with free throws as he draws shooting fouls on just 3.5% of his shot attempts, good for the 15th percentile. But Mitchell’s perimeter defense, floor game, durability (over 2,000 minutes played) and the glimpses of scoring upside he showed down the stretch are enough to land him in the top 10.
Mitchell’s late-game stop against shot creator Kevin Porter Jr is the perfect example of what he has been doing to opponents all season.
The poster dunk got all the shine last night, but Davion Mitchell went full Off Night on the final possession, clamping Kevin Porter Jr, preventing him from even getting a shot off. Averaging 24 PTS, 8.4 AST, 3.6 REB on 49/38/100 over his last 5 games.pic.twitter.com/nFL3NTCbdX
— NBA Draft Dude 🤙 (@CoreyTulaba) March 31, 2022
According to Second Spectrum data, Mitchell allows the fourth-fewest points per chance on drives in the NBA, right behind noted stoppers Matisse Thybulle and Derrick White, and one spot ahead of Jrue Holiday. Among players to defend at least 100 isolation possessions and 1,000 pick-and-rolls, Mitchell ranks in the top 10 in both points per chance and points per direct. He’s doing this on a team that ranks 27th in the NBA in defensive rating, without much help behind him. The Kings are allowing 4.9 fewer points per 100 possessions when Mitchell plays versus when he sits, one of the best marks among rookies.
Since taking over the starting point guard job with De’Aaron Fox out, Mitchell has shined offensively too, even sneaking in a couple of poster dunks. In 18 games as a starter he is averaging 17.9 points, 6.8 assists and 2.9 turnovers in 36 minutes on 51% from 2 and 37% from 3. More of a scoring, downhill guard early in his career at Baylor, Mitchell leads all rookies in assist-to-turnover ratio. He has softened the blow of the Tyrese Haliburton trade with how he has emerged over the past 10 games, and his two-way impact makes him worthy of consideration as a top-10 rookie.
9. Ayo Dosunmu | Chicago Bulls
Stats: 8.65 PPG, 3.3 APG, 2.8 RPG
Although the Bulls are just 7-16 since the All-Star break and losers of four straight, Dosunmu hangs onto his spot in the top 10 as he has remained incredibly efficient as one of only four rookie starters on playoff teams. Dosunmu was replaced in the starting lineup by Coby White in a blowout loss Friday, but he has now started every game but three since Jan. 15, which speaks to Billy Donovan’s trust in the rookie guard.
On one hand, he is shooting just 29.8% from 3 with a minus-15.2 since the All-Star break. He has the lowest usage rate of all the rookies averaging over 15 minutes per game, and his on/off numbers haven’t been particularly inspiring. You could make a case for Jonathan Kuminga, Alperen Sengun or Chris Duarte, all of which have had more offensive highs. You could argue for Memphis Grizzlies guard Ziaire Williams, who was starting on one of the best teams in the NBA as a rookie. But Dosunmu’s ability to defend either backcourt spot and some wings, knock down open 3s at a 37.2% clip, step into midrange jumpers or floaters and make all the necessary reads to keep the offense humming have slightly more value to his respective team than his peers.
He has also been incredibly durable, playing 20 minutes or more in every game since Jan 3. Chicago limping into the playoffs hurts his case somewhat, but Dosunmu leads all rookies in true shooting percentage, ranks second in assist-to-turnover ratio and seventh in total minutes. Dosunmu’s efficiency, availability and contributions as a playmaker and defender on a playoff team make him deserving of the No. 9 spot.
10. Bones Hyland | Denver Nuggets
Stats: 10 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 2.7 APG
The former VCU star makes his Rookie Power Rankings debut as he has developed into a key piece for the Nuggets as a bench scorer and playmaker. Hyland ranks fourth among all rookies in points per 40 minutes, behind only Kuminga, Green and Cunningham. In 22 games since the break, Hyland has a 64.7 true shooting percentage, which is pretty remarkable given his 170-pound frame and skill-based game. He shot just under 48% from 3 in March and is the exact type of microwave shot creator who can get hot and win a game or two for the Nuggets in the playoffs, especially when you consider his limitless confidence and swagger.
Known more for his deep pull-up 3s and slick handle in college, Hyland is also proving he is a far better passer than evaluators gave him credit for, ranking third among rookies in assist-to-turnover ratio. He’s comfortable hitting the roller in stride, finding cutters off the live dribble, bringing a level of flash to the floor with the no-look feeds he picked up from one of his biggest childhood influences, streetball legend Philip “Hot Sauce” Champion. Despite his 6-9 wingspan, Hyland won’t be confused for a defensive stopper at the NBA level, and he can be a bit feast or famine given the type of tough shots he so often takes and makes. But the fact that he’s playing a key role off the bench for a Nuggets team that sits at fifth place in the Western Conference earns him the final spot in the top 10, barely leapfrogging Kuminga, who is loaded with upside yet just hasn’t been quite consistent enough.
Mike Schmitz is an NBA draft expert and a contributor to DraftExpress.com, a private scouting and analytics service utilized by NBA, NCAA and International teams.
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