National Basketball Association

2017 NBA Rookie Ladder: Top Contenders For Rookie Of The Year

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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With the NBA season set to start Tuesday night here’s a look at the league’s top contenders for the KIA Rookie of the Year Award.

Jun 23, 2016; New York, NY, USA; NBA commissioner Adam Silver poses for a group photo on stage with draft prospects before the 2016 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The NBA season is finally here.

That means we get to take a look at what’s next for the league.

This specifically means this year’s crop of rookies. These guys from the 2016 draft class are ready to prove themselves to fans and executives alike.

Did one player deserve to be drafted over another? Who are the sleepers and contenders for the NBA Rookie of the Year award? Who’s the second-round pick ready to break out?

A lot of questions deserve answers, and we’ll get them in time.

For now it’s important to take a look at who’s going to leave the biggest mark on the season overall.

Few players actually look ready to compete at a high level right away, but a few could surprise and make a decent amount of noise.

Here’s a preview of this year’s 2017 rookie ladder.

Oct 15, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) drives toward the net as Detroit Pistons center Boban Marjanovic (51) defends during the third quarter of the preseason game at the Wells Fargo Center. The Pistons won 97-76. Mandatory Credit: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports

5. Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers

The Philadelphia 76ers don’t have a ton to lean on this season in terms of excitement.

First overall pick Ben Simmons is out till at least January with a foot fracture. Preseason results have shown the team will struggle to put significant points on the board at times.

Philly still lacks any explosive guard play or consistent outside shooting to contend in the East.

What the Sixers do have, however, is a potential franchise center in Joel Embiid.

He’s impressed in his limited time on the court by averaging 11.4 points and 6.0 rebounds in just 14.7 minutes per game.

His presence on both ends of the floor has many league executives singing his praises early on. Some even think his path to greatness is already in front of him.

Even though he hasn’t played a meaningful minute of NBA basketball, he’s proven enough to warrant consideration for the ROY award.

Unfortunately he’ll be on a minutes restriction for at least part of the season. Not having enough opportunities could cost him the honor in the long run.

But make no mistake that when he’s on the floor he’ll dazzle with a mix of post moves and jump shots.

Embiid’s ceiling when healthy is unquestionable at this point. Now it’s time for him to put it all together and contribute for most of the regular season.

Oct 21, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Wesley Matthews (23) defends against Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) in the first quarter at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

4. Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets

Even though he’ll have more minutes to start than Embiid, Jamal Murray is a dark horse for the award.

Minutes and time to play are one thing, but opportunities to score and contribute are another.

Emmanuel Mudiay, Gary Harris and Will Barton will take up most of the touches at guard. The young Denver Nuggets marksman won’t be a top offensive option over those guys.

At least not yet.

But what he does offer the Nuggets is an immediate impact from beyond the arc.

During preseason, he shot 10-of-32 from three, but that’s not the be-all, end-all of his upside.

Murray has legitimate deep range with a quick, smooth release. He’s crafty at finding looks for himself both off the catch and off the dribble.

If he has any open space he’s a knockdown threat each time. Mudiay’s penetration and drive-and-kick game will suit Murray well in the short term.

Down the line he’ll likely inherit more ball handling duties as a backup point guard. His potential as a combo guard similar to the Portland Trail Blazers‘ C.J. McCollum flashes each time he’s on the floor.

He has a logjam to work through in Denver. If given a shot, however, he’s just as talented as his peers.

Oct 19, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Brandon Ingram (14) is defended by Golden State Warriors center JaVale McGee (1) during the fourth quarter at Valley View Casino Center. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

3. Brandon Ingram, Los Angeles Lakers

Brandon Ingram’s path to stardom won’t be immediate as some thought this summer.

During preseason and even in Summer League he’s struggled to consistently assert himself on offense.

While he has the tools of a shot creator and maker, his thin frame and lack of strength don’t give him much room to work with around the basket.

He relies heavily on floaters, mid-range shots and 3-pointers, but he hasn’t converted at an efficient rate.

Ingram was 5-of-18 from three and 18-of-46 shooting from the field overall in eight preseason games.

Those numbers don’t scream offensive success, but the manner in which he’s scored has impressed.

As I mentioned his ability to finish on strings of possessions isn’t there yet.

But he’s willing to fight and get pushed around inside, which is encouraging for Los Angeles Lakers fans.

Over time he’ll improve and get his touches, but for now he’s reportedly starting his career off the bench.

If he’s stuck there for a majority of the season he likely won’t have enough of a shot at the ROY award.

There’s always hope that he asserts himself as the team’s second option to D’Angelo Russell.

Regardless the future is bright in Los Angeles. Whether he’s the next Kevin Durant or Kobe Bryant doesn’t matter.

He’s loaded with his own potential as a lean scoring machine.

Oct 21, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Kris Dunn (3) dribbles the ball during the fourth quarter against the Charlotte Hornets at Target Center. The Timberwolves won 109-74. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

2. Kris Dunn, Minnesota Timberwolves

While he won’t start immediately for the Minnesota Timberwolves, Kris Dunn has his next role on the horizon.

Teams like the Sacramento Kings have reportedly gauged interest in dealing Ricky Rubio for other assets. If Dunn plays well enough off the bench coach Tom Thibodeau could hand over the keys to the offense sooner rather than later.

But that requires Dunn to not only score but set his teammates up while keeping the turnovers down.

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That’s what Rubio does best. Even though he’s not an elite scorer he’s one of the NBA’s most creative passers.

Dunn has the ability to drive and kick the ball out to open shooters, but it’s not his greatest strength.

The Timberwolves have a number of guys who need a set-up man to convert at a high level. Karl-Anthony Towns does well in the pick-and-roll, and Andrew Wiggins is better catching and shooting or driving rather than creating entirely by himself at this point.

As long as he can keep turnovers down and help the team score, he has a starting future potentially this season. Thibs should look to move Rubio by the deadline to start getting Dunn needed minutes at the position.

If this happens, he’ll have enough opportunities and touches to win Rookie of the Year.

Oct 4, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Buddy Hield (24) is defended by Indiana Pacers forward Georges Niang (32) during the second half of a game at the Smoothie King Center. The Pacers defeated the Pelicans 113-96. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

1. Buddy Hield, New Orleans Pelicans

If Anthony Davis and the New Orleans Pelicans are to make any noise out West, then they need Buddy Hield to step up in his rookie season.

Hield was a prolific scorer in college, particularly from 3-point range.

The Pelicans lack consistent shooting, so Hield will get the call quite often on spot-up looks.

It’s good for New Orleans that he looks ready to do so. After an up-and-down Summer League, Hield shot 8-for-28 from three in the preseason.

He wasn’t shy about taking those looks when he got them, however. Hield is a good shooter off the catch. He’ll take his lumps early but will eventually smoothen everything out.

What he should avoid doing this year is taking unnecessary looks off the dribble. Hield too often forced terrible shots in college at times when he easily could’ve passed the ball out. That’ll serve as his biggest downfall if he does the same at this stage in the pros.

He has a No. 1 option to lean on in Davis, so if he stays within himself he’ll have plenty of shots to look forward to.

Voters look at guys who took and made a lot of shots in their first year. Raw numbers drive the ROY award, so Hield has the best shot at winning it.

Whether he will is another story.

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