NBA: Unusual Rookie Of The Year Candidates
Let’s get going with the NBA season! It’s that time of the year where we start predicting who the league winners are going to be. I’d like to take a look at the rookies. While we all know who the frontrunners for ROY are (Cade Cunningham, Jalen Green, Scottie Barnes, Jalen Suggs), there are a few guys who you’ve probably not considered to take home the honor of best rookie.
I’m not going to go off the deep end and proclaim Daishen Nix will win ROY. I wlll give some really under-the-radar names. We aren’t going to scrape the bottom of the barrel for talent. I just don’t want to be normal and give you the same 3 or 4 guys that everyone else is.
Davion Mitchell, Sacramento Kings
The National Champion, Davion Mitchell, is my ultimate dark horse ROY. Already given the nickname, Off Night, because of his defensive chops, he’s someone to wach out for this season. Nobody expects Davion to light up the scoreboard for 25 points a night, especially when as the 4th guard in the Sacramento offense. At the very least, we can expect that Mitchell will be coming off the bench in a prominent 6th man role. Whether that’s alongside Tyrese Haliburton or Buddy Hield remains to be seen. Given Mitchell’s leadership and defense, he is going to thrive on the court. Expect Luke Walton to give him crunch time minutes alongside Fox and Hali, so be ready to see Off Night in some very crucial game moments.
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Josh Christopher, Houston Rockets
I don’t think the NBA community is fully hip to how much of a scoring threat Christopher is. Houston obviously accumulated a lot of players through the NBA Draft. Jalen Green is going to receive the headlines as the main scoring talent alongside Kevin Porter Jr. Let’s just play devils advocate here. Christopher starts at the 3 giving him a lot of minutes next to the two aforementioned studs. With teams really focusing on Green and KPJ, it might be JC who benefits the most. I do not believe Ja’Sean Tate is a viable scorer in the NBA, same with Daniel House. Someone needs to step up into that role as the third of three-headed monster with KPJ and Green.
Isaiah Jackson, Indiana Pacers
As it stands now, Jackson isn’t even a lock to receive consistent minutes. With Damontis Sabonis and Myles Turner as the faces of the frontcourt, who is going to really let Jackson take the playing time of those two in any lineup? We know Indiana has tinkered with dealing Turner before. By all accounts, Jackson has been a marvelous defender thus far. If you’re going to deal Turner, do so now because Jackson could take on his role and not miss a beat. I’d reckon Indiana might be bit better off because IJ has much more potential as a scorer (don’t get carried away by that statement). He’s much more fluid and athletic than Turner, who does still carry a height advantage. Jackson has a chance at becoming a back to the basket threat as well. This is a longshot , as most of these players mentioned are, but if we see Turner get dealt or miss time, Jackson has got a chance to really get his feet wet.
Cameron Thomas, Brooklyn Nets
Here’s where I end the list. Thomas, widely considered the best scorer in the 21 draft, already has a prominent role on the Nets locked down. Now, until we figure out what Kyrie Irving is doing, there is going to be time where players like Thomas need to step up. There will be a hole in the starting lienup. Harden will play PG, Durant at PF, Joe Harris at SF. Who’s going to be SG? Patty Mills will be the primary backup PG. Bruce Brown has a good chance, and the role could go to him. Of course, that means Thomas gets a bulk of the second unit work playing alongside Mills. Now, we could also see Thomas crack the starting rotation as well. Even in that crowded offense, the pace of play will be so high. Thomas is going to get his. Even if Kyrie plays a majority of the games, Thomas is going to get a lot of run off the bench. I feel he will surpass Brown at some point in the season, making him the true 6th man scorer on the leagues most high-octane offense.
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Once again, I’d like to state that all of these scenarios for ROY are farfetched. It’s just no fun seeing the same guys get mentioned. We all know Cade, Evan Mobley or the two Jalen’s are the leaders in Vegas. Isn’t it fun to see the long shots win? At the very least, guys on this list really showcase themselves and over time they become All-Star’s. I’d like to think some of them can start that progression this season.
Image Source: AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli
Daniel is a guru of baseball and basketball prospects. He’s a very experienced Amusement Park traveler as well. Follow him and his hot takes on Insta @dgentleman9288
