10 NBA rookies who have surpassed expectations
5. Jarrett Allen, Brooklyn Nets
Stats: 7.5 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 17.7 PER
Allen played only one year at Texas, but he made third-team All-Big 12 in that season, and the 6-foot-11 19-year-old has looked as NBA-ready as any rookie big. He has gotten an immediate opportunity with the rebuilding Brooklyn Nets, and his opportunity got even bigger when the Nets dealt Tyler Zeller to the Bucks at the trade deadline. As a result, Allen moved into the starting lineup.
Allen, who went No. 22, was a 2016 McDonalds All-American and has held his own in the post against the NBA’s best.
Monday night, he had the opportunity to square off with one of the other impressive rookie bigs: Lauri Markkanen (No. 2 on this list). Allen certainly made an impression on the Bulls rookie, as he posterized him with what some were calling the dunk of the year.
DUNK OF THE NIGHT: Jarrett Allen! pic.twitter.com/M1EQghtKRO
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) February 27, 2018
Allen dropped 18 points and snagged nine boards in that win. He’s now consistently getting more than 20 minutes a night and recently scored a career-high 20 points against the Lakers.
4. John Collins, Atlanta Hawks
Stats: 10.3 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 59% FG, 19.45 PER
Collins’ PER, best among rookies, is the first thing that jumps out at you. He’s having an incredible efficient first season. He’s also third among rookies in Value Added (147.0), a stat that is essentially the same measurement as Value Over Replacement Player (VORP), behind only Ben Simmons and Donovan Mitchell.
Collins is both an analytics-nerd favorite and a highlight-reel athlete. As we saw in Summer League, he can absolutely soar. Coaches love him, too, because he is outstanding in pick-and-roll situations. You don’t want to get in Collins’ way if he’s running at the rim.
Collins played two seasons at Wake Forest and was the ACC’s Most Improved Player in 2017 after posting averages of 19.2 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game. He knows his game and where he fits in; his maturity on the court is well beyond his 20 years.
Though he went No. 19 in the actual draft, Collins would be a top-10 pick today.
3. Kyle Kuzma, Los Angeles Lakers
Stats: 15.7 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 14.6 PER
Kuzma was the first player labeled a steal in the 2017 draft. He was named MVP of the NBA’s Summer League title game after putting up 30 and 10.
He filled up the stat sheet in Summer League, averaging 21.9 points, 6.4 boards, 2.7 assists, 1.4 blocks, and 1.1 steals per game. It was only Summer League, sure – you always have to be cautious about getting too excited with results at that competition level – but it was clear Kuzma had game.
The former Utah Utes forward was taken No. 27, but he would likely be a top-five pick if the draft were redone.
The 6-foot-9 swingman is smooth. He’s one of the best two-way players in his draft class. Though he’s a strong defender, he makes his biggest contribution when the ball’s in his hands. He has the best iso game of any rookie.
The 22-year-old also undoubtedly has the best social media presence of any rookie. His Twitter, which includes plenty of back-and-forth roasts with Lonzo Ball, is constantly entertaining.
Never use this picture of me again https://t.co/LYsZBcc5Kv
— kuz (@kylekuzma) February 23, 2018
2. Lauri Markkanen, Chicago Bulls
Stats: 15.2 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 36% 3FG, 15.3 PER
People were quick to say the Bulls were reaching when they took Markkanen No. 7. ESPN was even saying his best pro comparison was Channing Frye. No disrespect to Frye, who has had a fine and long career in the NBA, but that comparison now looks egregious.
Everyone hurried to call the Jimmy Butler trade a rip-off, but at this point it looks like it has worked out well for both sides. Butler has helped the Timberwolves hang with the best of the Western Conference, and the 7-foot Markkanen has emerged as a legitimate franchise piece.
He is one of the most skilled big men to enter the NBA in years and has a game reminiscent of a young Dirk Nowitzki – which is a comparison many have made.
The 20-year-old is absolutely lights-out from downtown; he recently became the fastest rookie in league history to hit 100 3-pointers. Don’t be surprised if he gets Allen back someday, either; Markkanen has bounce and has worked hard to be a well-rounded player.
1. Donovan Mitchell, Utah Jazz
Stats: 19.2 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 3.4 APG, 17.0 PER
Is Donovan Mitchell the NBA’s Rookie of the Year? Dime recently surveyed a bunch of NBA people on that question, and he trailed Ben Simmons, 13 votes to seven. The race, however, is close.
Who would have thought the 13th pick in the 2017 draft would look so dominant right out of the gate? The Jazz, who were reeling after Gordon Hayward departed for Boston, are thrilled with Mitchell.
Mitchell has the second-highest usage rate among rookies because Utah has counted on him to generate offense from Day One – and he’s flourished. He’s been at his best in the biggest moments, too, and has the seventh-highest fourth-quarter scoring mark in the league. The only players ahead of him are established superstars.
The 2018 Dunk Contest champion is springy, and his 7-foot wingspan gives him the versatility to guard bigger players. Nuggets veteran forward Richard Jefferson recently said Mitchell has been easily the best rookie he’s seen this year.
While the Jazz and Sixers vie for playoff spots in their respective conferences, the 2018 NBA Rookie of the Year race will be fun to watch.
Aaron Mansfield is a freelance sports writer. His work has appeared in Complex, USA Today, and the New York Times. You can reach him via email at aaroncmansfield@gmail.com.
