2024-25 NBA Rookie Discussion Thread (Pt. 3)

[RRR3]

If Spo starts him the rest of the way he just might win ROY but idk if he will.

[BAMAFREAK]

It has to be Wells at this point. Starter, defends the toughest assignment, and contributes offensively to a top 5 team.
Def not the highest ceiling but he’s going to be a very useful player for a long time

[IceColdCubano]

Time to start putting Ware on this list.

[dolphinatik]

Ware had his best game at the best time vs Wemby. First time playing with bam tyler Jimmy Robinson together for extended minutes. Minutes might be too low but worth keeping an eye on.

[PlatinumState]

Edey's not getting the ball anymore Im guessing by his stats the last like 10 games. This is how I expected his season to go

[jasonxxx102]

I think Castle doing the dunk contest is a big boost to his ROY chances.

[God Squad]

This class has been rough, to say the least. If I had to guess who's in the running for ROY it'd be

Jaylen Wells (39th pick)
Stephon Castle (4th pick)

Class is so bad, I don't even have a third viable option. I just want to point out that pre-draft I was big on Devin Carter, so I'm happy to see him back.

[BigGargamel]

I'd say my top five at the mid season point is.

1. Jaylen Wells, MEM - Having a very solid all around season, playing 26 minutes per game for a legit playoff contender. Good scorer and very underrated defender.

2. Yves Missi, NO - Looks like a future double double guy who can block 2 shots as well. Should be NO's starting center for a very long time.

3. Alex Sarr, WAS - The shooting is still hot and cold, but I like his ability to score and play defense as well. Looks like a pretty safe bet to be a quality starter.

4. Stephon Castle, SA - If there was one player who I think could be an All Star one day, it's probably Castle. Talented scorer and can play point guard.

Those four are the only four I really think have been "good".

5. Zach Edey, MEM - Does enough well to earn 20 minutes per night, but I still don't think the long term potential is that high. A ton of younger guys are starting to get minutes, and I think will pass him on the pecking order soon.

[-Luke-]

This class has been rough, to say the least. If I had to guess who's in the running for ROY it'd be

Jaylen Wells
Stephon Castle

Class is so bad, I don't even have a third viable option. I just want to point out that pre-draft I was big on Devin Carter, so I'm happy to see him back.

Yeah, that will be a difficult award to vote. If we look at the last ten years or so, there was either a clear winner or multiple good candidates. Even in 16/17 it was relatively easy: Embiid was by far the best rookie, the only question was whether he played enough minutes.

I think this will come down to recency bias, if one player has a good stretch late in the season.

[rate_]

If Spo starts him the rest of the way he just might win ROY but idk if he will.

Crazy how the 2 best players in the draft may not win ROY: Ware because of lack of PT and McCain because of injury.

[jasonxxx102]

Kel'el Ware has one of the quickest 2nd jumps I've ever seen. He can get off the floor for a block and then a 2nd and even 3rd jump so quickly.

He is an elite athlete at the center position. Great weakside shot blocker as well.

If this kid can develop some ball handling skills, watch out

[balla345]

Ware 20 points 15 rebounds 2 blocks

[rate_]

Just give Ware more PT. On games he sees 20+ minutes:

29.8 MIN | 20.2 PTS | 8.0 REB | 1.6 BLK | 58/52/93 splits

[BAMAFREAK]

And lost to the Blazers at home, with Butler and Bam playing.

[rate_]

And lost to the Blazers at home, with Butler and Bam playing.

Both were -19 and -22 respectively. Ware was +8 in the loss. Miami was -17 in the 9.5 minutes he was off the court.

[PhilBlackson]

A lot of Rap fans wanted to draft Ware (but obv we couldn't), nice to see he's to be panning out into what we hoped we could've had been for us lol. He could really change things for MIA long term by further spacing out the floor for Bam and of course on the defensive end help Adebayo not have to do everything for his team and help with the rim protection.

Given the development Spo & company do, he's likely gonna be a really good player in the future.

[balla345]

And lost to the Blazers at home, with Butler and Bam playing.

Did you even watch the game. Herro was out. Had nothing to do with Ware. Butler is playing at 20% and there is literally no one is for the heat that can score.

[BAMAFREAK]

And lost to the Blazers at home, with Butler and Bam playing.

Both were -19 and -22 respectively. Ware was +8 in the loss. Miami was -17 in the 9.5 minutes he was off the court.

Very nice rebuttal. My post is withdrawn. Love Ware and he prolly fits in Memphis just as well as Edey. I’m just glad we got Wells and GG Jackson in the last two second rounds

[PhilBlackson]

And lost to the Blazers at home, with Butler and Bam playing.

Both were -19 and -22 respectively. Ware was +8 in the loss. Miami was -17 in the 9.5 minutes he was off the court.

Very nice rebuttal. My post is withdrawn. Love Ware and he prolly fits in Memphis just as well as Edey. I’m just glad we got Wells and GG Jackson in the last two second rounds

Absolute steals and fantastic drafting.

I’ll be tuning in from a far to see how GG progresses, seems like he was a bit unfairly labeled in college and if he hits long term…then MEM will really have a shot to do something special.

[HoopsterJones]

This might be the worst draft class in recent memory. We’ll see in the coming seasons as they develop but there’s not one overly promising looking star in the lot IMO.