NBA.com Rookie Ladder Thread

[TimeForChange]

Week 1

https://www.nba.com/news/kia-rookie-ladder-november-6-2024-edition

1. Zach Edey, Memphis Grizzlies

Season stats: 11.1 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 0.9 bpg
Draft pick: No. 9

Call it recency bias, but it’s been very good to the 7-foot-4 replacement for Steven Adams. Edey had his best game yet Monday – 25 points, 12 rebounds, four blocks in 29 minutes at Brooklyn – for a second consecutive double-double. His fit in Memphis’ system under Taylor Jenkins suggests big things, and premature comparisons to Yao Ming, by way of Canada rather than China, aren’t out of line.

2. Bub Carrington, Washington Wizards

Season stats: 10.3 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 4.8 apg
Draft pick: No. 14

Carrington and teammate Kyshawn George earned compliments from Golden State Warriors stalwart Draymond Green for their energy and edge Monday in D.C. The 6-foot-4 point guard from Pitt — whose actual first name “Carlton” makes him sound like a Grey Poupon devotee — had 16 points, eight boards and seven assists that night. He is averaging just 1.3 turnovers, too, while hitting 50% of his shots from 16 feet out to the new-to-him NBA arc.

3. Jaylen Wells, Memphis Grizzlies

Season stats: 9.8 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 1.9 apg
Draft pick: No. 39

In the tradition of GG Jackson II, a midseason surprise in 2023-24, the Grizzlies found a second-rounder who looks like a keeper. When Marcus Smart (ankle) got hurt, Wells went from 8.2 ppg in 20.5 minutes to three starts, 35 minutes nightly and 12.3 ppg, 5.7 rpg. He’s a proud Washington State product in the footsteps of Craig Ehlo, Malachi Flynn and Klay Thompson.

4. Ryan Dunn, Phoenix Suns

Season stats: 6.7 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 0.9 apg
Draft pick: No. 28

Dunn’s early work as a D-and-three guy — the Suns’ priorities for him in that order — has Phoenix excited about his fit on that star-laden, 6-1 team. In his two starts, he averaged 14.5 points and sank seven of 13 from the arc.

5. Alexandre Sarr, Washington Wizards

Season stats: 9.8 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 2.8 bpg
Draft pick: No. 2

Top rebounder in this class, Sarr thinks the lights are coming on in terms of picking his moments and finding his spots. Having Jonas Valančiūnas around to handle more rugged matchups helps while the athletic rookie adds strength. Strong starts by fellow Wizards rookies Carrington and George have helped ease the spotlight.

The Next 5:
6. Zaccharie Risacher, Atlanta Hawks

Season stats: 9.4 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 1.1 apg
Draft pick: No. 1

No star born yet but among rookies, he’s fourth in minutes per game, second in usage, first in shots.

7. Jonathan Mogbo, Toronto Raptors

Season stats: 6.8 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 1.9 apg
Draft pick: No. 31

The first pick of Round 2 ranks in the rookie Top 10 in points, rebounds, assists.

8. Dalton Knecht, Los Angeles Lakers

Season stats: 7.3 ppg, 1.3 rpg, 1.0 apg
Draft pick: No. 17

“Sir Charles” ripped NBA GMs for letting arguably the Draft’s best perimeter shooter (47.4 FG%, 37.5% on 3-pointers) fall to Lakers.

9. Jamal Shead, Toronto Raptors

Season stats: 6.6 ppg, 1.1 rpg, 4.8 apg
Draft pick: No. 45

On-the-job trainee committed to playmaking and defensive disruption.

10. Tristan da Silva, Orlando Magic

Season stats: 8.3 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 1.5 apg
Draft pick: No. 10

“Da Silva lining” since Paolo Banchero went down: Three games, 85 minutes, 33 points, 13 rebounds.

[LoveMyRaps]

Lot of folks owe Masai an apology right about now.

He's still got it!

[Scase]

No one owes anyone an apology for anything, it's been a single week into the season, and it doesn't erase our FO not finding a single player worth keeping (no Scottie doesn't count) since Boucher in 2017.

He's done well so far with this draft, doesn't erase the 7 years prior of nothing.

[deeps6x]

Plus Masai still threw away $23M for Bruce Brown. IF, massively large IF, he can turn BB into a player or two who can be part of the bench for a few years, (at least) that will be a win. No, call it a wash. He could have easily spent the $23M on a couple borderline starters this summer.

[Snappycoocoo]

Mogbo n Shead....I loooooooove it

[TheAlchemist23]

Start Mogbo please

[YogurtProducer]

No one owes anyone an apology for anything, it's been a single week into the season, and it doesn't erase our FO not finding a single player worth keeping (no Scottie doesn't count) since Boucher in 2017.

He's done well so far with this draft, doesn't erase the 7 years prior of nothing.

You just can’t help yourself

It’s now SEVEN years of nothing? You now are so far removed from reality that you’re including Barnes, Dick, and JKW and his 40 career minutes as “nothing”. I guess saying “3 years, if you ignore a championship” doesn’t hit the same, eh?

I just don’t even know how anyone can recall what happened in June 2019, and then have the audacity to say “he hasn’t done nothing since 2017”.

Jesus. Go derail the TWO thread.

[YogurtProducer]

Plus Masai still threw away $23M for Bruce Brown. IF, massively large IF, he can turn BB into a player or two who can be part of the bench for a few years, (at least) that will be a win. No, call it a wash. He could have easily spent the $23M on a couple borderline starters this summer.

If he didn’t pick up Browns option we didn’t suddenly have $23M available to spend.

But assuming he did… how are we getting 2 starting players with $23M exactly?

[Snappycoocoo]

Me tired...still an hour away from the game

[Raps in 4]

Lot of folks owe Masai an apology right about now.

He's still got it!

A guy he could have drafted if he didn't trade the pick for Poeltl is literally ranked #1.

I've never doubted Masai's ability to identify talent in the draft. But I'm not apologizing for criticizing him trading away multiple FRPs over the last few years as part of failed win-now moves.

[LBJKB24MJ23]

what a weak rookie class lol

[Snappycoocoo]

Me tired...still an hour away from the game

.wrong thread

[MessiahUjiri]

Lot of folks owe Masai an apology right about now.

He's still got it!

A guy he could have drafted if he didn't trade the pick for Poeltl is literally ranked #1.

I've never doubted Masai's ability to identify talent in the draft. But I'm not apologizing for criticizing him trading away multiple FRPs over the last few years as part of failed win-now moves.

What if he trades Poeltl for a ‘25 1st?

[Harcore Fenton Mun]

Plus Masai still threw away $23M for Bruce Brown. IF, massively large IF, he can turn BB into a player or two who can be part of the bench for a few years, (at least) that will be a win. No, call it a wash. He could have easily spent the $23M on a couple borderline starters this summer.

If he didn’t pick up Browns option we didn’t suddenly have $23M available to spend.

But assuming he did… how are we getting 2 starting players with $23M exactly?

Plus, he's a cowboy! Look how fancy he dresses on the sideline, totally worth it.

Yeeehaw!

[Tor_Raps]

This rookie class is so asscheeks man. Edey has had 1 good game as a rookie and he's number 1 loll

[Psubs]

Oh Carlton Carrington.

Rose up the ranks too much and we didn't have a high enough pick (damn you Pacers).

[LoveMyRaps]

No one owes anyone an apology for anything, it's been a single week into the season, and it doesn't erase our FO not finding a single player worth keeping (no Scottie doesn't count) since Boucher in 2017.

He's done well so far with this draft, doesn't erase the 7 years prior of nothing.

How ignorant can you be?

The championship doesn't exist?

Embarrassing.

[Clutch0z24]

Draft class is one of the weakest in years...But a few ok prospects

[Harcore Fenton Mun]

We traded the pick away, and then tanked to keep it. lol

[Scase]

No one owes anyone an apology for anything, it's been a single week into the season, and it doesn't erase our FO not finding a single player worth keeping (no Scottie doesn't count) since Boucher in 2017.

He's done well so far with this draft, doesn't erase the 7 years prior of nothing.

How ignorant can you be?

The championship doesn't exist?

Embarrassing.

Of finding players ffs, try and comprehend even a little bit, I referenced boucher for a reason.