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Fantasy Basketball: Rookie Analysis

By Dylan Bernstein

Jun 25, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Myles Turner (Texas) receives a hug from family and friends after being selected as the number eleven overall pick to the Indiana Pacers in the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 25, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Myles Turner (Texas) receives a hug from family and friends after being selected as the number eleven overall pick to the Indiana Pacers in the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 25, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; General view of the full first round draft board at the conclusion of the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 25, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; General view of the full first round draft board at the conclusion of the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

The 2015 rookie class has brought us nothing but excitement so far this season and so many players have so much potential.

At the top of the draft, Karl-Anthony Towns, Jahlil Okafor and Kristaps Porzingis have absolutely shined for their perspective teams. Towns has been an absolute beast since day 1, averaging over 17 points and 10 rebounds a night. Okafor has shown the NBA-readiness that draft scouts drooled over for each of the last two years. His footwork has been as good as advertised. At the draft, Knicks fan showered Porzingis with boo’s. Analysts claimed that he was at least 2-4 years away from being a solid rotational player. Well, KP has shattered those expectations and has won over the whole Knicks fanbase and most of the league as well.

Mid 1st round picks don’t usually garner much attention early in their rookie seasons, but Devin Booker and Myles Turner have earned it so far. Booker is shooting the three at a 40% clip on 3 attempts per game. Booker has average 15 points per game over his last ten and is starting to become one of the lone bright spots on this pitiful Suns team. Turner on the other hand has become a fantasy swiss army knife, leading all rookies in blocks per 48. Turner was a top recruit coming out of high school, but was stuck behind Cameron Ridley on the depth chart. He has flashed his potential this year by becoming a perfect pick and pop partner for Paul George, Monta Ellis and George Hill. Turner has the potential to be a major contributor on a playoff contending team over the next few years.

While there have been a ton of rookie standouts from the draft, nobody has turned more heads than Nuggets big man Nikola Jokic, who has become one of the more exciting players on the team. Jokic was a second round choice in the 2014 draft who has had a very nice start to his young career. Not only does he have a great frame for a big guy, but he also has great range and great vision. Jokic is averaging a very respectable 39% from three with an overall average of about ten points per game. He could be a dominant center in the league after a few more years of seasoning.

Young guns Mario Hezonja, Justise Winslow and Emmanuel Mudiay have shown us all flashes of huge potential this season, but it has not come as easy.

Hezonja is an uber-athletic wing with the capability of spreading the floor. However, playing time has been few and far in between with Victor Oladipo, Tobias Harris, Aaron Gordon and Evan Fournier all having good seasons. With the trade of Tobias and Channing Frye, don’t be shocked if Rio gets a big chunk of playing time towards the end of the season.

Justise Winslow was considered one of the most pro ready prospects in the draft. He could defend multiple positions, run the floor and shoot the three. The first two have been easy for him. He has developed into a very good NBA defender and could compete for DPOY awards in the near future. However, he hasn’t found much offensive rhythm. From the field, Winslow is shooting 43% from the field and an abysmal 25% from three. In time, he should develop into a nice two-way player.

Emmanuel Mudiay was one of this draft’s major mysteries. He is a super athletic guard with good two-way skills and athleticism. His great vision has been overshadowed by the injuries, turnovers and poor field goal percentage. He reminds me of a more polished Rajon Rondo at this age and should he develop his midrange game a little more, he could become more of a John Wall type guard. For a 19-year-old kid, he’ll be fine.

The biggest rookie disappointment so far has easily been D’Angelo Russell who has received inconsistent playing time and has not been let loose. Coach Byron Scott has been reluctant to let his young star shine in honor of the retiring Kobe Bryant. He has had some very bright moments and some very ugly moments. He’s average about 12 points per game and has been honestly not fun to watch. Hopefully, things will change, but it’ll take some time.

With all that being said, here are my future fantasy top 15 rankings for this year’s rookies:

  1. Karl-Anthony Towns
  2. Jahlil Okafor
  3. Kristaps Porzingis
  4. Myles Turner
  5. Devin Booker
  6. Nikola Jokic
  7. D’Angelo Russell
  8. Emmanuel Mudiay
  9. Mario Hezonja
  10. Stanley Johnson
  11. Justise Winslow
  12. Trey Lyles
  13. Willie Cauley-Stein
  14. Frank Kaminsky
  15. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson

Thanks for stopping by and best of luck with all of your fantasy basketball teams.

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