NBA Draft 2018: Way too early Rookie of the Year rankings

BROOKLYN, NY - JUNE 21: Trae Young speaks to the media after being selected fifth overall at the 2018 NBA Draft on June 21, 2018 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Kostas Lymperopoulos/NBAE via Getty Images) /

3 of 5

BROOKLYN, NY – JUNE 21: DeAndre Ayton talks to the media after being selected number one overall by the Phoenix Suns on June 21, 2018 at Barclays Center during the 2018 NBA Draft in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Michael J. LeBrecht II/NBAE via Getty Images) /

3. Deandre Ayton

It didn’t surprise anyone to see Ayton go No. 1 overall in the draft and it shouldn’t surprise anyone to see him put up big counting stats as a rookie. If nothing else, he should be able to post solid scoring and rebound totals for the Suns next season.

The presence of Devin Booker in the lineup is going to make him hard to double team in the post. Of course, Ayton will need to play more aggressively on the block to take advantage of that space. Even if he doesn’t, he should get plenty of open jumpers running the pick and roll. It’s hard to imagine him not being a productive scorer early in his career.

The majority of questions surrounding Ayton’s game come on the defensive end of the floor. Fortunately for the Suns center, Rookie of the Year voters don’t typically concern themselves with a player’s defensive plus minus.

Ayton also should get a ton of minutes for the Suns. They didn’t take him with the first pick to let him sit on the bench behind Tyson Chandler. He’s going to be an immediate starter for Phoenix. The amount of opportunities he’ll receive combined with his ability to score will keep him in the thick of the ROY race all season long.