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NBA Rookie Rankings: Luka Doncic starts out on top

By Rucker Haringey

DALLAS, TX - OCTOBER 22: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks looks on during a game against the Chicago Bulls on October 22, 2018 at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. 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 Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX - OCTOBER 22: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks looks on during a game against the Chicago Bulls on October 22, 2018 at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. 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 Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Life is pretty tough for rookies in the NBA, but these five players have begun the season at the top of their class. Luka Doncic is off to a very hot start.

Every NBA team hopes their first round draft pick is going to emerge as an immediate superstar. That rarely happens. The best case for most players in their rookie seasons is that they can emerge as a legitimate rotation player.

This year’s class is showing signs that it might be a little different. Quite a few players are getting bigtime opportunities with their new teams right away. Even veteran coaches like Rick Carlisle can’t deny the rookie talent of a star like Luka Doncic.

The first player on our list doesn’t have the challenge of trying to convince a veteran coach that he’s worthy of playing time. The Kings are happy to play rookies right off the bat.

5. Marvin Bagley

The former Duke star has begun his NBA career by being the best version of the player most expected him to be. In his first four games he’s put up a solid offensive stat line of 14.5 points and 7.3 rebounds per game.

More importantly, he’s scoring with a great deal of efficiency. His effective field goal percentage of 61.3 makes it clear that he’s not just jacking up shots. His PER of 20.7 is well above what most people expected he’d post early in his career.

The only downside for Bagley is that he’s also the defensive player we thought he’d be. He’s still struggling to find a player he can really guard at the next level. Don’t expect that problem to be solved anytime soon.

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