NBA Rookie Rankings: Luka Doncic starts out on top

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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ATLANTA, GA – OCTOBER 24: Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks handles the ball against the Dallas Mavericks on October 24, 2018 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images) /

2. Trae Young

It’s a good time to mention that these rankings are about how well a rookie’s played to date. This is not a statement about who is going to become the best player down the road.

No player has exceeded early expectations more than Young. The Hawks have handed him the keys to their offense and he’s been shockingly effective. He’s averaging a cool 23.3 points and 8.3 assists per game to date. He also happens to be doing it efficiently with an effective field goal percentage of 55.5.

If he keeps this sort of offensive production up people aren’t going to worry so much about his defensive deficiencies. Unfortunately for the Hawks, those are still very apparent. There’s no one for Young to guard on the floor. He’s going to be hunted relentlessly on that end of the floor for his entire career unless he makes massive strides.

Young wasn’t drafted to be a shutdown defender though. The Hawks took him to put points on the board early and often. Everything about the offensive side of his game is very encouraging.

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