NBA Rookie Rankings: Luka Doncic and Jaren Jackson are pulling away

PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 2: Jaren Jackson Jr. #13 of the Memphis Grizzlies controls the ball against Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center on December 2, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

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PHILADELPHIA, PA – NOVEMBER 19: Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns looks on against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center on November 19, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

3. Deandre Ayton

The Suns center might have just been drafted in the wrong decade. If Ayton had arrived in the NBA during the 1980s, he would be coasting towards a Rookie of the Year Award. As it stands, Ayton has been good, but greatness may always elude him.

Phoenix should still be relatively pleased with their No.1 overall selection. He is, after all, putting up 16 points and 10 boards per game for a Suns team that’s short on offensive talent. That fact that he’s also shooting 60 percent from the field proves he’s been more efficient than most other rookies. If anything, the Suns should be working to get him more shots.

His defense is still bad. A solid narrative is developing that his effort on that end of the floor has been encouraging, but that’s damning with faint praise. It would still be a surprise if Ayton can become an average defensive player during his career.

That doesn’t mean he can’t be an above average player for a long time. Having a center you can throw the ball to in the post to get a bucket is still valuable. Add in the fact that Ayton can step out and hit a mid-range jumper and you have a real offensive weapon on your hands. Look for him to spend a lot of time working on his pick-and-roll partnership with Devin Booker for the rest of the season.

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