Resetting the NBA Rookie of the Year race: Is Paolo Banchero still on top?

3. Jaden Ivey — Detroit Pistons

Ivey has had the opportunity to work as a primary initiator a lot more than the Pistons might have planned this season, because of the injury to Cade Cunningham. The increased reps could be extremely valuable down the road as he settles back into a complementary creator role, but you can also see the growth as the season has gone along.

Since the beginning of January, Ivey is averaging 5.7 assists per game and has kept his turnovers relatively steady while taking on more as a facilitator. He’s also hit 36.8 percent of his 3s over the same stretch, another sign of his increasing comfort. Ivey leads all rookies in drives per game for the season and only Dyson Daniels has recorded an assist on a higher percentage of his drives.

Ivey has, of course, impressed in all the expected ways — explosive athleticism, thunderous open-court finishes and tough, physical defense. But it’s his improvement in skill, awareness and implementation of his incredible physical tools that should have the Pistons most excited.