Rookie of the Year Race is Wide Open, Week Two NBA Rookie Ladder
The Greenlight team takes a look at the 2024 Draft Class after their second NBA week. Early returns are...mixed.
Ryan Dunn, PHX (RD 1, PK 28)
Stats: 7.8PTS, 2.2REB, 46%FG, 39% 3PT, 0.8 STL + BLK
The most pleasant surprise of this draft class so far, Ryan Dunn’s offensive skills up to his first NBA game could best be described as “uninspiring”. In the NBA, Dunn has flourished on both ends, bringing his characteristic lockdown defense, and showing more shooting promise than we could ever have expected from the Virginia product.
Jamal Shead, TOR (RD 2, PK 45)
Stats: 6.4PTS, 5.0AST, 2.0TO, 37%FG, 18.6MPG
Some guys you just can’t bet against. Jamal Shead is one of them. While his perimeter game hasn’t come along in his first seven games, Shead has given Raptors fans a taste of the Jamal Shead Experience - hard-nosed defense, controlling the pulse of the game, and doing the little things to win.
Zach Edey, MEM (RD 1, PK 9)
Stats: 9.1PTS, 5.7REB, 58%FG, 0.4BLK, 9/9 GS
Arguably the most NBA-ready of this class, Edey is an anchor for the Grizzlies. The former Boilermaker has averaged only a mere 0.4 blocks and needs to keep an eye on his foul count (3.3 fouls per game). Still, Edey has controlled the glass in his minutes and been an ideal interior threat for the Memphis backcourt.
Carlton ‘Bub’ Carrington, WAS (RD 1, PK 14)
Stats: 9.2PTS, 4.4AST, 3.6REB, 39%FG, 35% 3PT, 1.4TOPG
Opportunity abounds on the rebuilding Washington Wizards. Bub Carrington has been an early beneficiary, getting the chance to show off what we saw of him in college on an NBA scale; shotmaking, and elevating his teammates. Both have transferred early, as Carrington is showcasing a 4.4/1.4 A/TO ratio.
Dalton Knecht, LAL (RD 1, PK 17)
Stats: 7.7PTS, 1.5REB, 1.2AST, 44%FG, 35% 3PT, 17MPG
Knecht has filled in as Laker faithful had hoped - an instant contributor/rotation piece for a team eager to contend now. With the Lakers off to a steady 4-2 start, Knecht has contributed plenty in his 17 minutes per game. The 6’5” wing is shooting it at a decent clip and shows no signs of growing pains, pushing for an expanded role as LA’s 6th man.
Yves Missi, NOP (RD 1, PK 21)
Stats: 6.3PTS, 6.0REB, 1.5AST, 1.7BLK, 46%FG
The 6’11” Belgian is a fantastic athlete and rim-running lob threat for the NOLA backcourt. While Missi’s play has not been consistent early, this high-flyer is showing as much promise as New Orleans could have hoped for when grabbing him with the 21st pick.
Jaylen Wells, MEM (RD 2, PK 39)
Stats: 10.3PTS, 3.6REB, 1.7AST, 40%FG, 39% 3PT, 1TOPG
Wells has popped for Memphis, shooting the ball as well as any rookie (39% 3PT) and not seeming the slightest bit intimidated on the NBA stage. At 6’7”, Wells can handle and shoot at an NBA level. The 39th overall pick leads all rookies in scoring to this point. Add Wells to the list of another Grizzlies Front Office win in the Draft.
Alex Sarr, WAS (RD 1, PK 2)
Stats: 9.8PTS, 6.2REB, 1.6AST, 38%FG, 2.8BLK, 0.6STL
Sarr got off to a slow start this year, just as he did in Summer League. He vaults up the ladder after a fantastic 17 PT, 6 REB, 4 BLK performance on 7-11 from the field, giving Wizards faithful a taste of what made him so tantalizing as a prospect. While the offensive efficiency splits have been lower than expected, Sarr has made up for his on the defensive end, averaging 3.4 ‘stocks’ per game.
Donovan Clingan, POR (RD 1, PK 7)
Stats: 4.3PTS, 5.7REB, 55%FG, 1-2 3PT, 1.6BLK
The Don has been solid, as expected, early on for Portland. While still getting his feet wet and feeling out his role, Clingan has provided the strong rebounding and shot blocking presence that Portland expected when picking him at #7.
Tristan Da Silva, ORL (RD 1, PK 18)
Stats: 8.5PTS, 2.5REB, 1.0AST, 67% FG, 75% 3PT, 12.5MPG
Like Knecht, questions about Da Silva’s upside arose due to his age (a 23 year old rookie). A better question to ask would have been, is Da Silva good at basketball right now? So far, the Magic would answer with an emphatic yes. Da Silva has shined in extended minutes when given the chance and looks like he could take on a larger role for Orlando. Da Silva is lower on the ladder due to only playing two games.