The “Low Ceiling” Guys Shine, Week Five NBA Rookie Ladder

Jared McCain and Dalton Knecht highlight a surprisingly impressive rookie class through mid-November.

1. Jared McCain, PHI (RD 1, PK 16)

Stats: 16.6PTS, 2.8AST, 46% FG, 40% 3PT

Last Ladder: 3

McCain soars to the number 1 spot after averaging 26.5 points in his last five games. The Duke product has been on a tear, averaging the most points from a rookie starter since Michael Jordan. Notice a trend in the top few players on the ladder; guys who were perceived “low upside”, but are integral contributors right away.

2. Dalton Knecht, LAL (RD 1, PK 17)

Stats: 11.5PTS, 2.8REB, 52%FG, 45% 3PT

Last Ladder: 6

Highlighted by a 37 point outing against the Jazz, Knecht spearheaded a recent six game win streak for the Lakers. Knecht seems tailor-made for what JJ Redick wants to do, and has been a seamless fit next to LeBron in the Lakers lineup with his shooting prowess.

3. Jaylen Wells, MEM (RD 2, PK 39)

Stats: 12.5PTS, 3.1REB, 46% FG, 40% 3PT

Last Ladder: 1

Coming off of a 26 point, 6 assist night vs Chicago, Wells made his case to be at the top of the board. Getting consistent minutes in the Memphis rotation due to injuries, Wells has not disappointed. Somehow, Wells fell to the second round. Another notch in the belt of how well the Grizzlies identify and develop young talent.

4. Stephon Castle, SAS (RD 1, PK 4)

Stats: 10.9PTS, 3.6AST, 2.6REB, 39% FG

Last Ladder: 9

Castle has exploded in recent games, surging up this edition of the ladder. The UConn product has turned heads with his patented lockdown defense and steadily improving passing and shooting. The body control and poise on both ends is atypical for a rookie in November. Don’t count out Castle in the ROY race. 

5. Zach Edey, MEM (RD 1, PK 9)

Stats: 11.1PTS, 6.9REB, 61% FG, 1.0BLK

Last Ladder: 3

While some questioned grabbing Edey with the 9th pick, the 7’4” center has lived up to his draft position so far in starter quality minutes for Memphis. Playing alongside Ja has been a boon for Edey - the pressure Morant puts on the rim opens things for plenty of easy Edey buckets.

6. Carlton ‘Bub’ Carrington, WAS (RD 1, PK 14)

Stats: 9.5PTS, 4.6AST, 4.1REB, 41%FG, 36% 3PT

Last Ladder: 4

Carrington has been the beneficiary of having the most minutes opportunities of the rookies. There have been up and down nights, but there is plenty to be excited about with Bub as a playmaker - including a 9 assist, 0 turnover performance vs the Hawks on 11/15. 

7. Zaccharie Risacher , ATL (RD 1, PK 1)

Stats: 11.5PTS, 3.9REB, 39% FG, 25% 3PT, 1.6 STL + BLK

Last Ladder: 5

Risacher takes a slight slide down the ladder; the 1st overall pick has shown plenty of upside as a 3 and D wing, but inconsistency and inefficiency have plagued his play. At times, the game seems to come easy for Risacher. At others, the inexperience shines. To be expected from a 19 year old rookie, but it does not help his ROY case. 

8. Ryan Dunn, PHX (RD 1, PK 28)

Stats: 6.9PTS, 2.6REB, 42% FG, 33% 3PT

Last Ladder: 7

After a scorching hot start offensively, Dunn has cooled considerably for Phoenix. Still, the former Virginia Cavalier will always find a way onto the court with his lockdown perimeter defense. Dunn’s long term upside will be heavily dependent on how his shot develops. For now, Dunn is a natural fit in a perimeter defense oriented role for a team looking to win now.

9. Donovan Clingan, POR (RD 1, PK 7)

Stats: 5.8PTS, 6.7REB, 2.2BLK, 53% FG

Last Ladder: 8

Clingan’s 0 point, 19 rebound performance was emblematic of the larger picture for him so far this season. Finding a path to consistent buckets offensively has been a challenge, but as evidenced by the rebound and block numbers, making an impact around the rim has not. Clingan’s development will be one to monitor closely in the coming months.

10. Alex Sarr, WAS (RD 1, PK 2)

Stats: 10.0PTS, 6.3REB, 2.3AST, 2.0BLK, 35%FG

Last Ladder: 10

Sarr has not been a beacon of efficiency. Still, there are plenty of encouraging signs from the Frenchmen on both ends. Flashes of BBIQ, defensive prowess, and fluid athleticism, as well as a 17 point, 14 rebound breakout game against Indiana on 11/24 land him the 10 spot on the ladder.