As the 2021-22 NBA season draws to a close, it has been a standout year for a number of rookies and as we enter the business end of the season, the Kia Rookie Ladder is starting to tighten up as a number of star players look to be crowned Rookie of the Year.
Evan Mobley, the number three overall draft pick for the Cleveland Cavaliers continues to lead the way, holding on to the top spot for most of the season. Mobley has been consistent throughout the season, exceeding all expectations the Cavs could have had when they signed him.
Mobley is a USC graduate and has found himself in the thick of the action this season due to injuries in the Cavaliers lineup to key players including Darius Garland, Caris LeVert and Collin Sexton. In the main, he has stepped up to the plate, however, in the three games he has played post-All Stars Weekend, both his scoring and shooting stats have dropped below his pre-AS numbers and the Cavs will be hoping he rediscovers his touch as we head into the home stretch.
The Cavaliers are holding onto a top-six spot as we head into March and they will be hoping to make the playoffs without having to go through the play-in tournament. The playoffs will kick-off following the conclusion of the regular season and the play-in tournament and will start on Saturday 16 April. The Cavs are outsiders to lift the NBA Championship in 2022, however, stranger things have happened. They are currently 51.00 with Betway Sports to lift the Championship they last won in 2016.
Mobley is unlikely to have it all his own way as we enter the business end of the season. Below, we take a closer look at the four leading rookies that are looking to chase down Mobley and claim the Number One Rookie title in 2021-22.
2. Scottie Barnes – Toronto Raptors
Scottie Barnes is the man pushing the hardest to overtake Mobley and claim the Rookie of the Year award. Unlike Mobley, Barnes’ form has been stellar in recent weeks, with 28-point run-outs at Charlotte and at Brooklyn. In Brooklyn, Barnes was almost unplayable, landing his first 11 shots and grabbing a season-best 16 rebounds. He became the first rookie since Shaquille O’Neal to have at least 25 points, 15 rebounds and 5 steals in a game. The race for Rookie of the Year might well be determined by the influence Mobley and Barnes have over their respective teams in the run-in. Just two games separate the Raptors from the Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference standings so expect both to go down to the wire.
3. Cade Cunningham – Detroit Pistons
Cade Cunningham was the number one overall draft pick in 2021-22 and we should not expect him to give up on the ROY prize without a fight. He is another who has gotten better as the season has progressed and in the recent Rising Stars game at the All-Stars weekend, Cunningham took out MVP. The Pistons have had a tough season and are unlikely to make the post-season playoffs, however, Cunningham has been a shining light for the team and someone they can build their future around. Despite a disappointing season, the future looks bright for Cunningham and taking out ROY would be a pretty solid consolation.
4. Franz Wagner – Orlando Magic
Franz Wagner has been a staple of the Orlando Magic’s lineup this season. In fact, Wagner has played in all 62 games for Orlando this season – one of only five players in the league to start each of his team’s games – not bad for a rookie. He leads the class of 2021 in terms of minutes on court and points scored and has scored 20 points or more 14 times this season. Currently sitting in fourth place on the Kia Rookie Ladder, it may be a stretch too far for Wagner to overhaul those above him, however, it is likely that he will finish the season with some of the leading stats for the rookie class of ‘21.
5. Josh Giddey – Oklahoma City Thunder
It has been a disappointing end to the season for Josh Giddey. Prior to the All-Star Weekend, Giddey was up to third on the Rookie Ladder and in the form of his life. He put up a good showing in the Skills Tournament at the AS Weekend and it seemed like he was destined for a late-season push for the ROY title. Sadly, a hip injury has curtailed his hopes and has played just once since the All-Star break. He was in fine form leading into the AS Weekend, posting three consecutive triple-doubles – only the second rookie in history to achieve this feat and also became the youngest rookie in NBA history to record a triple-double. The Australian’s season may have come to an early conclusion, however, the Thunder look in great hands as his partnership with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continues to blossom.
All of these players have a bright future ahead and will one day hope to take over from the best players in the NBA including James Harden, LeBron James and Steph Curry.