What are the Toronto Raptors chances at winning each individual award?
Raptors Candidate: Missing in Action
Given the fact that the Raptors did not have a single pick in the 2018 Draft, their case for Rookie of the Year is small. Combine that with overseas players are not set to make an impact either, the teams’ chances are stunted further.
Instead of analyzing Raptors’ candidates, we’ll take a look at the leader in the clubhouse: Luka Doncic.
Selected and traded to the Dallas Mavericks for Trae Young and a future first-round pick, Doncic has been better than expected.
After a career overseas in which he played professionally for years, Doncic’s experience has correlated to instant success.
On the year, the point forward has registered 18.2 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game. Those numbers are comparable to that of NBA Superstar LeBron James in his rookie campaign, with Doncic scoring at a much more effective rate.
The Slovenian has also led the Dallas Mavericks to a 15-13 record, a 10-game improvement over last year through 32 games.
Outside of Doncic, the field is headlined by fellow top-five picks DeAndre Ayton, Jaren Jackson Jr. and the aforementioned Young.
With the Phoenix Suns already slumping to the tune of single-digit wins thus far and Young struggling mightily, the only candidate left is Jackson.
Touted as an adequate stretch forward to complement Marc Gasol, Jackson has been better than expected.
On the year, the former Michigan State Spartan has posted averages of 12.7 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game. The rejections are tied with Mitchell Robinson for the top spot among rookies and are tied for a top-10 average league-wide.
Fortunately for the Raptors, the next awards all carry a candidate.