The early returns on the 2021 NBA Draft class have been very encouraging for lottery teams like the Toronto Raptors and Cleveland Cavaliers, as both of them appear to have drafted stars in Scottie Barnes and Evan Mobley. The latest NBA Rookie ladder shows that these two aren’t the only teams who hit home runs.
Not only have star prospects like Cade Cunningham and Jalen Green shown that they can be solid pieces for the future, but some prospects picked later in the first round gave already flashed brightly. Even second-round picks like Herb Jones, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, and Dalano Banton have had their moments.
The 2021 class is easily one of the best in years, and it’s helped some teams that were stuck at the bottom of the standings get the shot in the arm they needed to make runs at the postseason this season.
Which rookies have already made themselves into stars capable of playing an impactful role on their new teams? This week’s NBA Rookie ladder shows which players are improving and which ones are miles clear of their contemporaries drafted in the same range.
NBA Rookie Ladder: Is Scottie Barnes ranked over Evan Mobley?
While Jalen Suggs has been starting to turn his offense around in a very gradual manner, Hyland gets the nod here by providing some solid play on a Denver team eyeing a championship. With 7.3 points per game, Hyland has helped make up for the loss of Jamal Murray.
Hyland might not necessarily be guaranteed a ton of time when Murray comes back, but the backcourt combo of Murray, Hyland, and Monte Morris is about as deadly a point guard rotation as there is in the league. Picked just before the end of the first round, Hyland has found a home with the Nuggets.
The Rockets ended up nabbing four first-round picks this year, yet only Sengun and Green have seen regular rotation time. Daniel Theis and Christian Wood might be what the present looks like at the center position for Houston, but Sengun’s first few games make it clear he’s the future.
9.1 points and 4.4 rebounds per game would be impressive enough, but with a few assists and nearly two steals per game also in his back pocket, Sengun has acclimated to the NBA lifestyle after just a few weeks. If he keeps this up, Stephen Silas may have to shake up the rotation.
Cunningham looked flat-out brutal in his first few outings, but he’s put up averaged of 18.3 points and 6.0 rebounds per game in his last three contests. An ankle injury is early limiting him early on, but when Detroit takes the training wheels off, he’ll be ready to make his mark on this team.
Cade Cunningham has already shown an aptitude for initiating offense from the perimeter and navigating his way to the rim due to his size and sharp basketball IQ. Rough start aside, it’s clear that Cunningham is supremely talented, and good things are in store for the Pistons.
NBA Rookie Ladder: Cade Cunningham will improve in 2021-22.
Mitchell’s tenure in Sacramento has been flying under the radar, but he’s already emerged as a high-level on-ball defender in this league. Mitchell is clamping veteran guards in an effort to help turn around a Kings defense that was clearly one of the worst such units in the league last year.
His shooting percentages aren’t the best right now, but considering the veterans that the Kings can lean on, Mitchell doesn’t need to score 20 a night. As long as he continues to get marginally better over the course of the season, Mitchell should be in line for a potential All-Rookie selection.
The efficiency numbers for Green don’t look great, as Houston is letting their No. 2 pick chuck it up as frequently as possible with the aim of improving his scoring skills. After eschewing college, 14.5 points per game is a very solid number for a player as gifted as he is.
While he hasn’t always been the best on the defensive end, and while his numbers have done little to translate into Houston victories, Green has reminded us all that the flashes everyone saw in G League and high school play translated to the NBA. After a few games, Houston has to be pleased with their return.
NBA Rookie Ladder: Jalen Green is scoring at a solid rate.
Duarte’s scoring numbers have dipped slightly as the season has gone on, and they could shrink even more when TJ Warren returns, but that is no reason to qualify or disparage the accomplishments he’s earned this season. The former Oregon star looks like a solid 3-and-D player that can thrive on this team for years to come.
Duarte was expected to come in and contribute right away given how he’s older than most lottery picks, and he’s done so without taking a ton of shots away from Domantas Sabonis. If Indiana wants to turn the season around, Duarte will have a huge part to play.
While the Thunder might be punting on this year, they will be putting a ton of emphasis and focus on Giddey’s production. While the young Australian faced a steep jump in competition, he already looks like someone that will become a part of the long-term plan in Oklahoma City.
Giddey is leading all rookies in assists, as he has shown almost no issues when it comes to meshing with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in the backcourt. If Giddey keeps this production up, it should surprise no one if he eventually starts contending for All-Star games with regularity.
NBA Rookie Ladder: Josh Giddey is doing it all for Oklahoma City.
The Magic may have drafted Suggs before Wagner, but considering that the emergence of Cole Anthony has made it a bit tough for the Gonzaga product to get a ton of on-ball reps, it’s actually been Wagner who has been the more impressive of the two rookies. Wagner is scoring with ease and making some nice plays on the defensive end.
Wagner has taken full advantage of the fact that some early injuries in Orlando’s rotation have given him the opportunity to shine. The present might be a touch rough for Orlando, but if Wagner keeps playing like this, the Magic could turn themselves around very quickly.
Mobley was billed as a rare prospect due to his combination of defensive versatility, ball-handling for a player his size, and offensive potential. Alongside Jarrett Allen and Lauri Markkanen in an ultra-big lineup, Mobley has been a transformational piece for Cleveland.
The Cavs look like a team that could contend for a playoff spot this season, and Mobley being able to defend point guards and centers while flashing plus interior finishing on the other end is a huge reason why. If anyone in Cleveland had doubts about this pick, they are long gone.
NBA Rookie Ladder: Evan Mobley is slightly behind Scottie Barnes.
Mobley has been pretty impressive as he starts his career in the NBA, but given how Barnes has a very slight rebounding and scoring edge, he’ll get the top spot on this list for now. For someone who was advertised as a raw offensive player coming out of college, Barnes has managed to become a solid role player.
Barnes’ transformation from offensive question mark to two-way stud who has often been Toronto’s best player in a given game has been fun to watch. With Nick Nurse coaching him up, Barnes’ ceiling is only going to keep improving.