NBA Rookie Ladder: Is Raptors’ Scottie Barnes still near the top?
By Mike Luciano
100. SG. Chris Duarte. player. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Indiana Pacers. 8
Duarte is sliding down this list a bit now that he is scheduled to miss time due to a thumb injury. Even though there hasn’t been a ton to smile about in Indiana this season, the idea of a backcourt led by Duarte and Tyrese Haliburton should give Pacers fans hope for the future.
Duarte is still averaging 13.4 points per game while nailing 36% of his 3-point attempts. If the Pacers can reboot things in 2022 around Haliburton, Duarte, and whomever they draft with their lottery pick, Indiana could get sent back on a successful path.
NBA Rookie Ladder: Ayo Dosunmu was a second-round steal.
Ayo Dosunmu. 7. player. 24. PG. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Chicago Bulls
It turns out that a guy averaging 20 points per game as a junior in college and narrowly missed out on National Player of the Year ended up as an effective NBA player! Who could’ve guessed? Dosunmu has helped the Bulls continue winning despite a host of injuries.
Since the start of the new year, Dosunmu has averaged just under 35 minutes per game while amassing 10.4 points per game on 51/41/77 shooting splits. While the Bulls are in the mood to win now, Dosunmu has been so effective as a scorer and passer that he warrants even more minutes than what was previously allocated.