NBA Rookie Rankings 12/15/13: Trades Affecting Rookie of the Year Race

Dec 11, 2013; Sacramento, CA, USA; Utah Jazz point guard Trey Burke (3) passes the ball behind his back against Sacramento Kings shooting guard Ben McLemore (16) during the third quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Utah Jazz defeated the Sacramento Kings 122-101. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Throughout the course of the 2013-14 season, HoopsHabit will be presenting an NBA rookie power ranking, letting you see who has the best shot at winning the Rookie of the Year Award at season’s end.

When it comes to award races, such as Most Valuable Player, Defensive Player of the Year and even Coach of the Year, there is one aspect of professional sports that one must not forget to incorporate throughout the season: trades and player movement.

Rumors have been flying around over the past few weeks about potential trades and free agent signings, many of which affect the Rookie of the Year race as well as the other awards previously mentioned. Realistically, they are inevitable. Trades are going to happen and they are going to have an impact on every player involved in the trade as well as the teams involved.

In the case of the rookies, trades can either be positive or negative depending on the circumstances of the moves being made. This week’s NBA Rookie Rankings sheds some light on that as well other important factors into the latest edition.