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

Other Rookies Considered:

Dec 11, 2013; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks shooting guard Tim Hardaway Jr. (5) reacts after making a three point shot in the first half against the Chicago Bulls at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

* Tim Hardaway Jr. – After having a terrific streak of games last week, Hardaway Jr’s play has leveled out a bit, failing to reach double-digit scoring in four straight games. The low point of this week came against the Boston Celtics where Hardaway saw the floor for only nine minutes and recorded zero points on two shot attempts. Things could get worse, or better depending on how you look at it, for Hardaway. His name has been floated around in trade rumors involving the Toronto Raptors and New York Knicks for Kyle Lowry. If traded, it could go either way for the rookie, but right now he just narrowly misses this week’s cut.

* Kelly Olynyk – The Boston Celtics rookie made his return to the floor after a 10 game absence due to ankle injury. Olynyk scored four points in 14 minutes of action. He’s on the outside looking in right now, but the potential impact that the rookie out of Gonzaga cannot be misinterpreted.

* Mason Plumlee – Plumlee’s minutes have been declining a bit and his production has taken a dip as well. In hindsight, the Brooklyn Nets have been winning more and slowly getting healthy. Go figure.