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NBA: Projecting Top 2015-16 Rookie Of The Year Threats

By Jake Hyman

Jun 25, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; D'Angelo Russell (Ohio State) shakes hands with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the number two overall pick to the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 25, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; D'Angelo Russell (Ohio State) shakes hands with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the number two overall pick to the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 26, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Flip Saunders and number one overall draft pick Karl-Anthony Towns pose with his new jersey at Mayo Clinic Square. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 26, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Flip Saunders and number one overall draft pick Karl-Anthony Towns pose with his new jersey at Mayo Clinic Square. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /

3. PF/C Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves

2014-15 College Stats: 10.3 ppg. 6.7 rpg. 1.1 apg. 2.3 bpg. 57.7% FG. 25% 3PFG.

2015-16 Projected NBA Stats: 13.7 ppg. 7.8 rpg. 2.1 apg. 2.3 bpg. 53% FG. 32% 3PFG.

The Wolves drafted Karl-Anthony Towns due to his enormous two-way upside and versatility in the frontcourt. The Kentucky product produced in a system that limited his playing time, but minutes won’t be hard to find in Minnesota. He’ll be put to work early and often in a depleted frontcourt rotation.

Where his value lies, and doesn’t get the full consideration necessary to garner ROY votes, is on the less glamorous end of the floor. Towns is the premier force in the 2015 draft class as an interior eraser. While his teammate Willie Cauley-Stein might have the most versatility handling the opposition, Towns’ value to his respective organization is paramount.

It looks like he’s already putting in work.

Per 40 minutes, the native of the Dominican Republic averaged 4.3 rejections per game per sports-reference. Minnesota’s nonstop pace plays favorably into Towns’ offensive numbers as well. Averaging more than 12 points per contest shouldn’t be a pipe dream for Towns and he devours misses and has a knack for keeping plays alive with put-backs.

Towns will certainly be in consideration until the conclusion of the season as his versatility to play both frontcourt positions is unique.

Next: Lillard-Esque Rookie Campaign?