NBA: Post-Summer League Rookie Of The Year Standings

By Ezra Siegel | Jul 26, 2015

Jul 10, 2015; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Karl-Anthony Towns (32) shoots against the defense of Los Angeles Lakers center Robert Upshaw (12) during an NBA Summer League game at Thomas & Mack Center. Minnesota won the game 81-68. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports /

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Jun 25, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Stanley Johnson (Arizona) greets NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the number eight overall pick to the Detroit Pistons in the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

6. Stanley Johnson – Detroit Pistons

Johnson was my top rookie standout through the NBA Summer League, so it’s difficult to keep him out of the top-5 on this list. However, like Hezonja, Johnson’s Rookie of the Year stock may be a victim of circumstance.

In five games for the Pistons, Johnson was fantastic while averaging 16.2 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.8 steals and a block per game. He showed his potential guarding multiple positions and was the poster boy for efficiency with a remarkable 31.89 Player Efficiency Rating (PER).

While Johnson looked NBA-ready, he may not get an immediate chance to start in Detroit. The Pistons have a legitimate chance at making the playoffs in a weak Eastern Conference this season, and with Marcus Morris, Jodie Meeks, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Reggie Jackson and potentially Danny Granger in the lineup in Detroit, Johnson will have to earn big minutes.

Luckily for Johnson, the Pistons could use a guy with his versatility. If he can defend, get to the rim, shoot outside jumpers and rebound at a similar efficiency to his Orlando Summer League numbers, he should have a chance to be a key player by the year’s end.

If he can crack the starting lineup, it will go a long way towards his Rookie of the Year odds. For now, the question is simply how many minutes will he play?

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