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NBA: Top 10 Candidates For Rookie Of The Year In 2015-16

By Gerald Bourguet

Jul 14, 2015; Las Vegas, NV, USA; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (46) wins the opening tip off of an NBA Summer League game over Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor (8) at Thomas & Mack Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 14, 2015; Las Vegas, NV, USA; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (46) wins the opening tip off of an NBA Summer League game over Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor (8) at Thomas & Mack Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 25, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Kristaps Porzingis (SPN) reacts after being selected as the number four overall pick to the Miami Heat in the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

9. Kristaps Porzingis

Unlike Jerian Grant, fellow New York Knicks rookie Kristaps Porzingis is unlikely to earn a starting spot when the 2015-16 season tips off. He’s only 20 years old, he’s still thought to be a bit raw by NBA standards and head coach Derek Fisher has a number of options he could start at the 4 over Porzingis.

Will Carmelo Anthony play the power forward spot as he’s often done in New York? Will Derrick Williams move into the starting lineup? Or will Porzingis find a way to crack into that Melo-Williams-Robin Lopez frontcourt? In any event, the Knicks have plenty of big men to rotate in and out, so Porzingis might have to wait to show the Big Apple how high his ceiling really is.

However, as a top-5 pick with so much upside on such a below-average team, it’d be irresponsible to rule him out of our top 10 (Mario Hezonja only misses our top 10 because the Orlando Magic have so much depth on the wing already). After all, we’re talking about a 7’1″ big who has the length to play limited minutes at center and the versatility to spread the floor as a stretch-4.

He can shoot, he can pass, he can block shots — this kid has the potential to be something special in this league. Though Porzingis has a LONG way to go before the premature comparisons to Dirk Nowitzki feel warranted, this Knicks rookie has already impressed Carmelo Anthony and with enough minutes, could do the same with his biggest critics as well.

Next: No. 8