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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; 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 /

7. Stanley Johnson

Not many pegged Stanley Johnson going ahead of Justise Winslow in this year’s draft, but we’re going to stick with the trend and slot in Johnson one spot ahead of the rookie he was frequently compared to over the summer. Winslow may wind up being the better player down the road, but since Johnson has an opportunity to come in and start for the Detroit Pistons, he has a better chance of winning ROY.

Head coach Stan Van Gundy has been coy about whether Johnson will start or come off the bench. First SVG told detroitpistons.com that Johnson would have to earn his minutes since he didn’t believe rookies should be entitled to anything. Then he told Grantland’s Zach Lowe on a podcast that Johnson could be the team’s starting shooting guard or small forward.

The one common theme of Van Gundy’s comments? He’s going to start whoever gives the Pistons their best chance to win. Whether it’s Johnson, Marcus Morris or Kentavious Caldwell-Pope remains to be seen, but if Detroit wants to develop its young talent, it should be giving Johnson as many minutes as possible on the wing.

At NBA Summer League, Johnson was easily one of the most impressive rookies, averaging 16.2 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.0 blocks per game while shooting 57.7 percent from the floor and 41.7 percent from three-point range. If he earns enough minutes, there’s a good chance Johnson will quickly go about backing up his claims that he’s the best player in this year’s draft class.

Next: No. 6