2016 NBA Rookie Ladder: Kristaps Porzingis Remains No. 1

Nov 29, 2015; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks power forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) drives the ball against Houston Rockets power forward Terrence Jones (6) during the third quarter of the game at Madison Square Garden. The Rockets won 116-111. Mandatory Credit: Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY Sports /

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Nov 21, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic forward Andrew Nicholson (44) and Sacramento Kings center Willie Cauley-Stein (00) battle for a rebound during the second quarter of at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

9. Willie Cauley-Stein, Sacramento Kings

Cauley-Stein isn’t a remarkable offensive player, at least not yet. He’s limited to easy dunks and put-backs around the basket thanks to the lack of an outside shot.

What he’s done on defense, however, is a different story. He’s played well alongside DeMarcus Cousins, plugging up the holes down low defensively. A mobile shot blocker (1.2 per game) who can help on the weak side and switch onto smaller players, Cauley-Stein has been the game-changing force on defense that we thought he would be coming out of the draft.

If he matures his game on offense at all this season, he will shoot up these rankings.

Next: Detroit's Next Young Star