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2016 NBA Rookie Ladder: Who Can Challenge Towns For ROTY?

By Nathan Grubel

Feb 13, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns competes in the skills challenge during the NBA All Star Saturday Night at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 13, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns competes in the skills challenge during the NBA All Star Saturday Night at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 11, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Jonathon Simmons (17) drives around Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez (11) during the fourth quarter at Barclays Center. San Antonio Spurs won 106-79. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 11, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Jonathon Simmons (17) drives around Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez (11) during the fourth quarter at Barclays Center. San Antonio Spurs won 106-79. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /

10. Jonathon Simmons, San Antonio Spurs

Simmons isn’t the flashiest prospect here but we have talked about him before.

He’s not your average rookie as he’s had plenty of professional experience before this point, but this is his first time playing in the NBA and he’s done a remarkable job of keeping a rotation spot with the Spurs, a team that doesn’t generally favor young players getting regular minutes.

Simmons is a big wing who can score efficiently, stretch the floor and defend at a high level. Essentially he’s perfect for Gregg Popovich’s style of play.

None of these other rookies are likely to make a huge impact in the upcoming playoff race outside Simmons, so he’s in a spotlight that few others can say they’re in from here on out. But don’t expect him to leap forward and challenge Towns for best rookie in the class.

Next: Great Future, Murky Present