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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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Feb 10, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell (1) shoots against Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) in the fourth quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 10, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell (1) shoots against Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) in the fourth quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /

6. D’Angelo Russell, Los Angeles Lakers

Russell’s had a roller coaster ride in the NBA so far because of coach Byron Scott‘s refusal to give him a permanent role in the rotation in terms of minutes. Whether you agree with Scott’s judgment or not, Russell has the talent of a future star in this league.

He has great size for the point guard position, the requisite shooting range, and the passing vision to make others better and carry a team in a similar way that other star floor generals have. The problem is his decision-making and shot selection are suspect at this stage of his development meaning he’s probably not ready for a larger role quite yet.

But his future in this league is undeniable if you grade him off of the eye test. It’s all about harnessing that potential from here on out.

Russell doesn’t have the starting spot to compete with Towns for Rookie of the Year but in terms of best player from this draft class he has plenty of ammo to use down the line.

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