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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 8, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) dribbles the ball up the court against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first half at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 8, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) dribbles the ball up the court against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first half at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns

When Booker came out of college the comparisons and overall ceiling were pretty clear and undeniable: is he the next Klay Thompson?

I saw the potential but didn’t think he would show it so soon in his career. He’s the youngest player in the NBA yet he’s been as impressive as anyone else in the field outside of Towns.

Booker’s averaging 10.6 points per game on a .450/.403/.824 slash line in just 23.3 minutes per game. In other words since he got a starting role he’s been close to a guaranteed 20 points a game every night and he’s doing it efficiently.

He finished third in the Foot Locker Three-Point Contest behind only Thompson and Stephen Curry. Is he already the third-best shooter in the league? I don’t think it’s out of the question.

Booker could challenge Towns depending on his numbers in the year’s second half, but I don’t see his team being more successful down the stretch than the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Next: Poor Man's Towns?