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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 12, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; U.S player Jahlil Okafor (8) with the ball as World player Andrew Wiggins (22) defends in the second half during the Rising Stars Challenge basketball game at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 12, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; U.S player Jahlil Okafor (8) with the ball as World player Andrew Wiggins (22) defends in the second half during the Rising Stars Challenge basketball game at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Jahlil Okafor, Philadelphia 76ers

Okafor is the only rookie who has the raw numbers to compete with Towns for Rookie of the Year. They’re both tied in scoring and aren’t far apart in the rebounding category.

Still, it’s an uphill battle for Okafor because of his lack of defensive play and the 76ers’ overall success.

Philadelphia was a disgrace before they made the trade for Ish Smith, while the Timberwolves have plenty of promise and talent on the roster already. Towns has both things going for him, something that Okafor unfortunately can’t say.

Is he the next Brook Lopez or Al Jefferson? I see both comparisons and I’ve leaned more towards Lopez because of the struggles in consistent rebounding and defensive effort. But if he gets those two areas turned around then Jefferson is the better ceiling prediction for him.

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