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2016 NBA Rookie Ladder: Top 10 Risers And Fallers

By Nathan Grubel

Mar 17, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Emmanuel Mudiay (0) drives on Atlanta Hawks guard Jeff Teague (0) in the first quarter at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 17, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Emmanuel Mudiay (0) drives on Atlanta Hawks guard Jeff Teague (0) in the first quarter at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 25, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Seth Curry (30) fouls Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) during the fourth quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Kings won 116-94. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 25, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Seth Curry (30) fouls Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) during the fourth quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Kings won 116-94. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns

I have Devin Booker as the second-most underrated player in his draft class in terms of position drafted. Booker went 14th overall, which ended up being way too low for a 2-guard as good as he is.

Booker’s reputation coming out of college saw him as a spot-up shooter who could cut to the basket and score off easy looks at times. No one thought he could contribute off the dribble this early in his career, but man has he proved people wrong.

He’s even played the point at times for a depleted Suns squad and he hasn’t looked bad doing it. A wing who can handle the ball and shoot it like he does has great value in today’s “pace and space” NBA, so the Suns definitely got a steal in this year’s draft.

Is he the next Klay Thompson as everyone has compared him to before the draft and throughout the year? He’ll have to make significant improvements on defense both on and off the ball if he wants to validate those comparisons, but make no mistake his shooting ability will rival the snipers in Golden State for seasons to come.

Next: The Surprise Second-Round Pick