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NBA: Favorites For Rookie Of The Year After Ben Simmons Injury

By Maxwell Ogden

Jul 12, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Ben Simmons (25) dribbles the ball during an NBA Summer League game against the Golden State Warriors at Thomas & Mack Center. Golden State won the game 85-77. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 12, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Ben Simmons (25) dribbles the ball during an NBA Summer League game against the Golden State Warriors at Thomas & Mack Center. Golden State won the game 85-77. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 23, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Kris Dunn (Providence) shows off the inside of his coat after being selected as the number five overall pick to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 23, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Kris Dunn (Providence) shows off the inside of his coat after being selected as the number five overall pick to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Kris Dunn, Minnesota Timberwolves

Position: Point Guard
Age: 22 (3/18/1994)
Drafted: Round 1, Pick 5
2015-16 Slash Line: .448/.372/.695
2015-16 Season Averages: 33.0 MPG, 16.4 PPG, 6.2 APG, 5.3 RPG, 2.5 SPG, 1.3 3PM

Kris Dunn has a chance to go down as the best player to emerge from this draft class. His peers certainly believe the hype, as he was voted by his fellow first-year players as the best defender and best playmaker amongst the incoming rookies.

Most applicably, his fellow first-year players voted him as the favorite for the 2016-17 Rookie of the Year award—and yes, this was before Ben Simmons’ injury.

The respect of one’s peers doesn’t necessarily guarantee success, but Dunn is a more polished jump shot away from superstardom. He has beautiful court vision, rebounds exceptionally well, and defends at a high level.

Those three traits remain invaluable, especially during an era in which point guards are tasked with kickstarting the fast break by forcing turnovers and crashing the boards.

The benefit for Dunn in Minnesota may also be what derails him in the Rookie of the Year conversation. He’s surrounded by an extraordinary level of young talent, but that may limit his touches, shot attempts, and overall playing time.

Ricky Rubio is a stud point guard, Zach LaVine has proven to be a capable facilitator, and Tom Thibodeau has an undeniable history of not giving his rookies big minutes.

One simply can’t overlook a player who has occasionally looked like a 6’4″ Chris Paul.