2016-17 NBA Awards Season: Top 10 Rookie Of The Year Candidates

Mar 6, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Malcolm Brogdon (13) passes off past Philadelphia 76ers forward Richaun Holmes (22) and forward Dario Saric (9) during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Milwaukee Bucks won 112-98. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

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Mar 22, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Buddy Hield (24) during the first quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Buddy Hield

It’s hard to endorse a ROY candidate when he was traded halfway through his rookie season, but considering the Sacramento Kings thought he was worthy of being the centerpiece in a DeMarcus Cousins trade, perhaps that actually strengthens his case.

Of course, that Boogie trade was still horrendous from Sacramento’s perspective, but Hield has put up decent numbers with the Kings and the New Orleans Pelicans despite having to adjust to so many different roles.

He’s averaging 10.5 points and 3.3 rebounds in 22.9 minutes per game for the season as a whole, but he’s stepped up his numbers to 15.1 points and 4.1 rebounds per game in his 24 games with the Kings — all while shooting a blistering 48 percent from the field and 42.5 percent from deep.

Now, 24 games does not make a season, which is why Hield’s ROY case falls a bit short of where most experts thought it might be heading into the season. However, with Hield usurping Ben McLemore in Sacramento’s rotation, his steady numbers over the course of the season should earn him some votes.