NBA: Top 10 candidates for Rookie of the Year Award in 2017-18
10. Jayson Tatum
This seems disrespectfully low for the No. 3 pick of the draft, but before Boston Celtics fans start lighting their torches and sharpening their pitchforks, consider that general manager Danny Ainge said it himself: Jayson Tatum probably won’t play enough to earn Rookie of the Year honors.
Over the last 10 years, the only player to win Rookie of the Year while playing fewer than 30 minutes per game was Malcolm Brogdon. Team success should be a factor in the voting, but Tatum is unlikely to find the minutes needed to put up big numbers when Gordon Hayward, Jaylen Brown, Marcus Morris and Semi Ojeleye are all viable options at the 3.
Tatum displayed the NBA-caliber scoring that he’s expected to possess during NBA Summer League, averaging 18.7 points, 9.7 rebounds, 2.3 steals and 2.0 assists per game on 46.8 percent shooting in Utah and 17.7 points and 8.0 rebounds per game in Las Vegas to earn Second Team All-Summer League honors.
Tatum shouldn’t be counted out of the running as a top-three pick, but unless injuries call for it, his limited minutes on a top Eastern Conference contender will probably prevent him from putting up ROY numbers.