2017-18 NBA Rookie of the Year ladder: Week 4 power rankings

8. Mike James, Phoenix Suns

Last week: No. 7 (↓1)

Eric Bledsoe was finally traded to the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday and Mike James continues to be a bright spot on both ends at the point guard position.

The Phoenix Suns are another team that went winless last week in their slate of games. The Suns are 0-4 since last week’s rankings published, although a lot of that has more to do with youth than anything else.

James did experience his first game without a field goal last Friday night in a losing effort against the New York Knicks. He was 0-for-9 from the floor and 0-for-4 from 3-point range with two points, eight assists, three rebounds and three steals.

On the week, James averaged 11.5 points, 4.0 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 1.3 steals in 25.5 minutes per game. The 27-year-old rookie is handling himself well in a larger role. As the Suns move past Bledsoe and former head coach Earl Watson, James looks to be a key piece in their success.