2017-18 NBA Rookie of the Year ladder: Week 20 power rankings

7. Josh Hart, Los Angeles Lakers

Last week: 10th (↑ 3)

Los Angeles Lakers rookie Josh Hart continues to increase his value in the rotation with his versatility. Lonzo Ball is back, but that hasn’t limited Hart’s role, which is a good thing going forward for him. Hart registered yet another double-double this week as the Lakers have won their past two games.

The rookie out of Villanova had 12 points and 10 rebounds in 34 minutes of action against the Dallas Mavericks on Friday night. The Lakers won the game, 124-102. It was Hart’s sixth double-double of the season and his fourth in the month of February. He’s started the past nine games for the Lakers, who are 6-3 in that span.

On Saturday night, Hart didn’t record a double-double but he did have 10 points, six rebounds and five assists. While he didn’t kill the boards, he showed off his versatility as both a rebounder and a distributor. He’s emerged as the third rookie with upside on a young Los Angeles Lakers squad. Let’s see if they can turn it into bigger success.