NBA: Ranking all 30 starting point guards for 2018-19

6. Ben Simmons, Philadelphia 76ers

Ben Simmons wasn’t just the deserving Rookie of the Year in his first NBA season, he was one of the best players in the league, period. In his second year with the Philadelphia 76ers, it’s scary to think of how much he could improve on the 15.8 points, 8.2 assists and 8.1 rebounds per game he averaged last season.

Simmons’ ascension to becoming a top-five player in the league hinges on his ability to develop a respectable outside jumper, which will take time. However, even if currently can’t shoot from much further than the painted area, he still posted the most triple-doubles from any rookie in NBA history other than Oscar Robertson.

It won’t be long before he joins the Big O and Russell Westbrook as the only players to average a triple-double for an entire season, but for now, he’ll settle for being one of the game’s prodigy playmakers, high-flying dunkers and stout two-way defenders. Given the way he exploded onto the scene last year, this ranking actually might wind up being too low.