NBA Rookie Ladder: Ja Morant continues to impress for Memphis Grizzlies

5. Kendrick Nunn, Miami Heat

17.8 PPG, 2.5 REB, 3.2 AST

What’s not to like about Kendrick Nunn‘s game at this point?

A steady scoring guard who can hold his own from anywhere on the floor and set the table for others when he needs to? Who wouldn’t want someone like him on their team?

Put simply, Nunn’s been the best story from this rookie class given that he came into the NBA from the G League as an undrafted talent looking for a chance. Golden State didn’t hang onto him, but what is one team’s roster cut is another team’s treasure.

And who’s better at finding uses for overlooked talents than the Miami Heat front office duo of Pat Riley and Erik Spoelstra?

What stands out to me personally when evaluating Nunn this year is how much responsibility offensively the coaching staff has already entrusted to him. He’s taking 15 shots a game in lineups that also include the likes of Jimmy Butler, Goran Dragic and Justise Winslow.

He’s even creating for others and taking on point guard duties in a pinch, meaning that the Heat trust him to make the right decisions and operate as a leader for this squad moving forward.

Stories like his are why many value sports in general, but Nunn won’t just be a one-hit wonder after this season. He’s going to get paid and earn himself multiple starting roles for years to come given his overall skills package and willingness to do the dirty work on both ends of the floor.

Well done Miami to find a true diamond in the rough.