2022 NBA Awards Watch: The official halfway-point ballot

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CLEVELAND, OHIO – JANUARY 02: Evan Mobley #4 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts to a call during the second half against the Indiana Pacers at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on January 02, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio, 2022 NBA Awards Watch: The official halfway-point ballot. The Cavaliers defeated the Pacers 108-104. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

2022 NBA Awards Watch: Rookie of the Half-Year – Evan Mobley

Honorable Mentions: Franz Wagner, Cade Cunningham

Evan Mobley has missed time due to injury and COVID concerns and is still unshakable from the top spot in this race. He is making the case for an All-Defensive Team as a rookie, something only 26 players have done before. Mobley is a walking scheme and is one of the driving factors in the Cleveland Cavalier’s surprising success this season (more on that to come).

Cade Cunningham has been streaky to an extent, but when he pops, he is a lethal scoring option who does all the things essential to winning. His explosion against the Utah Jazz (albeit without Rudy Gobert) put those not paying attention on notice.

Then, this weekend, he was off to another stellar performance against a top team before getting ejected for pointing. To me, Cade Cunningham is the only player that could actually challenge Evan Mobley for rookie of the year.

For much of the early season, Scottie Barnes would have been the third name on this list, but his slight skid has coincided with the rising dominance of Franz Wagner.

He had a 21-game streak of scoring in double figures, averaging 18.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.0 steals per game over that stretch. Barnes will have a chance to get back on the list, but Wagner has more than earned his spot so far.