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Jared McCain is the biggest call on the NBA DL these days. Kawhi Leonard, Zion Williamson, some star young forwards from Orlando and McCain’s teammate Joel Embiid are above Philadelphia’s rookie in the disgusting, unhinged, unavailable pecking order.
But the Sixers’ first-round pick was a bright spot for his team in a rocky start to the season. His surgery Tuesday to repair a torn lateral meniscus in his left knee has not been officially called “season-ending. ” “However, it will marginalize McCain enough to consider him a valid candidate for Kia Rookie of the Year.
That race, already tight through the first eight weeks with San Antonio’s Stephon Castle, has become Castle’s to lose for now. He is the top rung-holder, positioned nicely to back up teammate Victor Wembanyama’s ROY season with another.
However, Memphis’ Zach Edey and Jaylen Wells, New Orleans’ Yves Missi, the Lakers’ Dalton Knecht and a few others still have time to sway voters. Here’s how they fare in the latest edition of Ladder:
• If that were to happen – with Castle crowned most productive rookie – the Spurs would be the fifth franchise in NBA history to win back-to-back ROY titles. The last five: the Chicago Packers and Chicago Zephyrs (later the Washington Wizards) in 1962 (Walt Bellamy) and 1963 (Terry Dischinger), the Baltimore Bullets (now Wizards) in 1968 (Earl Monroe) and 1969 (Wes Unseld ), the Portland Trail Blazers in 1971 (Geoff Petrie) and 1972 (Sidney Wicks), the Buffalo Braves (now LA Clippers) in 1973 (Bob McAdoo) and 1974 (Ernie DiGregorio) and the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2015 (Andrew Wiggins) and 2016 (Karl-Anthony Towns).
• Utah Jazz rookie Cody Williams has been slow to gain ground: he has just one game scoring more than 10 points and only two shooting at least part of his shots, and has finished nine DNPs recently. But the No. 10 pick has one ultimate merit that other newcomers don’t: a brother in the league who imparts wisdom, much of which focuses on patience.
“I try to emphasize that with him,” OKC’s Jalen Williams said this week in Las Vegas. “You may not play basketball for a year with this team. You try to play for 10 to 15 years.
Older brother was 21 when the Thunder made him the No. 12 pick in 2022 and wound up finishing second to Orlando’s Paolo Banchero in ROY balloting. He also was about 25 pounds sturdier than Cody, who just turned 20 last month.
Jalen said, “I couldn’t believe I came to the NBA at 19 and openly bet against those guys. That shows how talented he is.
No. 1 vs. “No. 1.” See what happens when you try to open a Christmas gift early. What was likely to be a head-to-head comparison on Dec. 23 of the top two rookies — McCain and Castle — won’t be happening now. Instead, we’ll tune in for a game featuring the No. 1 pick in June, Atlanta’s Zaccharie Risacher, and Castle. That comes Thursday when Atlanta plays at San Antonio.
(All statistics till Tuesday December 17)
1. Stephon’s Castle, San Antonio Spurs
Castle appeared in just one game, scoring two points on 1-of-8 shooting in a loss to Minnesota. . . and climbed to the top of the standings for the first time this season. McCain’s knee surgery opened up that spot, and that may pave the way for the Spurs guard to win the ROY award. His defense, his impact on and off the court and San Antonio’s step forward make him a favorite in Las Vegas.
2. Jared McCain, Philadelphia 76ers
When it rains, it rains a lot for the Sixers. How much will this hapless team be missed thanks to the East’s most productive rookie in October/November? “I think it’s definitely going to be difficult,” said teammate Guerschon Yabusele. “I think Jared is one of a kind, a kid with a lot of energy, no fear, who can bring so many smart things to us offensively. “
3. Yves Missi, New Orleans Pelicans
Missi is already one of the few Pelicans who will be unavailable as the industry deadline approaches. Put up plenty of consistent numbers with 36 from the 6-foot-11 center: 12. 9 points, 11. 9 rebounds, 1. 7 blocks, with 5. 3 of those rebounds coming on the offensive end.
4. Jaylen Wells, Memphis Grizzlies
Wells contributes to winning more than any other Class of 2024 member as a Grizzlies starter averaging 24.6 minutes. That’s not a huge filter for assessing rookies but it’s something. Of often guarding the opponents’ most potent scorers, Wells recently said: “I’m going to have times where they’re killing me since I’m a rookie, but I’m learning every game.”
5. Alexandre Sarr, Washington Wizards
Sarr continues to expand through losses, averaging 14 problems per game and 6. 5 problems per game and a plus-4. 0 of sorts while recording 27. 1 mpg in games the Wizards have lost with 24. It ranks in the Top 10 among newbies in terms of scoring. , rebounds and assists.
6. Zacharie Risacher, Atlanta Falcons
Some Hawks watchers think subbing in the rookie for De’Andre Hunter — it’s the other way right now — would help Risacher and the team.
7. Bub Carrington, Washington Wizards
Sinking or swimming in the back of the pool (34. 3 mpg per week, 33. 3% shooting, -17. 5 in 2 games).
8. Zach Edey, Memphis Grizzlies
Back strong after a 12-game absence, shooting 6-of-8 for thirteen points with 10 rebounds (eight offensive) for the Lakers.
9. Dalton Knecht, Los Angeles Lakers
Fall in balance due to a difficult December (6. 4 ppg, 37. 3 FG%, 11. 5 3FG%).
10. Donovan Clingan, Portland Trail Blazers
He leads in blocks (2. 1) and averages 8 points, 10 rebounds and 3 blocks as a starter.
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Steve Aschburner has been writing about the NBA since 1980. You can email him here, his archives here, and follow him on X.
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