With the right combination of talent and opportunity, a rookie can be quite productive in his first season in the league. Generally, the top players go to teams with the greatest need for their services, so it’s safe to assume that the Rookie of the Year will be a top 10 draft pick. But each year, a few non-top 10 picks win rotation spots and manage to contribute. From a fantasy standpoint, it’s unwise to spend picks in the first few rounds on a rookie, but those owners that grabbed Chris Paul in the middle rounds last season laughed all the way to the playoffs. Here is a list of rookies that will make an impact this season, in order of talent and opportunity. The 2006-07 ROY is probably on this list.
Brandon Roy, POR (selected #6 in the NBA draft)
Roy was labeled one of the most NBA-ready players in the 2006 draft, and he’ll get plenty of minutes playing for a very bad Blazers team. In the preseason, he has averaged 15.5 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game.
Rudy Gay, MEM (#8)
Gay has been playing well in the preseason, averaging 14.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.8 3PT in five preseason games. Gay is sure to get minutes considering the Grizzlies’ limited options.
Andrea Bargnani, TOR (#1)
The first pick in the draft has looked pretty good in the preseason, averaging 11.2 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.0 3PT per game. The Raptors want to implement the Suns’ frenetic offensive pace, so Bargnani will see minutes backing up Morris Peterson and playing power forward alongside Chris Bosh.
Shelden Williams, ATL (#5)
Williams has backed up the PF and C spots in Atlanta, and in the preseason, he’s averaged 8.3 points, 6.8 rebounds and 0.8 blocks per game.
Rajon Rondo, BOS (#21)
Rondo has been terrific in the preseason, averaging 12.7 points, 5.2 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 2.5 steals in six games. But it isn’t clear what kind of minutes he’s going to get behind Sebastian Telfair. The C’s paid a high price for Telfair, so don’t be surprised if the two split minutes. Delonte West also factors in, but he’ll be playing a lot of off guard this season.
Adam Morrison, CHA (#3)
Morrison will struggle at times, but he should get plenty of minutes in Charlotte. In the preseason, he has averaged 9.8 points, 2.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 0.8 3PT, while shooting just 31.8% from the field.
Tyrus Thomas, CHI (#4)
Thomas is more NBA-ready than anticipated, but he’s going to find it tough to get minutes in Chicago’s crowded rotation. Still, in the preseason, he has averaged 10.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.0 steals and 1.8 blocks per game.
Randy Foye, MIN (#7)
After tearing up the summer league, Foye hasn’t been very impressive in the preseason, averaging 6.5 points (on 40% shooting), 1.2 rebounds, 0.8 steals and 0.3 assists per game. The team is stressing defense, so Trenton Hassell has been getting the starts. It looks like Foye will share time with Hassell, Mike James, Marko Jaric and Ricky Davis at the guard spots.
