The Sixer Sense
Fansided

Top 10 NBA Rookie of the Year Candidates Entering 2016-17

By Christopher Kline

Oct 11, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) drives against Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (33) during the first quarter at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 11, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) drives against Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (33) during the first quarter at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
8 of 11
Next
Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports /

Kris Dunn is set to kick off the season behind Ricky Rubio in the rotation, but the rookie’s prowess as a facilitator and defensive stopper should give Tom Thibodeau plenty of reason to give him consistent minutes from day one–despite his somewhat worrying history with playing youngsters.

Dunn is oft-referred to as the most NBA-ready guard in the crop. He’s earned that reputation with good reason.  At 6-foot-4 and great athleticism, he projects very well as an NBA point guard. He sees the floor extremely well, and has the speed and athletic tools needed to compete immediately with the stellar athletes than will accompany him at the position at the next level.

Dunn showed immense improvement as a shooter during his junior campaign with Providence last year, and his operation in pick-and-roll scenarios was among the most prolific in college basketball. With talented a talented big like Karl-Anthony Towns to run alongside in the rotation from time to time, there’s a lot of optimism to be had regarding just how many opportunities he’ll have to put himself into situations in which he can make plays.

Regardless of Thibs’ throwback style, the Wolves are a team built to get out in transition and run the court.   That’s just fine for Dunn as he transitions to the next level. He’ll have plenty of young legs to push the pace.  Dunn simply needs to get out in space to truly function as the spearhead of the offense.  With Dunn’s skillset, that fits right into his wheelhouse.

He’s hitting the league as one of the more polished young playmakers, despite a few turnover issues in college, and has the basketball I.Q. and general skill needed to truly make an impact that few players are capable of making immediately. Rubio’s certainty with the organization is far from settled moving forwards as well, and Zach LaVine‘s natural position still seems to lean towards the two-guard more so than the point.

With a Rubio trade being a legitimate possibility, that only increases the upside in taking stock on Dunn as a Rookie of the Year possibility. He’ll have plenty of chance to make an impression regardless, as he should be one of the focal points of a Timberwolves team being built around youthful players. There’s room for fluctuation based on just how heavily Thibs leans on the former Providence stud, but 4th in these rankings is a safe spot to start.