Which rookie will have the best career?
- 1. Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks
- 2. Deandre Ayton, Phoenix Suns
- 3. Mohamed Bamba, Orlando Magic
- 4. Marvin Bagley III, Sacramento Kings
- 5. Wendell Carter Jr., Chicago Bulls
Again, it’s worth making one thing clear — Doncic, not Ayton, is the best prospect in this class. At least in my view. That should decrease the hotness of this take, especially when you pair it with the opinions of various, well-educated draftniks around the league.
At 6-foot-8, Doncic has all the tools to become an elite NBA talent. The limited athleticism is concerning, but he’s already a hyper-intelligent playmaker with an elite feel for the game. He adds to that with advanced ball-handling and three-level scoring, using quick changes in speed to throw defenders off balance.
He’s going to be really, really good. And Rick Carlisle is coaching him.
Ayton has All-Star potential, while Bamba has the upside of an elite, Defensive Player of the Year-type talent. His offense is a work in progress, but the Magic are finally putting together an intriguing core. Bamba has a bright future.
Bagley and Carter, for very different reasons, should have long, successful NBA careers of their own. Bagley has serious go-to scoring upside, assuming he becomes more comfortable using his right hand. Carter is a smart defender and skilled all-around player, with upside as a shooter and post-up passer.
While the NBA is shifting away from dominant bigs, this class was filled with high-end center prospects. Expect them to stick around.