Which rookie will be the best playmaker?
- Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks
- Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Los Angeles Clippers
- Elie Okobo, Phoenix Suns
- Troy Brown Jr., Washington Wizards
This is another category that, in some ways, is hard to pin down. Doncic and Trae are the clear No. 1 and 2, though, so it’s the remainder of the field that’s difficult to sort through.
Doncic joins Ben Simmons, Markelle Fultz and Lonzo Ball as one of several gifted playmakers to enter the league in recent years. In a way, though, he’s more traditional than Lonzo and Simmons, using the pick-and-roll to shred opposing defenses. He can also score proficiently at all three levels, adding more dynamism to his game.
Young is probably in that group as well. Too often last season, Young’s shooting overshadowed the special nature of his passing. Whether it be in the pick-and-roll or in transition, Young was able to read the floor at an elite level, pinpointing passes with either hand. He’ll be fun to watch in the Hawks’ up-tempo system.
It didn’t take long for Gilgeous-Alexader — a four-star recruit — to emerge as Kentucky’s most reliable offensive player last season. There are concerns about his shooting, but Gilgeous-Alexander’s size, handles and change-of-pace ability allows him to break down defenders and locate open teammates.
Okobo finished the summer in the top-20 on my draft board, making him a potential steal in the second round. As a lefty, Okobo is known more for his dynamic scoring. But he has had some impressive flashes as a passer too, offering a fair amount of playmaking upside, even if he isn’t consistently brilliant yet.
Brown gets points for versatility, displaying some advanced ball-handling and playmaking upside on the wing. He looked good in Summer League and should be thrust into minutes right away next season, even with Washington’s perimeter depth.