Kia NBA ROTY Race: Latest ROTY ladder and power rankings feat. Keegan Murray, Bennedict Mathurin and more

The top five players in the 2022-2023 NBA ROTY race once again remain the same in this week’s rankings. However, one player in the top five has stepped up his game as of late and drastically improved his chances of winning the award.

On that note, here’s this week’s ROTY ladder.

#5. Walker Kessler, Utah Jazz

Previous week’s ROTY ranking: 4th (↓1)

Last Week: Games played - 3, Games won - 2, Games lost - 1

Overall: Games played - 47, Games won - 23, Games lost - 24

Last Week: PPG - 9.3, RPG - 8.7, APG - 1.0, SPG - 0.7, BPG - 1.0

Overall: PPG - 7.6, RPG - 7.3, APG - 0.7, SPG - 0.3, BPG - 1.9

Last Week: FG% - 63.2%, 3PT% - N/A, FT% - 50.0%

Overall: FG% - 71.0%, 3PT% - N/A, FT% - 55.1%

Utah Jazz big man Walker Kessler had a bit of a down week. He still put up some solid traditional big man stats. This included a 13-point, 11-rebound double-double versus the LA Clippers as well as a near double-double versus Charlotte.

Kessler also recorded three blocks last week as he remains the rookie leader in blocks per game at 1.9BPG. That number also has Kessler sitting fourth in the entire league in blocks per game among qualifying players.

#4. Keegan Murray, Sacramento Kings

Previous week’s ROTY ranking: 5th (↑1)

Last Week: Games played - 4, Games won - 3, Games lost - 1

Overall: Games played - 44, Games won - 26, Games lost - 18

Last Week: PPG - 18.0, RPG - 9.3, APG - 0.5, SPG - 0.0, BPG - 0.5

Overall: PPG - 12.3, RPG - 4.3, APG - 0.9, SPG - 0.8, BPG - 0.6

Last Week: FG% - 63.2%, 3PT% - 57.7%, FT% - 100.0%

Overall: FG% - 45.1%, 3PT% - 42.1%, FT% - 80.7%

Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray had arguably his best week of the season last week. Murray scored 20-plus points in two of four games and finished with two double-doubles. His week was highlighted by his career-best 29-point, 14-rebound performance on 83.3% shooting versus OKC.

Murray also shot a blistering 15-for-26 (57.7%) from three last week. He continues to lead all rookies in both 3-pointers made per game (2.5) and 3-point percentage (42.1%). Murray also continues to play a key role in a very competitive Sacramento Kings team (27-19, third in the Western Conference).

#3. Jaden Ivey, Detroit Pistons

Previous week’s ROTY ranking: 3rd (-)

Last Week: Games played - 2, Games won - 0, Games lost - 2

Overall: Games played - 45, Games won - 12, Games lost - 33

Last Week: PPG - 14.0, RPG - 3.5, APG - 7.5, SPG - 1.0, BPG - 0.0

Overall: PPG - 15.1, RPG - 4.1, APG - 4.4, SPG - 0.9, BPG - 0.2

Last Week: FG% - 45.8%, 3PT% - 22.2%, FT% - 57.1%

Overall: FG% - 41.2%, 3PT% - 31.9%, FT% - 72.2%

Detroit Pistons point guard Jaden Ivey only played in two games last week. However, he continues to put up well-rounded stat lines, including a 12-point, 11-assist double-double versus Milwaukee. The Pistons may be struggling (12-37, 15th in the Eastern Conference). However, Ivey remains in the thick of the ROTY race.

#2. Bennedict Mathurin, Indiana Pacers

Indiana Pacers shooting guard Bennedict Mathurin

Previous week’s ROTY ranking: 2nd (-)

Last Week: Games played - 4, Games won - 1, Games lost - 3

Overall: Games played - 49, Games won - 24, Games lost - 25

Last Week: PPG - 20.3, RPG - 4.8, APG - 0.8, SPG - 0.3, BPG - 0.0

Overall: PPG - 17.5, RPG - 4.1, APG - 1.4, SPG - 0.6, BPG - 0.1

Last Week: FG% - 46.3%, 3PT% - 25.0%, FT% - 87.1%

Overall: FG% - 42.5%, 3PT% - 32.4%, FT% - 81.9%

Indiana Pacers shooting guard Bennedict Mathurin continues to be an elite scorer for a rookie. Mathurin scored in double figures in all four games last week, including two games with 20-plus points. His week was highlighted by his 26-point, seven-rebound performance on 58.8% shooting versus Chicago Bulls.

#1. Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic

Previous week’s ROTY ranking: 1st (-)

Last Week: Games played - 2, Games won - 2, Games lost - 1

Overall: Games played - 40, Games won - 15, Games lost - 25

Last Week: PPG - 16.3, RPG - 4.0, APG - 2.7, SPG - 0.3, BPG - 0.0

Overall: PPG - 20.7, RPG - 6.5, APG - 3.8, SPG - 1.0, BPG - 0.5

Last Week: FG% - 43.8%, 3PT% - 36.4%, FT% - 73.9%

Overall: FG% - 43.9%, 3PT% - 32.0%, FT% - 75.8%

Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero had a bit of a down week. However, Banchero remains the best all-around rookie. Banchero scored in double figures in all three games last week. He also recorded five-plus rebounds in two of three games.

Banchero's week was highlighted by his 23-point, five-rebound performance versus Boston. The Magic also went 2-1 last week and are now 13-9 since their 5-20 start, with Banchero being a big factor in their turnaround.