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In the build-up to the 2019-20 season, Zion Williamson was widely tipped as the heavy favorite to take home the Rookie of the Year Award. The 19-year-old entered the league as the number one pick following a stunning year at Duke and he was expected to play a prominent role in New Orleans' push for the playoffs.
Nevertheless, Williamson has yet to make his NBA debut due to injury, and while he is finally closing in on a return to fitness, it appears that the Rookie of the Year Award is now out of reach. So, with a number of other talent impressing around the league, here we will take a look at the frontrunners to be named 2020 ROTY.
#5 Darius Garland - Cleveland Cavaliers
Since recording just two points in 28 minutes against the Boston Celtics in late December, Darius Garland has recorded at least 10 points in each of his last nine appearances. Garland's new-found consistency has been remarkable, and the 19-year-old is coming off the best week of his young career as he averaged 17 points while shooting around 50 percent from the field during games against the Pistons (twice), Nuggets and Lakers.
Garland's playmaking skills were also on show as he recorded 8 assists against Denver, while he also added seven dimes in the loss to the Lakers. The point guard has also managed 2 steals in three of his past four appearances, and Garland is increasingly looking like he could play a huge role in the future of the Cavaliers.
At this stage, he remains an outsider in the Rookie of the Year race, although the teenager is currently trending in the right direction, and if he can sustain his current level throughout the rest of January, he could find himself well in the mix.
#4 RJ Barrett - New York Knicks
In the weeks leading up to 2020, it appeared that RJ Barrett had fallen out of the mix to be named Rookie of the Year, although the Duke product has refound form over the past three weeks to re-establish himself as a potential contender. In all four of his appearances in Week 12, Barrett reached double digits in points, and the 19-year-old held his own against the Lakers as he scored 19 points on 9 of 19 shooting from the field.
The Toronto native also recorded 23 points in 40 minutes against the Heat - and his work on the defensive end has also improved. Barrett is still shooting under 40 percent from the field, although he is among the top 5 rookies in total points, rebounds, assists, and steals per game.
#3 Tyler Herro - Miami Heat
The Miami Heat didn't enjoy a great week as they suffered back-to-back defeats to the Nets and Knicks, although Tyler Herro once again provided plenty of production from the reserve unit. Herro's best performance came during Miami's only win of the week against the Pacers as he dropped 19 points in 26 minutes while connecting with 5 of his 8 attempts from deep.
The 19-year-old also recorded 9 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists in the defeat to the Nets - before posting 15 points in 22 minutes against the Knicks. Evidently, his inability to break into Miami's starting lineup will continue to hurt his chances of being named Rookie of the Year, although few other first-year players can better his tally of 13.4 points and 4.4 rebounds per contest.
#2 Kendrick Nunn - Miami Heat
Following a series of timid performances, Kendrick Nunn enjoyed somewhat of a resurgent week. Over games against the Pacers, Nets, and Knicks, Nunn averaged 15 points while shooting over 60 percent from the field. This included a 20 point performance against New York, and Nunn's field goal percentage has now increased to just under 45 percent for the season.
Through 39 appearances, Nunn is averaging 15.4 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game, although the 24-year-old continues to receive some criticism for his playmaking skills. Nevertheless, the undrafted guard has been among the biggest surprises of the season, and he is still best positioned to challenge the current frontrunner for the Rookie of the Year Award.
#1 Ja Morant - Memphis Grizzlies
Ja Morant has been the frontrunner to secure the Rookie of the Year award for much of the season, and the 20-year-old has only strengthened his case during the first two weeks of the new year. After impressing against the Clippers and Kings last week, Morant started Week 12 by dropping 25 points on the Timberwolves as he connected with 12 of his 18 attempts from the field.
This was followed up by arguably his most well-rounded performance of the season as he recorded 22 points, 7 rebounds, 14 assists, and 2 steals during Memphis' win over the Spurs. For the season, the dynamic point guard is leading rookies in points (17.8) and assists (6.9) per game, and his lead in the race to be named this season's best rookie is only getting bigger.
