NBA 2019-20: Rookie of the Year Power Rankings Week 16

We are now more than four months into the 2019-20 NBA season, and there is plenty going on around the league ahead of All-Star Weekend. While 24 of the NBA's best players were rewarded for their performances with a callup to the prestigious All-Star Game - the race for the end of the season awards remains in full swing.

While the battle to be named Most Valuable Player continues to get the most attention, several of the NBA's best young players are also vying to be named 2020 Rookie of the Year. Zion Williamson's recent return to fitness has provided further intrigue, and here we will take a look at the ROY Power Rankings as we head into Week 16 of the 2019-20 season.

#5 Darius Garland - Cleveland Cavaliers

Darius Garland has been among Cleveland's best performers so far this season

Darius Garland was selected fifth overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2019 draft, and while he hasn't received too much attention due to his team's ongoing struggles - Garland has been among the most consistent rookies in the league so far this season.

While the Cavs lost their past three games to slip to a 13-38 record, Garland performed well, most notably scoring 16 points and dishing out eight dimes against the Raptors. The 20-year-old also posted 14 points on 5-for-10 shooting against the Knicks and managed 15 points in 32 minutes during Cleveland's defeat to the Warriors.

Garland has yet to miss a game this season, and the point guard is averaging 12.4 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 3.7 assists over 50 appearances. Nevertheless, while Garland looks to be a significant part of the Cavaliers' future, his shot still needs some work (39.4 FG percent).

Also read: NBA Injury Report Week 16 (3rd Feb): Luka Doncic questionable for All-Star Game, Steph Curry out until March and more

#4 Zion Williamson - New Orleans Pelicans

Zion Williamson has made an excellent start to his NBA career

Zion Williamson followed up on his incredible debut week by delivering three more hugely promising performances. Williamson started the week by recording 14 points and 9 rebounds against the Cavaliers before the 19-year-old managed a career-high 24 points against the Grizzlies.

Alvin Gentry criticized his team's inability to get Williamson involved against the Rockets on Sunday, although the Duke product still finished with 21 points and 10 rebounds while connecting with 8 of his 14 field goal attempts. Williamson has now made six appearances since making his debut last month, averaging 19.5 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 1.7 assists - and he will continue to gain traction in the race to be named Most Valuable Player.

#3 Tyler Herro - Miami Heat

Tyler Herro dropped 23 points in 26 minutes against the Orlando Magic

Following an excellent Week 14, Tyler Herro's last seven days were mixed. Against the Celtics on Tuesday, Herro managed just six points while shooting 3-for-13 shooting from the field. The 20-year-old uncharacteristically missed all four of his three-point attempts - although he soon bounced back with a huge 23-point performance against the Magic for the Heat.

Herro connected with six of his 10 attempts from beyond the arc and needed just 26 minutes to reach his points haul. However, he played just 10 minutes against the Sixers on Monday before exiting with a foot injury, and his status for the rest of the week is doubtful. With that said, the shooting guard is averaging 13.1 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in 27.7 minutes per contest.

#2 Kendrick Nunn - Miami Heat

Kendrick Nunn returned from an Achilles injury

After missing three straight games due to an Achilles injury, Kendrick Nunn returned to the court last week as he featured for 17 minutes against the Magic. While his impact was limited against Orlando, Nunn posted nine points, three rebounds, three assists, and one steal in 24 minutes against the Sixers on Monday.

After proving his fitness, Nunn's minutes should return to normal this week, and with season averages of 15.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game - the guard remains a threat to the leading contender.

Also read: NBA Trade Rumors: Miami Heat interested in OKC's Danilo Gallinari

#1 Ja Morant - Memphis Grizzlies

Ja Morant is still the leading candidate to be named ROY

Ja Morant may have missed out on the 2020 All-Star Game, although the dynamic point guard can fall back on the fact that he has been the standout rookie of the season so far. Over the past seven days, Morant shot over 50 percent from the field as the Grizzlies picked up three more vital wins. Memphis' only defeat came against the Pelicans, although Morant performed well, contributing 16 points on 7-for-12 shooting.

Only Williamson is averaging more than Morant's 17.3 points per game, while the 20-year-old comfortably leads rookies in assists per contest (7.1). While concerns were raised over his shooting, Morant is shooting 49.2 percent from the field and 38.5% from beyond the arc - and he remains the clear favorite to be named 2020 ROY.