It's incredibly early but it certainly looks like the Mavs have a Rookie of the Year favorite with Luka Doncic. So let's breakdown the favorites for the award so far with of course young Luka leading the pack.
1. Luka Doncic: One amazing stat says all for the amazing start to Doncic's NBA career. There have only been three rookies in NBA history to put up 20 points, 6.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game like Luka is currently doing. Those would be three guys named Michael Jordan, Larry Bird and Oscar Robertson. Pretty extraordinary company. If he keeps this up the Slovenian teenager will be the Mavs second ever Rookie of the Year, joining Jason Kidd who shared the award with Grant Hill in 1995.
2. Deandre Ayton: The #1 overall pick is also off to a strong start, averaging a double-double of 16.1 points and 10.9 rebounds. While his team has struggled, winning only once since beating the Mavs on opening night, Ayton looks to be Luka's biggest rival for the Rookie of the Year trophy.
3. Trae Young: Young and Doncic will be forever linked by the draft day trade between their respective teams and both teams should be happy with the early results. While Young has struggled shooting the ball, shooting 28% on threes, he has still put up 18.5 points and 8.2 assists, leading the Hawks in both categories.
4. Wendell Carter: Carter, the 7th overall pick by the Bulls has really come on of late, scoring in double figures in 8 straight games after failing to do so in his first five games. He also had a stretch of three straight double-doubles last week. All in all so far in this young season, Carter is showing that those Al Horford comparisons weren't too far off.
5. Jaren Jackson Jr.: Jackson has flashed his unlimited potential, scoring at least 20 points twice already. He also showed typical rookie inconsistency by failing to score in double figures in five out of the last 8 games. That being said, Jackson is different from most rookies as he surrounded by veterans on a team off to a strong start. That he is already a solid contributor speaks well for his immense talent.
Honorable Mention: Marvin Bagley III, Shai Gilgeous-Alexnader, Mo Bamba
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