NBA Roundtable: Who Will Be the Rookie of the Year?

Kohl Rast

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 16: Lonzo Ball #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks to pass the ball as he drives against Dennis Smith Jr. #1 of the Dallas Mavericks during a semifinal game of the 2017 Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 16, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Los Angeles won 108-98. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

TARRYTOWN, NY – AUGUST 11: The 2017 Rookie Class poses for a photo during the 2017 NBA Rookie Shoot on August 11, 2017 at the Madison Square Garden Training Center in Tarrytown, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)

Dallas Mavericks fans are getting excited for this year’s Rookie of the Year award, and for good reason. Aside from Dennis Smith Jr., which players are the favorites as the best youngsters in the league this season?

The Rookie of the Year award has never been won outright by a Dallas Mavericks player. In the 1994-95 season, both Jason Kidd and Grant Hill technically won the award, but was not the lone winner of the award. For that reason, the Dallas Mavericks are looking for their first outright winner of the ROY award this year, and they like their chances.

The previous winners of the award are: Malcolm Brogdon (2017), Karl-Anthony Towns (2016), Andrew Wiggins (2015), Michael Carter-Williams (2014), Damian Lillard (2013), Kyrie Irving (2012), and Blake Griffin (2011). Most of these players have proven that their ROY award was no fluke and it is expected that this year’s winner will do the same.

The headliners for the award this year are the Mavs very own Dennis Smith Jr., the one-and-only Lonzo Ball, and the 2016 first overall pick, Ben Simmons. All three of these players have turned heads in their college careers and the months leading up to the NBA season. DSJ was voted as most likely to win the award by his fellow rookies, but Lonzo and Simmons could both be worthy of the award as well.

A few dark horse choices could be Markelle Fultz, Jaylen Brown, or Lauri Markkanen. These guys should have good seasons but are not expected to shine like the three favorites.

Here are the staff picks for this year’s NBA Rookie of the Year, with absolutely no hometown bias whatsoever.

Dennis Smith Jr.

“The moment Dallas selected Dennis Smith Jr. and Rick Carlisle said on draft night that he should be the starter on day one, we instantly said he should be a favorite for Rookie of the Year. He will get the opportunity and reigns of the team where he should capitalize on the opportunity. I also asked Smith Jr. at his introductory press conference if this award was a reasonable goal, his response…”I believe it is.” –Isaac Harris

“This is not a fan favorite pick being a Mavs fan; this is a serious pick. The phrase that describes DSJ to me is ‘ Must See TV’. This kid can move fast, dribble methodically, shoot accurately and dunk ferociously! We watched some of his games during the Summer League and it made us even more anxious to get the new season started. He definitely brings a ‘Wow’ factor the Mavs have needed for quite some time.” –Aaron Reed

“Call me a homer, but I’ll bet the house that the Mavericks own Dennis Smith Jr is gonna take the rookie crown. He fell to the best team among top tier talent from the draft, in a perfect fit to support him as he grows. Junior will have every opportunity to put up big scoring numbers and highlight dunks.” –Sam Casey

“I don’t think any rookie will have more of a green light than DSJ this season. His raw athleticism paired with a presumably high usage rate will set him apart from other rookies.” –Emmanuel Dixon

“While the MFFL inside me wants to hop on the Dennis Smith Jr. train, I don’t see making more of an impact on the court than Lonzo Ball. I know that Ben Simmons is eligible to win the award and that will be Ball’s biggest competition, but it comes down to the fact that Lonzo Ball has walked the walk every single time in his career so far. From being drafted to the Lakers to dominating the Summer League, I don’t see any reason why Lonzo won’t just keep climbing the ladder on his way to a very successful career.” –Blake Heckel

“Lonzo Ball is a young star in the making. Brilliantly prepared for the NBA, Ball’s unparalleled passing ability along with top-notch IQ separates him from the rest of the NBA rookie pool. Ball has an ugly shot, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t drop. Ball’s all around offensive ability combined with underrated defensive knowledge makes him an ideal candidate for Rookie of the Year.” –Evan Siegel

“This may be the first time I can remember in recent history where the first overall pick of the draft isn’t even in the conversation for rookie of the year in his debut season. Fultz is not yet looked at as a bust but he’s not far off either. The Lonzo love is real and the Dennis Smith Jr. train is rolling, but people quickly forget just how sought after Markelle Fultz was. This guy is a huge difference maker on the court and he will be turning heads as soon as people see him out there.” –Kohl Rast

Next: NBA Roundtable: Who Will Be This Year's DPOY?

Keep an eye out for all three of these rookies, as well as many more after one of the deepest drafts the NBA has seen in years. The award is nowhere near set yet, but we still try to give our best guess early on. Who is your pick for Rookie of the Year?

Kohl Rast