The Smoking Cuban
FanSided

Top 10 NBA Rookie Rankings, Part 3

By Kohl Rast

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 22: Front Row (L-R) - OG Anunoby, Dennis Smith, Malik Monk, Luke Kennard, Lonzo Ball, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, Markelle Fultz, De'aaron Fox, Frank Ntilikina, Justin Jackson, Back Row (L-R) Bam Adebayo, Jonathan Isaac, Justin Patton, Lauri Markkanen, Jayson Tatum, Josh Jackson, Zach Collins, Donovan Mitchell and TJ Leaf pose for a portrait prior to the 2017 NBA Draft on June 22, 2017 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, 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. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 22: Front Row (L-R) - OG Anunoby, Dennis Smith, Malik Monk, Luke Kennard, Lonzo Ball, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, Markelle Fultz, De'aaron Fox, Frank Ntilikina, Justin Jackson, Back Row (L-R) Bam Adebayo, Jonathan Isaac, Justin Patton, Lauri Markkanen, Jayson Tatum, Josh Jackson, Zach Collins, Donovan Mitchell and TJ Leaf pose for a portrait prior to the 2017 NBA Draft on June 22, 2017 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, 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. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /
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MIAMI, FL – DECEMBER 22: Dennis Smith Jr. #1 of the Dallas Mavericks handles the ball against the Miami Heat on December 22, 2017 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. 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 Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – DECEMBER 22: Dennis Smith Jr. #1 of the Dallas Mavericks handles the ball against the Miami Heat on December 22, 2017 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. 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 Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images) /

4. Dennis Smith Jr.

(Last month’s ranking: 4)

Now for the player we have all been waiting for, DSJ. Dennis Smith Jr. has had quite the season so far, finding his way into the starting lineup right from the start, despite playing for a coach who has always made it clear that there are no freebies on his team. Junior hasn’t needed any though as he has been a constant force on the court.

Unlike many of the rookies we have seen near the top of the list, DSJ has a ton of room to improve, which shows just how high his ceiling really is. Dennis is shooting the ball pretty well but can definitely do better. His assist number should go up, but the biggest thing is that his decision making is slowly getting better. I expect him to only get better as the season goes on.

As he gets better (which we have definitely seen over the past few weeks), he will definitely get a chance to move up in the rankings. Although his numbers may have plateaued a little bit, I expect to see them increasing again soon. The fact that Junior plays on the same team as offensive weapons like Dirk, Wes Matthews, and Harrison Barnes shows just how good he can be.

Smith Jr.’s stats: 13.8 ppg, 4.3 apg, 4.1 rpg

BOSTON, MA – DECEMBER 4: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics celebrates after hitting a three point shot during the first quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at TD Garden on December 4, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – DECEMBER 4: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics celebrates after hitting a three point shot during the first quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at TD Garden on December 4, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

3. Jayson Tatum

(Last month’s ranking: 1)

It is finally time for a new number one and, despite Jayson Tatum still playing a key role for one of the best teams in the nation, his numbers have become less impressive week after week. Even still, his immediate impact on a team that could easily contend for a title was nothing short of fascinating.

As I said before, Tatum hit the NBA with a fire that couldn’t be tamed easily. He jumped out to big numbers and great shooting, despite being on a great team. A lot of this came from the opening created by the loss of Gordon Hayward, but it is starting to settle down now and Tatum is tailing off.

Unlike most of the other rookies we have talked about, I expect Tatum to continue to decline the rest of the season. I do not believe he will become irrelevant or drop out of the top 10 by any means, but I can’t help but think that he has already played his best ball this season. Only time will tell though.

Tatum’s stats: 14.1 ppg, 5.6 rpg, .508/.471/.824 FG%/3P%/FT%