Dallas Mavericks: Luka Doncic, Trae Young only unanimous All-Rookie first team selections

Luka Doncic has been unanimously voted to the 2018-19 NBA All-Rookie first team. The Dallas Mavericks young star is joined by only Trae Young as unanimous vote getters in All-Rookie honors this year.

The Dallas Mavericks now have two unanimous All-Rookie first team players on their roster as Kristaps Porzingis earned the honor after the 2015-16 season and Luka Doncic added his name today for his performance this year. There have been many unanimous vote getters over the years, including Trae Young who joined Luka in this year’s class.

With both guys receiving unanimous selections, the Rookie of the Year battle gains yet another chapter to its very short story. Although both rookies have had truly spectacular first NBA seasons and are deserving of the only two players in the conversation for Rookie of the Year, this is really a one man race.

This news really came as no shock to anyone. Luka Doncic had not only the best rookie season of the year, but potentially the best rookie season we have seen in 10+ years. It would be a really close race if Luka hadn’t played so well all season, I don’t think that is a surprising statement to anyone reading this.

Luka and Trae each earned 200 points in the voting and are joined by Deandre Ayton (195), Jaren Jackson Jr. (159) and Marvin Bagley III (156) on the All-Rookie first team. This represents only the second time in NBA history where the top five picks in the draft made up the All-Rookie first team. The last time was in the 1984-85 season.

The All-Rookie second team was made up of Los Angeles Clippers guard, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (138), Cleveland Cavaliers guard, Collin Sexton (132), Clippers guard, Landry Shamet (85), New York Knicks center, Mitchell Robinson (77) and Atlanta Hawks guard, Kevin Huerter (45).

Others who received votes but did not make the cut include: Phoenix Suns forward, Mikal Bridges (31), Knicks forward, Kevin Knox (22), Minnesota Timberwolves guard, Josh Okogie (12), Dallas Mavericks guard, Jalen Brunson (10) and Knicks guard, Allonzo Trier (10). No other rookies received more than 10 points of voting.

Luka is still considered the frontrunner for the Rookie of the Year award and this information will not change that at all. The awards will all be presented to their winners in front of the NBA audience after the NBA Finals are over on June 24th.