1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, PG, BKN
SGA already looks like a seasoned vet with the impact he's made on the Brooklyn Nets. Averaging 17 points, 8 assists and 5 rebounds, he looks like a perennial all-star already. His shooting splits of .43.5/.33/.75 will improve over time, and his defense will continue to improve as well. He's helped lead the Nets to the top of the Atlantic division so far and you might as well just hand him the rookie of the year now. Speaking as a totally not butthurt Clippers GM, this was a great year to have the number one pick.
2. Bruno Fernando, C, MEM
Fernando has been a bit of a surprise thus far with the impact he's making on both ends of the court. He's been a little inefficient for my taste at 44% shooting for a center, but he's 3rd in the CSL with 2.6 blocks per game, and averaging a near double-double. That's legit impact for a rookie center, even if he is on one of the league's worst teams so far. The Grizzlies look like they found their long term answer at center.
3. Ky Bowman, PG, LAL
Bowman's numbers certainly look the part and stand out in a relatively weak class. 16 points and 5 assists with a 52% true shooting percentage, Bowman looks like the offensive savant he was made out to be in the pre draft process. It remains to be seen what kind of impact that will have on long-term winning, especially with his atrocious defense, but the Lakers seemed to have done well with this pick. He's as offensively talented as predicted, and the Lakers have been very respectable this season.
4. Kendrick Nunn, PG, NOP
Nunn sat the first month or so of the season due to the trade that never happened, but since joining the Pelicans on the court has been a steady contributor off the bench. 11/3/3 with some solid shooting numbers including nearly 37% from three, Nunn looks like he could be a solid 3rd guard for a team going forward. He's made an impact on the defensive end as well, averaging over a steal a game and has a 96.7% STP%.
5. RJ Barrett, SF, OKC
Barrett has been surprisingly efficient this year, shooting 48/35/75 and scoring 11 points a game. I had concerns about him being a black hole on offense, but he's been pretty solid all things considered. He's not much of a creator for others and doesn't force any turnovers, but he should find his way as a reliable scoring wing in this league going forward.
Next five: Daniel Gafford (C, MIL), Keldon Johnson (SF, BOS), Shamorie Ponds (PG, OKC), Brandon Clarke (PF, OKC), Brian Bown (SF, PHI)
2028
