Jordan Bell
Starting off this list we have the 38th pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, Jordan Bell. Originally drafted in the second round by the Chicago Bulls, the former Oregon Duck was traded on draft night to the Golden State Warriors for $3.5 million and hopes were high following a strong showing during the summer league. I myself predicted he would be an underrated rookie to keep an eye on before the season started, and while he wasn't anywhere near as good as other rookie big men this season like Kyle Kuzma and Lauri Markkanen, he still had a solid season for himself. Playing in 57 averaging 14.2 minutes per game, Bell averaged 4.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists and a block per game while shooting 63% from the field, a best among rookies. Additionally, Bell is one of the best young defenders in the game today, as he finished the year with a 3.7 defensive plus-minus rating and was top 3 in blocks among rookies. If Bell gets more playing time next year, we could see a big leap in numbers for him
Frank Ntilikina
Next up is Frank Ntilikina, the now 19-year old Frenchman drafted with the 8th pick in the 2017 draft. Ntilikina's rookie season could be seen as underwhelming by some, as his shooting was below average (36% from the field and 32% from three-point range) and received an inconsistent amount of playing time during the season, but he still showed some promise in the 78 games he played this season. Averaging just under 22 minutes per game, Ntilikina averaged 5.9 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game. Ntilikina did manage to find himself among the top 10 rookies in assists this season, and if he can improve his shooting, he could have a stronger showing next season.
Luke Kennard
The Detroit Pistons just missed out on the playoffs this season, but as I've said before, they seem to have pretty solid future ahead of them. Along with Andre Drummond & Blake Griffin, they have a couple of young players who provide some big help to the team in the near future, and one of them is Luke Kennard. Drafted out of Duke with the 12th pick in 2017 draft by the Detroit Pistons, Kennard played in 73 games during the season and averaged 20 minutes per game and while his stat line wasn't great, he still had a commendable season. Averaging 7.6 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game while shooting 44% from the field, 42% from three-point range, and 86% from the free throw line, Kennard was top three in three-point range among rookies and top 25 in the league entirely. If he's given a bigger role next season (especially following the Avery Bradley trade), Luke Kennard could be a serious threat from three-point range and a solid member of the Pistons' offense.
Frank Mason
Despite being named the consensus National College Player of the Year, expectations weren't exactly high for Frank Mason heading into his rookie season. Drafted out of Kansas with the 34th pick in the 2017 draft by the Sacramento Kings, Mason was set to be the third-string point guard behind George Hill and fellow rookie De'Aaron Fox. While Mason played less than 20 minutes per game and had poor shooting numbers (38% from the field and 36% from three-point range), he still was able to have solid numbers. For the season, Mason averaged 7.9 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game, which did put him in the top 10 assists for rookies. While Fox is obviously the starter for the Kings, Mason will hopefully have a larger role next season with Hill off the team.
Josh Hart
I initially thought about putting Josh Hart on my list of rookies to keep an eye on, but I ended up not putting him on it. In hindsight, I should've put him on it, it would've made me look smart. Drafted with the 30th pick in the 2017 draft, Hart was quickly traded with Thomas Bryant to the Los Angeles Lakers for fellow rookie Tony Bradley. Hart was able to get a good amount of playing time on the young Lakers' team (23.2 minutes per game for 63 games) and put up solid numbers for the season. For the year, Hart averaged 7.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game while shooting 47% from the field and 40% from three-point range. Hart also found himself in the top five rookies for three-point shooting and the top 15 for both field goal percentage and rebounds per game. Given a more playing time, Hart could be a solid 6th man for the Lakers or even a starting shooting guard over Kentavious Caldwell-Pope someday.
Milos Teodosic
Milos Teodosic was another player that put on my list of rookies to keep an eye on this season, and while he didn't light up the world, he still put up solid numbers. Signing with the Los Angeles Clippers during the offseason after a 10-year career overseas, replacing an all-time great point guard like Chris Paul was going to be near impossible. While Teodosic didn't come anywhere close to Paul's stats, he did put up solid numbers despite an early season injury. For the year, Teodosic averaged 9.5 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game while shooting 42% from the field, 38% from three-point range, and 85% from the free throw line. Teodosic finished the year in the top five in assists and top 10 in three-point shooting. If Teodosic can stay healthy next season, he could be a big help to the Clippers.
Bam Adebayo
With the relationship between Hassan Whiteside and the Miami Heat deteriorating before everybody's eyes, the Heat might be needing a new starting center sooner rather than later. Luckily for them, they might have found a potential replacement if necessary in last year's draft with Bam Adebayo. Drafted with the 14th pick in the draft, Adebayo spent most of the year backing up Whiteside, averaging just under 20 minutes per game. However, Adebayo didn't waste those minutes one bit, averaging 6.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game while shooting 51% from the field. Additionally, Adebayo ranked in the top 10 in both rebounds and field goal percentage among rookies. If things with Whiteside completely fall apart this offseason, Adebayo could be called on to step into the starting center spot, and he potentially could be a good replacement.
Jarrett Allen
After trading away longtime star player Brook Lopez to the Los Angeles Lakers, the Brooklyn Nets were left without a solid starting center. With Timofey Mozgov underperforming and Jahlil Okafor being...Jahlil Okafor, the Nets gave the spot to Jarrett Allen, the 22nd pick in the 2017 draft. He did not disappoint. For the year, Allen averaged 8.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game while shooting 59% from the field and 33% from three-point range. Additionally, Allen also ranked first in blocks, second in field goal percentage, and in the top ten in rebounds among rookies. With Allen's role likely to be bigger next season, he could be a valuable piece for a rebuilding Nets team.
Dillon Brooks
There were not many positives that came out of the Memphis Grizzlies' 2017-18 season. Of the few there were, one of them was Dillon Brooks. Drafted out of Oregon with the 45th pick in the 2017 draft by the Houston Rockets, the Rockets quickly shipped Brooks to Grizzlies for another second-round draft pick, so unless whoever the Rockets take with that pick ends up being a future all-star, it looks like the Grizzlies made a good deal. Brooks played in all 82 games this season, starting 74 of them and averaged 28.7 minutes per game. In that time, Brooks averaged 11 points per game, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game while shooting 44% from the field and 36% from three-point range. Brooks finished top 10 in scoring among rookies and, if he keeps his starting job next season, could be a big steal for the Grizzlies.
De'Aaron Fox
Another year, another season where the Sacramento Kings are at the bottom of the Western Conference. While they didn't have much to celebrate this year, the Kings may have found a solid point guard for the future of the team. That player is De'Aaron Fox. Drafted out of Kentucky with the 5th pick in the 2017 draft, Fox quickly found himself put right into the starting line-up. While he wasn't putting up as good of numbers as Ben Simmons or Lonzo Ball at the same position, he was still a solid player with numbers worth commending. For the year, Fox averaged 11.6 points, 2.8 rebounds, 4.4 assists and a steal per game while shooting 41% from the field and 31% from three-point range. Among rookies, Fox was top five in assists and steals and top 10 in points per game, the highest of anyone who didn't make either of the all-rookie teams. If he keeps his starting job next season, De'Aaron Fox could have one hell of a year.
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