Written by Jonathan Wasserman at Bleacher Reports.com
Rookie of the Year
Markelle Fultz is going to produce his way toward Rookie of the Year honors in Philadelphia, where he’ll immediately take on the role of No. 2 option next to Joel Embiid.
Ben Simmons will steal assist opportunities but not all and not shots. Fultz is the superior one-on-one shot-creator and shooter. He’ll win votes for outscoring the competition (Simmons, Lonzo Ball) and adding enough playmaking on the side with his passing off screens and penetration.
Fultz already has the NBA tools and athleticism to back up the advanced skills that separate him from the pack. And he’ll have the minutes, green light and support to keep opposing defenses from zeroing in on the Sixers’ flashy new guard.
The Sixers will look completely different with Simmons, JJ Redick—who agreed to a deal with the team on Saturday, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski—and a healthy Embiid. And the more wins Philly has, the better Fultz’s Rookie of the Year odds become.
Defensive Rookie of the Year
Josh Jackson should emerge from the rookie class as its biggest impact defender by intensely competing and guarding opposing teams’ primary scorers.
He’ll also make mistakes with fouls and gambles, but exciting flashes of potential will outweigh them. Jackson’s quickness can help him guard both wings and ball-handlers, while his intensity and athleticism will lead to pressure, turnovers and highlight plays on the ball.
With Eric Bledsoe, Devin Booker and TJ Warren, coaches will instruct Jackson to focus on defense and let the offense come to him.
Turning 21 years old in February, he gets the edge here over New York Knicks rookie Frank Ntilikina, who’ll only turn 19 on July 28.
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