NBA 2018-19: Rookie of the Year Power Rankings Week 10

As the weeks have gone by, we're getting a pretty clear picture regarding the cream of this rookie crop. A lot of the early sensations like Jaren Jackson Jr. have cooled down, while a duo has seemingly elevated themselves among the rookie class.

Some new faces have popped up like Kevin Huerter and Rodions Kurucs who are putting up solid performances but aren't quite there yet in terms of getting into the top 5. There hasn't been a great deal of movement when it comes to the power rankings and it is perhaps safe to say that this lot has sort of separated themselves from the pack.

Also read: The Favorites to win NBA Rookie of The Year 2018-19

With week 10 in the books, here are the Rookie Power Rankings:

#5 Collin Sexton

Just a couple of weeks back, Collin Sexton was hot on the heels of the top 2, but he has tailed off significantly since. Sexton was cooking when he first got the starting job and was averaging nearly 19 Points a game as a starter, but those days are long gone.

This week saw pretty much identical performances as compared to last time around, as Sexton averaged 13 Points a game again on just 37% shooting from the field. The thing with Sexton as a rookie is that if he's not scoring, he doesn't offer a whole lot elsewhere. His playmaking continues to be subpar and he averaged just 2 assists this week, which is right about where he is for the season.

If Sexton's scoring doesn't reach the heights it did earlier this season, he may well drop out of the top 5 to someone like Kevin Huerter who is starting to pick up after a slow start to the season. Matchups with the Bulls, Heat, and Hawks in the coming week might just be what Sexton needs to get back on track.

#4 Trae Young

Trae Young had one of his more consistent weeks in a while this time around as he jumps up a spot on the power rankings. He had 2 Double-Doubles in 3 games and finished the week averaging 15.6 Points and 8 Assists while shooting 46% from the field and 50% from deep.

The Hawks would probably like to see him keep up his efficiency from the field, as that has been Trae's biggest problem. Huerter's emergence as a solid scoring threat (especially on the perimeter) and not just as a flash in the pan has helped Young, who now doesn't have to shoulder the entire scoring burden with John Collins who is basically a rim-runner.

If Young can continue playing like the way he did this week, he might be able to break the duopoly at the top, but he has some ways to go for that. Coming up next for Trae and the Hawks are the Pistons, Timberwolves, Pacers, and Cavaliers.

#3 Kevin Knox

Well, it looks like Kevin Knox has well and truly put those early season troubles behind him. There was a chance for Knox to go higher based on what he did this week, but the top 2 were just too good.

Knox had two 20+ Points outings this week against the Sixers and the Hawks. He averaged 19.2 Points and 5.2 Rebounds as he continues to take over the reins of the Knicks offence. Coach Fizdale wants Knox to remain aggressive for the whole game, as the Rookie seems to defer in the 2nd half, but there probably isn't enough mileage in his tank as of now to maintain a high level of aggression throughout the game.

It's safe to say that he is living up to the preseason hype, however, and Knicks fans can be hopeful for the future. As for the near future, Knox has games against the Bucks twice and the Jazz coming up and I'd be surprised if he keeps up this level of play going up against that lot.

#2 DeAndre Ayton

If this was any other year, DeAndre Ayton would probably be the clear Rookie of the Year frontrunner. He had a monster week this time around and that benching a couple of weeks back seems to have had the desired effect.

Ayton had three 20 Point Double-Doubles this week, as he averaged 23.3 Points and an incredible 16 Rebounds. He now has 20 Double-Doubles on the year, which ranks 10th in the league and is 10 clear at the top among Rookies with Trae Young coming in at 2nd with 10.

Ayton's uptick in performance along with Devin Booker's return has meant that the Suns are winning off late, reeling off 4 wins in a row before losing in Triple OT to the Wizards. While he was putting up solid performances at the start of the season, Ayton is now showing why Phoenix took him Number 1, with dominating performances like these and they'd be hoping that this is a sign of things to come.

Ayton has some favourable matches next week, with the Nets and Magic on the schedule.

#1 Luka Doncic

It was going to take one hell of a week from Doncic to stay at the top and boy he delivered. Doncic averaged 25.5 Points, 4.7 Rebounds and 7.7 Assists to stave off Ayton's charge for now. He set career highs for Assists against the Nuggets and had his 2nd 30 Point game of the season against the Clippers.

The Mavericks had 3 tough games this past week, which they lost, but you certainly can't blame Luka for any of those losses. He continues to put up rookie numbers, which we've only seen LeBron put up and that is as esteemed a company that you can be a part of.

He will have to keep up this level, however, as Ayton is hot on his heels and it no longer looks to be a foregone conclusion that Doncic would be crowned Rookie of the Year. Things will get a bit easier for Luka this coming week with games against the Blazers and Pelicans.