NBA 2018-19: Top 5 Potential Rookie of the Year candidates so far

#4 Collin Sexton

Houston Rockets v Cleveland Cavaliers

Collin Sexton becomes the name and face to the last 1st round draft pick the Brooklyn Nets gave to Boston, in the Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Jason Terry deal. That 2018 pick, was then swapped to Cleveland, in the summer, of 2017, when Boston sent Isaiah Thomas to the Cavaliers, for Kyrie Irving.

With Cleveland, in full rebuild mode, J.R. Smith sitting at home awaiting a trade, George Hill already traded, as is Kyle Korver, the future is now, in Cleveland. Collin Sexton is the first young piece, of that future, and no longer has to worry about a lot of bitter veterans trying to erode his confidence.

According to Joe Vardon of The Athletic.

“Throughout the organization, the line on Sexton is that he does not ‘know how to play,’” Vardon reported. “He doesn’t know how to defend the pick and roll. He doesn’t know how to set up teammates as a point guard…

Collin Sexton, is a teenager, selected 8th overall, in 2018, and sits 4th overall in rookie scoring at 15.1 points per game, through his first 25 games. He is clearly a good shooter early, in his NBA career, as he is 45%, from the field, and 43%, from behind the arc.

For a point guard, he may need to reveal his passing skills more as he averages just 2.5 assists per game. Collin Sexton currently ranks second among rookies with 735 minutes played. With the rebuilding going on, in Cleveland, expect Sexton’s numbers to increase.