In the final installment of our NBA Fantasy series, the rookies take the spotlight. Each summer the anticipation of a new era of players excites fans throughout the league. This year the June draft brought three tiers of players. A trio of potential All-Stars, a handful of impact players and then everyone else. Drafting a rookie comes with it’s caution flags regardless of who they are. Depending on your league, grabbing a star rookie could turn into a big trade chip for a more established player if you aren’t willing to sit through the rollercoaster ride that all first year players go through. Picking the top five rookies for 2019-20 NBA fantasy isn’t an exact science as the NBA offers some players more freedom than their college teams allowed. Don’t be surprised if one of our honorable mentions jump into the top five.
Top 2019-20 NBA Fantasy Rookie Picks
Honorable Mention: Coby White, Jarrett Culver, Brandon Clarke, Darius Garland
Number Five – Rui Hachimura
If you are a fan of the Washington Wizards and don’t grab Bradley Beal, your next best and probably only other option would be Rui Hachimura. The Wizards are in a terrible place right now. John Wall only played 32 games last season and will most likely miss this entire year. At this point, even the most diehard Wizards fan would struggle to name another notable player on the roster worthy of a fantasy spot. Beal is going to need someone else to either pass him the ball, hit a bucket or get a rebound, all of which Hachimura is capable of doing.
Some may question Hachimura’s ranking on the top five rookies for 2019-20 NBA fantasy, but with the Wizards’ lack of options, he could be a sleeper pick.
2019-20 Fantasy Outlook
79 GP, 30 MPG, 11 PPG, 6 RPG, 2 APG, 1 BPG, 1 SPG
Number Four – De’Andre Hunter
The Atlanta Hawks appear to be building something special and the addition of De’Andre Hunter checks off another box. After a highly successful, yet short, college career, Hunter should step right into the Hawks starting lineup. While Trae Young and John Collins will receive most of the attention, Hunter will help fill the gaps in the stat sheet. A threat on both ends of the floor, Hunter will help provide fantasy owners with rebounds, blocks, and steals.
Coming off an NCAA Championship last year with the Virginia Cavaliers, Hunter saw his offensive numbers increase across the board, especially his shooting percentages. Considered a Kawhi Leonard lite, Hunter should give you a little bit of everything as one of the top five rookies for 2019-20 NBA fantasy.
2019-20 Fantasy Outlook
77 GP, 30 MPG, 12 PPG, 6 RPG, 2.5 APG, 1 BPG, 1.5 SPG
Number Three – RJ Barrett
He may not have the pressures that his former Duke teammate has being the first overall pick, but for RJ Barrett, playing in New York brings a whole different level of expectations. The last time New York Knicks fans had any reason to be excited was during “Linsanity” and that only lasted a couple of weeks.
After striking out in free agency, there isn’t much in the cupboard for the New York Knicks in terms of scoring options, which means that Barrett should be able to fire away. As a tweener small forward / shooting guard, Barrett will help fill fantasy rosters, but as will the Knicks, he will struggle at times this season.
2019-20 Fantasy Outlook
82 GP, 31 MPG, 16 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 5 APG, 1.5 SPG
Number Two – Zion Williamson
He may have gone first overall in the 2019 NBA Draft, but that doesn’t mean that Zion Williamson is the best rookie in terms of fantasy play. While he will be the frontrunner for the Rookie Of The Year, Williamson is currently in a better situation in New Orleans than some of the other top members of his draft class. Jrue Holiday, Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, Derrick Favors, and J.J. Redick are all players who will have an impact on numbers the young phenom puts up this season.
With all of the components that the New Orleans Pelicans have, the pressure isn’t on Williamson to carry the team each night, even though the media and fans have already declared him the best player on the team. Look for Williamson to play both forward positions, which will give him plenty of floor time.
2019-20 Fantasy Outlook
80 GP, 31 MPG, 18 PPG, 7 RPG, 2 APG, 2 SPG, 1.5 BPG
Number One – Ja Morant
The Memphis Grizzlies drafted Ja Morant to team up with Jaren Jackson Jr. as the two pillars of the franchise rebuild. With the trade of Mike Conley, this means that the ball will be in Morant’s hands for the majority of the time he is on the court.
Unlike Williamson, there isn’t a lot of other options on the Grizzlies roster to pick up the slack. While the pressure of turning the franchise around could impact Morant’s performance from time to time, he will be given the green light and a long leash.
Compared to Russell Westbrook during his two years at Murray State, Morant’s athleticism and well rounded game puts him over the rest of his peers in the top five rookies for 2019-20 NBA fantasy.
2019-20 Fantasy Outlook
82 GP, 35 MPG, 17 PPG, 5 RPG, 6 APG, 2 SPG
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