2015/16 NBA Rookie of the Year Race

Jun 25, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Kristaps Porzingis is escorted onto the stage with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the number four overall pick to the New York Knicks in the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

9 – Kristaps Porzingis

Odds: 18/1

Drafted: 4^th by the New York Knicks

	FGM	FGA	FG%	3FGM	3FGA	3P%	FTM	FTA	FT%	Reb	Ast	Stl	Blk	TO	Pts
Summer	12	25	0.48	1	5	0.20	17	24	0.708	13	4	4	7	5	42
Preseason	9	26	0.35	3	7	0.43	1	2	0.5	16	5	1	4	5	22
Total	21	51		4	12		18	26		29	9	5	11	10	64
Average	3	7.3	41.2%	0.6	1.7	33.3%	2.57	3.7	69.2%	4.1	1.3	1	1.6	1.4	9.1

Many see Porzingis as a project that may take some time to develop. He may have the most upside out of any player taken during the 2015 draft but will need to develop significantly at both ends of the court, particularly the defensive end.

He will be sharing time with the likes of Kyle O’Quinn and Derrick Williams, the latter of which has really impressed during pre-season. As reported by ESPN, Derek Fisher is leaning towards starting Porzingis on opening night. Regardless of who starts, Porzingis should receive significant minutes that will allow him to develop as the season progresses. He has managed to average 1.6 blocks in just twenty minutes per game but his shooting percentages have been disappointing for a guy many said can shoot from all over the court.

One issue I can see is his physique and his recent string of non-contact injuries. He has already had a number of setbacks in his short time with the Knicks and any further time missed due to these injuries will certainly stunt his development.

Next: Frank Kaminsky