When Cade Cunningham went down early for the Detroit Pistons, the focus shifted to rookies Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren.
As you would expect, both have been up and down this season, Ivey because of inconsistent shooting and defense, and Duren because of injuries.
But both have also flashed signs of future stardom and have been mainstays on the KIA Rookie Ladder, which is the NBA’s weekly ranking of rookies.
With the worst record in the NBA all but secured, the Detroit Pistons don’t have much to play for except to get the rookies and James Wiseman as much run as possible and start to build towards next year.
But it would also be nice for both rookies to make the All-Rookie team, which would mark the third straight season that the Detroit Pistons had at least one rookie on the squad.
So how are they looking heading into the final nine games?
Detroit Pistons: Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren on the KIA Rookie Ladder
Both the Pistons’ rookies were on this week’s edition of the KIA Rookie Ladder but are in precarious positions.
Jaden Ivey came in 5th for the 3rd week in a row after missing some time due to COVID. He has a spot on the All-Rookie Team wrapped up, but he’ll need a strong finish to make the 1st team, as Keegan Murray is right on his heels and is on the cusp of breaking Donovan Mitchell’s rookie record for 3-point shots made.
Ivey has the better stats on the season, but Murray has come on of late and is playing for one of the best teams in the Western Conference.
Duren’s spot is even shakier, as he came in 10th on the Rookie Ladder this week, and will need a strong finish in these last nine games to really build his case. He has already been surpassed by center Walker Kessler (who is all the way up to 3rd) and will have stiff competition from guys like Tari Eason, Andrew Nembhard and Malaki Branham.
This may come down to whether voters reward the players that are on better teams or players like Ivey who are carrying heavier burdens on bad ones. Both Pistons’ rookies can help their cases with strong finishes, starting tonight in Toronto.