NBA: Way-too-early predictions for the 2018-19 All-Rookie teams
By Jacob Doole
Aaron Holiday, Guard, Indiana Pacers
2017-18 stats: 20.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 1.3 steals, 42.9 3PT%
Holiday will have to fight for minutes in Indiana, but he has a chance to play meaningful time for a playoff team in his first season.
Cory Joseph and Lance Stephenson occupied the backup guard spots last season, but Holiday offers more upside than both and should eventually be the first guard off the bench. In his third season at UCLA he displayed an exciting blend of tough perimeter defense, shot making skills and solid playmaking, which make him an NBA-ready prospect.
He could play alongside Victor Oladipo as a spot-up shooter and secondary playmaker, or he could run the second unit with Joseph or Stephenson. Either way, Holiday should excel with the Pacers.
Projected 2018-19 stats: 11.2 points, 2.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.1 steals, 37.5 3PT%
Kevin Huerter, Guard, Atlanta Hawks
2017-18 stats: 14.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 41.7 3PT%
The Hawks are a franchise that should fully embrace their rebuild, and Huerter will benefit from that. While Kent Bazemore is a more advanced player at this stage, Atlanta will be keen to see their backcourt of the future in Huerter and Trae Young.
If Young is a discount Steph Curry, then Huerter is Atlanta’s Klay Thompson. He showed NBA range from three in his two college seasons, and is comfortable shooting off the dribble or off the catch.
He should find plenty of good looks running off of screens from John Collins and Atlanta’s other bigs, and Young will find him if he’s open. And, even in Maryland’s conservative offensive system, he showed flashes of solid passing and playmaking ability.
2018-19 projected stats: 12.9 points, 3.2 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 39.5 3PT%
Honourable mentions: Kevin Knox, New York Knicks; Elie Okobo, Phoenix Suns; Jaren Jackson Jr, Memphis Grizzlies; Donte DiVincenzo, Milwaukee Bucks; Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Los Angeles Clippers