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NBA: Predicting rookie leaders for each statistical category in 2018-19

By Colin Cann

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 21: Marvin Bagley III poses with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver after being drafted second overall by the Sacramento Kings during the 2018 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 21, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 21: Marvin Bagley III poses with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver after being drafted second overall by the Sacramento Kings during the 2018 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 21, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – MARCH 15: Trae Young #11 of the Oklahoma Sooners is defended by Fatts Russell #2 of the Rhode Island Rams in the first half of the game during the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at PPG PAINTS Arena on March 15, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – MARCH 15: Trae Young #11 of the Oklahoma Sooners is defended by Fatts Russell #2 of the Rhode Island Rams in the first half of the game during the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at PPG PAINTS Arena on March 15, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

Assists

(Honorable Mentions: Luka Doncic, Collin Sexton, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander)

Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks 

This is not exactly a bold prediction. Young led the nation in assists during his lone season at Oklahoma. He’ll be handed the keys to the Hawks offense from the start. The roster is full of bigs who love to roll to the basket.

Taurean Prince and Kent Bazemore are on the wings shooting nearly 40 percent from downtown. Fellow rookie Kevin Huerter will try to bring his college sharpshooting to the NBA. Young will have plenty of targets to rack up assists.

Luka Doncic will be sharing the ball-handling duties with sophomore Dennis Smith Jr. Now that LeBron James is leaving Cleveland, Collin Sexton will be their primary ball handler. The backcourt logjam for the Clippers will prevent Shai Gilgeous-Alexander from seeing big minutes. It would be surprising to see anyone but Young atop this list next season.

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