NBA: 5 rookies who have had underrated seasons in 2018-19

Deandre Ayton, Phoenix Suns

Deandre Ayton was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, but for the most part he’s been much of an afterthought. Even on the lowly Phoenix Suns, Ayton has managed to have a solid rookie season for a No. 1 overall pick.

Averaging 17 points and 10 rebounds per game on nearly 60 percent shooting from the field, Ayton has flashed some promising skills. The big question is whether or not he’s an ideal fit next to some of the other young pieces on the Suns roster. However, that’s a different conversation for a different day.

Ayton has been solid this year and is only going to get better. Were it not for the seasons that Luka Doncic and Trae Young have been having, perhaps Ayton would be earning more attention for the production that he’s had this year with the Suns.