NBA Rookie of the Year award: Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies
Runner-up: Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans
Had the NBA concluded its regular season in the intended fashion, perhaps we’d be having a different conversation. However, in the current situation, Ja Morant will win the NBA Rookie of the Year award. Even though Zion Williamson was strongly on his tail, he simply didn’t play enough games to overcome Morant’s strong rookie campaign.
Zion aside, let’s not forget the season Morant had. Before the hiatus, he had the Grizzlies as the eighth seed in the West and there’s still a good shot they make the playoffs behind Morant. Averaging 18 points, seven assists, and four rebounds per game on 49 percent shooting from the field and 37 percent from 3-point range, Morant was mightily impressive in his own right.
Zion may end up getting all the press and publicity (assuming he returns to the bubble) once the NBA resumes, but don’t count out Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies to sneak into the playoffs and provide some theatre against the Lakers.