Rookie Wire Power Rankings: Hornets’ Brandon Miller rises up past Chet Holmgren
Over half of the NBA season is in the books as teams and players around the league look ahead to the trade deadline and All-Star break in the next two weeks.
The trade chatter figures to ramp up considerably before the deadline on Feb. 8, with several teams expected to be active. The impending rumors and other speculation should once again create plenty of storylines to watch over the next several days.
The league announced the All-Star starters for each conference last week and will unveil the reserve players on Thursday. Though there likely won’t be a rookie announced as an All-Star, the class will be well-represented during the NBA Rising Stars game on Feb. 16.
To make sense of it all, we looked at the best recent performances of these first-year players and ranked them in the Rookie Wire Power Rankings. The rankings are not for Rookie of the Year purposes but to illustrate the best players week to week.
Ausar Thompson, Detroit Pistons
Last Rank: N/A
Stats: 8.3 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists
Thompson has appeared in every game this season with the Pistons, though he hasn’t necessarily played heavy minutes. He has been, essentially, at the mercy of coach Monty Williams, who has repeatedly stated that playing time will be earned this season and not given.
However, he has had a productive run of late, highlighted by a career-high 22 points and nine rebounds in a loss to the Bucks on Jan. 20. Thompson will likely continue to see sporadic playing time, but the fifth pick has shown in spurts what is capable of providing.
Jordan Hawkins, New Orleans Pelicans
Last Rank: 7
Stats: 10.5 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists
Hawkins was one of 11 first-year players named to the NBA Rising Stars game at All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis, Indiana. He has been in the rotation for most of the season and has come up with some crucial plays for the 26-21 Pelicans. He continues to play with high confidence and isn’t afraid to pull up from virtually all over the court. As long as coach Willie Green keeps him in the rotation, Hawkins should have a strong rookie campaign.
GG Jackson, Memphis Grizzlies
Last Rank: 10
Stats: 8.3 points, 2.9 rebounds
The Grizzlies have been decimated by injuries, clearing the way for Jackson to log extended playing time. Jackson, who is signed to a two-way contract, is averaging 11.7 points, four rebounds and one assist on 47.5% shooting from 3-point range in 10 games since entering the rotation on Jan. 12. The 45th pick is contributing at a high level for the team and has looked good in his newfound opportunity.
Keyonte George, Utah Jazz
Last Rank: 5
Stats: 11 points, 4.2 assists, 2.7 rebounds
The Jazz have cooled off a bit from their hot run at the start of December. George, who was selected to the Rising Stars game, has been a key player off the bench, though, since returning from a six-game absence last month with a foot injury. He continues to display high awareness and IQ on the court running the offense and isn’t afraid to take big shots or pull up from deep. George has rarely looked like a first-year player this season and is emerging as a key contributor for the team.
Scoot Henderson, Portland Trail Blazers
Last Rank: 4
Stats: 12.2 points, 4.6 assists and 2.9 rebounds
Henderson was chosen to participate in the Rising Stars game. He has put a slow start behind him and looks to be finding his way with the Trail Blazers, averaging 13.7 points, 5.1 assists and 3.2 rebounds on 36% shooting from beyond the arc over his last 19 games. He has four 20-point games in that stretch, including a career-high 33 points, nine assists and seven rebounds on Jan. 14. He is developing into a franchise cornerstone and proving himself behind his recent run.
Cam Whitmore, Houston Rockets
Last Rank: 9
Stats: 11 points, 3.9 rebounds
After spending the first two months of the season in the G League, Whitmore has cracked the rotation and emerged as a key player off the bench with the Rockets. He is averaging 12.9 points and 4.8 rebounds on 40.5% shooting from 3-point range in 16 games in January. The 20th pick has produced at least 20 points in two of his last three games, and looks to be settling in with the team. He has come on strong of late and is showing why he was so highly touted out of Villanova.
For more coverage on the Rockets, visit Rockets Wire
Dereck Lively II, Dallas Mavericks
Last Rank: 6
Stats: 9.2 points, 7.9 rebounds, 1.4 blocks, 1.3 assists
Lively, who will compete in the NBA Rising Stars game, produced his eighth double-double of the season on Monday with 20 points and 11 rebounds in a win over the Magic. The Mavericks improved to 6-2 when Lively registers a double-double, which speaks to his effectiveness when he can contribute at a high level. He did walk away with a broken nose, though, after he was inadvertently hit in the face by Wendell Carter Jr. going after the ball. Lively was ruled out of playing on Wednesday in Minnesota.
Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City Thunder
Last Rank: 2
Stats: 16.7 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 2.6 blocks
Holmgren was named to the NBA Rising Stars game after a strong run with the Thunder. He has seen his efficiency drop off a bit of late after averaging 11.7 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 2.8 blocks on 41.8% shooting from the field, including 27.3% from 3-point range. He is dealing with an ankle injury, though he hasn’t missed any time yet, so that could be something to monitor moving forward. However, the Thunder continue to roll behind the play of All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, so the recent dip in production by Holmgren likely isn’t too concerning.
For more coverage on the Thunder, visit Thunder Wire
Brandon Miller, Charlotte Hornets
Last Rank: N/A
Stats: 15.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.3 assists
Miller returns to the rankings after missing some games due to injury. He is in the midst of his best stretch of the season, averaging 20.4 points, five rebounds and 2.7 assists on 38.3% shooting from 3-point range over his last seven games with the Hornets. He has scored at least 20 points in five of those contests.
The second pick was among the rookies named to the NBA Rising Stars game after a great run. He looks to be settling in after an inconsistent stretch, which was thanks in large part to an ankle and hip injury. He credited his teammates for his recent uptick in scoring and will look to keep it going over the second half of the season.
Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
Last Rank: 1
Stats: 20.6 points, 10.1 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 3.1 blocks, 1.1 steals
Wembanyama, who was selected to the NBA Rising Stars game, is playing in back-to-backs again and progressing toward no restrictions due to an ankle injury suffered last month. He is on a tear and has scored at least 20 points in nine straight games, the longest such streak since Zion Williamson did it in 13 consecutive games in the 2019-20 season.
The top pick is once again the front-runner for Rookie of the Year after losing that distinction for much of the season to Chet Holmgren. He has even been mentioned as a potential All-Star reserve, given his run. Though he faces long odds for that honor, Wembanyama is dazzling every night he takes the court.
For more coverage on the Spurs, visit Spurs Wire
