As with airports and credit cards, this time of year sees increased activity on the Kia Rookie Ladder.
Evaluating the contributions of rookies based on small sample sizes, combined with streaks as they carve out roles within their teams, leads to significant movement. This dynamic is less common later in the season, such as in February or March.
This week, Philadelphia 76ers’ Jared McCain and Los Angeles Lakers’ Dalton Knecht exemplified these fluctuations.
In the first month of the season, rookies have scored 20 or more points in a game 14 times, with McCain responsible for five of those instances.
Impressively, he achieved all five consecutively as the Sixers leaned on him during Tyrese Maxey’s absence due to a hamstring injury.
Meanwhile, Knecht delivered two of the other nine performances, including an explosive 37-point game against Utah. In that outing, the 6-foot-6 wing scored 21 points in the third quarter alone and tied the NBA rookie record with nine three-pointers.
His performance even drew a nostalgic comparison to Michael Jordan’s legendary hot streak in the 1992 NBA Finals against Portland, which occurred nearly nine years before Knecht’s birth.
LeBron James, pleased with Knecht’s contributions, offered a positive (and colorful) assessment of the player, who already appears to be a Draft steal.
Here’s a closer look at McCain, Knecht, and the other top performers in this week’s Ladder.
Weekly Highlights
Jared McCain’s Historic Run
- McCain has become the fifth Sixers rookie to achieve five consecutive games with 20+ points, joining legends like Joel Embiid, Allen Iverson, Jerry Stackhouse, and Lee Shaffer.
- For those unfamiliar, Shaffer was a 6-foot-7 forward and ACC Player of the Year at North Carolina who averaged 16.9 and 18.6 points in his first two NBA seasons.
- However, Shaffer’s career was cut short due to a combination of injury and a lucrative business opportunity, though his rights were later included in the trade that brought Wilt Chamberlain back to Philadelphia in 1965.
Movers and Shakers
- Four rookies climbed or debuted on the Ladder this week, while six fell or dropped off entirely. Notably, Donovan Clingan made his first appearance.
- Interestingly, five of the top ten picks from the June Draft—Reed Shepperd (3), Ron Holland II (5), Tidjane Salaün (6), Rob Dillingham (8), and Cody Williams (10)—are still absent from the rankings.
Emerging Storyline
- Stephon Castle is gaining momentum. The San Antonio guard has scored in double figures in eight of the Spurs’ last nine games, particularly thriving in Victor Wembanyama’s absence.
- Castle has shown great chemistry with Charles Bassey, contributing notably to the Spurs’ efforts.
This Week’s Rankings
1. Jared McCain (Philadelphia 76ers)
- Stats: 15.2 PPG, 2.2 RPG, 2.5 APG
- Last Ladder Position: No. 5
- Draft Pick: No. 16
McCain’s meteoric rise is due to his stellar performances, averaging 27.7 PPG last week with a 50.8% field-goal rate. His usage rate (27.3%) even surpasses stars like Devin Booker and LeBron James.
2. Jaylen Wells (Memphis Grizzlies)
- Stats: 11.5 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 1.6 APG
- Last Ladder Position: No. 1
- Draft Pick: No. 39
Wells slipped slightly but continues to excel, seizing opportunities as injuries create openings in Memphis.
3. Dalton Knecht (Los Angeles Lakers)
- Stats: 11.3 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 1.1 APG
- Last Ladder Position: Not Ranked
- Draft Pick: No. 17
Knecht’s 37-point breakout against Utah, coupled with a 27-point game earlier, has solidified his status as a pivotal player in the Lakers’ six-game winning streak.
4. Zaccharie Risacher (Atlanta Hawks)
- Stats: 12 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 1.4 APG
- Last Ladder Position: No. 4
- Draft Pick: No. 1
Risacher continues to play a defined role despite inconsistent shooting, hitting just one of 19 three-pointers across five games before improving Monday.
5. Zach Edey (Memphis Grizzlies)
- Stats: 11.1 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 1.0 BPG
- Last Ladder Position: No. 2
- Draft Pick: No. 9
A sprained ankle sidelined Edey this week, but he remains a force when healthy, averaging 11 points and eight rebounds in three recent games.
The Next Five
- 6. Stephon Castle (San Antonio Spurs): Continues his rise with key contributions in Victor Wembanyama’s absence.
- 7. Bub Carrington (Washington Wizards): The lone rookie averaging over 30 minutes per game.
- 8. Yves Missi (New Orleans Pelicans): Praised for his learning curve and defensive prowess.
- T-10. Alexandre Sarr (Washington Wizards): Shows promise but remains inconsistent.
- T-10. Ryan Dunn (Phoenix Suns): A defensive specialist enduring tough assignments.
- T-10. Donovan Clingan (Portland Trail Blazers): A new entrant who made a defensive splash with near triple-double numbers against Minnesota.
