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Golden State Warriors: Is James Wiseman the ROTY Frontrunner?

By Alex King

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 22: James Wiseman #33 of the Golden State Warriors attempts a layup against Jeff Green #8 and Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets during the first half at Barclays Center on December 22, 2020 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 Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 22: James Wiseman #33 of the Golden State Warriors attempts a layup against Jeff Green #8 and Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets during the first half at Barclays Center on December 22, 2020 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 Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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James Wiseman is having a fantastic start to the 2020-21 NBA season for the Golden State Warriors – but is he the Rookie of the Year?

We are seven games in and James Wiseman looks like he’s going to be everything the Golden State Warriors could ask for. He’s averaging 11/6 and is showing flashes of solid-great defense, and with Draymond Green taking him under his wing, the sky is the limit. He had rookie of the year expectations heading into this season.

But is he currently the favorite for Rookie of the Year?

The competition isn’t exactly stacked this season. He’s within 1 point per game of LaMelo Ball, and while Anthony Edwards averages 2.5 more points, Wiseman’s efficiency is miles better.

Wiseman has an effective field goal percentage of 50%, which is just shy of league average. For comparison, that’s better than Ball & Edwards, which are likely his main competition.

There is one rookie who could be a threat to Wiseman, and that’s Tyrese Halliburton. Halliburton slipped by most people’s radar, but he is proving to be a highly productive player.

Halliburton averages fewer than 1 point per game less than Wiseman and is second in assists among rookies. He also plays respectable defense for a rookie, currently grabbing a steal per game.

I fully expect Wiseman to come out on top. The Warriors are still working out some kinks and reintegrating Draymond into the system. As their scheme irons out, Wiseman will continue to develop.

He really is in the best possible situation to grow under a HOF-caliber coach and two other Hall of Famers playing alongside him. His defense will improve, his offensive production will improve, and his feel for the game will improve as the season goes on.

Some would argue that the current leader is Edwards. Some might say Ball. Some might even say, Halliburton. But the impact Wiseman has been able to make on the court from day 1 and the expectations he’s surpassed after only playing three games in college make him the clear leader in my eyes.

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