This season's group of NBA rookies will bring in an influx of new point guards who should see the floor often. Five point guards were selected within the top-nine picks including the first two.
That wasn't the case last season, as the top NBA rookie scorers that were point guards were Rookie of the Year Malcolm Brogdon (10.2 Points Per Game, drafted in second round) and Yogi Ferrell (10.0 points per game, undrafted).
Here are six rookie point guards who should receive ample Playing Time to begin the season. They are listed by the projected amount of minutes they are expected to play at least to begin the season (not an easy thing to predict).
Lonzo Ball, Lakers
Unless Lavar Ball causes his son to be alienated from the Lakers coaching staff and front office (not completely far-fetched), Lonzo should receive much time on the court manning the offense. Ball was selected second overall in this June's draft by the Lakers. ESPN's Summer Forecast predicted him to win Rookie of the Year, as he received 21 of the 43 first-place votes. In his one year at UCLA, he averaged 14.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 7.6 Assists Per Game. He was named Summer League MVP as he displayed his terrific passing skills and recorded two triple-doubles.
Dennis Smith Jr., Mavericks
Smith was taken with the ninth overall selection by the Mavericks in this June's NBA Draft.
He played one year at NC State where he had per game averages of 18.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 6.2 assists. He excelled in the Summer League as he was named to the All-Summer League First Team. He will be the Mavericks starting point guard right away to start the season, although his playing time may not be in the 30-minute range with Yogi Ferrell, J.
J. Barea, and Devin Harris on the team.
Markelle Fultz, 76ers
The 76ers made Fultz the top choice in the 2017 NBA Draft. In his one year leading the offense at Washington, he finished with averages of 23.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per game. Unfortunately not much was seen of him at Summer League due to a sprained ankle.
With T. J. McConnell, Jerryd Bayless, and even Ben Simmons also available to run the point, Fultz might not play a ton of minutes at least to start the season.
Milos Teodosic, Clippers
After spending 10 seasons in the Euroleague, Teodosic will join the Clippers after agreeing to a two-year/$12.3 million contract. The 30-year-old Teodosi is older than a typical rookie after playing overseas for so long, but this will be his first taste of NBA action. He was the 2010 Euroleague MVP and won his first Euroleague championship in 2016. In his first preseason game with the Clippers, he showed the fans a reason they should be excited he is on the team as he handed out eight assists in 20 minutes. While he likely won't start over Patrick Beverley at point guard, he should get a good amount of minutes as the backup.
He can be part of a two point guard lineup as well since his 6-5 height can help him to guard larger shooting guards.
De'Aaron Fox, Kings
Fox was taken sixth overall by the Kings in June's NBA Draft. In his one year at Kentucky, he had per game averages of 16.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 4.6 assists. He showed he could potentially become an All-Defensive point guard in the near future. He likely won't be a starter to begin the season as George Hill signed as a free agent to join Sacramento. Hill has played in less than 50 games though in two of the last three seasons, so the opportunity may present itself for Fox to get some starts as a rookie.
Frank Ntilikina, Knicks
Ntilikina may be thrown into a starting role with the Knicks due to the team rebuilding and with not much in the way of competiton.
Ramon Sessions, Ron Baker, and Jarrett Jack on a non-guaranteed deal are the other point guards on the roster, none of whom draw any type of fear into opposing teams. Drafted eighth overall, Ntilikina just turned 19 on July 28. He spent the past two seasons playing professionally in France but wasn't seen in Summer League due to a bruised knee. At 6-5 with a large wingspan, the hope is he can develop into a solid defender right away.
