Zion Williamson will miss at least the first couple of weeks in the 2019-20 NBA regular season due to a right-knee injury. Williamson did not travel with the New Orleans Pelicans for their preseason road game against the New York Knicks earlier this week, citing knee soreness.
The No. 1 overall pick’s impending absences is certainly bad news for the Pelicans and for the league as a whole. But it does open up a race for Rookie of the Year honors, which Williamson was expected to dominate—if healthy. The former Duke standout was an overwhelming -130 favorite to win Rookie of the Year prior to this alarming news. No. 2 overall pick Ja Morant (Memphis Grizzlies) was a +350 second choice and No. 3 pick R.J. Barrett (Knicks) was a +550 third choice. That is where the trend ended, as fourth selection De’Andre Hunter (Atlanta Hawks) was a +2500 seventh choice to take home ROY. The fourth favorite was—and likely still is after new odds are released in the wake of the Williamson injury—Michael Porter Jr. (Denver Nuggets), who is part of the 2018 draft class but missed last season due to a back injury.
While handing out preseason NBA picks today, let’s also take a closer look at some of the Rookie of the Year candidates.
Prediction: Ja Morant (+350 prior to Williamson’s injury)
Morant and Williamson were in a class of their own in terms of athleticism last season in college. Of course, they also had the numbers to prove their basketball worth beyond jump-out-the-gym talent. Morant made major noise at Murray State, leading the Racers to an NCAA Tournament berth and a first-round upset of Marquette earlier this year. With veteran point guard Mike Conley no longer in Memphis, the 20-year-old will have plenty of chances to emerge as the leader of an otherwise weak roster.
Best Value: Tyler Herro (+4000 prior to Williamson’s injury)
Herro’s odds won’t last long at this level, so get on them when and if you still can. The Kentucky product led the Miami Heat in scoring in two of their first four preseason games, pouring in 18 and 23 points during those two contests. He is 10-for-20 from three-point range so far. The bandwagon is filling up….
Longshot: Nickeil Alexander-Walker (+6000 prior to Williamson’s injury)
Alexander-Walker will only have an outside shot if Williamson is sidelined for much longer than expected, because playing time will come at a premium on what is now a deep New Orleans roster loaded with young talent. NAW scored in double-figures in each of the Pelicans’ first four preseason contests (including 22 on one occasion) while leading them in assists twice. It should come as no real surprise, either, based on how the No. 17 draft pick played as a sophomore at Virginia Tech in 2018-19.