4 NBA players who can win Rookie of the Year
Which of these 4 players will take home the honor?
Darryn Peterson, selected in the 2026 NBA Draft, is projected to start for the Utah Jazz, a team with strong defenders and scorers. With no primary ball-handler and scorer, Peterson is in a prime position to take on that role and have a successful Rookie of the Year season. Caleb Wilson, the fourth pick overall by the Chicago Bulls, outshone every other rookie in this year's draft.
Playing alongside Josh Giddey, Matas Buzelis, and Norman Powell, Wilson has ample opportunities to score, facilitate, and defend the rim. Yaxel Lendeborg, the eleventh pick overall by the Golden State Warriors, is the lowest-drafted player on this list but showcases versatility with scoring, playmaking, rebounding, and defending abilities.
With Jimmy Butler's recovery from his ACL tear, Lendeborg could step up as a larger role player and have a strong chance at Rookie of the Year. Finally, the No. 1 overall pick, AJ Dybantsa, joins the Washington Wizards. While the team is filled with talent, Dybantsa's impressive Summer League performances and elite athleticism could help him establish himself as a key role player in the Rookie of the Year race.
Written by urgent.news from Yahoo Sports's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
