2022 PBT Awards: Rookie of the Year

Kurt Helin

1. Evan Mobley (Cavaliers)

2. Scottie Barnes (Raptors)

3. Cade Cunningham (Pistons)

This turned out to be an incredibly deep draft class (and this was a very close decision), but from the opening tip Evan Mobley was at the heart of a surprise Cavaliers team — his defense in the paint, his adaptability next to Jarrett Allen made the Cavaliers’ fast rise possible. Mobley provided 14.9 points and 8.3 boards a game, too. Still he barely beat out Scottie Barnes for first — Barnes has been phenomenal for the Raptors and fit in beautifully with their long, rangy, switchable system. He scored more points per game (15.5) and was slightly more efficient than Mobley, and Barnes plays great defense as well. This is almost a coin flip, but I leaned Mobley slightly.

I can hear the complaints from Detroit already, and in five years we may well see Cade Cunningham as the best player in this draft class. He is special and would have won the award a lot of years. Not this one. First, it is the Rookie of the YEAR and Cunningham started the season slowly (the injury in training camp definitely set him back) — that matters in a close race. Second, Barnes and Mobley played in meaningful games, and they played important minutes on teams heading to the postseason, that extra weight on them matters as well. Cunningham is a foundational piece for the Pistons and one they can build around, but that doesn’t mean he had the best rookie season.

Dan Feldman

1. Scottie Barnes (Raptors)

2. Evan Mobley (Cavaliers)

3. Franz Wagner (Magic)

Is Scottie Barnes a point guard, forward or center for the Raptors? Yes. Good enough as a rookie to do it all, Barnes shined as a versatile/energetic/harassing defender AND often spearheaded Toronto’s offense