Forecast: 2015-16 rookie of the year
— -- We've covered how each team in the East and West will finish. Now our panel takes a stab at which first-year player will have the best start to his professional career.
We asked the ESPN Forecast team to rank its top three choices for the 2015-16 NBA Rookie of the Year, with a first-place vote receiving five points, a second-place vote receiving three and a third-place vote receiving one. ( Here's how ESPN Forecast works.)
To participate in the discussion and perhaps get your opinion published on this page, #ESPNForecast is the Twitter hashtag to use. Or you can just follow along @ESPNNBA.
Rookie of the year projections
1. Karl-Anthony Towns
Minnesota Timberwolves | Center
First-place votes: 11
Total points: 87
Others receiving votes: Myles Turner (Pacers) 3, Mario Hezonja (Magic) 3, Willie Cauley-Stein (Kings) 1, Kristaps Porzingis (Knicks) 1, Devin Booker (Suns) 1, Stanley Johnson (Pistons) 1.
@ESPNNBA Towns is hyped as one of the NBA's next stars! His versatile skillset combined with his NBA body is sure to be lethal #ESPNForecast
2. Jahlil Okafor
Philadelphia 76ers | Center
First-place votes: 9
Total points: 71
#ESPNForecast Okafor will win ROY. This guy is the type of player that can turn a franchise around.
3. Emmanuel Mudiay
Nuggets | Point guard
First-place votes: 8
Total points: 56
Mudiay was my choice for ROY in #ESPNForecast Towns was No. 2, Okafor No. 3 https://t.co/33zuK0eEZn
After an up and down season in China, and the Lawson departure, Mudiay is going to get burn and is a serious ROY Contender #ESPNForecast
4. D'Angelo Russell
Lakers | Point guard
First-place votes: 4
Total points: 51
D'Angelo Russell could end up being the best player in the draft in 3-4 years. Huge upside, the Lakers made a great pick. #ESPNForecast
5. Justise Winslow
Heat | Shooting guard
First-place votes: 0
Total points: 12
@ESPNNBA @MiamiHEAT @IAmJustise He has no shot at ROY his teams in the position to win the East not gonna force minutes upon a rookie #Truth
Justice Winslow at #5 for ESPN's ROY race. Lots of talent/upside but playing behind a healthy Bosh & Whiteside will limit mins #ESPNForecast
Others receiving votes: Myles Turner (Pacers) 3, Mario Hezonja (Magic) 3, Willie Cauley-Stein (Kings) 1, Kristaps Porzingis (Knicks) 1, Devin Booker (Suns) 1, Stanley Johnson (Pistons) 1.
After an up and down season in China, and the Lawson departure, Mudiay is going to get burn and is a serious ROY Contender #ESPNForecast
4. D'Angelo Russell
Lakers | Point guard
First-place votes: 4
Total points: 51
D'Angelo Russell could end up being the best player in the draft in 3-4 years. Huge upside, the Lakers made a great pick. #ESPNForecast
5. Justise Winslow
Heat | Shooting guard
First-place votes: 0
Total points: 12
@ESPNNBA @MiamiHEAT @IAmJustise He has no shot at ROY his teams in the position to win the East not gonna force minutes upon a rookie #Truth
Justice Winslow at #5 for ESPN's ROY race. Lots of talent/upside but playing behind a healthy Bosh & Whiteside will limit mins #ESPNForecast
Others receiving votes: Myles Turner (Pacers) 3, Mario Hezonja (Magic) 3, Willie Cauley-Stein (Kings) 1, Kristaps Porzingis (Knicks) 1, Devin Booker (Suns) 1, Stanley Johnson (Pistons) 1.
Justice Winslow at #5 for ESPN's ROY race. Lots of talent/upside but playing behind a healthy Bosh & Whiteside will limit mins #ESPNForecast
Others receiving votes: Myles Turner (Pacers) 3, Mario Hezonja (Magic) 3, Willie Cauley-Stein (Kings) 1, Kristaps Porzingis (Knicks) 1, Devin Booker (Suns) 1, Stanley Johnson (Pistons) 1.