Fantasy Basketball: 2017-18 Fantasy Hoops Awards
Fantasy Rookie of the Year
Donovan Mitchell, Utah Jazz
The debate over who should be this season's NBA Rookie of the Year between Ben Simmons and Donovan Mitchell is a hot topic right now, but the answer from a fantasy perspective comes down to one simple thing: expectations.
Simmons had an ADP of 44.7 and finished as the 50th-ranked player in nine-category leagues, whereas Mitchell finished 54th after having a much lower ADP of 176.5. Simmons more or less lived up to expectations; Mitchell destroyed them.
The Utah Jazz rookie finished the year with averages of 20.5 points, 2.4 triples, 3.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.5 steals, 0.3 blocks, and 2.7 turnovers in 33.4 minutes per contest, and a shooting split of 43.7% from the field and 80.5% from the line.
Simmons may have come into this fantasy season with the shine of being a former first overall pick who drops flashy triple-doubles on the regular, but Mitchell busted out to such a degree that we now have to consider them relative equals.
Chances are that their ADPs will be a bit closer next year.
Honorable Mention: Ben Simmons (Philadelphia 76ers), Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics), Lauri Markkanen (Chicago Bulls)
