NBA Rookie of the Year (ROY) 2024: Top 5 candidates ft. Dereck Lively II (Week 14)

The NBA Rookie of the Year race has caught the attention of many basketball fans. While it has been a largely two-horse race between Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren, a few rookies have been solid. In week 13, the San Antonio Spurs center and the OKC Thunder stalwart were still 1-2, but a slight change has happened right after them.

With the All-Star weekend right around the bend, the rookies on this list are ensuring they have been noticed. None of them are likely making it to Indiana for the event, but their plays earned them spots in Week 14’s NBA Rookie of the Year race.

Here are the top 5 contenders for the NBA Rookie of the Year award for Week 14

#5 Dereck Lively II

Last week: Games played: 4 (1 win - 3 losses)
Season: Games played so far: 35
Last week: 9.0 ppg, 7.5 rpb, 1.8 bpg
Season: 8.9 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 1.4 bpg

The Dallas Mavericks went 1-for3 but it wasn’t Dereck Lively II’s fault. He contributed as expected but the injury to Kyrie Irving has made it tough for them. Only Luka Doncic’s 73-point explosion on Friday against the Atlanta Hawks saved the Mavs from a winless week.

Dereck Lively II was fifth in Week 13 and he retains that spot for the NBA Rookie of the Year race in Week 14.

#4 Jaime Jaquez Jr.

Last week: Games played: 1 (1 loss)
Season: Games played so far: 40
Last week: 6.0 ppg, 4.0 apg, 2spg
Season: 13.8 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 2.7 apg, 1.1 spg.

Jaime Jaquez Jr. has just returned from a groin injury that caused him to miss six straight games for the Miami Heat. He is unsurprisingly still trying to get his rhythm and conditioning back. The rookie isn’t the only one struggling as the Heat are mired in a six-game losing slump.

Still, Jaquez played well enough that he is fourth in Week 14 of the NBA Rookie of the Year ranking.