NBA Rookie of the Year (ROTY) Power Rankings featuring Scottie Barnes, Evan Mobley and more | December 28th, 2021

Christmas has come and gone, with the NBA delivering five games on December 25th. The LA Lakers came up short against the Brooklyn Nets, while the Golden State Warriors prevailed over the Phoenix Suns to go atop the Western Conference standings.

Meanwhile, Giannis Antetokounmpo returned from isolation to help the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Boston Celtics. Kemba Walker also had a memorable game for the New York Knicks against the Atlanta Hawks. However, the threat of the COVID-19 virus is as high as ever, affecting almost every team in the NBA.

Elsewhere, rookies Scottie Barnes and Evan Mobley entered the NBA's health and safety protocols last week. Will that have an effect in this week's NBA Rookie of the Year power rankings? Let's have a look:

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#5 Josh Giddey

Josh Giddey of the Oklahoma City Thunder

Previous week’s NBA ROTY Power Ranking - #5

Last Week: Games played - 3; Games won - 2; Games lost - 1

Overall: Games played - 30; Games won - 12; Games lost - 18

Last Week: PPG - 10.3, APG - 5.0, RPG - 7.0

Overall: PPG - 10.8, APG - 6.1, RPG - 7.1

Last Week: FG% - 33.3%, 3P% - 18.2%

Overall: FG% - 38.8%, 3P% - 24.5%.

Josh Giddey of the OKC Thunder remains at number five in this week's NBA Rookie of the Year power rankings. He had a decent week last week, averaging 10.3 points, 7.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game.

The Thunder were also able to win two of their three games last week, including big wins over the Denver Nuggets and New Orleans Pelicans.

Giddey had a chance to move up to the fourth spot this week, but he went scoreless against the Pelicans. However, he had ten rebounds and as many assists in the game, making history. He became the first player in 50 years to do a double double with zero points.

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#4 Franz Wagner

Franz Wagner of the Orlando Magic

Previous week’s NBA ROTY Power Ranking - #4

Last Week: Games played - 3; Games won - 1; Games lost - 2

Overall: Games played - 34; Games won - 7; Games lost - 27

Last Week: PPG - 19.3, APG - 1.0, RPG - 3.7

Overall: PPG - 15.0, APG - 2.7, RPG - 4.6

Last Week: FG% - 41.2%, 3P% - 27.3%, SPG - 1.0

Overall: FG% - 44.1%, 3P% - 35.5%, SPG - 1.1.

Franz Wagner is closing in on a top-three spot, but he remains in fourth in this week's NBA Rookie of the Year power rankings. He had another great week last week, putting up 19.3 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.0 assists per game. He also shot 41.2% from the field and 27.3% from beyond the arc.

If he can get more efficient shooting the ball, he could potentially crack the top three. With the top three rookies in the power rankings still missing time due to the NBA's health and safety protocols, Wagner remains the most durable of the class.

#3 Cade Cunningham

Cade Cunningham of the Detroit Pistons

Previous week’s NBA ROTY Power Ranking - #3

Last Week: Games played - 1; Games won - 0; Games lost - 1

Overall: Games played - 25; Games won - 8; Games lost - 17

Last Week: PPG - 7.0, APG - 9.0, RPG - 9.0

Overall: PPG - 15.3, APG - 5.2, RPG - 6.2

Last Week: FG% - 15.4%, 3P% - 0.0%, SPG - 0.0

Overall: FG% - 38.3%, 3P% - 31.4%, SPG - 1.4.

Cade Cunningham played just one NBA game last week, tallying seven points, nine rebounds and nine assists in the loss to the New York Knicks. On December 23rd, Cunningham entered the NBA's health and safety protocols. He's expected to miss at least ten days.

Nevertheless, Cunningham has had a great rookie season thus far. He's averaging 15.3 points, 6.2 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game. The first overall pick of the 2021 NBA Draft will remain third in this week's Rookie of the Year power rankings.

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#2 Evan Mobley

Evan Mobley of the Cleveland Cavaliers

Previous week’s NBA ROTY Power Ranking - #2

Last Week: Games played - 0; Games won - 0; Games lost - 0

Overall: Games played - 25; Games won - 17; Games lost - 8

Last Week: PPG - 0.0, APG - 0.0, RPG - 0.0

Overall: PPG - 13.8, APG - 2.5, RPG - 8.3

Last Week: FG% - 0.0%, 3P% - 0.0%, SPG - 0.0

Overall: FG% - 47.4%, SPG - 0.9, BPG - 1.8.

Evan Mobley clung on for dear life to remain in second place in this week's NBA Rookie of the Year power rankings. After missing a couple of games two weeks ago due to a hip injury, Mobley entered the league's health and safety protocols.

He is averaging 13.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.8 blocks per game this season. The Cleveland Cavaliers are also 17-8 this season with Mobley in the lineup. The young big man was also praised by opposing head coaches such as Erick Spoelstra and Mike Budenholzer.

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#1 Scottie Barnes

Scottie Barnes of the Toronto Raptors

Previous week’s NBA ROTY Power Ranking - #1

Last Week: Games played - 0; Games won - 0; Games lost - 0

Overall: Games played - 27; Games won - 12; Games lost - 15

Last Week: PPG - 0.0, APG - 0.0, RPG - 0.0

Overall: PPG - 15.6, APG - 3.4, RPG - 8.3

Last Week: FG% - 0.0%, 3P% - 0.0%, FT% - 0.0%

Overall: FG% - 49.4%, 3P% - 35.6%, FT% - 72.6%.

Scottie Barnes of the Toronto Raptors remains in top spot in this week's NBA Rooke of the Year power rankings. Barnes was placed in the NBA's health and safety protocols on December 22nd, and he'll likely remain in isolation till early January.

Nevertheless, he is averaging 15.6 points, 8.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game this season. He's shooting 49.4% from the field and 35.6% from the three-point area. Barnes has been improving every game, but he needs to get back on the court as soon as possible to remain atop this ranking.