THE Detroit Pistons enter the 2024-25 NBA season with another fifth overall selection, who is starting a rookie campaign in Ron Holland.
For a player in Holland’s position, expectations are high. A player picked early in the lottery is generally expected to have a shot at Rookie of the Year, but a panel of ESPN experts are not sold on the idea of Holland being in the picture next season.
Listing the top seven players who received votes, ESPN Holland has been completely ruled out. He is the only top-five pick not mentioned.
Ironically, the top two picks in the draft are tied for sixth overall, as Washington’s Alex Sarr and Atlanta’s Zacharie Risacher continue to leave analysts wondering what they’ll bring to the table next season.
As for the fifth, third and second picks, they were drafted outside the top five. Minnesota’s Rob Dillingham comes in at fifth. After being selected by the Spurs eighth overall out of Kentucky, Dillingham’s draft rights were traded to the Timberwolves.
Stephon Castle appears fourth on the list, the same position he was selected. Should Castle manage to crack the top spot, the Spurs would have back-to-back Rookie of the Year awards.
The top three are Portland’s Donovan Clingan, Memphis’ Zach Edey and Houston’s Reed Sheppard. It seems Sheppard’s breakout summer in Las Vegas has earned him some kudos from the jury, as he appears to be the favorite to win Rookie of the Year right now.
Holland won’t have too much pressure to push the Pistons into contention this season. The Detroit organization understands that it is still in the midst of a rebuild. With Holland focusing solely on his development in Year 1, it could give him plenty of opportunities to grow and sway voters in his favor.
So far, it appears the fifth overall selection isn’t getting much attention for the annual award.
