NBA Rookie of the Year rankings: Wemby vs. Chet showdown

What happens when you mix a loaded draft with the previous season's No. 2 pick in the same first-year class? One of the most entertaining and high-profile Rookie of the Year races in recent memory.

Such was evident when a mere preseason game between the main competitors for the trophy - Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren - registered significant buzz. With tons of time for the NBA's freshest faces to make a mark, we look at where everyone stacks up ahead of the new campaign.

5. Jarace Walker, Indiana Pacers

Rookie of the Year tends to go to players who are the focal part of their team's offense - driving scoring opportunities either for themselves or teammates. Despite being on a squad with flashy guard Tyrese Haliburton, freshman Jarace Walker stands a chance for the award due to his dynamic play.

Walker is an interesting player. The paint-dominant big should have plenty of easy opportunities to score at the rim playing in the pick-and-roll with Haliburton and the Pacers' other dynamic guards. Walker also thrives in the short roll, moving the ball to shooters as a hub of the offense. Despite a limited range at this point in his career, being on the receiving end of passes from Haliburton is a distinct advantage.

While the award rarely considers defensive impact, players like Ben Simmons are examples of the effect rookies can have in their first years. With his projected versatility to guard various types of forwards and bigs, Walker can use his skill on the defensive end to separate himself from other rookies.

4. Brandon Miller, Charlotte Hornets

The Hornets are banking on Brandon Miller. Charlotte picked the Alabama forward over G League guard Scoot Henderson in June's draft. While both prospects seem to be sure things, Miller's path to lots of playing time will be tougher compared to a hypothetical Henderson-LaMelo Ball backcourt. Miller will compete with veterans Gordon Hayward and Miles Bridges for a potential starting role, even with the latter's future in the league up in the air after allegedly violating a protective order.

Playing alongside Ball will be crucial for Miller's Rookie of the Year chances. Ball averaged a career-high 8.4 assists per game last season, so the young wing is set up to be put in good scoring opportunities. However, Ball is the team's leading scorer and best offensive option, which means Miller needs to fall into the structure of the offense.

The Hornets will need Miller's scoring regardless this campaign, with the team finishing 27th in points per game last season. Miller showed flashes of three-level scoring at Alabama. He could explode and take the award for himself if presented with a comparable role in the pros.

3. Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City Thunder

Before Holmgren, only three top-three picks in the last 15 years missed their entire first season due to injury. Blake Griffin and Ben Simmons won Rookie of the Year after recovering, and Joel Embiid, who was sidelined for two full years, would have been a unanimous winner had he not missed 51 games in his official rookie campaign.

History aside, Holmgren is a solid candidate to take home the award. His offensive repertoire is constantly growing. And his burgeoning shooting ability and sneaky playmaking skills will only become more impactful as he gains NBA reps. But his main value comes defensively, where his gigantic arms and terrific timing will put him on the short list of blocked shot leaders this season. Plus, Holmgren's Thunder are likely to be the best team among all five of our contenders.

The potentially generational players at the top of our list are the only reasons why history and an exciting all-around game project Holmgren not winning Rookie of the Year.

2. Scoot Henderson, Portland Trail Blazers

The heir apparent to Damian Lillard, new Trail Blazers point guard Scoot Henderson might be the most league-ready prospect on this list. Playing two seasons professionally outside of the NBA, Henderson averaged 16.5 points for the G League Ignite last season, flashing a distinct ability to break down opposing defenses at a high level.

That's translated to the preseason, including a 22-point effort in his first contest against the Phoenix Suns. What stood out the most was his awareness on the court when matched up with a championship-contending team, taking decisive action to pass or score the basketball. And it was Henderson who stole the show when Kevin Durant and Devin Booker played only 21 minutes in the exhibition.

Along with his experience, Henderson will have plenty of opportunities to display his talents at point guard after the franchise traded Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks. There are enough quality running mates like Deandre Ayton, Jerami Grant, and Anfernee Simons for Henderson to pass the ball to and put him in good positions to score.

1. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs

Rather than explain why Wembanyama is the runaway favorite to win Rookie of the Year despite top-tier competitors, it would be easier to watch the highlights of the Frenchman's second preseason game on Friday. Forget the 23 points, four assists, four rebounds, and three blocks on 10-of-15 shooting; Wembanyama's insane length and skill for his size resulted in more than a couple of plays that no other NBA player could make.

It's clear through the brief preseason period that the Spurs will give Wembanyama the keys to the kingdom from Day 1. He'll likely lead the team in scoring this campaign, and stat lines like the one in his standout exhibition game will become more of the norm than the exception. His 7-foot-4 size makes his jumper unguardable, and his rim protection is the league's greatest layup deterrent.

Load management is really the only way Wembanyama doesn't come away with the award. Players being so tall in the NBA has typically paired with unfortunate injuries, and San Antonio will surely be cautious with its 19-year-old No. 1 pick. Still, as long as Wemby plays at least 50 games, it should be enough for him to be the first-ever French Rookie of the Year.

Honorable mentions: Amen Thompson (Houston Rockets), Cam Whitmore (Houston Rockets), Jaime Jacquez Jr. (Miami Heat)