NBA rookies believe No. 5 overall pick Kris Dunn is in for a big season.
In a poll of 38 first-year players conducted by NBA.com, Dunn was voted most likely to win the Rookie of the Year award. Dunn, a guard out of Providence selected by the Minnesota Timberwolves, was also voted by his peers as the best defender and best playmaker in the class.
Tom Thibodeau and the T-Wolves would be thrilled if Dunn fulfilled the expectations of his fellow rookies. Minnesota believes Dunn will fit in nicely with a young core that includes Karl-Anthony Towns, Andrew Wiggins and Zach LaVine.
No. 2 overall pick Brandon Ingram was voted as second-most likely to win the Rookie of the Year award. Ingram, selected by the Los Angeles Lakers, received 25.8 percent of the vote, just behind Dunn (29 percent) and No. 1 overall pick Ben Simmons of Philadelphia (19.4 percent).
Ingram, a 6-9 forward from Duke, was voted as the rookie most likely to have the best career.
Rookies were also asked to name their favorite player in the league. Kevin Durant was the runaway winner, receiving 29.7 percent of the vote. Carmelo Anthony, LeBron James and Russell Westbrook were all tied for second. Stephen Curry was outside of the top nine.
