Mort's Rookie Notebook: v4

Disclaimer: This list consists of random observations that puts an emphasis on where a player is now. Any strengths or weaknesses presented are not necessarily going to follow these players as they develop.

Andrew Nembhard

Over his last nine games, Nembhard has netted 15.4 points, and 5.1 assists per contest, while hitting 53.3% of his shots - including over 47% from downtown.

The 23-year-old is a bit on the older side for a rookie, but his stable production throughout the season, as well as the general high IQ he displays on the court, should give him ample room for further growth and refinement.

Nembhard seems like a lock to become Indiana's long-term third guard, with his 6-foot-5 frame being able to back up both Tyrese Haliburton and fellow rookie Bennedict Mathurin, when the latter enters the starting lineup, surplanting Nembhard.

That may look like a pending demotion, but that may not be the case. In fact, you can argue having a player coming off the bench who can run an offense, while also putting the ball in the basket, makes for a more efficient secondary rotation, especially as Mathurin is more of a scorer than anything else at this point in time.

I would like to see Nembhard get more shots around the basket next year, if only to see how much noise is in his 73.4% accuracy rate within three feet of the rim. His finishing, especially as a rookie guard, is outright elite, but the volume isn't that large, with only 17.1% of his offense being generated from close in.

Tari Eason

Eason was one of my favorite prospects last year, and throughout most of the season, I've been raising my eyebrows in regards to his lack of minutes.

Fortunately, that has changed as of late. Over his last 15 games, the 6-foot-8 wing big has received over 27 minutes per night, which has resulted in 12.1 points, and 7.2 rebounds. Eason is hitting 53.3% from the floor during that span, including over 40% from long range, while swiping 1.3 steals.

The 21-year-old has generally struggled with his in-between game this season, being most efficient either near the basket (63.1%), and from range (35.8%). In the closing moments of the regular season, I hope to see Stephen Silas put Eason in situations where he has to create more in the mid-range area, whether it's for others, or figuring out how to manufacture shots off his own accord. This could go a long way in building up confidence for a second-year jump.

Eason has had several moments this year where his speed and aggressive nature comes into play. He's particularly interesting when he takes the ball off the backboard and just goes without looking for a primary ball-handler.

The more chances Silas gives him to read the floor in those situations, the more Eason's playmaking should develop, as he does read the floor fairly well, and had made a number of passes in transition that you didn't see at LSU last year.

Keegan Murray

Alright, so maybe Murray didn't turn into the Rookie Of the Year, as I predicted before the season. That's on me. However, what he's doing right now is low-key remarkable.

Here's a rookie who has come into a situation with quite a bit of pressure, and he's completely answered the call. His 12 points and 4.6 rebounds don't jump off the page, but when you watch him play, and see how he bends defenses for his teammates, while having completely integrated himself into the offense, you get it.

Murray's game is mature, and he's keenly aware of his own role in the league's best offense. He knows how not to get in the way (a frequent learning curve for rookies), and will sprint to the right place that optimize spacing for both De'Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis. That effort isn't trackable with any numbers, but it's nevertheless a major component to Sacramento's offense.

When the 22-year-old calls his own number, it's usually from range. He's canned 41% of his 6.2 nightly attempts from outside, and could be a few games away from cracking 200 made 3-pointers in his debut season. 64.6% of his offense comes from downtown, but that's underselling his ability to both create off the dribble, and even his finishing ability, where he's sitting on 66.7% within three feet of the basket.

In any other year, where the Kings wouldn't have been this competitive, odds are good Murray would have gotten a chance to explore far more than he's done this year. But instead, the rookie decided to forego ego to show how crucial he could be for a team that's looking to break the longest drought in team history.

That may not lead to hardware, but it should lead to all of us gushing about his professionalism and ability to incorporate himself into an offense.

Unless noted otherwise, all stats via NBA.com, PBPStats, Cleaning the Glass or Basketball-Reference. All salary information via Spotrac. All odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook.

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