Cavs’ Evan Mobley drops a spot in Rookie Ladder following absences

Josh Giddey and Franz Wagner are playing well

The fourth and fifth spots on the latest NBA Rookie Ladder from Aschburner have belonged to the Orlando Magic’s Franz Wagner and the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Josh Giddey. Both have been playing well of late, especially Giddey.

Regardless of it not factoring into the Ladder stats for this past one, in the Thunder’s win over the the LA Clippers last weekend, he became the first rookie since 1979, and sixth ever, to have 18 rebounds and ten assists in a game, as h/t Aschburner. He was one bucket short of a triple-double. The backcourt duo of Giddey and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander could be very good by the end of the year.

As for Franz Wagner, the Magic went 1-2 on the week, and his shooting dipped a bit. This past week he was 0-of-8 from three, and his overall shooting was only at 39 percent. Overall though, Wagner has been a huge get for the Magic, especially with Jalen Suggs being sidelined. Wagner is among the rookie leaders in scoring, assists, rebounding, steals, and minutes played, among other statistical categories.

The only disappointing thing about Wagner so far this season, as much like Cunningham he really doesn’t have a lot of help on a Magic team that has nine players aged 23 or younger.