Top 10 NBA rookies through first half of 2023-24 season

5. Dereck Lively II, C, Dallas Mavericks

Although he was selected 12th overall in the 2023 NBA Draft, Lively II’s early contributions have still been a pleasant surprise for a Mavericks team that is one of the best in the West. The 7-foot-1 center has started in 29 of 30 games he has played for the Mavs, averaging 8.6 points and 7.7 rebounds. However, with an offense that features Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, Lively II’s biggest contributions have come on defense as a rim protector, evidenced by his 1.4 blocks per game. The rookie had seven blocks in an early-December contest against Chet Holmgren and the Thunder, arguably the best game of his career on both sides of the ball as he also put up 20 points and 16 rebounds. Lively II is exactly what the Mavericks need inside and will be a key contributor in the season’s second half.