Nerlens Noel is developing into one of the best all-around rookies in the NBA

With the regular season winding down, more rookies are earning valuable playing time. Some are getting more looks due to their team heading for the lottery, while others are being leaned on because of injuries. Whatever the reason for the extended run, these first-timers are making a name for themselves in fantasy. The following players are all worth a pickup in keeper/dynasty leagues and some are worth a spot on playoff-bound squads in re-draft leagues. So without further ado, lets dive into the Rookie Report.

Andrew Wiggins, SF, MIN: As we head down the stretch, Wiggins continues to tighten his grasp on Rookie of the Year honors. With Wiggins playing the 15th-most minutes in the entire NBA, 35.0 per game, most would have expected him to hit the rookie wall. In fact, the small forward has actually improved his game as the season has worn on. Since the calendar flipped to 2015, Wiggins is posting 18.6 points per game, and is shooting 46 percent from the field. After the All-Star break he has gotten even better with 20.9 points per game and 47 percent from the field. This all follows a slow start to the season when the former Jayhawk posted just 13.1 points per game and 40.6 percent shooting in 2014. Even with a couple of challengers making a late run, Wiggins remains the top rookie in fantasy due to his steady contributions over the last couple of months.

(Average over last 10 games) 18.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.0 steals in 38.3 minutes per game

Nerlens Noel, PF, PHI: While Wiggins is establishing himself as by far the best scorer among all rookies, Noel is making a case for the best all-around player among the rookie class. Leading all rookies in rebounds, steals and blocks, Noel has established himself as an offensive threat as well. Since the All-Star break, the 76ers power forward/center is averaging 11.9 points per game on 45 percent shooting from the field. Even his free throws have improved as he is hitting 75 percent of his 4.9 attempts per game since the break. This all while averaging 9.2 rebounds, 2.4 steals, and 3.1 blocks per game in those last nine contests. If Noel had started his recent scoring run a month earlier, we would have a legitimate debate on who should be Rookie of the Year.

(Average over last 10 games) 11.8 points, 9.0 rebounds, 2.3 steals, and 2.9 blocks in 33.9 minutes per game

Nikola Mirotic, PF, CHI: After playing over 30 minutes in a game only twice in 2015, Mirotic has logged 30-plus minutes five times in the Bulls past seven games. Chicago has needed Mirotic to play heavy minutes after injuries to Taj Gibson, Jimmy Butler, and Derrick Rose. In his last four games, the power forward is logging over 32 minutes per game and posting 22.0 points per game. Mirotic is not slouching on the defensive end either, posting 8.3 rebounds and 1.0 blocks per game in the last three contests. With the Bulls short-handed for the rest of the regular season, Mirotic will be playing heavy minutes, and can help deliver a fantasy title if he continues his recent run.

(Average over last 10 games) 15.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.3 three-pointers in 23.2 minutes per game

Elfrid Payton, PG, ORL:  After shooting 46 percent and averaging 10 points per game during the first six weeks of 2015, Payton’s offensive output has fallen off a cliff since the All-Star break. The point guard is averaging 6.5 points on 35 percent shooting from the floor and 42 percent from the line in the six games since the break. In a loss to Miami in Feb. 25, the Magic point guard shot a miserable 1-8 from the field and 1-4 from the line for three points in 40 minutes of action. On the plus side, Payton’s play making ability has not disappeared. Still the rookie  assist leader with 5.9 per game on the season, Payton has posted nine-plus assists three times since the break. Add in his 1.8 steals per game average, and Payton is still a worthwhile fantasy player despite his lack of points.

 (Average over last 10 games) 7.9 points, 6.7 assists, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.0 steals in 31.4 minutes per game

Jordan Clarkson, PG, LAL:  Besides Andrew Wiggins, Clarkson has been the most prolific scorer of all the rookies over the past 15 games. While his sample size is much smaller, he has played in only 37 games so far, the results since being given the starting job are remarkable. Clarkson is averaging 14.4 points in his 18 starts, but has bumped his numbers up to 17.3 points per game in his last six contests. The former Missouri Tiger is hitting 53 percent of his shots from the field and averaging 1.3 three-pointers in those six games as well. With 4.5 assists and 3.7 rebounds in the past week, Clarkson has proven himself to be one of the best all-around point guards among the rookies.

 (Average over last 10 games) 14.9 points, 3.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.1 three-pointers in 29.0 minutes per game

Just missed out

Marcus Smart – BOS: Smart is getting plenty of playing time in Boston, as he is averaging over 30 minutes per game in his last 10 outings. The problem for Smart is his shooting. While he is averaging 9.7 points per game since the All-Star break, he is hitting only 33 percent of his shots from the field and 23 percent from behind the arc.

Markel Brown – BKN: Brown, Smart’s teammate at Oklahoma State, has gotten a chance to play in Brooklyn, as he has started at shooting guard the past seven games. In those games, Brown has averaged 8.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.3 steals, and 0.7 blocks in 26.6 minutes per game.

Langston Galloway – NYK: After a hot start to his career as the Knicks starting point guard, Galloway has cooled off. In his last five games, the 6’-2” guard has shot 38 percent from the field for 9.8 points per game. On the season, Galloway is averaging 11.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.9 assists in 30.5 minutes per game.

Jusuf Nurkic – DEN: On Feb.25, Nurkic suffered a right ankle sprain, and will be out for an extended period of time. The Nuggets have provided no timetable for his return, but with the season lost in Denver, there is no need for them to rush Nurkic back. The Bosnian rookie posted averages of 7.9 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game since taking over a spot in the starting lineup on Jan. 7.

Dale Redman is a correspondent at FantasyPros. To read more from Dale, check out his archive and follow him @fantasytool.