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The rookie of the year is not who you think it is

Who should be the rookie of the year? USA TODAY Sports, Getty Images

When the NBA awards the rookie of the year in April or early May, it's highly likely that Karl-Anthony Towns of the Minnesota Timberwolves will win -- and that Kristaps Porzingis of the New York Knicks will be the runner-up in the voting.

But if we are talking about on-court impact, that is not the correct outcome. Surprisingly, neither budding star has been the best rookie this season.