We all love rookies, right? They are new and exciting! We start wondering what they could become. If we want rookies to be good long-term, we might ignore some of the negatives that happen as they get their feet wet in the NBA and only focus on the positives. If rookies are good right away, we might start signing them up as a franchise cornerstone and a max-deal recipient.

We’re a little over a quarter of the way through the season. I know what you’re thinking. It’s a perfect time to rank the top 10 rookies of the season. We’re mind-melding. Let’s do that.

1. Kon Knueppel, Charlotte Hornets: 18.0 ppg | 5.5 rpg | 3.3 apg | 61.3 percent TS | +0.5 net differential

Knueppel leads all rookies in scoring, and he’s been the best shooter of them all too. His playmaking has been solid, and he hits the boards well for the position. Is this enough to take the title of best rookie away from his college teammate (the next guy on this list)?

2. Cooper Flagg, Dallas Mavericks: 17.3 ppg | 6.3 rpg | 3.3 apg | 55.1 percent TS | -14.5 net

It was questionable to put him at the point guard so much to start the season, but we’re seeing Flagg evolve into someone who understands the spacing of the floor a lot better. And it’s a part of why he’s been so good lately. He’s finding a groove and reminding everybody why he was the No. 1 pick. A little more consistency, and he’d easily be No. 1 among rookies.

3. Derik Queen, New Orleans Pelicans: 12.9 ppg | 6.4 rpg | 3.9 apg | 56.4 percent TS | +2.4 net

Queen has been grabbing everybody’s attention with his excellent play. He even became the first rookie big man to put up 30-10-10 in a game and the only rookie to put up 30-10-10 with four blocks. Unfortunately, he’ll have the Pelicans’ much-criticized draft-night trade attached to his story, but his play at least has some people wondering if that eventually won’t matter.

4. VJ Edgecombe, Philadelphia 76ers: 14.4 ppg | 5.7 rpg | 4.0 apg | 51.3 percent TS | +8.5 net

Edgecombe’s shot-making has slowed down, but he’s still been excellent. He’s all over the boards. He moves the ball. He complements Tyrese Maxey extremely well. His athleticism is elite, even for the best athletes in the world. It allows him to keep plays alive and do things most don’t even attempt.

5. Cedric Coward, Memphis Grizzlies: 13.3 ppg | 6.2 rpg | 2.7 apg | 56.6 percent TS | +10.5 net

He surprised everybody at the draft combine. He is not surprising everybody in his rookie season. Everybody knows he can play. He uses his wingspan brilliantly. He’s a reliable scorer. His 3-point shot will come around. The Grizzlies have another promising young role player.

6. Dylan Harper, San Antonio Spurs: 13.5 ppg | 3.1 rpg | 3.9 apg | 54.9 percent  TS | +2.1 net

Harper is only this low because he missed 10 of the Spurs’ 23 games so far. Otherwise, he might be as high as second on this list. He’s been a monster going to the hoop, and his body control is that of a 10-time All-Star. He’s so good and poised at a young age that it wouldn’t be ridiculous to say he could end up as the best in this class.

7. Jeremiah Fears, Pelicans: 15.4 ppg | 3.4 rpg | 3.1 apg | 52.6 percent TS | -12.6 net

Queen has received all of the rookie fanfare in NOLA, but Fears has been excellent too. He doesn’t have a great assist-to-turnover ratio, but he is more of a scorer anyway. I’d like to see him flesh out that playmaking a bit more, but he’s off to a great start.

8. Ryan Kalkbrenner, Hornets: 9.0 ppg | 6.7 rpg | 0.5 apg | 80.7 percent TS | -10.3 net

Charlotte had an excellent draft night. Kalkbrenner was the 34th pick because there were questions about his mobility at this level. The Hornets don’t have many options for the interior so he easily won the position. He’s blocking 1.9 shots in 25.2 minutes per game, and he’s reliable around the rim on offense.

9. Tre Johnson, Washington Wizards: 11.5 ppg | 3.0 rpg | 1.3 apg | 56.5 percent TS | +1.4 net

I was hoping Johnson would establish himself as more of a scoring option early in the season, but he’s been reliable and a positive impact on the team. He doesn’t pass much. But he’s shooting the ball from deep (39.5 percent) as advertised. Washington nailed this pick.

10. Ryan Nembhard, Mavs: 8.9 ppg | 1.6 rpg | 4.8 apg | 65.8 percent  TS | -6.4 net

An undrafted free agent even being in the conversation for top-10 rookies is impressive, but Nembhard has been legitimate. Maybe you prefer an Ace Bailey or Egor Demin or Will Richard here. Nembhard has helped solve the Mavs’ search for a point guard who isn’t D’Angelo Russell. A rookie rocking a 4:1 assist-to-turnover ratio is unreal.