The NBA officially announced the Merger of East and West Rookies in October and November, with the Cavaliers' Evan Mobley and Thunder's Josh Giddey being selected separately.
As a 2021 draft probing, Mobly started the season as a starter, averaging 33.8 minutes in the first 17 games, scoring 14.4 points, 8 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.8 blocks, helping the Cavaliers achieve 11 wins and 6 losses. He currently ranks first among rookies with 30 blocks, and has set a record for the fastest time in Cavaliers history to complete 200 points and 100 rebounds.
Mobley became the first Cavaliers to win the rookie of the month since Dion Waiters in February 2013, and the 7th in team history, with the top six being Ron Harper, Brad Daugherty, Carlos Boozer, LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and Dion Waiters.
Gidey joined the Thunder with the 6th pick in the first round at the 2021 draft, playing the first 20 games of his career as a starter, averaging 29.4 minutes, 10.4 points, 7.2 rebounds and 5.8 assists, including first in assists and third in rebounds.
In the Nov. 25 game against the Jazz, Gidy became the third player in history under the age of 20 to accumulate at least 100 assists and 100 rebounds in the first 20 games of his career.