NBA Predictions: Under-the-Radar Rookies Who Will Surprise in 2014-15
We are coming off of one of the most exciting NBA offseasons in recent memory, as marquee free agents switched teams and a loaded draft class entered the league.
While we certainly expect the likes of Andrew Wiggins, Jabari Parker, Julius Randle and Marcus Smart to impress early, there are bound to be some rookies who surprise everyone with an immediate impact. After all, with so much talent taken off the board early, there were bound to be some solid players pushed back a bit on draft day.
With that in mind, here is a look at three rookies in particular who will surprise in 2014-15.
Mitch McGary, Oklahoma City Thunder
The Oklahoma City Thunder took Mitch McGary from the University of Michigan with the No. 21 pick even though the big man sat out all but eight games in his sophomore year with a back injury.
Still, McGary showed how productive he can be in the NCAA tournament as a freshman when he scored 21 points and grabbed 14 rebounds against VCU and poured in 25 points and totaled 14 rebounds against Kansas. The Wolverines made it all the way to the national title game largely because of McGary’s production down low.
McGary should make an impact right away for the Thunder off the bench because he understands how to space the floor next to superstars. He played with Trey Burke, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Nik Stauskas in college and will likely use some of the same skills he developed there when he runs the floor with Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.
Basically, McGary can put up solid numbers even if he doesn’t have the ball in his hands a lot.
What’s more, Kendrick Perkins is not exactly Shaquille O’Neal in his prime down low, so the Thunder will dip into their bench throughout the season. If McGary rebounds like he did during March Madness as a freshman and scores the occasional basket when defenders collapse on Durant and Westbrook, he will see significant minutes right away.
C.J. Wilcox, Los Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers selected C.J. Wilcox with the No. 28 pick, and the hope is that he pours in the points from behind the three-point arc.
Wilcox launched more than seven three-pointers a game during his final season at Washington and connected on 39.1 percent of them. It was that sharp shooting that helped him score 18.3 points a night as a senior.
The Clippers are deep, which is why it is critical that Wilcox can play shooting guard or small forward at 6’5” with a lengthy wingspan. He is quick enough to keep up with smaller ball-handlers but long enough to bang around with forwards, so the Clippers should find a spot for him in the rotation.
Still, we think Wilcox is due for an impressive season because of his shooting abilities. Chris Paul penetrates and sets up teammates better than arguably anyone else in the NBA, and Blake Griffin is sure to receive some double-teams. That should open up some outside looks for the gunner from Washington.
Jerry Brewer of The Seattle Times noted that Wilcox should fit in nicely:
The Clippers will certainly find a place for Wilcox in their high-octane offense.
Cleanthony Early, New York Knicks
The New York Knicks selected Cleanthony Early out of Wichita State with the No. 34 pick as a potential backup for Carmelo Anthony, but Early is talented enough to find himself on the floor with the superstar.
Early discussed his initial role, via Tim Bontemps of the New York Post: "Melo is a small forward, he can play the power forward, I’m a small forward, and I think I can play a little power forward. I’ll be backing him up, so as far as my role it’s Melo’s backup. … How many minutes I get depends on how much I produce and how well I do, so that’s all on me."
Early made a solid impression during summer league in Las Vegas when he averaged 11.5 points and 4.1 rebounds a game, and his athleticism and versatility will be key on a rebuilding New York squad.
Early checks in at 6’8” and can play down low against forwards or on the perimeter against larger guards. Early is also a deadly shooter from three-point range, but he can attack the basket off the dribble and even has a post-up game when needed.
He proved just how effective he can be in the NCAA tournament when he torched Kentucky (and its future pros) for 31 points, seven rebounds, one steal and one block.
Anthony is the star in New York, but the Knicks are going to need him fresh down the stretch. Look for Early to spell him at times with that in mind, but Early is versatile enough to do more than just back Anthony up.
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