Top Undrafted NBA Rookies Who Can Make an Impact During 2014-15 Season
They went undrafted in June, but these tenacious rookies are aiming to crack the NBA and make an impact in 2014-15.
Don't be fooled by their underwhelming athleticism or lack of dynamic skills. They have the tools and the work ethic to contribute in the Association, often by doing one thing really well or simply out-hustling everyone in their path.
Our quintet of standout undrafted rookies includes a couple of New Mexico alums, a mid-major big man and players from high-pedigree programs.
These underdogs will do more than just make a roster. They will also earn minutes as reserves and outperform consensus expectations throughout the season.
Alex Kirk, Cleveland Cavaliers F/C
1 of 5
Vitals: 6'11", 252 pounds, 7'3.5" wingspan
Best Assets: Length and shooting touch
What Alex Kirk lacks in athletic explosiveness, he makes up for with a soft shooting touch and tremendous size.
The Cleveland Cavaliers were fortunate that the New Mexico star went undrafted, as they were able to scoop him up and round out their frontcourt. Kirk is one of the most talented big men to not hear his name called this past June.
He's got a smooth jumper that extends out to 20 feet, and he'll employ post-up turnarounds and pick-and-pop tosses throughout the season.
Kirk is also bulky enough to mix it up in the middle, and his 9'1.5" standing reach helps him contest shots.
Brendan Haywood is still coming off last year's foot injury, so the Cavs may be cautious with the veteran early on. That would open the door even wider for Kirk, who's impressed Bleacher Report's Josh Martin: "The seven-foot rookie has shown enough on both ends to carve out a niche as Anderson Varejao's backup at center."
As the 2014-15 campaign unfolds, there will be several teams that wish they used one of their draft picks on him.
Tarik Black, Houston Rockets PF/C
2 of 5
Vitals: 6'8", 253 pounds, 7'2.5" wingspan
Best Assets: Size and energy
Although Houston Rockets center Tarik Black isn't a tall post player, he's physically imposing due to his sturdy frame and long arms. He's strong like an ox, and he works hard to get position in the paint for rebounds and close-range opportunities.
The Kansas product is the type of player who's confident yet knows his role and sticks to his lunch-pail duties. He's averaged 13.0 rebounds per 36 minutes so far during preseason.
Black is poised to not only make the Rockets, but to get playing time and become more than just a number to fill out the roster.
"Tarik Black's productive energy [is] making a strong case that he belongs in the league," said Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle.
He was just a role player in college, and he has very few scoring tricks up his sleeve. To make it in the NBA, he'll have to deliver physicality and do everything he can to make life easier for his teammates.
Given what we've seen so far in October, Black deserves a chance to compete in the regular season. He might even give Joey Dorsey a run for the backup center spot.
Andre Dawkins, Miami Heat SG
3 of 5
Vitals: 6'4", 206 pounds, 6'8.5" wingspan
Best Asset: Three-point shooting
Andre Dawkins won't have a major role on the Miami Heat. In fact, he'll probably barely sneak onto the regular-season roster.
Fortunately, he's extremely gifted in an area where the squad needs help: long-range shooting.
After losing the likes of Ray Allen, Rashard Lewis and James Jones, the defending Eastern Conference champs are wanting for a cast of capable sharpshooters. Dawkins could be a specialist off the bench who trumps guards like Shannon Brown and Tyler Johnson in many cases.
Over his four years at Duke, Dawkins shot 41 percent from distance, never hitting fewer than 38 percent of his triples in a season. In his two preseason tilts, he has looked comfortable behind the NBA arc, sinking five of eight threes.
Most importantly, he does a good job of finding opportunities, shifting to the open spot and using a quick release to launch accurate shots.
Don't be surprised to see him shedding the warm-ups and connecting from deep during the regular season.
Shayne Whittington, Indiana Pacers PF/C
4 of 5
Vitals: 6'10", 237 pounds, 6'10.25" wingspan
Best Asset: Shooting over opponents
Shayne Whittington is buried in the depths of Indiana's frontcourt, but it's an aging unit in need of insurance assets.
That's where the 6'10" rookie comes in handy. If one or more of the Pacers bigs goes down with injury or needs rest, you can bet the Western Michigan standout will be ready to step up.
He's a four-year college player who knows how to score inside and out. Whittington converts back-to-the-basket hook shots with either hand and can also shoot smoothly from the perimeter.
He's still not 100 percent recovered from a broken fibula suffered in May, but he's 7 of 9 from the field in a pair of Indy's exhibition contests. Whittington knows his increased shooting range makes him a useful commodity these days.
"The game is kind of transitioning," he told Slam Magazine. "The stretch 4 big is kind of important for any team, so I'm trying to make myself as valuable as I can."
Look for him to bolster the Pacers roster and confidently execute when called upon in 2014-15.
Drew Gordon, Philadelphia 76ers F
5 of 5
Vitals: 6'9", 245 pounds, 6'11.5" wingspan
Best Assets: Rebounding and above-the-rim energy
As the preseason winds down, Philadelphia 76ers coach Brett Brown is taking a hard look at Drew Gordon, giving the forward plenty of opportunity to show how he can help the club.
In the past couple games, the 2012 undrafted prospect has been productive and tireless for the Sixers. He tallied 16 points and six boards in just 18 minutes against the Orlando Magic, then notched nine points and nine rebounds against the Brooklyn Nets.
Brown told reporters, per Joe Juliano of Philly.com, that he's noticed not only Gordon's hustle, but his skill level: "Energy, hustle, scratching and clawing to make an NBA roster, that's what I see. I think that he has shown a higher skill level than I expected. We knew that he was a blue-collar guy, we knew that he was a worker. But he has done some things skill-wise that have surprised me."
Gordon's advantage over other Sixers rookies in 2014-15 is his experience. Unlike most of them, he has four years of college under his belt, along with a couple of pro seasons overseas.
His alertness, strength and athleticism allow him to capitalize on dump-offs, pick-and-rolls and countless rebounding opportunities. Brown will regularly call on Gordon for a mid-game boost on the glass and on defense, and his improved mid-range jumper will be a bonus.
Dan O'Brien covers the NBA and NBA draft for Bleacher Report.
Follow him on Twitter: @DanielO_BR
