2025 NBA Preseason Predictions for Every Team's Rookie Class
There are myriad reasons to get excited about the dawn of a new NBA season.
The arrival of a fresh batch of rookies ranks high on that list.
Especially in a year like this, with a potentially transcendent talent in Cooper Flagg and no shortage of potential stars plucked from further down the draft board. Just about every franchise has a reason to feel giddy about its newcomers, particularly since the blank-slate standings haven't forced anyone to abandon their offseason optimism.
This exercise hopefully won't dampen any excitement, but the aim is to make realistic predictions about how this season will play out for all of the rookie classes around the Association.
No Rookies*
1 of 29
The Houston Rockets and New York Knicks are the only teams that don't have a rookie holding either a standard contract or a two-way deal. That's a bit misleading, though, as the Knicks reportedly plan to give 51st pick Mohamed Diawara more than his current Exhibit-10 contract when they can fit him under the second apron, per SNY's Ian Begley.
Diawara, an athletic 6'8" forward, is overloaded with physical tools, but he needs more polish to put them all to use. Between his need for seasoning and New York's win-now intentions, he'll spend most of his rookie campaign in the G League.
As for Houston, Cameron Matthews has an Exhibit-10 deal and an uphill climb to secure anything more. His defense looks NBA-ready, but his offense was abysmal over five collegiate seasons at Mississippi State: 5.9 points per game, 20 percent three-point shooting, 55.6 free-throw percentage.
Atlanta Hawks
2 of 29
Rookies: Asa Newell (No. 23 pick), Nikola Đurišić (No. 43 in 2024), Eli Ndiaye (undrafted)
Newell, an Atlanta native who spent his one-and-done college season at Georgia, joins his hometown team with an NBA-ready set of finishing skills, defensive versatility and all kinds of energy. The question is whether he'll be able to actually showcase those abilities in a crowded frontcourt featuring Jalen Johnson, Onyeka Okongwu and newcomer Kristaps Porziņģis.
Newell might be able to carve out a niche reserve role, but that might be the extent of it, barring injuries of course.
Đurišić, who played for the College Park Skyhawks last season, likely has more G League duties ahead of him. He is a 6'8", offense-leaning forward with promising ball skills and shooting ability, but they need buffing, and his defense is a problem. Ndiaye, who's coming over from Real Madrid, is an energetic rebounder, finisher and defender, but at 6'8", he's undersized for a mostly interior player.
Boston Celtics
3 of 29
Rookies: Hugo González (No. 28), Amari Williams (No. 46), Max Shulga (No. 57)
While the Celtics thinned out some of their veteran ranks this offseason, they didn't exactly create a path to consistent playing time for any of these rookies.
González, the only one of the three with a standard contract, has the best chance to crack the rotation. That said, Jaylen Brown, Sam Hauser and Anfernee Simons will take big chunks of the available minutes on the wing, and Baylor Scheierman, last year's 30th pick, could factor in the mix as well. That said, Williams, a 7-footer out of Kentucky, could challenge for a spot in Boston's underwhelming center group if his finishing improves.
Still, expectations will be highest for González, who could see early action depending on the readiness of his jumper. If he can be an even semi-reliable threat from three, his ability to handle the ball and his instincts moving away from it would both add value to this offense. He'll get a chance to play, it's just too early to tell whether he'll capitalize on it.
Brooklyn Nets
4 of 29
Rookies: Egor Dёmin (No. 8), Nolan Traoré (No. 19), Drake Powell (No. 22), Ben Saraf (No. 26), Danny Wolf (No. 27)
The Nets are fully committed to a youth movement, as evidenced by the fact they added five first-round picks to their roster this summer. The franchise's rebuilding state will give them all opportunities to play, although some skill overlaps could make it tricky playing very many of them together at once.
Dёmin, who's dealing with plantar fasciitis, Traoré and Saraf are all point guards, and Wolf, who stands 6'11", operated as a jumbo playmaker at Michigan. Brooklyn probably has enough minutes and touches to find time on the ball for all four—the Nets' starting point guard is surely coming from this group—but they have to progress as perimeter shooters to share the floor.
Powell, who's been recovering from left knee tendinopathy, is an elite athlete and switch-everything defender. He'll get playing time, too, but the extent of it will be determined by his consistency as an outside shooter.
Charlotte Hornets
5 of 29
Rookies: Kon Knueppel (No. 4), Liam McNeeley (No. 29), Sion James (No. 33), Ryan Kalkbrenner (No. 34)
Knueppel has both the opportunity and the polish needed to factor in the Rookie of the Year race. The Hornets need his shooting, and they might need his playmaking, too, if LaMelo Ball's availability issues continue (fewer than 50 games played in three consecutive campaigns).
Charlotte's subtraction of Mark Williams over the offseason (and Nick Richards in January) make Kalkbrenner the rare second-round pick with a realistic chance to start as a rookie. Maybe Mason Plumlee's experience or Moussa Diabaté's institutional knowledge gives them the early edge, but Kalkbrenner, a four-time Big East Defensive Player of the Year, has a real shot to pace this group in starts and minutes.
McNeeley could see significant action on the wing, but only if shoots more like his reputation than his results in college (38.1 percent overall, 31.7 percent from range). James, who played with Knueppel at Duke, will find the floor for his defense, but he could have a hard time sticking without improving as a creator and upping his shot-making volume.
Chicago Bulls
6 of 29
Rookies: Noa Essengue (No. 12), Lachlan Olbrich (No. 55)
In terms of the big picture, the Bulls made the right move betting on Essengue's long-term upside. They need all of the potential they can get to snap out of this perpetually mediocre streak.
They just may not see a great immediate return on their lottery investment. While he's an impressive defender, dynamic finisher and capable handler, his jump shot is shaky. That's not only a worry with how he'll fit alongside Josh Giddey, it also presents Essengue with some challenges in terms of standing out in a wing rotation featuring Matas Buzelis, Patrick Williams and Isaac Okoro. Essengue will play, just maybe not as much as you'd think for a lottery pick.
Olbrich, a 6'9" combo big, might need a(n overdue) Nikola Vučević trade to see any kind of significant action.
Cleveland Cavaliers
7 of 29
Rookies: Tyrese Proctor (No. 49)
The Cavaliers won 64 games last season and brought back the bulk of their playoff rotation. Any second-round rookie would have a tough time cracking this rotation.
That's not to say, however, that doing so is impossible for Proctor. Between Ty Jerome's departure in free agency, and Darius Garland still working his way back from offseason toe surgery, there are available minutes in this backcourt. And that's without knowing how much availability newcomer Lonzo Ball can provide.
Still, it's more likely than not that Proctor winds up on the outside looking in as far as the regular rotation goes. He'll get chances here and there—perhaps more early in the season than later—but unless his playmaking takes off, the ceiling on his likely role is pretty low.
Dallas Mavericks
8 of 29
Rookies: Cooper Flagg (No. 1), Ryan Nembhard (undrafted), Miles Kelly (undrafted)
Flagg will enter this season as the odds-on favorite for Rookie of the Year. And with good reason. His skill set impresses from all angles, and his competitive edge might be the strongest part of it.
He won't back down from challenges, in other words, and he's talented enough to overcome them. He'll get plenty of offensive opportunities, too, especially while Kyrie Irving works his way back from an ACL tear. Flagg should have some of the strongest stat lines in this rookie class, and his numbers will feel all the more meaningful since he'll be supplying them to a team trying to win now—not the typical rebuilder letting its lottery picks play stakes-free basketball.
Nembhard and Kelly both have two-way deals, and neither is likely to become a rotation regular. That said, Nembhard's playmaking could help fill a void while Irving is out, while Kelly could get some looks as a three-and-D option if Naji Marshall and Caleb Martin can't bounce back from disappointing showings in Dallas.
Denver Nuggets
9 of 29
Rookies: DaRon Holmes II (No. 22 in 2024), Tamar Bates (undrafted), Curtis Jones (undrafted)
There probably wouldn't be a lot to say about the Nuggets' rookie class if Holmes wasn't a part of it. Jones had some huge scoring efforts in Summer League, and Bates is a similarly fiery shooter, but they'll be limited by the fact Denver has actual depth on the perimeter now.
As for Holmes, who had his would-be rookie season wiped out by a torn Achilles, he should get looks as both a slightly undersized center (6'9") or a big forward. In college, he shined both for his finishing and his floor-spacing, and he flashed the abilities to both defend in space and protect the paint.
If the Nuggets didn't add Jonas Valančiūnas this offseason, Holmes might be serving as Nikola Jokić's primary backup right now. Since they did, Holmes' path to playing time looks murkier, but he should be a semi-regular in their rotation.
Detroit Pistons
10 of 29
Rookies: Chaz Lanier (No. 37)
Lanier's uphill climb for playing time grew steeper with a rough showing at summer league. Should he heat up in the preseason, though, he'll still have the chance to be at least a fringe member of their perimeter group.
A big reason why the Pistons found success last season is because they finally had adequate spacing around Cade Cunningham. And since some of their top shooters are no longer around (Malik Beasley, Tim Hardaway Jr.—the team leaders in three-point makes), there's a clear void in need of filling.
Lanier won't get the first crack at it—that gig will go to Duncan Robinson—but he should factor somewhere into the plan, even if he's merely a break-glass-in-case-of-emergency kind of backup.
Golden State Warriors
11 of 29
Rookies: Alex Toohey (No. 52), Will Richard (No. 56)
While the Warriors are functionally scrambling to assemble their roster now that the Jonathan Kuminga situation has been resolved (for now), they should still have a good idea of how things are going to shake out. And those plans almost assuredly don't include a lot of opportunities for their rookies.
Despite their draft order, Richard should have the better shot at a rotation gig than Toohey, although neither has the highest odds. That's because Richard, who just won a title at Florida, arrives with a standard contract in hand, while Toohey was only given a two-way pact.
Both figure to spend a big chunk of the season in Santa Cruz, but if either gets more than mop-up minutes at the NBA level, Richard will be the one. His three-and-D game is an easier system fit than Toohey's skill set, which features a lot of adequate areas but nothing that really stands out above the rest.
Indiana Pacers
12 of 29
Rookies: Kam Jones (No. 38), Taelon Peter (No. 54)
If the Pacers knew at the draft they were about to lose Myles Turner, would they have invested at least one of these picks in a big man? Probably, and if they found the right one, that prospect would've had a chance to contribute right away.
Jones and Peter don't have such an obvious opportunity, although Jones' creation and scoring punch give him a decent chance of getting run. Indiana's offense is missing its conductor, as Tyrese Haliburton is sidelined by a torn Achilles, so it could wind up leaning on Jones a bit to summon something out of nothing.
Peter is a bigger question mark, but he clearly has a knack for getting buckets. Last season, he shot a wholly absurd 75.6 percent on two-pointers and made 45.3 percent of his threes. That said, NBA defenders are a tiny bit better than those he just tussled with while at Liberty.
Los Angeles Clippers
13 of 29
Rookies: Yanic Konan Niederhäuser (No. 30), Kobe Sanders (No. 50)
Given that the Clippers only have this season and next with Kawhi Leonard and James Harden under contract—Harden has a player option for 2026-27—they'll assuredly put their all into maximizing this campaign. That much was evident in free agency, when they filled most of their openings with seasoned 30-somethings (or a 40-something in Chris Paul's case).
In other words, their priorities will be focused somewhere other than the development of these rookies. And since both were late-bloomers—Niederhäuser averaged 2.2 points at Northern Illinois in 2022-23, the same season in which Sanders, then a junior, averaged 7.7 points on 35.5 percent shooting at Cal Poly—they both figure to lack the polish typically seen in prospects of their age (22 and 23, respectively).
If they're seeing significant minutes anywhere other than the G League, they will have either zipped through their development process at 5x speed, or something will have gone horribly wrong with this aging roster.
Los Angeles Lakers
14 of 29
Rookies: Adou Thiero (36), Chris Mañon (undrafted)
The Lakers may have lengthened their long-term runway by extending Luka Dončić's deal, but their short-term outlook sees them in a time crunch. This is the only full campaign in which they're guaranteed to have LeBron James alongside Dončić (barring a trade, obviously), and they should act with according urgency.
That means if you're hoping to see a lot of run for either Thiero or Mañon, you're bound to be disappointed.
Thiero, who didn't play in summer league and has still yet to be cleared (knee), could theoretically scratch an itch for disruptive defense, but his offense might be too far behind to play him. Mañon, who inked a two-way pact following his summer league run with Golden State, is another active defender, although he might be too active on that end. Over four college seasons, he averaged a whopping 5.7 fouls per 40 minutes.
Memphis Grizzlies
15 of 29
Rookies: Cedric Coward (No. 11), Javon Small (No. 48)
The Grizzlies were searching for two-way perimeter upgrades long before they opened a huge hole in their rotation by shipping out Desmond Bane for a pile of (unprotected!) first-round picks. Opportunity should be knocking for Coward, in other words.
While he lacks high-level college experience—he made just six appearances at Washington State after transferring from Eastern Washington due to a shoulder injury—his length and athleticism says he's ready for his NBA test. So, too, does a versatile skill set that features just about everything other than consistent creation. He'll push for a starting gig right away, and even if he doesn't get one, he figures to be among the Grizzlies' top two wings in minutes this season.
Small doesn't have a ton of size (go figure), but he has a deep offensive bag and gets after it on defense. He likely needs an injury or two to enter the rotation discussion, but if he gets an opportunity, he's good enough to make the most of it.
Miami Heat
16 of 29
Rookies: Kasparas Jakučionis (No. 20), Vladislav Goldin (undrafted), Myron Gardner (undrafted in 2023)
Despite Miami's need for a playmaker, Jakučionis figured to start his career in Miami on the slow-and-steady developmental path. He had some really rocky moments in Summer League, which underscored predraft concerns about his inconsistency and questionable decision-making.
Tyler Herro's absence could change those plans, though. Especially if Davion Mitchell turns back into the offensive liability he was before joining the Heat at last season's trade deadline.
A big year for Jakučionis still seems like a tall task, but Miami needs his creation and maybe his scoring (if his jumper comes along). Goldin figures to handle emergency third-center duties, but keep an eye—not a close eye, just an eye—on Gardner, who spent the last two seasons with Orlando's G League affiliate. The Heat didn't really replace Haywood Highsmith, and their forward group could need a lift if Jaime Jaquez Jr. can't back from his disappointing sophomore season.
Milwaukee Bucks
17 of 29
Rookies: Mark Sears (undrafted)
Since the Bucks are in an endless cycle of attempting to grant Giannis Antetokounmpo's (second) championship wish, they haven't invested many resources in building a young core. On the surface, that doesn't give Sears great odds of getting much run as a rookie.
That said, Milwaukee needs legitimate building blocks in the worst kind of way, so the team should be open to extending some auditions. Maybe Sears isn't built for such a role—perhaps literally, as he measured in under 6'0"—but the Bucks shouldn't automatically rule the possibility out.
He is a skilled creator and clutch shot-maker, and this offense needs more options beyond its current Giannis-Or-Bust build. Recent history suggests Sears won't see much action beyond any injury-replacement duties, but there's a universe in which he carves out an instant-offense role.
Minnesota Timberwolves
18 of 29
Rookies: Joan Beringer (No. 17), Rocco Zikarsky (No. 45)
Beringer could use more bulk, but he has the length and mobility to step into a rim-running role right now. Or rather, he might have that opportunity had he landed anywhere other than Minnesota.
Two of the Wolves' five highest-paid players are centers (Rudy Gobert and Naz Reid). Another is a burly power forward who does the bulk of his damage inside the arc and still sees a smattering of small-ball center minutes (Julius Randle).
There just isn't room in the rotation right now for Beringer or Zikarsky, a 7'3" 19-year-old who does all of his work on the interior.
New Orleans Pelicans
19 of 29
Rookies: Jeremiah Fears (No. 7), Derik Queen (No. 13), Micah Peavy (No. 40), Hunter Dickinson (undrafted)
The Pelicans lost 61 games last season, then invested a premium pick in Fears and paid a massive (objectively reckless) price to trade up for Queen. Surely, they'll want to see immediate returns on those investments, right?
Maybe not, actually. Fears could find himself in early fights with Jose Alvarado and Jordan Hawkins for backup backcourt minutes, and things will only get more crowded once Dejounte Murray makes it back from the Achilles tear he suffered in January. Queen, meanwhile, is either stuck behind franchise face Zion Williamson at the 4 or part of a three-man battle for playing time at center with Kevon Looney, who signed a two-year, $16 million deal this summer, and Yves Missi, who started 67 games and made the All-Rookie second team last season.
There's a chance (though not a great one) Peavy could wind up pacing this group in minutes, as the wing spots thin pretty quickly behind Trey Murphy III and Herbert Jones. Dickinson, who's on a two-way deal, won't sniff the NBA hardwood outside of occasional mop-up duty.
Oklahoma City Thunder
20 of 29
Rookies: Nikola Topić (No. 12 in 2024), Thomas Sorber (No. 15), Brooks Barnhizer (No. 44)
The Thunder won 68 games and then a championship last season, all while establishing the new all-time mark for scoring differential. Then, they nearly returned the roster responsible for that success in full (reserve swingman Dillon Jones was traded away).
They don't have an obvious need for more young players, but Topić will push for a rotation spot, anyway. They could use more creation when reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander needs a breather, and Topić's combination of playmaking ability and size made him last summer's 12th overall pick—and he would've gone earlier if not hampered by the ACL injury that cost him his would-be rookie season. His minutes might be inconsistent, but they're coming.
Sorber, on the other hand, has already been ticketed for the same medical redshirt season that Topić just endured (and Chet Holmgren previously sat through). An ACL tear will delay Sorber's debut until next season. Barnhizer, finally, has an outside shot at semi-regular playing time, but he'd have to really improve his three-ball for that to materialize.
Orlando Magic
21 of 29
Rookies: Jase Richardson (No. 25), Noah Penda (No. 32)
If Richardson is ready for an NBA role, there's nothing stopping him from snagging one in Orlando. Even after paying a premium for Desmond Bane and signing Tyus Jones, the Magic are desperate for spacers—they were last in both three-point makes and three-point percentage last season.
Richardson, who shot 41.2 percent from range during his lone season at Michigan State, could help this offense breathe. Shooting alone won't get him fourth-guard duties, though. Growing as a playmaker might.
Penda looks like a Magic player—maybe too much like one. He's a long, nimble, versatile defender with a work-in-progress jumper. He theoretically fits the system, but it'll be hard to find consistent minutes for him alongside Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero without serious strides made as a spacer.
Philadelphia 76ers
22 of 29
Rookies: VJ Edgecombe (No. 3), Johni Broome (No. 35), Hunter Sallis (undrafted)
With Quentin Grimes finally back in the fold, Philly doesn't have to force the issue with Edgecombe. If he's ready to make an impact, the Sixers will let him, but they're deep enough in the backcourt to give more developmental time if that's what he needs.
He'll probably split the difference, not putting up Rookie of the Year-type numbers but also not being buried on the bench. His presence will probably be felt more than his production. He should be a constant energy source, his stats just may not always show it.
Broome could get a chance to fill some of the minutes vacated by Guerschon Yabusele, but that'd be more of a sure thing if Broome had a reliable outside shot. Sallis faces an even steeper challenge for minutes, as his perimeter shot needs work, and his on-ball skills may not show in what figures to be an off-ball role.
Phoenix Suns
23 of 29
Rookies: Khaman Maluach (No. 10), Rasheer Fleming (No. 31), Koby Brea (No. 41), CJ Huntley (undrafted)
Maluach might've been feasting on minutes buffet-style had the Suns not also acquired Mark Williams on the same night he was drafted. It was a bit of a puzzling way to do business, but maybe it's for the better, since Maluach needs plenty of polish to contribute to winning.
Fleming might be a sneaky-good bet to lead this team's rookie class in minutes. His relentless style and defensive activity can be effective right now, although there's some concern about his lack of creativity, given this group's lack of a natural point guard.
Brea is a skilled shot-maker, but that's probably not enough to grab a regular role right now. Huntley might be multiple injuries away from seeing any kind of significant action.
Portland Trail Blazers
24 of 29
Rookies: Yang Hansen (No. 16), Caleb Love (undrafted)
Folks haven't stopped talking about Hansen since the Blazers selected him 16th overall in June. Frankly, it's been a lot of bewilderment, though the nature of it has changed. First, folks couldn't figure out why Portland picked him so high. Then, folks struggled at summer league to understand how a 7'1" freshman could already be so skilled offensively.
Now, we have to include the disclaimer that Hansen's wildly encouraging flashes in Las Vegas guarantee none of the sort going forward. He already sees and thinks the games faster than most. Unfortunately, he doesn't play it at that speed yet, and he's still adjusting to the league's physicality.
This transition will take some time, although coach Chauncey Billups told reporters that Hansen is "definitely going to play." Don't look for Hansen to rank among the rookie leaders in minutes, though. Not with Donovan Clingan, Robert Williams III and Duop Reath all clogging up the center rotation. Love might get some real looks, though, with Damian Lillard seemingly sidelined for the season and Scoot Henderson recovering from a torn hamstring.
Sacramento Kings
25 of 29
Rookies: Nique Clifford (No. 24), Maxime Raynaud (No. 42), Dylan Cardwell (undrafted)
Clifford looked like one of the best rookies at summer league, and that's enough for him to stand out in Sacramento's young core. He'll clearly have to scale down his role from the one he filled at Colorado State, but hopefully the De'Aaron Fox-less Kings let Clifford handle some kind of role within their playmaking plans.
There's some worry he might be your proverbial jack-of-all-trades, master-of-none, but versatility can also be a good thing. If he's given early minutes, he'll find multiple ways to contribute. If he isn't, you might hear a lot about the lack of any singularly elite skill.
Raynaud should have chances to play right away, since Sacramento no longer has Jonas Valančiūnas backing up Domantas Sabonis. Raynaud won't just be handed a job, though. He needs to prove he can hang defensively at this level. For Cardwell to get minutes, he'd need Raynaud to be a total liability on defense and for Dario Šarić to look as unplayable as he appeared in Denver.
San Antonio Spurs
26 of 29
Rookies: Dylan Harper (No. 2), Carter Bryant (No. 14), David Jones-Garcia (undrafted in 2024)
Harper might be the most fascinating rookie in this class. It doesn't hurt that he was considered the consensus No. 2 prospect on the board, but the real interest is what kind of role he'll handle and how he'll fit alongside De'Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle, two other guards who, like Harper, work best with the ball in their hands and battle inconsistency with their shots.
The Spurs are still right to bet on this talent—at least until they see for sure this can't work. Harper will play a lot. There will be adjustments to make (like moving off the ball more), but he's good enough to figure them out. His numbers may not be the loudest in his class, but they'll be close. He'll be in the Rookie of the Year hunt.
Bryant should work his way into early wing minutes, too. San Antonio has other options, so playing time could be a little sporadic, but his defense, motor and spot-up shooting all point toward him being a tailor-made support piece. Jones-Garcia, who lit up scoreboards this summer, surely has more G League time ahead.
Toronto Raptors
27 of 29
Rookies: Collin Murray-Boyles (No. 9), Alijah Martin (No. 39), Chucky Hepburn (undrafted)
Murray-Boyles was one of the more Raptors-y players in this draft. That won't necessarily help him find the floor sooner than later.
He fits a build Toronto likes—versatile on defense and a savvy playmaker for his size—but it's also one the team has already filled. If he can't shoot and needs touches to be effective, how can the Raptors slot him alongside Scottie Barnes, Brandon Ingram and RJ Barrett? Murray-Boyles will get opportunities as a top-10 pick on a lottery team, but don't be surprised if his minutes are more muted than expected.
Martin has spring-loaded athleticism and all-purpose on versatility, but his outlook for early minutes is even murkier. The good news is this isn't the deepest guard group to crack. The not-so-great news is he may not have the playmaking chops or consistent shot needed to crack it. Hepburn is a better ball-mover, but a worse defender, athlete and shooter.
Utah Jazz
28 of 29
Rookies: Ace Bailey (No. 5), Walter Clayton Jr. (No. 18), John Tonje (No. 53), RJ Luis Jr. (undrafted)
Bailey is on the short list of a rookies with a non-zero chance of pacing their teams in points. Granted, he'd need a Lauri Markkanen trade for this to happen, but such a deal would surprise no one.
Bailey's scoring output could be ridiculous, but his shooting rates and playmaking marks might be uneasy on the eyes. He has the size, confidence and handles to make tough shots, but that doesn't mean they're always shots he should take. With Utah clearly focused on the future, though, he should have a neon-green light to explore the full limits of his game.
Clayton may not have quite as much freedom, since the Jazz still need to sort out a young guard group that also includes Isaiah Collier and Keyonte George. That said, both of those players were around when Utah added Clayton—and traded up to do it. The Jazz are obviously fans, and he has a real shot at pacing this trio in minutes.
Playing time can't be ruled out for Tonje and Luis, too, though that has more to do with Utah's rebuilding state than the prospects themselves. Tonje's off-ball movement and shooting should take some heat off of his teammates. Luis is more of a space-shrinker, but his tone-setting defense could still help the culture.
Washington Wizards
29 of 29
Rookies: Tre Johnson (No. 6), Will Riley (No. 21), Jamir Watkins (No. 43)
If any rookie leads their team in scoring, Johnson might be him. Washington's offense is a mess, and newcomer CJ McCollum is probably only around until some scoring-starved contender comes calling for him.
With one of the more favorable opportunities in this class, Johnson should heavily factor in the Rookie of the Year race, and he feels close to an All-Rookie first-team lock if his scoring output lands anywhere near expectation. His shooting rates may underwhelm—due both to courageous shot-selection and a lack of scoring support—but his assist numbers could be a pleasant surprise.
Riley and Watkins should play a fair amount, too, since the Wizards are basically amassing as much young talent as they can get and figuring out which prospects are worth holding onto. Riley, in particular, could see a ton of floor time, but only if he sees better results with his shooting.
