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Grading Every NBA Team's Rookie Class After 2 Weeks
The 2025 NBA rookie class is off to a strong start, with eight players currently averaging double figures in scoring.
This isn't just top picks like Cooper Flagg and Dylan Harper, either, as there have been a number of rookies who already look like steals.
Now with a six-to-seven-ish game sample size, it's time to grade every NBA team's rookie class.
Note: All stats and records are accurate as of Nov. 3. The Houston Rockets are the only team that does not possess a rookie on their roster.
Atlanta Hawks: B-
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Asa Newell has mostly been out of the Atlanta Hawks' rotation to begin his career, although his impact was felt against the Oklahoma City Thunder when needed.
On a night where the Hawks were without Jalen Johnson, Kristaps Porziņģis and Zaccharie Risacher, Newell posted a double-double with 12 points, 10 rebounds, one assist and made 3-of-5 three-pointers in just under 25 minutes off the bench.
Outside of the OKC game, Newell has registered just five total minutes of court time.
The early three-point shooting is encouraging (57.1 percent) although Newell hasn't logged enough game time to make any definitive conclusions just yet.
Boston Celtics: B
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Hugo González looks like one of the best defensive rookies already, even after the Boston Celtics selected him at No. 28 overall.
He's tied for sixth overall among first-year players in steals (1.0 per game) and is a no-fear defender who has given tremendous effort when in the game. The offensive side for González should come with time, but he's continually made smart plays with his passes, crashing the offensive glass and hustle.
Amari Williams got his first real taste of action in a Nov. 1 loss to the Houston Rockets, scoring his first NBA basket and registering a rebound, assist and steal in six minutes.
Brooklyn Nets: D
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It's been a (predictably) bad start for the Brooklyn Nets, with injuries hampering some of their extensive rookie class as well.
No. 26 overall pick Ben Saraf has been the only rookie to start a game (five) and is tied with teammate Egor Dёmin for seventh place among first-year players in assists per game (2.7). This is where the positives end, as both point guards have struggled to shoot the ball, especially Saraf (23.1 percent from the field.
Danny Wolf just made his season debut from an ankle injury in some garbage time minutes against the Minnesota Timberwolves and both Nolan Traoré and Drake Powell have failed to make much of an impact thus far.
Dёmin still has the best chance to look like a real foundation piece for the Nets moving forward, although it's been a rough start in Brooklyn for all involved.
Charlotte Hornets: A
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The Charlotte Hornets should be absolutely thrilled with their draft class so far.
Kon Knueppel's 16 made three-pointers in his first four games were the most in NBA history while his 14.0 points per game are tied for third among rookies. He's making 43.1 percent of his threes and looks extremely comfortable in the league even as a 20-year-old.
Ryan Kalkbrenner, the 34th overall pick, has started every game at center for Charlotte and leads all rookies in rebounds (6.6) and blocked shots (2.1).
Sion James, the 33rd pick, is ninth in scoring (9.1 points) and is making a blistering 72.2 percent of his threes through seven games. Liam McNeeley is slowly carving a role in the rotation.
The Hornets killed this draft.
Chicago Bulls: F
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Despite being selected at No. 12 overall, Noa Essengue has yet to log an NBA minute and has been sent to practice with the G-League's Windy City Bulls ahead of their season opener on Saturday.
An immediate impact would have been nice, although the Bulls claim this was their plan all along.
"This is a guy at 18 years old who has a huge runway in front of him to get better and to improve, but we're going to have to invest in his development," head coach Billy Donovan said via Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times. "It may not be with us. It may be going back and forth between us and the G League. Those were things discussed back in June."
Essengue is the only lottery pick to not play in a game yet this season. The only other first-rounders who have failed to see the court are Thomas Sorber (out for the year with a torn ACL) and Kasparas Jakučionis (groin injury).
This isn't a good start for Chicago's lottery pick, no matter how the team spins it.
Cleveland Cavaliers: C-
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Tyrese Proctor has benefitted from some Cleveland Cavaliers' injuries in the early going, as the 49th overall pick has worked his way into the back end of the rotation.
A Cavs team minus Darius Garland and Max Strus (and Sam Merrill for a few games) has needed another guard, although Proctor has struggled in to begin his career.
The former Duke standout is shooting just 2-of-15 from three so far (13.3 percent) and is in danger of losing his rotation spot altogether when Garland reportedly returns this week. Although he hasn't been great, even seeing the court this early for a late second-round pick saves the Cavs' grade here.
Dallas Mavericks: B-
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It's fair to say that No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg has struggled to begin his career but also that we've seen enough flashes to avoid any sort of panic to this point.
Flagg is averaging 13.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.4 blocks on 39.8 percent shooting overall and 33.3 percent from deep in 31.3 minutes so far. Operating as a starting NBA point guard after playing mostly power forward at Duke is a big change for anymore, much less an 18 year old.
Flagg will be fine, even if he hasn't been one of the best rookies in his class yet.
Ryan Nembhard was seeing more playing time than veteran D'Angelo Russell for a period and could be a future rotation lock.
Denver Nuggets: C
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The Denver Nuggets didn't make any selections in the 2025 draft, although they technically have a rookie in DaRon Holmes II who missed all of last season with a torn Achilles.
The 22nd overall pick in the 2024 draft, Holmes was brought in to become some additional frontcourt insurance behind Nikola Jokić. Of course, this pick was made over a year before the Nuggets traded for Jonas Valančiūnas.
As a result of this newfound depth and coming off a major injury, Holmes has played just four total minutes thus far. We'll see if his court time increases the further removed from surgery he gets.
Detroit Pistons: C-
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One of the oldest rookies in his class at age 23, Chaz Lanier has received sporadic minutes for the Detroit Pistons thus far.
Selected at No. 37 overall in part for his dead-eye three-point shooting, Lanier is just 3-of-9 (33.3 percent) to begin his career. His best game came in a loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers, with Lanier going 2-of-4 from three for six points in 12 minutes of play.
After adding veterans like Caris LeVert, Duncan Robinson and Javonte Green this offseason, Lanier is going to have to earn his court time this season.
Golden State Warriors: A-
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Will Richard has been one of the best surprises of the entire draft so far, as the 56th overall pick has been part of the Golden State Warriors' rotation since the beginning of the season.
A four-year starter at college (three with the Florida Gators), Richard was pro ready coming into the NBA despite nearly going undrafted. He's rewarded the Warriors with 5.7 points on 63.2 percent shooting overall and 41.7 percent from three, scoring in all six of his games thus far.
A good defender at 6'5", Richard has been exactly what the Warriors needed as a young guard who can play immediately.
Indiana Pacers: D
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A 1-6 start to the season for the Indiana Pacers hasn't been helped by lack of production from the team's rookies.
Kam Jones, the No. 38 overall pick, has been out with a back injury and has yet to make his NBA debut. No. 54 overall selection Taelon Peter has received 43 minutes across five games yet is shooting just 28.6 percent overall (all three-point attempts).
For a Pacers team that's been decimated by injuries, especially to the guard positions, Indiana really needs Jones to return as soon as possible. He'll have a large role waiting with players like Tyrese Haliburton, Andrew Nembhard, Benedict Mathurin and T.J. McConnell all out.
Los Angeles Clippers: C-
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The NBA's oldest team (29.7 average age) has, unsurprisingly, not relied on any of its three rookies much in the early going.
First-round pick Yanic Konan Niederhauser saw some early minutes in the first pair of games (both blowouts), scoring 10 total points in less than nine minutes of court time. He's a big body who has a perfect mentor in Brook Lopez.
Both Kobe Sanders and Jahmyl Telfort won't see rotation minutes this year unless the injuries start piling up for a deep Los Angeles Clippers team. While some teams will be eager to feed opportunities to their rookies, the title-chasing Clips aren't one.
Los Angeles Lakers: Incomplete
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No. 36 overall pick Adou Thiero is still waiting to make his debut while spending time rehabbing a knee injury. It sounds like the Los Angeles Lakers don't plan on throwing big minutes his way anytime soon, either.
"And I told him this, and I've said this to you guys: this year is really important for him as a development year, but it's as much about getting his body right and learning the NBA, the language, and all of that stuff as it is about getting on-court reps. There will be opportunities at some point in the future. I don't know when that is for him to get some reps with us in-game, but we're gonna make sure that his body's right," head coach JJ Redick said via Khobi Price of the Southern California News Group.
Chris Mañon, an undrafted rookie out of Vanderbilt now playing on a two-way contract, has logged just seven minutes across two games.
Memphis Grizzlies: A
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The Memphis Grizzlies have their share of issues right now, although the 2025 rookie class is not one of them.
Cedric Coward ranks second among all rookies in scoring (15.3 points per game) and is tied for third in rebounding (5.0) to go along with his 2.5 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.4 blocks. He's also drilled 48.3 percent of his three-pointers and showcased multi-positional defense.
Javon Small, the No. 48 overall pick, ranks fourth among rookies in assists (3.7 per game) and has filled in admirably behind Ja Morant with injuries to Scotty Pippen Jr. and Ty Jerome.
The Grizzlies did really, really well in the draft once again.
Miami Heat: Incomplete
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We're still waiting on the debut of No. 20 overall pick Kasparas Jakučionis, as the rookie point guard has battled a right groin strain so far this season.
The Miami Heat need Jakučionis to return to the court as soon as possible, as All-Star guard Tyler Herro has missed the entire year so far while rehabbing from ankle surgery.
Milwaukee Bucks: D
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Mark Sears and Alex Antetokounmpo are the only rookies employed by the Milwaukee Bucks this season. Both are playing on two-way contracts.
Of the two, Sears is the only one to see any court time thus far, logging just over seven minutes of action in a loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Oct. 26.
Minnesota Timberwolves: C
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It's been all mop up duty for No. 17 overall pick Joan Beringer, as the 18-year-old hasn't been a part of head coach Chris Finch's rotation as of yet.
This shouldn't come as a surprise as long as Rudy Gobert and Naz Reid are healthy. Even with the defensive potential that Beringer brings with his nearly 7'5" wingspan.
Grabbing five rebounds in his first 11 total minutes is a good start for the rookie center, however.
New Orleans Pelicans: B
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Ignoring the disastrous trade terms that landed them Derik Queen, the New Orleans Pelicans' rookies have been solid so far this season.
Jeremiah Fears, the No. 7 overall pick, is fifth among rookies in scoring (13.7 points) and tied for second in assists (3.8) He's also tied for first with VJ Edgecombe with 1.5 steals a night.
Now with Zion Williamson out for at least a week with a hamstring strain, the Pelicans will rely on Fears and Queen even more. The latter is averaging 7.3 points, 4.8 rebounds and 0.7 blocks in just 17.5 minutes. Shooting 0-for-3 from deep over his six games doesn't bode well for Queen's long-term fit in a frontcourt alongside Williamson and Yves Missi, however.
An 0-6 start to the season for New Orleans has been a nightmare, with the play of Fears and Queen perhaps the only real bright spots thus far.
New York Knicks: C
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Mohamed Diawara was the 51st pick in the 2025 draft and his playing time thus far reflects his selection for a championship-hungry New York Knicks team.
The 20-year-old has logged just six total minutes thus far, dishing out one assist while missing his only shot attempt. On a wing-heavy, veteran Knicks team, Diawara is going to see the majority of his court time in the G League this season.
Oklahoma City Thunder: C
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First-round pick Thomas Sorber will miss the season with a torn ACL and last year's lottery pick Nikola Topić, who missed the 2024-25 season with the same injury, is currently undergoing chemotherapy for testicular cancer.
Only the Oklahoma City Thunder could play two second-round/undrafted rookies on a nightly basis and still begin the season a perfect 7-0.
Brooks Barnhizer and Chris Youngblood have gotten some crumbs thrown their way in the early going with no Jalen Williams (wrist surgery). Both should enjoy their minutes now before the All-Star forward makes his return to the court.
Orlando Magic: C
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The Orlando Magic are once again searching for offensive answers even after trading for Desmond Bane this offseason.
Thus far, Orlando has been reluctant to play Jase Richardson (No. 25 overall pick) or Noah Penda (No. 32) big minutes thus far despite the scoring upside both possess.
Richardson has only registered 21 total minutes across five games, making 1-of-4 shots and handing out four assists. Penda has put up 13 points, eight rebounds, five assists, two blocks and a steal in his 43 minutes over four games.
The Magic look like a team that needs a consolidation trade at some point, as neither rookie is getting the run they'll need to grow.
Philadelphia 76ers: A
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There's a ton of basketball left to be played, although VJ Edgecombe has undoubtedly been the best rookie in the NBA to this point.
Easily one of the league's most athletic players from the moment he stepped on a court, Edgecombe has used his hops, shooting and hustle to average a rookie-high 20.3 points per game while helping guide the Philadelphia 76ers to a 5-2 record.
The 20-year-old is also tied for third in rebounds (5.0), while ranking first in assists (5.0) and is tied for first with 1.5 steals a game.
The Sixers have to be thrilled with the play of Edgecombe, as he's already contributed to winning basketball with Joel Embiid on a minutes restriction and no Paul George to this point.
Phoenix Suns: D
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We've yet to see the rookies make a big impact in Phoenix, as both No. 10 overall pick Khaman Maluach and No. 31 selection Rasheer Fleming have made their way into the rotation just yet.
The most we've seen from Maluach is 12 minutes of backup center time when Mark Williams didn't play against the Denver Nuggets on Oct. 25. The 19-year-old former Duke star put up six points, two rebounds and one assist, yet racked up four fouls in a short period of time.
Fleming has received 19 minutes of random garbage time to this point. If the 3-4 Suns begin to fall out of the playoff race, we could see more opportunities for both Maluach and Fleming.
Portland Trail Blazers: D
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Don't expect to see a lot of Yang Hansen this season, despite being the No. 16 overall pick in the draft.
Donovan Clingan is the Portland Trail Blazers' starting center. Robert Williams III is back on the court and Duop Reath has jumped Hansen in the rotation as well. Injuries or trades could shake up this order, although for now Hansen just isn't going to make a real impact.
Two-way guard Caleb Love is just 4-of-15 to start his NBA career (26.7 percent), not an ideal beginning for the 24-year-old.
Sacramento Kings: C
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A hamstring injury has limited first-round pick Nique Clifford to just three games thus far, as the 23-year-old has averaged just 3.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.0 blocks and 0.7 steals in 19.3 minutes a game. He's struggled offensively, shooting just 38.5 percent overall (0-of-2 from three).
His defense has helped the Sacramento Kings stay competitive during his time on the court, however, as Clifford is a plus-14 in 58 minutes for a 2-5 Kings team.
Two-way center Dylan Caldwell got the starting nod at center against the Milwaukee Bucks on Nov. 1, although he and fellow rookie Maxime Raynaud may see their time cut completely now that the Kings have signed Precious Achiuwa.
San Antonio Spurs: A
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Dylan Harper's ability to split defenders and finish around the rim is already at an All-Star level. He's an unbelievable talent who makes you stop and shake your head in disbelief when going over the tape.
Harper's 14.0 points per game are tied for third among all rookies and he ranks seventh in rebounds (4.0) and tied for second in assists (3.8). Helping guide the San Antonio Spurs to a 5-1 start even without De'Aaron Fox is quite the accomplishment. Unfortunately, the star rookie is now projected to miss multiple weeks with a calf injury.
No. 14 overall pick Carter Bryant isn't in the regular rotation on a wing-heavy Spurs team, although we'll see if his minutes tick up now with Harper out.
Toronto Raptors: B
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Following a dud of an NBA debut, Collin Murray-Boyles has actually been really good, especially as a fill-in starter at center in Jakob Poeltl's absence.
After going 0-of-4 for zero points in his first game, Murray-Boyles has averaged 13.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.5 steals while shooting 50.0 percent from three.
Shooting was an issue in college, so it's been great to see Murray-Boyles get off to a hot start from beyond the arc. He looks like a solid rotation big already for the Raptors and a solid pick at No. 9 overall.
Utah Jazz: C-
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The Utah Jazz are doing the right thing by letting No. 5 overall pick Ace Bailey play through his early season struggles, and the franchise is off to a surprisingly-good 3-4 start.
Bailey is averaging just 4.6 points, 2.9 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 0.3 steals in his 17.4 minutes and has made 2-of-15 three-pointers (13.3 percent) while only shooting 37.9 percent from inside the arc. This is a shockingly low number, especially considering four of his 13 made field goals have been dunks.
On the other side, Walter Clayton Jr. has been a steady guard off the bench. The No. 18 overall pick is fifth among all rookies in assists (3.1 per game) and is saving the Jazz's grade here from being a complete disaster.
Washington Wizards: B
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No. 6 overall pick Tre Johnson has been as advertised thus far, as his 12.3 points per game rank seventh among rookies and fifth overall on the Washington Wizards. If not for Kyshawn George's breakout, we'd be talking about Johnson becoming a starter already.
Will Riley has logged 14 points, nine rebounds, five assists and two steals in his 38 total minutes while Jamir Watkins is currently buried in the back end of the roster.
As long as Johnson pops this season and Riley looks like a rotation piece moving forward, this will be considered a successful draft for Washington.
