Grading Every NBA Team's Rookie Class So Far
One of the best parts of the 2025-26 NBA season has been following along with a wickedly talented rookie class.
Cooper Flagg is topping records set over 20 years ago by LeBron James. Rookies are carrying the suddenly hot New Orleans Pelicans and the Charlotte Hornets may have a new franchise player to surpass LaMelo Ball.
It's time to grade every team's rookie class through the first two months.
Note: All stats and records are accurate as of Dec. 22. 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's playing time has ticked upward over the last month, including a stretch of six straight games where he played at least 10 minutes or more.
Over this time Newell averaged 8.8 points on 64.7 percent shooting overall and 58.3 percent from three in just 15.3 minutes, giving the Hawks a nice offensive boost off the bench.
Newell has been good in limited minutes and should see his role only continue to grow. The return of Trae Young as a table setter should help get the 23rd overall pick some easy buckets as well.
Boston Celtics: B
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The Boston Celtics found a good one in Hugo González.
The No. 28 overall pick impressed early with his defense and motor, and now more playing time has helped his offensive game.
In December, González is up to 7.1 points and 5.6 rebounds per game on 60.9 percent shooting overall. In his 176 total minutes this month, the Celtics are a plus-106, speaking to his ability to make a positive impact on both ends of the ball.
Second-round pick Amari Williams has been a non-factor despite Boston's lack of frontcourt depth. He's played just 30 total minutes this season.
Brooklyn Nets: C-
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None of the Brooklyn Nets' collection of five first-round picks have overly impressed to this point, although they have shown steady progress and improved shooting efficiency as the season has gone along.
Big man Danny Wolf looks like a steal at No. 27 overall, as the Nets are a respectable 5-8 in his 13 games. Wolf's combination of three-point shooting (38.1 percent) and passing make him a unique talent at nearly seven feet tall.
Egor Dёmin has been better since being inserted into the starting lineup (10.4 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 36.1 percent from three) and won't turn 20 until March.
Overall, however, this has been a disappointing collection of first-round picks. Quantity over quality has not worked out so far for Brooklyn.
Charlotte Hornets: A+
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No team had a better 2025 draft than the Charlotte Hornets.
Despite not owning a top-3 pick and having only one of their four selections fall in the top-28 overall, this front office nailed the draft with their selections.
Kon Knueppel leads all rookies with 19.4 points per game while making 41.4 percent of his three-pointers. He also ranks seventh in rebounding and fourth in assists.
Second-round pick Ryan Kalkbrenner is second in rebounds (6.4 per game) and blocks (1.8) while shooting an incredible 78.7 percent from the field. Sion James' hot shooting has cooled off a bit, although the No. 33 overall pick has started 14 of his 29 games and has become one of the team's best perimeter defenders.
Liam McNeeley is shooting 41.3 percent from three over his first 19 games, capping what's become a hugely successful draft class overall.
Chicago Bulls: F
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No. 12 overall pick Noa Essengue's rookie season is already over.
The French forward appeared in just two total games, missing all three of his shots in six minutes before undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery.
For a Chicago Bulls team in need of young talent, picking Essengue one spot ahead of rookie star Derik Queen already looks like a move that's going to come back to haunt this franchise for years to come.
Cleveland Cavaliers: B-
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Injuries have continually shuffled the Cleveland Cavaliers starting lineup and rotation, leaving Tyrese Proctor with sporadic playing time.
He recently made his first career start against the Chicago Bulls on a night where Donovan Mitchell missed. Proctor delivered 16 points, six rebounds, three assists and a steal, knocking down a trio of three-pointers, looking comfortable in a bigger role.
He looks like a young Danny Green with his size and shooting ability, a player who was also picked by the Cavs at nearly the same spot in the draft (46th overall for Green, 49th for Proctor).
Dallas Mavericks: A
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Cooper Flagg averaged 18.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.3 steals and 0.8 blocks before recently turning 19, which compare favorably with LeBron James' age-18 numbers (20.2 points, 5.9 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 1.6 steals, 0.7 blocks).
He's also up to 24.3 percent shooting on 51.8 percent shooting overall over his last 10 games, putting to rest any early concerns people may have had about Flagg. A consistent three-point shot (24.2 percent) is his only major weakness so far.
Flagg isn't the only rookie impressing, however.
Undrafted point guard Ryan Nembhard has been a blessing for a team in desperate need of dribbling and passing. Since being inserted into the starting lineup, the 22-year-old is putting up 10.9 points, 7.0 assists and is making 48.6 percent of his threes.
Nembhard's 5.5 assists per game for the season rank No. 1 among all rookies.
Denver Nuggets: D
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Better depth this season has made playing time hard to come by for DaRon Holmes II, who's registered just four total NBA minutes to this point.
His G-League performances are encouraging, however. After missing all of last season with a torn Achilles, Holmes is putting up 20.9 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.2 blocks per game in 13 contests with the Grand Rapids Gold.
Still, we're just grading actual NBA time here. It's great that Holmes is back healthy, but he's made zero impact for the Nuggets just yet.
Detroit Pistons: C-
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The East's best team at 23-6 overall, the Detroit Pistons haven't needed to rely on second-round pick Chaz Lanier much to this point.
While he got some consistent run in mid-November (18.6 minutes over a five-game stretch), the return of Jaden Ivey has caused Lanier to see most of his work in the G League. Lanier did score 40 points and connected on nine three-pointers in his debut with the Motor City Cruise.
Lanier's NBA impact has been minimal. Given the Pistons' impressive record, that's OK for the 37th overall pick in the draft.
Golden State Warriors: B+
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Looking like one of the biggest steals in the 2025 draft, Will Richards has been a blessing for an aging Golden State Warriors team.
The 22-year-old already has a 30-point and 20-point game under his belt and is averaging 8.4 in his 12 starts. He's been equally effective shooting the ball as a starter (40.5 percent from three) as he is coming off the bench (43.2 percent).
Asked to play a number of roles on a Warriors team that can't escape drama, Richard has been one of the draft's best picks.
Indiana Pacers: D+
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No. 38 overall pick Kam Jones recently made his season debut, scoring his first NBA points in just 41 seconds of action. A back injury delayed the beginning of his career, although Jones should now have plenty of time to prove himself for a banged-up Pacers team.
Ethan Thompson, 26, has started four of his nine games in Indiana and is putting up 8.3 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists as a starter. He's shooting just 36.7 percent overall, however.
Don't be surprised to see Jones eventually jump Thompson in the rotation and perhaps even earn a starting role as the season moves along.
Los Angeles Clippers: C-
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Although he hasn't played much this season, we could see center Yanic Konan Niederhäuser break into the rotation now that Ivica Zubac is expected to miss a few weeks with a sprained ankle.
The 22-year-old has mostly been outside of the Los Angeles Clippers rotation while getting some run in the G League.
Kobe Sanders is a big shooting guard at 6'8" who is averaging 6.3 points in his 20 games, starting three of them for a Clippers team that desperately needs young talent.
For now, this draft class, like the rest of this franchise this season, has been underwhelming.
Los Angeles Lakers: D
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Adou Thiero, 21, brings some athleticism to a Los Angeles Lakers team that could definitely use some. His lack of three-point shooting alongside ball-dominant stars like Luka Dončić, LeBron James and Austin Reaves is going to cost him playing time, however.
Thiero has yet to even attempt a three-pointer in his first 62 NBA minutes after shooting just 28.4 percent in three years at Kentucky.
So far, this doesn't look like a good fit between prospect and team.
Memphis Grizzlies: A-
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Cedric Coward has been one of the best rookies this season despite going No. 11 in the draft.
He ranks No. 5 in scoring (13.5 points per game) and fourth in rebounding (6.2) among all rookies while chipping in 2.9 assists. For a team that's been hit hard by injuries this season, Coward has played in all 29 contests, starting 16 of them.
Backup point guard Javon Small was averaging 8.0 assists per 36 minutes before going down with a turf toe injury. He looks close to returning, giving this backcourt a needed boost.
The Grizzlies should be happy with this class overall.
Miami Heat: C
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Kasparas Jakučionis finally made his debut this month, as a groin strain delayed his NBA career.
The No. 20 overall pick got his first start against the Boston Celtics on Dec. 19 when the Miami Heat were missing Tyler Herro and Davion Mitchell. Jakučionis responded with 17 points, six rebounds, four assists and just one turnover, going 5-of-8 from three.
Just 19 years old, Jakučionis has the chance to become a good rotation player for Miami this season with more reps. Having appeared in just four games thus far, finding the right grade is tricky.
Milwaukee Bucks: F
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Alex Antetokounmpo and Mark Sears are the only rookies on the Milwaukee Bucks' roster, although both are playing on two-way contracts.
Sears has logged just 26 total minutes of mop-up duty across seven games while Antetokounmpo has yet to make his NBA debut. The 24-year-old is averaging a modest 5.8 points on 43.0 percent shooting overall in the G League.
We know why he's on this roster.
Minnesota Timberwolves: C-
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Joan Beringer looked like a project and eventual Rudy Gobert replacement when the Minnesota Timberwolves made him the No. 17 overall pick. Nothing from that plan has changed.
The 19-year-old has played just 38 total minutes across nine games for the Wolves, as this team has a lot of frontcourt depth as presently constructed.
In three G League games with the Iowa Wolves, he's averaged 13.0 points, 9.3 rebounds and 2.3 blocks in 26.6 minutes. A good early sign, although he's not been given the opportunity to make a difference for Minnesota thus far.
New Orleans Pelicans: A
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Outside of Charlotte, perhaps no team should be more encouraged by its rookie class than the New Orleans Pelicans.
Jeremiah Fears ranks fourth among all rookies in scoring (14.8 points) and is first in steals (1.3). Derik Queen is sixth in scoring (13.4 points), first in rebounding (6.8) and second in assists (4.1), showing off his overall game. It's clear he should have been selected significantly higher than No. 13 overall.
Queen has been even better since being inserted into the Pelican's starting lineup, putting up 14.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 1.0 steals, 1.0 blocks and shooting 53.4 percent overall. He's also the only rookie to register a triple-double this season.
Winners of five of their past six games, things are suddenly looking up in New Orleans.
New York Knicks: C-
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Mohamed Diawara, the 51st overall pick in the 2025 draft, has only played a handful of meaningful minutes for the New York Knicks thus far.
He did get his first NBA start on Dec. 18 against the Indiana Pacers on a night where the Knicks were missing Karl-Anthony Towns, Josh Hart and Mitchell Robinson, making way for the 6'9" forward to get some run.
Diawara scored five points, grabbed three rebounds and registered one assist and steal in his 19 minutes, going 2-of-5 overall from the field. He doesn't yet look ready for NBA rotation minutes, which, given his draft spot, is understandable.
Oklahoma City Thunder: C
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The Oklahoma City Thunder got some good minutes early on in the season from Brooks Barnhizer and Chris Youngblood. Now with Jalen Williams back in the fold, neither rookie has been a regular part of the rotation.
Thomas Sorber, the No. 15 overall pick, will miss the entire season with a torn ACL. Nikola Topić is currently undergoing chemotherapy for testicular cancer, although was recently seen back on the court for some pre-game warm-ups.
Here's hoping Topić can finally make his NBA debut this season after missing all of last year with a torn ACL.
Orlando Magic: B+
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Both Jase Richardson and Noah Penda are knocking on the door to becoming regular rotation members for the Orlando Magic, a team that's once again been hammered by injuries.
Richardson is up to 9.4 points on 41.2 percent shooting from three in 15.6 minutes over his last five games while Penda recently had his best game of the season in a win over the Utah Jazz (13 points, 12 rebounds, four assists, two steals, two blocks in 24 minutes).
With some more court time and regular roles, this is going to end up looking like a really solid rookie class for Orlando despite not having a pick until No. 25 overall.
Philadelphia 76ers: A
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VJ Edgecombe still has a chance at winning Rookie of the Year and has remained a starter for the Philadelphia 76ers even when Paul George and Jared McCain are both healthy.
Edgecombe is coming off a red-hot run (24.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 40.6 percent from three over his last four games) and ranks No. 3 among rookies in scoring (16.0 points), No. 3 in assists (4.0) and is tied for first in steals (1.3).
Even with Kon Knueppel thriving with the Charlotte Hornets, the Sixers shouldn't regret their selection of Edgecombe at No. 3 overall, as he's arguably the most athletic player in his class.
Phoenix Suns: D
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The Phoenix Suns have prioritized winning games over throwing their rookies into the fire this season, which is the noble thing to do. It's prevented both Khaman Maluach and Rasheer Fleming from making much of an NBA impact to this point, however.
Maluach, the No. 10 overall pick, has logged just 59 total minutes over 12 games. He's averaging 15.8 points, 12.3 rebounds and 3.0 blocks per game for the Valley Suns.
Fleming is putting up 17.4 points and 8.0 rebounds in five G League games. The pair have recorded some nice moments together, although we've yet to see this carry over to the big stage.
Portland Trail Blazers: D
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Picking Yang Hansen at No. 16 overall was one of the biggest gambles in the entire 2025 draft. It's way too early to say whether the Portland Trail Blazers look like geniuses or fools, although for now it's leaning towards the latter.
Hansen hasn't been able to crack the Blazers' rotation and looked rough in his first NBA start against the Memphis Grizzlies. He picked up five fouls and had two turnovers in just 19 minutes while chipping in four points, five rebounds and two assists.
Caleb Love, 24, is shooting a miserable 33.0 percent overall and 25.2 percent from three with an on/off rating of minus-12.8.
Sacramento Kings: C
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The Sacramento Kings' best rookie this season hasn't been first-rounder Nique Clifford, but rather the 42nd overall pick, Maxime Raynaud.
Getting an unexpected opportunity with Domantas Sabonis sidelined, Raynaud is up to 10th among rookies in scoring (10.0 points per game) and is fifth in rebounding (5.8). He's an imposing presence at 7'1" and 250 pounds who is nearly averaging a double-double in his seven starts (15.1 points, 9.9 rebounds).
With Clifford struggling offensively (4.7 points, 38.3 percent shooting overall), Raynaud is carrying the Kings' rookie grade here.
San Antonio Spurs: B
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Dylan Harper's rookie season is going to be overshadowed by others in this class, although the No. 2 overall pick has been great given his limited role.
Coming off the bench in all 18 games so far, Harper is still seventh among all rookies in scoring (12.6 points) and fifth in assists (3.6). Per 36 minutes, the 19-year-old is averaging 21.1 points, 5.3 rebounds and 6.0 assists. Harper's play style is reminiscent of a young James Harden, who was also asked to play as a reserve on a young, loaded Oklahoma City Thunder team.
The San Antonio Spurs' grade gets dinged here by the poor play of Carter Bryant, the No. 14 overall selection. He's topped six points just once in 20 games and is shooting 35.2 percent overall from the field.
Toronto Raptors: C
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Collin Murray-Boyles has been fine for the Toronto Raptors this season, although it's fair to expect more from a No. 9 overall pick.
With averages of 6.8 points and 3.4 rebounds in 17.7 minutes a game, Murray-Boyles has shot the ball well overall (58.9 percent on twos, 44.8 percent on threes).
For now, it looks like the Raptors made a mistake by not taking a different big man like Derik Queen or opting for a wing in Cedric Coward. Time may justify this selection, although Murray-Boyles hasn't popped just yet.
Utah Jazz: B
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Ace Bailey has settled into his role as the No. 3 scorer on a Utah Jazz team that surprisingly ranks in the middle of the NBA in offense.
He's been much better as a starter this season (12.7 points on 37.3 percent shooting from three), showing off a smooth scoring attack from all three levels.
Walter Clayton Jr. hasn't shot the ball well from three (29.9 percent) but has been effective inside (55.4 percent on twos) and is a steady ball-handler who's averaging just 1.3 turnovers in his 24 games.
Washington Wizards: B-
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Tre Johnson is proving his college scoring chops are for real, as the No. 6 overall pick is averaging 13.3 points on 45.5 percent shooting from three over his last three games. He ranks eighth overall in scoring among rookies (11.5 points per game).
Will Riley has been OK in a limited role and Jamir Watkins' defense has pushed his on/off rating to plus-2.7 for the Washington Wizards.
If the Wizards start selling off veterans like CJ McCollum and Khris Middleton, their rookies may have far more runway to take off.
