10 Unheralded NBA Rookies Most Likely to Shine This Season
With the 2015 NBA preseason underway, many teams all across the league are looking to return to dominance in hopes of taking the title out of Golden State's hands. The teams on this list have gone through significant (and some painful) changes over the last few seasons: player injuries, coaching changes, entire roster overhauls, etc.
With the Chicago Bulls, Indiana Pacers, New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers, and Dallas Mavericks looking to make a splash now, perhaps the following members of the 2015 rookie class will not only help their teams, but steal the show for themselves.
Sam Dekker, Houston Rockets
Unlike many of the other guys on this list, Wisconsin forward Sam Dekker hasn't shined much this preseason. He is only averaging 5.8 points and 3.2 rebounds in the first five games. However, there is one factor that can give Dekker the chance to make an impact: player injuries.
With forwards Donatas Motiejunas (back) and Montrezl Harrell (thigh) both sidelined with injuries, Dekker will have to step up in a major way to fill the depleted roles at forward.
"Someone's got to fill in and step in," Dekker said, per Dyslexicsports of SB Nation's The Dream Shake. "If I want to get minutes I have to be able to step in when needed, even after two games I feel much more comfortable there, will see how it goes when we get (to play) some bigger guys."
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Brooklyn Nets
The Nets drafted Arizona State forward Rondae Hollis-Jefferson as a backup forward for star Joe Johnson. Jefferson is known for his defensive ability and may be a fan favorite with his outgoing personality. He has missed this week's preseason games after spraining his ankle last weekend, but he's expected to return ASAP, where he can pick up where he left off.
Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns
Most teams go into the draft expecting to pick up young fresh talent that can hit the ground running, and the Suns may have gotten lucky with Kentucky's Devon Booker. The young shooting guard scored 20 points in 22 minutes this past Tuesday against the Rockets. He also has a high basketball IQ, great shooting ability and a great athletic build standing at 6'0". He received good reviews for his debut performance, but he himself wasn't satisfied with it. The hunger to be better is always a positive sign.
Kristaps Porzingis, New York Knicks
Even though the New York Knicks drafted him fourth overall, no one expected Latvia's Kristaps Porzingis to be selected so highly (and New York fans made it very clear they were in disagreement). Now that the boos have simmered down, we are starting to see the upside Knicks president Phil Jackson and many other scouts have seen all along, such as former Knicks scout Tim Shea in this New York Post interview.
He's battled a sore knee so far, but he's pretty much healthy and ready to take the court. In just two preseason appearances, he's averaged eight points and six rebounds and was praised for his scoring ability.
Rashad Vaughn, Milwaukee Bucks
Being a standout player isn't just about having the right skills, but it's also about having the right attitude. According to previous and current coaches of the Bucks' 15th pick, UNLV's Rashad Vaughn has just that.
His UNLV coach, Todd Simon, praised Vaughn's drive, competitiveness, maturity, and good heart to Ti Windisch of Behind the Buck Pass at FanSided. Head coach Jason Kidd and Detroit Pistons team president Stan Van Gundy have also spoken highly about him to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Charles F. Gardner (h/t Windisch).
Vaughn also has great scoring ability. In his preseason debut, he scored 20 points, three rebounds and two assists and is shooting 57 percent from the field and 50 percent from behind the arc. Having the right skills and the right mindset will only work in this young rookie's favor as the season progresses.
Justin Anderson, Dallas Mavericks
Virginia small forward Justin Anderson is another rookie who displayed exciting, promising signs during this year's summer league. In a span of six games, the 6'6" Virginia native finished with an average of 17.5 points, with 43.4 percent from the field and 38.5 percent from behind the arc. Speaking with Mavs.com's Earl K. Sneed, Mavs summer league head coach Kaleb Canales was pleased with Anderson's eagerness to learn and work ethic, and this will surely carry over into the regular season.
Larry Nance Jr., Los Angeles Lakers
This year may be the very last push the Lakers make to get deep into the postseason in hopes of getting one last ring with veteran Kobe Bryant, who told Yahoo Sports' Marc J. Spears that this could be his last season. Will Wyoming's Larry Nance, Jr. be able to add his skills to this young squad and help the Black Mamba on his quest?
It looks like it. The 6'9" power forward surprised many during last month's summer league games with his rebounding, quick hustle after loose balls and defense. This preseason, he is averaging only 2.3 points and four rebounds. However, it's still early, so no need to worry Lakers Nation. His high-energy playing style will prove contagious on the floor and in the locker room, which is an added bonus in any rebuilding situation.
Jerian Grant, New York Knicks
The Knicks are looking to Notre Dame PG Jerian Grant to finish what Tim Hardaway Jr. started, and so far, he is delivering. In the first four preseason games, he is averaging 7.8 points, 2.5 rebounds and 3.8 assists. He has also sown positive signs of veteran-like experience by the way he runs the floor and plays. Grant has an upside with his height, at 6'5", allowing him to read the floor and make plays for his teammates by looking over defenses. He is quick thinking on defense, can play both guard spots and is a great offensive addition who is comfortable playing in the triangle.
He is also one of the older draftees, at 22 years old, making him better groomed and more prepared physically for the pros. Coming from a strong NBA bloodline (son of Harvey Grant, nephew of NBA champ Horace Grant and older brother to 76ers' Jerami Grant), it's safe to say he will handle himself pretty well in the media capital of the world. As a New York fan myself, I'm excited to see this young man flourish and help Carmelo and crew carry us out of our misery.
Joseph Young, Indiana Pacers
So far, there is one thing that athletic Oregon point guard Joseph Young is pretty darn good at: scoring. He put on an impressive show during the summer league, averaging 20.7 points per game in his first three games and scoring 28 points in one of those matchups.
This preseason, he is averaging 11 points, 2.3 rebounds and 3.8 assists. Once he is fully comfortable executing the NBA style of play, he will be a great asset to a healthy Paul George and the Pacers, who have had a few point guard issues over the past few seasons.
Bobby Portis, Chicago Bulls
In recent years, it seems as if the Bulls have always been one piece away from returning to the Eastern Conference Finals and beyond. Hopefully, Arkansas' Bobby Portis will be that missing piece to help the team get over the hump. The physically solid 6'11" PF showed promising signs of a being a potential breakout rookie during the summer league, including dropping 25 points and picking up 15 rebounds in a close loss against Phoenix.
So far this preseason, he's averaging 12.2 points, 10.4 rebounds and 1.2 assists. His youth is a welcome addition to the veteran squad, and he also brings great athleticism and versatile scoring ability. His animated style and aggression will fit right into the Bulls' gritty, tough style of play they are best known for. Unlike the previous system under former coach Tom Thibodeau, it's very likely this talented rookie will see ample playing time alongside Derrick Rose and company under new head coach Fred Hoiberg.
Let's start the conversation: Who are some unheralded rookies you believe will have a breakout season? Leave your picks in the comment section below!
Laureen Irat is a featured columnist in her first year covering basketball for Bleacher Report. Irat is also the founder and editor of Beyond The W, a news and lifestyle platform dedicated to the WNBA. Follow her on Twitter at @BeyondTheW.
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