Which NBA Rookies Will Face the Most Pressure in 2017-18?
NBA rookies aren't supposed to feel pressure during their first year on the job. But some can't help or stop the expectations.
This class is hyped, specifically the names atop the 2017 draft board. There are even a few later picks who'll play for something right away.
The following rookies likely won't admit to the pressure, but that doesn't change the fact that it's on. There could be backlash or consequences for these five players if they struggle to meet high expectations.
Age, team expectations and draft slot—and what a team traded to get the player, if applicable—were considered. The former two are why 19-year-old New York Knicks guard Frank Ntilikina did not quite make the list.
Justin Jackson, Sacramento Kings, SF
1 of 5
Pressure meter: Low-medium
Justin Jackson doesn't fit the typical description of a rookie under pressure. But imagine what could result from a disappointing season.
He's already 22 years old and isn't physically tough or explosive. A late-college bloomer after two inconsistent seasons at North Carolina, Jackson could start to look like previous first-rounders who raised their stock as upperclassmen—Kris Dunn, Denzel Valentine, Willie Cauley-Stein, Frank Kaminsky, Jerian Grant, Doug McDermott, Adreian Payne, Shabazz Napier—but proved to be fool's gold at the NBA level.
There also isn't much competition in the Sacramento Kings' wing rotation, which could put even more pressure on Jackson to earn and maintain the starting position. He could see his perceived value around the league start to fall if he struggles to play and produce for a weaker team, especially given his age and the idea his below-average athleticism suggests there is limited upside, anyway.
Jackson is a scorer and shot-maker, and if the jumper isn't falling, he isn't worth playing.
Lauri Markkanen, Chicago Bulls, PF
2 of 5
Pressure meter: Low-medium
Lauri Markkanen doesn't deserve pressure, but he'll have some from Chicago Bulls fans and media after what went down on draft night.
He'll forever be tied to the Jimmy Butler trade. The Bulls sent their franchise player to the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for Kris Dunn, who'd just averaged 3.8 points as a 22-year-old rookie, Zach LaVine, injured with a torn ACL in February, and the No. 7 pick, which was used to take Markkanen—arguably the centerpiece of the deal for Chicago—ahead of Dennis Smith Jr. at No. 9 overall.
Many will expect a lot from the 7-foot Finn who just averaged 19.5 points per game during EuroBasket 2017. Developing into a fine role player may not be enough to satisfy those hoping for a replacement All-Star forward to build with.
Markelle Fultz, Philadelphia 76ers, PG/SG
3 of 5
Pressure meter: Medium-high
The Philadelphia 76ers traded the No. 3 pick and a future first-rounder to move up two spots and take Markelle Fultz ahead of Lonzo Ball.
The Sixers drafted him in spite of Washington's 9-22 record during his lone year there. Fultz earned a pass for the losses with historic production and efficiency and tools/athleticism that validate his skills and numbers under the NBA scouting lens.
But fans will struggle to view the No. 1 pick's season as a success if Ball or Boston's Jayson Tatum looks better than Fultz, the supposed final piece to complete The Process. And given his casual, laid-back approach and suspect defensive effort, he'll be an even easier target for the disappointed.
The Sixers are suddenly expected to break free from the rebuilding phase and make a push for the 2018 playoffs. The arrival of Fultz is a big reason why. There is pressure on him to help jump-start the franchise and justify his draft status.
Ben Simmons, Philadelphia 76ers, PG/PF
4 of 5
Pressure meter: High
The pressure is on Ben Simmons after he missed his rookie year with a broken foot. Imagine his career if he enters the 2018-19 season with little to show for being the first overall pick 28 months earlier?
To avoid backlash, he needs to look like the No. 1 talent fans expected, particularly given his confident preseason commentary.
"There's not many people who can really guard me off the dribble the full length of the court," Simmons told Philly.com's Bob Ford. "It's going to be a mismatch problem a lot of the time."
Despite the fact Simmons played his last real game on March 12, 2016, the bar is arguably higher than it was prior to last summer's injury.
Many, including Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook, are expecting the 76ers to increase their win total dramatically and even compete for the playoffs following a 54-loss season.
But he couldn't help LSU reach the NCAA tournament. It didn't affect his stock, given the Tigers' lack of talent, veteran leadership or credible coaching. Now that Simmons has real weapons around him in Joel Embiid, JJ Redick and fellow rookie Markelle Fultz, the excuses he had in college won't fly in Philadelphia.
An unconvincing year from Simmons will make it difficult for the team to make a big jump. And given how often the ball will be in his hands, he'll be an easy target to point at for blame.
Lonzo Ball, Los Angeles Lakers, PG
5 of 5
Pressure meter: High
Lonzo Ball will play it cool, but the pressure doesn't get much higher for a rookie.
President of basketball operations Magic Johnson is calling him "the new face of the Lakers." He's the star of a family reality show and selling signature sneakers for more than three times ($495) the price of MVP Kevin Durant's ($150).
You'd think he already led the Lakers to a title based on all the hype and attention.
Ball enters the season a target because he's a celebrity before he's played an NBA game.
Most of the love does still stem from his play, specifically the obvious impact he made at UCLA. The love and hype only strengthened during summer league, where he was named MVP with 9.3 assists per game.
After winning just 26 games in 2016-17, the Lakers will be televised nationally 35 times this upcoming season—more than Boston Celtics and San Antonio Spurs and fewer than only four teams. And it won't be due to the additions of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Brook Lopez.
All eyes will be on Ball, whether they belong to Laker fans who expect him to turn the franchise around or haters who are itching to jump on his back and silence the noise. His impact will need to show in the standings, not necessarily the box scores.
