My thoughts on the 2024-25 NBA rookie class.
- I agree with the voters getting 2024-25 NBA Rookie of the Year right by picking Stephon Castle (San Antonio Spurs), his confidence and skillset are beyond his years. I will say though that if Jared McCain (Philadelphia 76ers) played a full season, it would have been a very close race.
- I believe that Castle, McCain, Zaccharie Risacher (Atlanta Hawks), Alex Sarr (Washington Wizards), and Jaylen Wells (Memphis Grizzlies) were the best five rookies this past season, so the future should be interesting to see who comes out as the 2024 draft’s best player. At the moment, I think McCain has a slight edge in the group due to offensive efficiency and versatility. The other four are better defenders with raw offense at the moment.
- Two players I’m excited to see play still are Nikola Topic (Oklahoma City Thunder) and Daron Holmes II (Denver Nuggets). They bring offense that many rookies lacked this past year, which could easily propel them into having some of the draft’s best careers.
- I thought Bub Carrington (Washington Wizards), Kel’el Ware (Miami Heat), Zach Edey (Memphis Grizzlies), Yves Missi (New Orleans Pelicans), Donovan Clingan (Portland Trail Blazers), Isaiah Collier (Utah Jazz), Matas Buzelis (Chicago Bulls), Kyshawn George (Washington Wizards), Kyle Filipowski (Utah Jazz), Dalton Knecht (Los Angeles Lakers), Ja’Kobe Walter (Toronto Raptors), Ryan Dunn (Phoenix Suns), and Adem Bona (Philadelphia 76ers) showed signs of being NBA starters. However, all of them clearly need to improve.
- I still have questions about Tidjane Salaun (Charlotte Hornets), Ron Holland (Detroit Pistons), Cody Williams (Utah Jazz), Devin Carter (Sacramento Kings), Tristan da Silva (Orlando Magic), Jaylon Tyson (Cleveland Cavaliers), AJ Johnson (Washington Wizards), Dillon Jones (Oklahoma City Thunder), Ariel Hukporti (New York Knicks), Cam Spencer (Memphis Grizzlies), Baylor Scheierman (Boston Celtics), Enrique Freeman (Indiana Pacers), Tyler Kolek (New York Knicks), Johnny Furphy (Indiana Pacers), Pacome Dadiet (New York Knicks), Tyler Smith (Milwaukee Bucks), Cam Christie (Los Angeles Clippers), Bobi Klintman (Detroit Pistons), Anton Watson (New York Knicks), Tristen Newton (Minnesota Timberwolves), Kevin McCullar Jr. (New York Knicks), Harrison Ingram (San Antonio Spurs), and Ulrich Chomche (Toronto Raptors) after this year. Reed Sheppard (Houston Rockets) and Rob Dillingham (Minnesota Timberwolves) looked better to me in the short time they got minutes.
- Jamal Shead (Toronto Raptors), Quinten Post (Golden State Warriors), Jonathan Mogbo (Toronto Raptors), Ajay Mitchell (Oklahoma City Thunder), Oso Ighodaro (Phoenix Suns), Antonio Reeves (New Orleans Pelicans), Pelle Larsson (Miami Heat), KJ Simpson (Charlotte Hornets), and Terrence Shannon Jr. (Minnesota Timberwolves) looked like NBA rotation players who can help any team.
- Justin Edwards (Philadelphia 76ers) and Jamison Battle (Toronto Raptors) were the two best undrafted rookies in my opinion.
- Bronny James (Los Angeles Lakers) has potential in many different parts of his game. He’s more versatile than just a 6-foot-3 guard who can defend and knock down threes. I think Bronny’s decision making and efficiency will be a key part to developing.
- Karlo Matkovic (New Orleans Pelicans) was a 2022 draftee and Jaylen Clark (Minnesota Timberwolves) got selected in 2023, but made their NBA debuts this past year. I was a fan of what they brought on both ends.
- I wonder if Nikola Đurišić (College Park Skyhawks) will have an NBA career. He played this season in the G League following sustaining a left foot fracture in summer league with the Atlanta Hawks. Going into the 2024 draft, he made noise at the combine and also told HoopsHype that he’s a less athletic, taller Anthony Edwards.
