'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAHAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFQABAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAX/2gAIAQEAAAAAHE//xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD/9oACAECEAAAAG//xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAB/9oACAEDEAAAAD//xAAjEAAABQMDBQAAAAAAAAAAAAABAgMEBQAGEgcRExUiQnKS/9oACAEBAAE/AHN53rEREsZRyiZ+VuDc6vgXFzj2fVSWplx9RdcUvIlT5T4gVQmwBv61/8QAFhEBAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQAC/9oACAECAQE/AHAX/8QAFhEBAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQAT/9oACAEDAQE/ANFb/9k='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The NBA Draft has been and gone, and as the 2021-22 season approaches, we can begin to look forward with excitement at seeing the league's latest influx of young talent take to the hardwood. Teams will be hoping their latest rookies can show glimpses of future production or star-level upside, while some other teams will be left ruing a missed opportunity.
It's no secret that draft positions don't equate to on-court talent; there are too many factors to consider. Some players' skillsets may be more suited to the NBA game than that of the collegiate ranks, while others may find the game's pace too fast.
Either way, with the season fast approaching and teams hoping to take steps forward, this year's rookie class is about to get their first taste of NBA basketball. So now the question becomes which rookies should we be looking out for? And who is going to make their impact felt from opening night?
#10 Jonathan Kuminga
After playing for the G-League Ignite's inaugural team, Jonathan Kuminga found himself being drafted seventh overall by the Golden State Warriors. At 6'7'' with some professional experience under his belt, Kuminga projects to give the Warriors an athletic wing who can excel on the defensive end. With a ceiling that projects Kuminga to be capable of defending positions 1-through-4, Kuminga could help shore up an aging Warriors defense while also providing an explosive outlet when running out on the break.
Kuminga enters the NBA with all the tools to be a force on offense, both as a fast-break play finisher and as someone who can score in motion. With the likes of Steph Curry and Klay Thompson absorbing the Lion's share of opposing defenses attention, Kuminga could find himself getting multiple open looks throughout the year.
#9 Scottie Barnes
Point-forwards are en vogue these days, and Scottie Barnes has the potential to be one of the league's best ball-handling wingers in a few years. The Toronto Raptors took a punt on the rookie with the 4th overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, and will hope that his physical brand of basketball will add some much-needed grit to their bench unit.
Barnes is very much a slasher and shot creator coming into the league, and will take time to develop an outside game after hitting only 27.5% of his three's last season. But with Barnes versatile defensive upside and his ability to cause havoc around the rim, the Raptors will likely give him enough rope to continue developing his skillset on the fly.
Look for Barnes to have moments of two-way dominance followed by stretches of inconsistency and poor shot selection, but as the season progresses, there's every possibility the rookie will become a key part of the Raptors rotation.
#8 Franz Wagner
Franz Wagner joins the Orlando Magic to instantly improve their defensive rotation. With his impressive lateral quickness, Wagner is capable of guarding multiple positions and can offer upside as a help defender when the defense scrambles or needs to sag in order to deter drives.
Offensively, Wagner isn't projected to lead the Magic's offensive output, but will be a reliable secondary or tertiary offensive option for the second unit. His 83% from the free-throw line indicates that Wagner's shooting stroke is for real, and if he can build upon his 34% three-point shooting from last season that Magic could have a legitimate back-up stretch forward.
The Magic will need to ensure Wagner is fed a steady diet of open looks if they wish to get the best out of him, as his lack of burst will hinder his ability to hunt his own scoring opportunities.
Also Check Out: Latest NBA News, Rumors and Updates
#7 Moses Moody
Moses Moody joins a talented young core at the Golden State Warriors that also features James Wiseman and Jonathan Kuminga. Moody projects to be more of an off-ball guard to begin his career and will provide additional spacing for the Warriors' primary scoring options (like they need any more spacing!)
With good rebounding ability and a willingness to run the break, the Warriors will have every inclination to run a high-tempo offense if Moody and Kuminga run the floor. Furthermore, Moody's off-ball creation predominantly comes from his movement on the half-court, and by residing on the same team as Curry, there's every reason to believe he will develop in this aspect to cause defenses match-up headaches all season long.
#6 Josh Giddey
Josh Giddey is one of the most intriguing prospects in this year's rookie class. A 6'8'' point guard, who is capable of running an NBA offense from day one, will utilize his pick-and-roll game to get scoring opportunities at the rim.
If you're looking for a player comparison, think a taller, more athletic Ricky Rubio - except Giddey seems determined to develop a three-point shot in the not-to-distant future.
How Giddey pairs with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is going to be an interesting caveat to begin the season, but the pairing has the potential to become one of the more diverse backcourts in the NBA in a few years' time.
#5 James Bouknight
James Bouknight is arguably the best scorer in this year's draft class and will add flair and excitement to an already tantalizing Charlotte Hornets roster. Despite Bouknight's poor three-point shooting last season, his offensive game is well rounded, especially from mid-range to the rim.
LaMelo Ball will thrive when teeing up the Hornets' latest rookie, as their skillsets seem to be tailor-made for each other. On the one hand you have a distributing maestro and in Bouknight the Hornets now have an isolation scorer who loves to get his teammates fired up.
Questions remain about Bouknight's ceiling and what steps he can take to improve his game beyond refining his scoring touch, but players who can get hot in a jiffy and inject scoring energy off the bench are incredibly valuable around the league.
Bouknight might not be in the race for Rookie Of The Year, but it's safe to assume his impact will have a positive effect on the Hornets offense this upcoming season.
#4 Evan Mobley
Evan Mobley feels like a project for the Cleveland Cavaliers, and while he will undoubtedly get minutes throughout the season, most of his impact will come on the defensive end and as a rebounder.
Mobley has a developmental ceiling that screams generational talent with numerous All-Star appearances, but big-men usually take longer to acclimate to the NBA, and with Jarrett Allen already on the roster, Mobley will get his chances off the bench.
Mobley will find himself tasked with using his lateral quickness and impressive hip dexterity to guard smaller players on the perimeter and deter shot attempts when operating as a drop defender. Also expect to see some high-flying dunks off lobs or pick-and-roll plays as Mobley begins to scratch the surface of his endless potential.
He's ranked fourth on this list due to how good he is and can become, although there's every chance we don't see the best out of him for a few more seasons.
#3 Jalen Suggs
Are you a fan of high-pace basketball that ends with a ferocious dunk or transition pull-up three? So you're going to love watching Jalen Suggs this year. The Orlando Magic can run a fun backcourt pairing of Suggs and Cole Anthony, or throw in Markelle Fultz to add some unpredictability to the line-up.
Suggs projects to be an efficient scorer who likes to pressure the rim and stretch the floor. NBADraft.Net had this to say about Suggs earlier this year:
"Tremendous shot selection with regard to the modern NBA, as almost 85% of his attempts came at the rim or behind the arc."
As a defender, Suggs is a high-energy competitor who will use his body to slow down the opposition and is capable of reading the passing lanes to create an early opportunity offense.
Suggs will likely be one of the more prominent rookies this season, and playing for the Magic will ensure he's afforded a ton of playing time to continue developing his encouraging playmaking and scoring skills.
#2 Jalen Green
Jalen Green jumped straight from high school to the G-League with the Ignite team, and he dominated. A three-level scorer with an ability to create his own shooting space, Green projects to be one of the Houston Rockets' best players from opening night.
Green comes into the NBA as a ready-made contributor who has all the physical tools to take over games for stretches. Green will pressure the rim, hunt mid-range opportunities, and offer floor spacing when required. Defensively, Green showed he can hold his own against bigger, stronger opponents last season and will hope to continue that this season - though he will need to bulk up for that to become a reality.
I agree with ESPN here that Jalen Green will have the keys to the Rockets offense and is likely one half of a two-horse race for Rookie Of The Year.
#1 Cade Cunningham
A generational talent just waiting to be nurtured. Cade Cunningham enters the league as the most sought after prospect since Luka Doncic, and projects to be a fearsome opponent for years to come.
Pairing him with Killian Hayes, the Detroit Pistons have a back-court to last them the next decade or more. Cunningham shot 40% from deep last year while also averaging 3.5 assists and 62 rebounds per game. His team-first mentality makes him a coach's dream, while his ability to dominate games on either end of the floor makes him a nightmare to scheme for.
Cunningham can create or score out of both the pick-and-roll or isolation situations, and he loves to initiate fast-break plays with well-timed pitch passes after securing a rebound.
When thinking of rookies who will provide "can't miss TV" and a high-level impact on winning basketball, you can't look any further than this year's consensus number 1 pick. Oh, and just so you know, Cunningham is the other horse in that Rookie of the Year Race.
Guess the Lakers players!
