The transition from the college game to the NBA is always a tough one. Going up against rugged, grown men who’ve played professional basketball for years can be difficult for younger players without the same experience or physicality. At the same time, some of those first-year players can more than hold their own. Here are four rookies from this year’s NBA class capable of giving their teams quality minutes.
Zach Edey — Memphis Grizzlies
The reigning College Player of the Year figures to be a big piece to the puzzle for Memphis — both literally and figuratively. At 7’4″, he’ll command the paint for the Grizz — moving Jaren Jackson Jr. to a more natural spot at the four. Edey is supremely efficient at scoring around the rim, and his sheer size makes him very difficult to score on. Reports from Memphis indicate he’s even spacing the floor out beyond the three-point line. There’s a distinct possibility he could win the Rookie of the Year award for a team contending for a top-four playoff spot in the Western Conference.
Dalton Knecht — Los Angeles Lakers
Knecht fell into the Lakers’ lap at pick No. 17. An elite player for Tennessee, Knecht is a three-level scorer. He can fill it up from deep, take people off the dribble with better-than-you-think athleticism, and he can get to the free-throw line. Being an older player, he fits perfectly with the win-now mode in LA. JJ Redick has taken a liking to him and has consistently praised him throughout the preseason. With Knecht’s ability to score, he could be a very valuable player spacing the floor when LeBron is orchestrating things in transition/the half-court.
Jared McCain — Philadelphia 76ers
McCain makes a ton of sense for Philadelphia. He was once a prep phenom in Southern California, scoring tons of points in a plethora of ways. After a good season at Duke, McCain was picked mid-way through the first round by the 76ers to be a secondary ballhandler next to Tyrese Maxey. McCain’s ability to shoot and put the ball in the hoop will do wonders for a second unit that’s been somewhat average in the Joel Embiid era. You can envision a scenario where McCain becomes a fixture in Philadelphia’s closing lineup. He might struggle somewhat on the defensive end, but you know he’ll bring it offensively.
Kel’el Ware — Miami Heat
Miami has been starved for a big man who can play alongside Bam Adebayo. Enter Ware — a highly-talented player who was once a 5-star prospect out of Little Rock, Ark. After an inconsistent year at Oregon, Ware transferred to Indiana where he flourished under the tutelage of former NBA coach Mike Woodson. Ware is a plus athlete with shot-blocking skills. His ability to space the floor makes him a nice fit next to Adebayo. Additionally, Ware is highly skilled on the offensive end, and there could be times down the floor when the offense runs through him. If he can reach his potential, Miami is looking at a guy with the ceiling of an All-Star.