NBA 2024/25 Rookie Rankings – November

NBA 2024/25 Rookie Rankings – November

What was supposed to be an historically weak NBA rookie class has so far been a lot more fun to watch than many – this writer included – thought. It’s also thrown up a few surprises with some of the rawest prospects looking a little bit more medium-rare, whilst some of the apparently most ready rooks struggling.

1. Jared McCain – Philadelphia 76ers

The Sixers are a mess, but there is at least one 76er who looks like he’s having fun!

The Duke product was beginning to heat up prior to replacing the injured Tyrese Maxey in the starting unit, with games of 18, 27 and 23 points. Since his promotion, though, he’s put up 26.6 points on the back of 51/48/94 shooting splits, with around five assists thrown in for good measure.

McCain is a classical off-ball threat, with a relentless motor and a lightning quick release. He’s already leveraging the threat of his three-ball to create driving lanes and has flashed some playmaking potential.

Defensively, McCain is a liability at the point of attack, small and slow footed. He does, though, have the strength to battle mismatches inside in the same way that Jalen Brunson does, or prime James Harden did. In other words, he’s bad at that end, but not a complete catastrophe.

2. Jaylen Wells – Memphis Grizzlies

I’ve heard comparisons made between this draft and the 2013 NBA draft, the one where Giannis Antetokounmpo and Rudy Gobert – drafted 15th and 27th, respectively – are the only factors stopping it from being the worst of all time.

This draft may not produce a multiple time MVP or one of the most dominant defensive players of his era, but it already has something that year doesn’t: an outstanding second round pick. Compared to Raul Neto or Mike Muscala, 39th overall pick Jaylen Wells already looks a winner.

On a Memphis team yet again besieged by injuries, Wells was forced to step into the starting lineup in just his sixth game and the 21-year-old hasn’t looked back. Defensively he’s been very good for a rookie, playing his angles well and navigating screens better than much of his veteran NBA brethren do now. He’s also provided some pop offensively, with 13.3 points per game as a starter, on 48/39/83 shooting splits.

3. Dalton Knecht – Los Angeles Lakers

So, their second rounder may not be working out. But the Lakers could not be happier with their first-round selection, even if he is older than some players who are on their second contracts.

The 23-year-old Knecht fell into the perfect situation when the Lakers nabbed him at pick #17. His willingness to put the ball up perfectly complements the Lakers established stars, who thrive in the space a shooter creates.

Dalton Knecht continues to be exactly what the Lakers needed

A Rui Hachimura injury opened up a starting spot for Knecht and he has grasped the opportunity with both mitts. In his four games since moving into the starting five, Knecht has averaged 23.8 points on 60/58/88 shooting splits, with 19 made threes. His 37-point effort against Utah was a shooters masterclass. Knecht made nine threes, tying the rookie record (Keyonte Geroge, Yogi Ferrell and former future league MVP Roddy Beaubois, since you asked) and at one point scored 22 straight Laker points.

His defense is….I’ll keep things positive so let’s ignore his defense for the moment.

4. Zach Edey – Memphis Grizzlies

Let’s address the elephant in the room: Zach Edey IS the elephant in the room! As a legitimately giant human being, there were very valid questions being asked around Edey’s mobility. Whilst undoubtedly talented, would any offensive or rim protection gains be offset the moment he was isolated in space?

For the time being, the answer seems to be that he’ll hold up just about well enough. He has struggled with perimeter defence, but given literally everything else about his game is as good as or better than advertised, getting blown by every now and again isn’t an issue.

Edey’s hook shots, in particular over his left shoulder, have been his bread and butter. His offensive rebounding and brick wall screens mean Ja Morant doesn’t have to stare longingly at the framed pictures of Steven Adams and Jonas Valanciunas that he keeps beside his bed.

Edey is also, for fear of repeating myself, really freaking large! Even Greg Oden, a rather large human himself, is in awe!

5. Carlton Carrington – Washington Wizards

Bub Carrington has been one of the few bright spots for a moribund Wizards outfit.

At 19, he has already demonstrated that he can run a layered pick and roll with the poise and savvy of a veteran. He leads this rookie class in assists with an even five per night with the bonus of not turning the ball over (1.9 tpg) all that much for a rookie point guard.

Carrington looks like a player who could develop into a nice secondary scorer, with the ability to fill it up from all three levels, allowing him to play on or off the ball. To this writer’s eye, the rookie gives off some Darius Garland vibes. The Wiz look like they’ve found a good one, here.

6. Stephon Castle – San Antonio Spurs

It took a little while, but Castle has settled in NBA life. The turning point became when he moved into the starting five. Let’s check the numbers:

	Bench	Starter
Points p/g	13.8	6.0
Assists p/g	4.7	2.3
Steals p/g	1.0	0.6
TS%	53.8%	31.9%
Minutes	30.4	19.9

If these rankings were made a week into the season, Castle, the fourth pick in the draft, wouldn’t have made the longest of long lists for this top ten. Since stepping into the starting unit, he has looked an awful lot better.

This indicates that he will be the type of player who works better as the link amongst quality teammates rather than the leader of a lesser unit. In other words, he’s probably not a star in the making, but he could be a role player of the highest order. As a comparison, Jrue Holiday comes to mind.

7. Zaccharie Risacher – Atlanta Hawks

After a slow start, the #1 pick is coming around.

His coming out party was clearly his 33-point gem against New York, where he became only the fourth teenager in NBA history to record a 30+ point game with no turnovers.

Since that game on November 6th Risacher has, for the most part, been solid. His defense has been decent by rookie standards, he runs the floor hard and is taking the right shots. Yes, his efficiency (Effective FG%: 44.4) is poor, though it has improved markedly since his first fortnight.  

8. Ryan Dunn – Phoenix Suns

For a guy who couldn’t shoot a lick, Dunn’s doing alright with ball in hand.

After a white-hot start from deep, Dunn’s deep shooting has regressed somewhat – 8-29 over his last seven contest, after 11-24 in his first five – though he’s proven enough of a threat that teams are at least willing to guard him, now.

His defense has been as advertised, a genuine playmaker on that end. With the speed to stay in front of guards and the strength to battle the biggest of wings, Dunn is invaluable for a Suns side that otherwise lacks a genuine stopper.

An aside, what is it with NBA players named Dunn? Why are they all defensive aces who can’t shoot? Kris Dunn’s shooting almost saw him washout of the league, whilst TR Dunn (ask your parents, kids) was a dynamo defensive guard who shot, and I’m not making this up, 1-20 from beyond the arc through his 13-year career. Is this latest Dunn going to finally break the mould?

9. Alexandre Sarr – Washington Wizards

Whilst there was a lot of discontent around Sarr’s horrific 0-15 night to close out the NBA Summer League, it seemed to stem from his status as a #2 pick whilst forgetting that he is, especially on offense, a project.

Whilst he has struggled on offense, to the tune of 35% shooting from the floor and a putrid 19.7% from three (which especially hurts when almost half your shots come from beyond the arc), he has improved on that side of the ball.

Defensively though, he has all the makings of a stud. Remarkably, he’s tied for third in the league in total blocks with Anthony Davis (equally as remarkable is that he doesn’t lead the rookies – that honour befalls Donovan Clingan, the toughest cut from this list) and looking comfortable when switching onto guards. He will get stronger, which will help both his offense and his interior defense, but the instincts are there. He could be genuinely fantastic at that end of the court.

10. Yves Missi – New Orlean Pelicans

Sometimes, all you need is an opportunity.

The Pelicans somewhat bold strategy of entering the season without a legitimate centre on the roster gave Missi, the ultra-green 21st overall pick, the chance to play through his mistakes and learn on the fly.

With a fully healthy team around him, the rookie had a defined role: screen, cut to the hoop, attack the glass, block shots. New Orleans are, of course, quite far from healthy. That too, has been to Missi’s advantage, as the big fella has been able to display some post up play and ability to handle the ball that belie his inexperience.