The NBA preseason can often be a mirage — a fleeting glimpse of potential greatness or a deceptive smokescreen concealing a player’s true abilities.
However, it also can offer valuable insights into a rookie’s progress since his Summer League debut. Has a player refined his skills, adjusted to the NBA’s pace and physicality or secured a spot in the rotation?
Let’s dive into our first NBA rookie ranking of the season.
1. Guard Dalton Knecht | Los Angeles Lakers
Knecht stormed through the preseason, leading all rookies with an impressive 18 points per game. He showcased a polished offensive arsenal, featuring a smooth midrange pull-up game, strong finishes at the rim and a high-release three-pointer that he can consistently knock down off the dribble or in tight spaces. Unlike many of his fellow rookies, Knecht wasn’t guaranteed a spot in the Lakers’ opening-day rotation. However, his stellar preseason has seemingly earned him a significant role off the bench to start the season.
2. Forward Zaccharie Risacher | Atlanta Hawks
Despite appearing in just two of four preseason games, Risacher played well. He led all rookies with a 124.5 offensive rating (minimum 15 minutes per game), showcasing the scoring prowess that made him such an enticing No. 1 pick. Risacher has thrived in transition, expertly navigated pick-and-rolls and confidently knocked down jumpers off the dribble from midrange and beyond the arc.
3. Center Donovan Clingan | Portland Trail Blazers
While some may have overlooked Clingan this preseason, his impact was undeniable. In four games, he dominated the glass, averaging 11.5 rebounds — second only to Andre Drummond — and proved to be a formidable rim protector, ranking fourth with two blocks per game. Clingan’s blend of size (7-foot-2 and 280 pounds), rebounding and shot-blocking suggests he could become an immediate defensive force for the Blazers in the regular season.
4. Guard Stephon Castle | San Antonio Spurs
Castle has consistently shown the ability to penetrate the paint, blowing past defenders and finishing with ease at the rim. The national champion at UConn averaged 11 points during the preseason in five games. “I really enjoyed Blake [Wesley] and Steph Castle playing ‘D’ out there, getting after people,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said during the preseason, per Tom Orsborn of the San Antonio Express-News. “They have a great mentality that way.”
5. Forward Ryan Dunn | Phoenix Suns
Dunn, like fellow rookie Knecht, exceeded expectations during the preseason, effectively securing a spot in the rotation. At 6-foot-6 and 215 pounds, Dunn has ideal size and strength to defend bigger wings such as Jayson Tatum, LeBron James and Kawhi Leonard. His offense was impressive during the preseason. After struggling with his three-point shot in college at Virginia, he connected at a 43.3% clip from beyond the arc on six attempts per game, giving Phoenix the hope that he can develop into the three-and-D weapon it desperately needs.
6. Center Zach Edey | Memphis Grizzlies
Edey’s preseason offered a mixed bag. At times, he looked unstoppable in the post, using his size (7-foot-4 and 299 pounds) and strength to overpower defenders. However, his overall efficiency (50% effective field-goal percentage) and limited playmaking (one assist per game) are concerning. Edey’s offensive game often lacked flow, and he had a tendency to force shots in the paint. On defense, his rim protection was solid, but his ability to defend in space remains a question.
7. Forward Alexandre Sarr | Washington Wizards
In the preseason, Sarr tantalized with his three-point shot, making 53.8% of his attempts from beyond the arc. However, Sarr made 50 percent of his free throws, casting doubt on whether his hot shooting will translate to the regular season. Furthermore, his team-worst -13.3 plus/minus rating indicates that his overall impact on the game needs further development.
8. Forward Jaylen Wells | Memphis Grizzlies
With minor injuries sidelining Ja Morant and Marcus Smart, Wells took full advantage of his preseason opportunities, averaging 14.4 points on 44.4% shooting and showcasing solid perimeter defense. The Grizzlies are well-stocked at the guard and big-man positions, but they lack lengthy small forwards capable of defending the league’s top offensive wings. This opens up a potential role for the 6-foot-7, 206-pounder to crack the rotation and make an immediate impact.
9. Guard Rob Dillingham | Minnesota Timberwolves
Dillingham started the preseason with a bang, dropping 21 points against the Lakers and confidently sinking step-back threes and demonstrating solid decision-making in the pick-and-roll. However, in his next four games, his shooting touch vanished, as he managed to connect on only 19.8% of his shots and at times appeared lost on the court.
10. Forward Matas Buzelis | Chicago Bulls
Buzelis had his moments in the preseason, including an impressive showing against the Bucks in which he scored 15 points and attacked the rim fearlessly against Giannis Antetokounmpo, one of the league’s premier defenders. However, his shooting remains a concern, as he connected on just 35.3% of his shots from the floor overall. Despite the inconsistency, he did enough to edge Houston’s Reed Sheppard for the final spot in these rankings.
