NBA's 7 best rookies in preseason, ranked

17/10/2025 14:00

The NBA preseason is too long and mostly meaningless, but at least it gives fans an extended runway to watch their new draft picks. It's always fun to track the rookies, whether they are playing Las Vegas Summer League games against true journeymen or giving it their all against veterans going through the motions in the preseason.

This rookie class is going to be so much better than last year's group. Cooper Flagg is the massive favorite to win Rookie of the Year, but it's important to remember he's the youngest player in the NBA this year and will undoubtedly experience some growing pains.

Honorable mentions for this list include Sacramento Kings rookie wing Nique Clifford, Oklahoma City Thunder guard Brooks Barnhizer, Brooklyn Nets forward Danny Wolf, and Indiana Pacers' sharpshooter Taelon Peter. We'll have complete coverage of this year's rookie class and the incoming 2026 NBA Draft all season long. For now, here are the seven rookies who impressed the most in NBA preseason, ranked.

7. Jeremiah Fears, G, New Orleans Pelicans

Fears had a rough preseason debut by shooting 3-of-15 from the floor in an Australian tune-up, but he showed off his full package of skills against the Houston Rockets after returning to the states. The No. 7 overall pick has the best ball handling ability in the class, and he's also the fastest rookie with the ball in his hands. That's a deadly combination even against older and stronger guards, and he's already showcasing the ability to get wherever he wants on the floor off the bounce. Fears is a natural hunting his own shots in the pick-and-roll, flowing into pull-up jumpers with ease and displaying impressive touch from two-point range. The biggest questions for Fears outside of frame development were his finishing and three-point shooting, so it was good to see him knock down some threes off the dribble early in this preseason. It's hard to say what Fears' role will look like as a rookie when the games count for real as the Pelicans continue to be built around the suddenly skinny Zion Williamson, but there's some infrastructure in place to cover up his defensive shortcomings while putting play finishers around his facilitating. I wouldn't expect Fears to be an efficient scorer or even a neutral defender as a rookie, but he has gifts as a shot creator that just can't be taught, and that should afford him a long leash to figure things out.

6. V.J. Edgecombe, G, Philadelphia 76ers

Edgecombe is the most explosive athlete in the rookie class for my money, and he's been proving that his gifts are functional during the preseason. After measuring a tick bigger than expected at the combine, the No. 3 overall pick seems fully comfortable playing off the ball, where he can force turnovers on defense, extend advantages on offense with his driving, and make the most of his opportunities as a scorer. I've been impressed with Edgecombe's connective traits in his early run with the Sixers, showing the ability to attack off the catch and force the defense into rotation with the threat of his finishing. He's been able to find open teammates as a passer once the defense converges on him, and that's only going to open things up for his aerial attacks as his rookie year gets going for real. He's such a powerful force when he has a head of steam in transition or as a cutter that highlight reel dunks will be a regular part of his package. I also like how Edgecombe leverages his athleticism defensively, ripping the ball away from opponents with blocks and steals to get Philly running the other way. I'm bullish on his spot-up three-ball, which is the key to fitting next to Tyrese Maxey. Edgecombe is going to produce some of the greatest highlights from this rookie class, and he's also going to have a high floor doing role player things as his skill on the ball slowly develops.

5. Khaman Maluach, C, Phoenix Suns

Maluach is an absolute giant even among the behemoths he'll be competing against in the NBA. The former Duke product measured at nearly 7'1 barefoot with a nearly 7'7 wingspan and 9'6 standing reach, and his immense size is already translating during preseason. Maluach is going to be a terrifying play-finisher from day one as long as he plays with a high motor. He looks like he spent his summer getting jacked, and it's helping him play with force around the basket when he gets set up for a rim attempt. It feels like Maluach is going to tear the rim off on some of his dunks, and there's not going to be many people who can stop him when he's almost at rim-level just raising his arms over his head. I think there's some self-creation and shooting potential here too, but that would all be a major bonus as a rookie. For now, Maluach needs to focus on his defensive positioning and toughness finishing through traffic on offense. He is the only reason for optimism that the Suns can actually build another good team around Devin Booker. I just wish he had a real point guard passing him the ball this year instead of, like, Dillon Brooks and Jalen Green.

4. Jase Richardson, G, Orlando Magic

Jase Richardson's combination of high feel and knockdown shooting made him a lottery-worthy prospect, but size concerns pushed him down to No. 25 on draft night. That's okay, because the Michigan State product found a perfect landing spot with the Orlando Magic. The Magic were the worst three-point shooting team in the league last year, and that's going to get Richardson on the floor early. He shot 62 percent from three in his first three preseason games, showing keen relocation instincts and a quick and true release. Richardson's shooting will play from day one, and the Magic are perfectly suited to cover up any defensive issues from his lack of size. I also loved Orlando's second round pick Noah Penda, who has also looked impressive this preseason. I am a big believer in the Magic this year, and that's partially because I think both rookies can contribute immediately.

3. Kon Knueppel, G, Charotte Hornets

Knueppel's knockdown shooting, secondary playmaking, and high-IQ game on both ends of the floor makes him the perfect connective piece for the modern NBA. The Duke product isn't very long or athletic, but he just knows how to play, and it certainly helps to strike fear into opposing defenses with the mere threat of an outside jumper. The Hornets took Knueppel at No. 4 to be the glue in between LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller, and the early signs have been encouraging. Knueppel isn't just a floor spacer as a shooter, he's a legit knockdown threat off movement who can also take a pass, put the ball on the deck, and pass on the move. I want to be more skeptical about his defense, but he seems to know where to be and how to use his chunky body to take up space. There's nothing super exciting about Knueppel's game compared to other top picks, but he's simply a well-rounded off-ball guard with a deadly signature skill. I also love Charlotte's second-round pick, Ryan Kalkbrenner, who has a case to be on this list for his awesome rim finishing and paint protection. The Hornets always feel like a clown show, but they added some real talent in this draft.

2. Ace Bailey, F, Utah Jazz

I was kind of in the middle on the Ace Bailey discourse coming into the draft, ranking him as my No. 9 player on my final board after thinking he'd be top-5 most of the year. I'm not ready to say I was too low on Bailey based off a few preseason games, but I am starting to become convinced that Utah was an ideal landing spot. Head coach Will Hardy helped Lauri Markkanen blossom by altering his usage and play types a few years ago, and it already seems like he has a plan for Bailey. While his Rutgers tape was littered with catch-and-hold moments and questionable shot selection, Bailey has been playing a much more sensible off-ball game in the preseason. The No. 5 pick is getting buckets without dribbling by running around screens and knowing when to rise and fire. I also like Bailey's rebounding and shot-blocking upside as a bouncy 6'10 forward, and he's shown a particularly impressive knack on the offensive glass so far. Bailey is by far the best prospect for this Jazz rebuild, and he's going to give fans something to cheer about during another tanking season.

1. Cooper Flagg, F, Dallas Mavericks

When Cooper Flagg entered Duke, the consensus was that he was going to be more impactful on defense than offense. That was true until Flagg turned 18 in Dec., when he suddenly turned into an offensive supernova who was running the team like a point guard and shooting better than 40 percent from three. I think something similar will happen in his rookie year with the Dallas Mavericks. Flagg has a high floor defensively as a bouncy 6'8 forward with a high-motor and fantastic shot-blocking ability. All of that kind of covers up how special he's becoming with the ball in his hands, though. Flagg will take some lumps in a de facto playmaking role this year with Kyrie Irving recovering from a torn ACL, but it will be great for his long-term development. He's already so gifted as a halfcourt creator, especially at his size, with the speed to blow past shaky defenders and the force to score over the top of them. Flagg's passing is one of his best skills, and I'm buying into his shot after his late season improvements at Duke. This 18-year-old will be a legit offensive engine in the NBA, and that's only one part of his game. The Mavericks somehow landed an even better franchise player than Luka Doncic, and I still can't believe it.