June’s NBA Draft yielded some potential franchise changing talent throughout the lottery. We saw it initially in Summer League, where several of the big names announced themselves with stand out performances. Most experts considered this class as having four pillars: AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer, and Caleb Wilson, and those players were the drafted exactly 1-4 in that order. Along with them, let’s take an early look at how the cream of the freshman crop has started the season.
Yaxel Lendeborg PF Golden State Warriors
Raw
Averages: 20.2 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 3.5 APG 1.0 STL
Shooting Splits: 48.6 FG%/ 41.4 3PT%/ 73.7 FT%: TS% 60.8%
Lendeborg has been able to breathe new life into an old Golden State Warriors franchise that’s been heavily skewing towards AARP membership. For a team still centered around its dynastic stars, it made sense they took the 24-year-old senior forward. He was advertised as being an immediate plug and play contributor. He’s been that and more as the team’s second leading scorer and it’s top rebounder. Lendeborg also comes with a brash, competitive personality that has seen him butt heads on the court with Luka Doncic, and in press conferences with the media. It appears the Warriors have found a foundational player for when Steph Curry finally hangs them up.
Cameron Boozer PF Memphis Grizzlies
Raw Averages: 15.6 PPG, 9.8 RPG, 5.3 APG
Shooting Splits: 37.0 FG %,/ 29.6 3pt%/ 90.2 FT% – TS: 50.7%
The overall shooting percentage is the only thing that’s been holding back the Memphis Grizzlies’ new franchise power forward. He’s been at the heart of a surprising 9-4 start for the new look Grizz. In their 124-103 shellacking of the Trail Blazers, Boozer became the second youngest player to record a triple double with 18 points, 12 rebounds, and 12 assists. He was a heavy favorite to win the Rookie of the Year award, and thus far he’s right in the thick of the race at the top.
Darius Acuff Jr. PG Sacramento Kings
Raw Averages: 25.4 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 7.3 APG, 1.1 STL
Shooting Splits: 41.1 FG%/ 32.7 3pt%/ 85.2 FT% – TS: 52.0%
Like most rookies, the shooting percentages have been rough. Unlike most rookies, Darius Acuff Jr. has an unlimited green light, as he ranks only behind reigning NBA MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, for the most shot attempts this season in the league. The fearless 6’2” gunner has already had several dramatic shot making moments, but the Sacramento Kings remain rudderless in their 1-11 start to the season. Acuff Jr. has at least provided a glimmer of hope for a tortured (yet loyal) fan base, who’ve suffered through countless lottery pick flameouts.
Darryn Peterson G Utah Jazz
Raw Averages: 17.4 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 3.8 APG, 1.2 STL
Shooting Splits: 41.1 FG%/ 35.8 3pt%/ 88.4 FT% – TS: 53.4%
The Utah Jazz had a lot of hype coming into the season, as a team that appeared ready to start winning after several seasons as a rebuilding bottom feeder. Much to the chagrin of the Salt Lake City faithful, the Jazz have played nothing but sour notes as they are tied for dead last in the NBA with a 1-12 record. The 2nd overall draft pick, Darryn Peterson has been among the few bright spots however. Armed with a controlling pace and slithery movement, Peterson has little trouble getting to his spots where he can raise up with a buttery jump shot anywhere on the floor. As key injuries to their frontline stars mount, Peterson should have all the opportunity to flourish and establish himself as one of the young up and comers to watch. I envision he’ll be a likely finalist for the ROTY award.
AJ Dybantsa F Washington Wizards
Raw Averages: 15.0 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 2.3 APG, 1.1 STL
Shooting Splits: 41.0 FG%/ 23.3 3pt%/ 71.8 FT% – TS: 48.5%
The top overall pick in the draft has gotten off to a solid start after missing the first three games of the season. The shooting percentages are wack, but Dybantsa has shown the ability to score easily. After starting the season 4-3, the Wizards have lost six straight and are a wild team to figure out. They are built with an odd mix of established veterans, and then stacked with a slew of young lottery pick talent of the past five seasons. The offense is in the hands of point guard Trae Young, and that has historically led to erratic results. Dybantsa is currently only averaging 10 shots a game, so if Washington is going to develop him properly, he’s going to need more opportunities for the offense to run through him. With Young on a new 4-year contract paying him an average of $53 millon per season, there might be an ugly tug of war upcoming to establish a proper pecking order to turn the page from being a losing franchise. Dybantsa will need to wrestle control away from both Young and Anthony Davis (who could end up as a short or long timer in the nation’s capital.) The presence and status of those two veterans could negatively impact the trajectory of Dybantsa’s formative years.
Caleb Wilson PF Chicago Bulls
Raw Averages: 19.0 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 2.0 APG, 1.8 STL, 1.0 BLK
Shooting Splits: 42.0 FG%/ 32.4 3pt%/ 73.2 FT% – TS: 52.5%
Wilson has unfortunately gone down with a broken hand and will miss up to six weeks, but he was ballin’ up until then. At 19, he’s come into the league unafraid, and his skillset has grown tremendous after playing one season a North Carolina. Wilson reminds me of Jermaine O’Neal, only he’s not buried on the bench behind a slew of vets on a winning team. Like Darius Acuff Jr., Wilson finds himself in a situation where he will be unencumbered by positional competition, and should get a clear path to establish himself. At 6’10”, he’s an uber athletic forward who can play inside and out, and has the look of a future superstar. His three-ball is a developing skill, and he will rise up from downtown without hesitation. If he unlocks that, he’ll be a surefire three level scorer. Defensively, he has the ability to be a floor covering menace along the perimeter and in the paint. My prediction is he’ll become Chicago’s most important player since Derrick Rose.
Honorable Mention
Aday Mara – C – Oklahoma City Thunder: Mara has stepped into the void left by center, Chet Holmgren’s injury and has provided solid production in his stead. He’s averaged 8.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game over 21.3 minutes. The 7’3” Mara is skilled on both ends of the floor, and gives OKC a formidable weapon against nemesis Victor Wembanyama. Drafting 12th overall, GM Sam Presti made the most of his last draft asset stemming from the Paul George trade to the Los Angeles Clippers.
Kingston Flemings – PG- Atlanta Hawks: The Hawks used the 8th overall pick they received from the New Orleans Pelicans in last year’s controversial draft day trade for center Derik Queen, on selecting Flemings. While Atlanta has a glut of guards on their roster, Flemings has produced quite well thus far. He’s averaging 7.8 points, 4.1 assists, and 2.5 rebounds in 21.5 minutes per game on shooting splits of 51.4 FG%/ 43.0 3pt%/ 72.7 FT% with a true shooting percentage of 59.0%. Those are really strong numbers for a 19-year-old rookie point guard navigating a crowded backcourt.
Which rookies are catching your eye this season? Who do you think comes away as the Rookie of the Year?
