Overlooked NBA Rookies Who Can Surprise in 2024-25

There will be NBA rookies picked in the Nos. 20-60 range who wind up outperforming their draft slot.

Last year, it was Brandin Podziemski, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Ben Sheppard, Marcus Sasser, GG Jackson, Trayce-Jackson Davis, Ricky Council IV and Craig Porter Jr. who provided low-cost rookie value from outside the lottery.

Based on team fit/opportunity, NBA-ready traits and misevaluations from other teams, we'll see another group of late-first, second-round and undrafted prospects compete for All-Rookie teams.

A projected top-five pick at this time last year, Isaiah Collier went from overhyped to overlooked on draft night.

He fell too far. Questions around his shooting and turnovers may have been problematic for a lottery point guard a team would build around, but not for a No. 29 pick that possesses Collier's level of outlier strength and creation for rim pressure and playmaking.

A bench-spark job feels ideal for Collier's strengths, as well as his weaknesses, which can be minimized and controlled better in a change-of-pace role off the bench.

Collier may not fully come alive for Utah right away, but with Jordan Clarkson and Collin Sexton entering the final year on their deals, it wouldn't be surprising to see some roster changes midway through the season.

In the short term, Collier's usage may be situational. The Jazz should get value out of his ability to generate tempo, keep defenses backpedaling and set up teammates off ball-screen reads and penetration. Despite losing support from scouts throughout the season, his ball-handling, power, craftiness and vision should still translate to tough driving, live-dribble passing and effective finishing.

There may be stretches when Tom Thibodeau isn't giving Tyler Kolek any minutes. But he's still bound to get opportunities to back up Jalen Brunson at different points.

Last year's rotation was missing a guard who can run offense and consistently create open/rhythm looks for teammates. Miles McBride's contributions revolve more around shotmaking and defensive pressure. Cameron Payne could steal some minutes from Kolek, but college basketball's assist leader last year still offers another level of feel as a facilitator.

And passing IQ typically translates. Kolek may have trouble blowing by or finishing. But the Knicks won't be calling on the rookie for scoring. He'll leave his mark on games with playmaking, setting up shooters and finishers off pick-and-rolls and penetration.

Aside from possessing unteachable point-guard instincts and vision, Kolek is also an excellent spot-up shooter, which should make it easier for him to share the floor with New York's other reserve ball-handlers in McBride and Payne.

Most of the predraft buzz around the bigs focused on Donovan Clingan and Zach Edey. Yves Missi felt overlooked, and now he's in position to play regular minutes as a rookie for the New Orleans Pelicans.

He could even wind up starting based on the team's depth chart and the likelihood that Missi has the tools, athleticism and foot speed to instantly provide effective finishing and defensive mobility in a simplified role.

Unless the Pelicans make some roster moves, they'll be relying mostly on Missi for rim protection. Even if his shot-blocking rate doesn't match Clingan's, Missi should offer more switchability, quick hip-turns in pick-and-roll coverage and perimeter contests.

And though a heavy portion of his offense figures to come off rim runs and lob-catching, Missi is confident facing up and attacking opposing centers off the dribble.

He'll have an opportunity to play to his strengths alongside creators and high-gravity scorers on a competitive team.

Rob Dillingham was the big name for the Minnesota Timberwolves coming out of the draft after they moved up to get him at No. 8. But their No. 27 pick could also wind up playing a key role off the bench.

Older than Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels, Terrence Shannon Jr. made it look relatively easy during summer league (13.3 points, 56.3 percent FG in 23.0 minutes). His athletic ability looked more potent than anyone else's and created offensive advantages and defensive events.

Just playing to those athletic strengths with the Timberwolves, he will pick up easy baskets by sprinting the floor and exploding in the paint. His first step should help beat closing defenders and shot-blockers to the rim. And at 6'6", 225 pounds with foot speed and quick-twitch reactions, Shannon gives Minnesota another wing defender.

His usage will drop from last year when he initiated a good chunk of Illinois' offense in ball-screen and isolation situations. He'll still give Minnesota lineups an exciting element of energy and firepower with speed, burst, strength and a functional handle that should immediately translate to transition offense, half-court rim pressure and free-throw attempts. And though he's been a streaky shooter throughout college, he remains a threatening shotmaker capable of burying jumpers from on and off the ball.

It seems likely the Memphis Grizzlies will have a need for an additional ball-handler at some point this year. Injuries hit Ja Morant every season, and 35-year-old Derrick Rose may be tough to rely on.

The team likely has confidence in Cam Spencer after summer league (13.0 points, 3.8 assists, 57.9 percent FG, 10-of-19 3PT). Shooting remains his calling card, but Spencer was one of the most efficient pick-and-roll players in college basketball with his pace control, three-level shotmaking and veteran decision-making.

Even with Memphis at full strength, coach Taylor Jenkins could use Spencer in a connector role. Passing IQ and elite off-ball shooting create an easy fit for the 24-year-old who last year totaled 145 assists to just 40 turnovers and graded in the 99th percentile on movement jumpers, per Synergy Sports.

His intangibles, specifically signature competitiveness, should only help convince Jenkins to find time for the rookie.

Jaylon Tyson entered the draft with one of the more well-rounded offensive skill sets, between his handle for creation, shooting off the dribble and passing. It all showed during summer league in Las Vegas, where he nearly triple-doubled against the Los Angeles Lakers (21 points, 11 boards, nine assists), shot 66.7 percent inside the arc, 6-of-15 from three and averaged 4.4 assists.

Tyson wound up in a favorable spot, with the Cleveland Cavaliers lacking frontcourt depth and backup forwards who can make plays on the ball. There should be a pathway into the rotation, and at 6'6" 215 pounds, his physical tools and polish hint at an NBA-ready rookie.

He did have a high usage at California, and he was less efficient when trying to score from off the ball.

A second-unit initiator job seems ideal for Tyson. His size and versatility suggest that Cleveland could move him around between positions No. 2-4, opening up more chances for the No. 20 pick to see the floor.

Last year, we saw Craig Porter Jr. surface in the Cleveland Cavaliers rotation at different points after not being selected in 2023's second round. Isaac Jones is our undrafted name to watch in 2024-25.

His track record suggests you should continue to bet on him. He's risen to the occasion in every setting from junior college to Idaho, Washington State and the Portsmouth Invitational (NCAA seniors only), where he stood out and earned invite to G League Camp before getting the call-up to the NBA combine.

Jones then had an excellent summer league after signing a two-way contract with the Sacramento Kings. He should be able to earn minutes at some point, mostly for his defensive versatility at 6'9", 245 pounds and athleticism/energy for off-ball playmaking and finishing.

Jones has developed a valued defensive archetype as a big wing/forward who guards positions 3-5. But he's also delivered enough flashes of face-up drives and spot-up three-point shooting to create some optimism over his offensive trajectory/fit.