This year's class of NBA rookies entered the league under unprecedented circumstances. The pandemic significantly impacted the pre-draft process, the offseason, and even the regular-season schedule.
The truncated NBA season was nearing the one-third mark in the first week of February, with most teams having played somewhere between 21-24 games in the 72-game season.
It's far too soon to declare any player a future MVP -- or to write any off as a disappointment. Players often develop at different rates, and a host of variables can be big factors in sorting the rookie sensations from the late bloomers.
Still, with a sizable portion of the season in the rearview, the time is right to have an early look at an intriguing crop of greenhorns. Grades were determined by weighing a combination of the player's production relative to draft slot, his future outlook, and the drafting team's opportunity cost.
The Big 3
All of Anthony Edwards, James Wiseman and LaMelo Ball have so far flashed the upside -- and inconsistency -- that are the hallmarks of young, blue-chip prospects.
Edwards, after a relatively quiet start, is coming on strong of late for a Wolves team that has been decimated by injury and the coronavirus. One of his early highlights includes posterizing Wiseman on a vicious dunk during a recent Wolves-Warriors game. Ball looks every bit the playmaker he was projected to be by most prospect hounds, while Wiseman's unreal athletic gifts may give him the highest ceiling of the three. He appeared on the verge of a full-on breakout and potentially a sharp uptick in minutes before a minor setback due to a hand injury.
1. Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves: A
2. James Wiseman, Golden State Warriors: A
3. LaMelo Ball, Charlotte Hornets: A
Picks 4-9: The mid-lottery
The players taken with the subsequent six picks were yet to make much of an impact, with several of them dealing with injuries or covid-related absences. The Bulls appear committed to developing fourth overall pick Patrick Williams, the draft's youngest player, who has been starting and getting plenty of minutes, to understandably mixed results. Beyond him, though, there's not much to note.
Isaac Okoro's offensive game has been slow to develop thus far, as predicted. Onyeka Okongwu has had nagging injuries and is buried behind a resurgent Clint Capela, while Killian Hayes is out for roughly two months with a hip ailment. Obi Toppin missed time with injuries and has been ineffective in limited action. Ditto Deni Avdija.
The problem with the Toppin pick, both then and now, is what the Knicks passed up in order to select him. Toppin will surely improve, but it's apparent the Knicks missed out on better players at positions of greater need. To their credit, they made up for it later on. More on that ahead.
4. Patrick Williams, Chicago Bulls: B
5. Isaac Okoro, Cleveland Cavaliers: B
6. Onyeka Okongwu, Atlanta Hawks: B
7. Killian Hayes, Detroit Pistons: B
8. Obi Toppin, New York Knicks: C
9. Deni Avdija, Washington Wizards: B
10-14: Back end of the lottery
Several teams, including the Knicks, are likely smarting after passing on Tyrese Haliburton, who looks like a contender for Rookie of the Year after curiously falling all the way to the Kings with the 12th overall pick. Haliburton seemed likely to go somewhere in the five or six picks after the Big 3, but instead slipped a few spots.
Meanwhile the Suns' selection of Jalen Smith, who has seen little action so far, was considered something of a draft day surprise. Smith's stock was rising in the weeks leading up to the draft, but not many mocks had him going as high as 10th overall. Kira Lewis Jr. appears on the verge of gaining more playing time if the Pelicans can successfully unload JJ Redick and/or Lonzo Ball, while former Vanderbilt sharpshooter Aaron Nesmith hasn't yet seen many minutes in Celtics coach Brad Stevens' tight rotations.
10. Jalen Smith, Phoenix Suns: C
11. Devin Vassell, San Antonio Spurs: B
12. Tyrese Haliburton, Sacramento Kings: A
13. Kira Lewis Jr, New Orleans Pelicans: B
14. Aaron Nesmith, Boston Celtics: B
Picks 15-30: Value selections
Several hidden gems seem to be emerging from the back half of the draft.
Chief among them is Knicks guard Immanuel Quickley, who appears to be the steal of the draft with the 25th overall pick. Tyrese Maxey, another guard whom the Knicks passed on in favor of Toppin, has flashed breakout potential in a reserve role for the Sixers. Maxey appears poised to make several teams regret looking elsewhere.
The Pistons have gotten productive minutes out of both Saddiq Bey and Isaiah Stewart, a pretty impressive return for a pair of mid-round picks in what was supposed to be a relatively weak draft class. ... Josh Green of the Mavericks and RJ Hampton of the Nuggets look like they will need some seasoning before they're contributing meaningfully. ... The Timberwolves' Jaden McDaniels, one of the more polarizing prospects in this class, has flashed both the upside and inconsistency that had scouts split over his pro future. ... Payton Pritchard has been impressive coming off the bench for the Celtics, showing a hot shooting hand early on.
15. Cole Anthony, Orlando Magic: B
16. Isaiah Stewart, Detroit Pistons: A
17. Aleksej Pokusevski, Oklahoma City Thunder: C
18. Josh Green, Dallas Mavericks: B
19. Saddiq Bey, Detroit Pistons: A
20. Precious Achiuwa, Miami Heat: A
21. Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers: A
22. Zeke Nnaji, Denver Nuggets: C
23. Leandro Bolmaro, Minnesota Timberwolves: B
24. RJ Hampton, Denver Nuggets: B
25. Immanuel Quickley, New York Knicks: A
26. Payton Pritchard, Boston Celtics: A
27. Udoka Azubuike, Utah Jazz: B
28. Jaden McDaniels, Minnesota Timberwolves: B
29. Malachi Flynn, Toronto Raptors: C
30. Desmond Bane, Memphis Grizzlies: A