The NBA could have some attention-grabbing rookies coming into the league this season.
The 2025 NBA Draft is top-heavy, and Cooper Flagg was chosen first total by the Dallas Mavericks, which attracted consideration.
With the second total decide, the San Antonio Spurs chosen Dylan Harper as their level guard of the longer term.
The Philadelphia 76ers then took VJ Edgecombe with the third decide, adopted by the Charlotte Hornets with the fourth total decide of Conn Knuppel. Ace Bailey, who fell out of the highest three, was taken by the Utah Jazz with the fifth decide.
With a lot expertise added to the league this season, it needs to be an attention-grabbing race for Rookie of the Yr.
NBA legend Carmelo Anthony gave his opinion on who he thinks will win the award.
Anthony, together with Harper, dominated Edgecombe out of the award. He named Flagg, Bailey and Knuppel as Rookie of the Yr candidates.
“If they will hold him (Cooper Flagg) on the level guard place and he learns the place, that is harmful.
“VJ (Edgecomb) will not be within the rotational function that you’d count on him to play in Philadelphia.
“VJ has to mess around Maxey, he has to mess around Jared McCain. When he comes again, he is acquired to get a PG. He is acquired to make sufficient performs to make an influence to be Rookie of the Yr. He is acquired to hoop, he is acquired to run the ball.
“Ace Bailey is the one participant able to essentially win Rookie of the Yr, and so is Cooper, as a result of if Dallas wins and has an influence, he has an opportunity, too.
“Who else might do it? It could be Con Knuppel. He and Ace are the one rookies who’re going to play 25 to half-hour each evening.”
“He (Dylan Harper) is behind Citadel. You are going to play, but it surely’s not going to be impactful.”
It is arduous to guess in opposition to Flagg not profitable Rookie of the Yr, however he, Edgecomb and Harper can be enjoying on a staff anticipated to win a championship, so they might not obtain heavy enjoying time all through the season.
In the meantime, Bailey and Knuppel will doubtless play for groups within the NBA lottery, that means they are going to get loads of enjoying time.
Not having a brief leash will assist each gamers by way of making essentially the most influence as rookies.
Nevertheless, given how spectacular Bailey was through the NBA preseason, he might find yourself being the rookie on the run.
