10 NBA Rookies Who Could Make an Impact During The 2020–2021 Season
By: Lou Pastor
Tags: Nba Players, NBA, Basketball, Nba Rookie Of The Year, Basketball Analysis

Photo Credit: 247 Sports

Devin Vassell SG San Antonio — I loved Devin Vassell as a prospect going into the 2020 NBA Draft, and Vassell has looked great so far this preseason. San Antonio displayed acumen during the NBA Draft yet again by drafting Vassell 11th overall, as Vassell is an excellent shooter and defender. Devin Vassell shot 50% from beyond the arc during the preseason, and also shot 51.7% from the field on 29 shots through three games (NBA Player Stats). Vassell also led all NBA players with 9 steals over the entire preseason. I think that Devin Vassell will end up being one of the biggest steals of the 2020 NBA Draft.

James Wiseman C Golden State — We didn’t get to see Wiseman play during the preseason due to an ankle injury, but Wiseman is likely going to be a difference-making player for the Warriors this season. James Wiseman projects to be a rim-running center who can rebound, defend, block shots, and score around the basket along with a limited jump-shot. It’ll be interesting to see how long it takes Steve Kerr to trust Wiseman to close games.

Isaac Okoro SF Cleveland — Okoro’s offensive game has been pleasantly surprising this preseason. While already possessing all of the tools to be a plus defender in the NBA, Okoro’s willingness to drive to the basket was impressive. In four preseason games, Isaac Okoro went 14/26 from the field and shot 16 free throws. While preseason 3-point percentages aren’t transferable to regular season games for unproven players, Okoro’s 45.5 3-point percentage shows that he has some basis of shooting fundamentals (NBA Player Stats). Overall, I was impressed with Okoro’s scoring prowess and willingness to play hard this preseason. Okoro could eventually become a versatile wing player.

Cole Anthony PG Orlando — Cole Anthony was outstanding during the NBA preseason. Anthony finished his four game preseason with a 47.6% field goal percentage while taking 10.5 shots per game. Anthony also displayed his ability to shoot NBA 3 pointers, as he sunk 47.1% of his 3s during the preseason (NBA Player Stats). Cole Anthony played with tremendous energy, and Orlando’s lack of a great point guard could pave the way for him to earn minutes in the regular season.

Killian Hayes PG Detroit — Killian Hayes got a lot of opportunities during the preseason, and he will likely get a uniquely large amount of playing time for the Pistons this season due to Detroit’s lack of guard depth. Hayes’ final preseason stats were ugly, as he posted a 28.6% field goal percentage and a 22.2% 3-point percentage, but I like the fact that Hayes got better in each game (NBA Player Stats). Despite having a miserable 7-turnover-debut, Hayes gained increasing confidence handling the ball and only committed 5 turnovers in the three other preseason games combined (Killian Hayes Game Logs). I think that Killian Hayes will likely improve dramatically as the NBA regular season goes along.

Malachi Flynn PG Toronto — I don’t know if Malachi Flynn will find his way into Toronto’s rotation right away due to the Raptors’ deep roster, but Flynn impressed me a lot during the preseason. Malachi Flynn looks like a versatile guard who doesn’t need to dribble the basketball to make an impact. Flynn showed a shooting touch, going 7/17 from beyond the arc during the preseason. Along with his elegant shot, Flynn’s passing ability was impressive, as he totaled 12 assists in three preseason games (NBA Player Stats). I like Malachi Flynn’s potential a lot.

Tyrese Haliburton PG SAC — Haliburton looks like a fierce, energetic point guard who pounces on opportunities to make an impact on both ends of the floor. Haliburton’s shooting and ball-handling looked good during the preseason, making him an intriguing bench player for Sacramento this season.

Theo Maledon PG & Aleksej Pokusevski C Oklahoma City — The Thunder’s roster being barren of NBA players might be an invitation for rookies Theo Maledon and Aleksej Pokusevski to log more minutes than expected. In the brief action I watched, Maledon looked good, playing with nice pace as a secondary ball-handler. Pokusevski looks like a very raw, underdeveloped big man, but Pokusevski’s high upside could pave the way for him to play a little bit for Oklahoma City this season. Considering that Oklahoma City is in an all-out rebuild, Aleksej Pokusevski is exactly the type of high-upside prospect to take a flyer on in the middle of the 1st round.

LaMelo Ball PG Charlotte — LaMelo looked promising during his four NBA preseason games. Even though we’re working with a small sample size of footage, LaMelo resembles many characteristics of his older brother Lonzo, in that both are tall point guards who are limited scorers, but have rare vision when passing the basketball. There’s finesse woven into LaMelo’s passing, and Ball appears to be a decent rebounding guard. LaMelo still has a lot to improve upon though, as his 26.2% field goal percentage and 27.3% 3-point percentage this preseason are problematic (NBA Player Stats). LaMelo will likely come off the bench and not close games right away, but I’m intrigued by some of the skills he’s displayed this preseason.