These six NBA rookies could outperform their draft slots in their first season

While the 2024 NBA Draft class is generally considered a weaker class by many, there are always players who completely outperform their original draft slot and prove to be steals for several franchises.

Pittsburgh lone tight end Bub Carrington has shown early signs of being an immediate impact guard for the rebuilding Washington Wizards. While the Wizards also selected Alex Sarr with the No. 2 overall pick, Carrington (the No. 14 pick) was the superior prospect during Summer League.

Tennessee guard Dalton Knecht fell all the way to the Los Angeles Lakers with the 17th pick and is already looking like a steal from the draft as a catch-and-shoot threat who can score from all over the court.

With the 2024-2025 season just around the corner, Yahoo Sports looks at six rookies who could add an extra spark to their teams despite not being a top pick.

Bub Carrington, Washington Wizards

Draft slot: No. 14

The Wizards will likely enter the Cooper Flagg sweepstakes in next year’s draft. They are a very young team and lack star talent in a competitive Eastern Conference. That means Carrington, 19, should get all the reps he needs as a rookie and play on a team with little pressure to win right away and compete for a playoff spot.

Carrington exuded confidence in his first real NBA test over the summer, nearly scoring a triple-double in his first Summer League appearance. He finished the tournament with averages of 15.8 points, 7.4 rebounds and 5.2 assists. Houston Rockets guard Reed Sheppard and San Antonio guard Stephon Castle may be early favorites for Rookie of the Year, but Carrington could be a dark horse contender with how much playing time he gets this season.

Kel’el Ware, Miami Heat

Draft slot: No. 15

The Heat do an excellent job of identifying players who fit specific roles on the team, and it appears they have found their version of Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively II in this year’s draft. Ware was a dream in the pick-and-roll during Summer League, and the NBA spacing gives him the flexibility to find the seams and use his footwork to get to his spots.

Lively played a strong supporting role as a rookie alongside Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving in Dallas, and Ware could be a similar young center for the Heat with his rim protection and great hands around the basket, alongside Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo. There were three centers selected ahead of Ware in the draft (Sarr at No. 2, Donovan Clingan at No. 7 and Zach Edey at No. 9). Ware could end up being the most productive big in this draft class given how well his play translates to the modern NBA.

Dalton Knecht, Los Angeles Lakers

Draft slot: No. 17

Knecht falling out of the lottery and going all the way to No. 17 was a huge gift for the Lakers. He can be plugged in right away with his experience and how well he shoots the 3-ball. Lakers fans will be eager to see LeBron James and Bronny James on the court as the NBA’s first father-son duo, but it’s Knecht who will likely see immediate playing time as a rookie and become a reliable shooter off the bench for the Lakers . . Knecht led the SEC in scoring, averaging 21.7 points per game and shooting just under 40% from 3-point range during his senior season.

“There’s a different pace and definitely a physicality that comes with being in the NBA,” Knecht told Yahoo Sports in July, “and with my experience at Tennessee and throughout my career, I continue to trust my opportunity and have confidence in myself. .”

AJ Johnson, Milwaukee Bucks

Draft slot: No. 23

Bucks fans may have been scratching their heads when Johnson’s name was called with the 23rd pick after he averaged just 2.9 points and 8.3 minutes for the Illawarra Hawks in Australia’s National Basketball League last season. But taking a swing at 19 with a 6-foot-1 point guard with a high ceiling and great instincts could be worth it. Johnson looked much more confident as the primary ballhandler during Summer League, averaging 11.2 points in five games.

The Bucks already have an established core group led by Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, so Johnson will have room to develop and grow into his slight frame. Johnson has been training with Rockets guard Jalen Green since he was in eighth grade and looked great over the summer, getting reps in the gym with Paul George and holding his own during coach Rico Hines’ UCLA runs.

Terrence Shannon Jr., Minnesota Timberwolves

Draft slot: No. 27

Shannon was one of the top rookies during the Summer League and exuded confidence in his shot creation and passing with his new team. The chemistry was evident with No. 8 pick Rob Dillingham, as both rookies could be key players in the second unit for this talented Timberwolves team.

The 24-year-old shooting guard from Illinois totaled 44 points in his first two Summer League games in July and averaged just two turnovers in his four games. Older players are always gambled on in the draft, but No. 27, the Timberwolves, valued experience. Scouts and the front office saw Shannon’s continued development and he appears to be a player who can contribute right away.

Isaiah Collier, Utah Jazz

Draft slot: No. 29

Collier was the No. 1 recruit coming out of high school but couldn’t get things together at USC with the offensive system and chemistry issues in the backcourt alongside Boogie Ellis and Bronny James. Collier’s outside shot remains an area of ​​development and could be a reason why he fell to the end of the first round; he shot just 33.8% from 3-point range during his freshman year.

Collier can move downhill better than any guard in the rookie class and the extra distance in the NBA could open things up for him as a playmaker next to Keyonte George, last year’s standout rookie at Utah. The Jazz are being patient in their rebuilding process, so expect their young players to get plenty of playing time this season.