5 Players From the NBA Draft Likely to Have the Most Immediate Impact
By Jason McIntyre
1. Jahlil Okafor, Philadelphia.
With Joel Embiid hurt, and possibly out for another year, expect Okafor to start at center and the 76ers would be wise to run the offense through him. Nerlens Noel, who is a garbage man offensively, can start at PF. He’ll make up for Okafor’s defensive lapses. If DeMarcus Cousins posted 14-8 as a rookie, I think Okafor can average 16-10. The 76ers will again be among the dregs of the league.
2. Justise Winslow, Miami.
You know I think he reminds me of a young James Harden. Coach K thinks he’s a young Dwyane Wade. The beauty of falling to the 10th pick – no pressure to start (Wade at SG, Deng at SF) – and he’ll come off the bench for a good team and be surrounded by very good players. Think he’ll be in the mix for 6th man of the year, maybe average 10 points, five rebounds, five assists off the bench (with maybe 10 starts when Wade takes games off.) Would not shock me if Miami – health pending – wins 45-50 games and secures a Top 4 seed in the East.
3. D’Angelo Russell, LA Lakers.
When you’re starting at PG for the Lakers, and Kobe Bryant is by your side, and Julius Randle is inside, you’ve got a chance to have a good rookie season. And who knows if the Lakers add LaMarcus Aldridge or DeMarcus Cousins or Kevin Love. Hell, maybe Greg Monroe. I have the Lakers making the playoffs, and Russell being a contender for rookie of the year. Would 43% FG, 37% 3FG to go with 13 ppg and six apg be a success? I think so.
4. Jerian Grant, New York.
He’ll have a much better rookie year than Porzingis, but the Knicks will still be bad, and Phil Jackson will get crushed. I think Carmelo Anthony demands a trade next year because of how poorly New York plays, and how slow Porzingis is to adapt. I do think he could eventually be good in a few years. Grant might be a 12-5-4 guy who plays 32 minutes a night and shoots 45/35.
5. Emmanuel Mudiay, Denver.
As soon as they move Ty Lawson – to Sacramento? – it’ll be Mudiay’s team. Whether or not he’ll have the likes of Gallinari and Chandler as teammates is another question. The Nuggets will be among the league’s worst teams next year.
Just missed:
Rashad Vaughn, Milwaukee. Needs an asterisk – if Khris Middleton goes elsewhere, Vaughn will see some playing time. If Middleton stays, disregard this.
Cameron Payne, Oklahoma City. Think he’s ready to slide in and play, but even James Harden struggled as a rookie because of how much Westbrook and Durant need the ball.
Sam Dekker, Houston. Ready to contribute, but the real question is whether or not he’ll be dealt, or the guy ahead of him (Trevor Ariza) will.