Analysis 2025-2026 Rookie Rankings

[NotoriousHOP]

Saw this pop up in my Google feed. No Harper at all in the seven rookies they list.

NBA’s 7 best rookies in preseason, ranked

Let’s rank the NBA preseason’s most impressive rookies.

www.sbnation.com

Even accounting for the point guard logjam, each one has the size to play shooting guard and Castle can probably pick up a small number of situational minutes at the 3. I just don't see Harper not finishing in the Top 7. I see him at least Top 4.

 

[NotoriousHOP]

Kia Rookie Ladder: VJ Edgecombe leads as 2025 Draft class makes its mark

Quick starts from a rich Draft class shakes up the presumed order as VJ Edgecombe and Cedric Coward shine brightest.

www.nba.com

Harper at 3 behind Edgecombe and Coward. Flagg at 4, Tre Johnson at 5.

 

[TrainOfThought5]

It’s gonna take a miracle for Harper to finish ahead of Edgecombe.

 

[ambchang]

It’s gonna take a miracle for Harper to finish ahead of Edgecombe.

A little early to say that. Jennings was averaging 25th after his first 10 games and looked like a God. Finished 3rd in RoY behind Tyreke Evans (winner) and steph curry.

This years rookie crop looks insane. May not have a GOAT candidate in there but so many high need starters, all star caliber or even probable HoF potential players.

 

[spurraider21]

A little early to say that. Jennings was averaging 25th after his first 10 games and looked like a God. Finished 3rd in RoY behind Tyreke Evans (winner) and steph curry.

This years rookie crop looks insane. May not have a GOAT candidate in there but so many high need starters, all star caliber or even probable HoF potential players.

im still not sure what Edey looks like long term, but Memphis snagging Wells in the second last year and trading up to get Coward is just filthy work by them.

 

[Ariel]

im still not sure what Edey looks like long term, but Memphis snagging Wells in the second last year and trading up to get Coward is just filthy work by them.

Wells definitely, Coward we'll see. He definitely looks good, but let's not forget what Memphis basically gave up to get him at 11:

1. #16 in '25 (there were good players on the board still)
2. Orlando's unprotected '28 (they're not trending in the right direction)
3. 2 SRPs (Atlanta's '27, Sacramento's '28)

Given that price tag, the bar should be pretty high when evaluating his acquisition

 

[spursistan]

Man, Cooper Flagg looking more like an elite role player than a future star/superstar in the league. He is still too young to proclaim a flop, but the "generational talent" tag was silly then and even more foolish now..Nothing has popped off out his game so far in his 7-game NBA career (Harper looked more impressive)..He's been the definition of "solid", which won't be enough to win ROTY for him..

 

[dn0774]

Man, Cooper Flagg looking more like an elite role player than a future star/superstar in the league. He is still too young to proclaim a flop, but the "generational talent" tag was silly then and even more foolish now..Nothing has popped off out his game so far in his 7-game NBA career (Harper looked more impressive)..He's been the definition of "solid", which won't be enough to win ROTY for him..

I wish he would be a bit more selfish actually. Felt like he passed up a lot of decent looks down the stretch in their loss to the Rockets tonight. 10 shots in 34 minutes with 0 free throws is underwhelming. He is the #1 pick, their 2(3?) best players are injured, the best thing he can do for himself and the team is to get his fga's up and call his own number more.

I also expected his length and vertical athleticism to pop a bit more on interior defense but he doesn't seem to really try to contest much in the paint. The theory of Cooper Flagg as an All NBA player in the near future relied on him being a jack of all trades impact defender yet he seems too small/limited vertically to protect the rim (ala Draymond as a smaller guy example) and not quite quick enough to make life hell on the outside (ala Camara) against premier perimeter talent.

His athleticism just doesn't leap off my screen like I expected. I did see him live in Vegas Summer League against the Spurs and thought he looked the part there, but summer league and NBA have a gulf between them in terms of length and athletic ability.

Caveat that must be mentioned, it is still super early and he is the youngest top prospect to come along in awhile, I am not willing to sound alarm bells just yet. I also hate his situation, the Mavs should be cashing in their old stars for draft capital and not doing this "Point Cooper" bullshit. But Nico is going to do anything he can to try to justify his idiotic trade.