The new NBA season provides a chance for fresh hope for teams across the league, and 2025-26 is set to be particularly exciting.
An outrageously talented 2025 NBA Draft class has injected a serious influx of new talent into the league.
Number one pick Cooper Flagg landed with the Dallas Mavericks, providing him with a ready-made platform to go and win Rookie of the year.
Number two pick Dylan Harper gets to play alongside young phenom Victor Wembanyama on the San Antonio Spurs.
Both players are set up for success, and so we have not named either in our top 10 rookies to watch this season; it’s a given they will catch the eye.
Here is a look at our 10 to watch, and we can’t promise your favorite rookie won’t be on the list…
Photo by Francois Nel/Getty ImagesVJ EdgecombePick: #3Team: Philadelphia 76ers
VJ Edgecombe has showN in preseason that he has no fear at all, and he will provide plenty of highlight plays, as shown by his attempt to dunk on Mitchell Robinson.
The Sixers need Edgecombe to lift their spirits after a disastrous 2024-25 season. Considering their injury problems, he should get lots of opportunities.
Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty ImagesAce Bailey
A disastrous draft process saw Ace Bailey fall to #5. The Utah Jazz are set to benefit, landing a player who Paul George claimed was better than Cooper Flagg.
Bailey has used preseason to remind the world how talented he is. He has averaged 22.5 points in two games, looking like a ready-made NBA star for a team that badly needs one.
Photo by Harry How/Getty ImagesTre JohnsonPick: #6Team: Washington Wizards
The Washington Wizards were another team disappointed with their Lottery results, but they were able to draft a potentially elite scorer with Tre Johnson.
Analyst Tim Legler says Johnson has a legitimate shot to rival Flagg for Rookie of the Year, and expects him to put up big numbers on a weak roster.
Photo by Justin Ford/Getty ImagesCedric CowardPick: #11Team: Memphis Grizzlies
Cedric Coward is an explosive player who teams may regret allowing to slip outside the top 10. With the Memphis Grizzlies dealing with injuries early in the season, he could get an early shot to show what he can do.
He scored 15 points on his preseason debut against the Celtics, while also grabbing six rebounds.
Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty ImagesCarter BryantPick: #14Team: San Antonio Spurs
Carter Bryant was the Spurs‘ second pick in the top 14 along with Dylan Harper at #2.
Bryant impressed at Summer League with his defense on Cooper Flagg, and Legler believes he is a future Defensive Player of the Year winner.
Photo by Candice Ward/Getty ImagesYang HansenPick: #16Team: Portland Trail Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers made one of the shock moves in the NBA Draft, picking Chinese sensation Yang Hansen at 16.
Hansen has been dubbed the ‘Chinese Jokic’, and is set to send viewership in his homeland soaring. There is genuine intrigue around how he fares in a talented Portland team.
Photo by Harry How/Getty ImagesJoan BeringerPick: #17Team: Minnesota Timberwolves
Joan Beringer is the latest French talent to enter the league, and Mike Conley claims the entire Minnesota Timberwolves facility is buzzing about the 18-year-old prospect.
Beringer showed an impressive ability to block at Summer League. The 6’11 rookie will be used sensibly on a very talented Timberwolves roster.
Photo by Candice Ward/Getty ImagesWalter Clayton Jr
Yes that’s two Utah Jazz players on the list. Walter Clayton Jr had a great college campaign with Florida, winning a series of individual awards, along with the NCAA tournament.
Clayton Jr scored 20 points in preseason against the Spurs and showed early signs of a potent combination with Ace Bailey. We still expect the Jazz to be terrible, but the rookie duo mean they could still be an exciting watch.
Photo by Candice Ward/Getty ImagesKasparas JakucionisPick: #20Team: Miami Heat
Kasparas Jakucionis‘ passing ability has been talked up in preseason by coach Erik Spoelstra, who praised his instant connection with last year’s rookie pick Kel’el Ware.
Jakucionis was named in the NBA GM survey as the ‘biggest steal of the draft’, with Miami lucking in at number 20.
Photo by Harry How/Getty ImagesAdou Thiero
The Lakers traded up early in the second round to land Adou Thiero, a 6’8 forward with athleticism JJ Redick has described as ‘insane’.
Thiero is set up for success by playing with Luka Doncic and LeBron James, who can take advantage of his giant leap. Once he is cleared to play after missing preseason, he could make an explosive impact in a rotational role.