National Basketball Association

NBA: Five Rookies Who Could Surprise In 2016-17

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Jun 23, 2016; New York, NY, USA; A general view of a video board displaying all thirty draft picks in the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

We know Ben Simmons is destined for greatness, but who are five other NBA rookies that are worth keeping an eye on in 2016-17?

With a serious foot injury plaguing the projected Rookie of the Year Ben Simmons, the rest of the draft class has the chance to step up and make a name for themselves.

The NBA Summer League was a sight to see, with undrafted players like Jonathan Gibson earning multi-year contracts with their performances. It goes to show how stiff the competition is for these rookies, only the cream of the crop will be able to separate themselves from the pack.

With that in mind, let’s take a glimpse at five rookies that you should keep your eye on in 2016-17.

Honorable Mentions:

Next: No. 5

Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

Thon Maker, Milwaukee Bucks

At 7-foot-1 and the athleticism of a guard half his size, it is no wonder why the Milwaukee Bucks took a chance on Thon Maker early in the 2016 NBA Draft.

It has been years since we have seen a high school player make the leap to the NBA since the rule change. Maker found a loophole by graduating a year before the draft and already turning 19 years of age.

The NBA has granted him access to showcase his skills on the highest stage, and we may be in for a quite a surprise. Thon possess a jumpshot that stretches out to the 3-pt line and ball handling ability that will give opposing big men fits.

If he can put on significant size for the start of the season and remain healthy, he has the potential to be a budding star in this league. It is hard to tell with any player making the leap from high school but I think it is obvious to everyone watching, this is no normal high school kid.

Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Buddy Hield, New Orleans Pelicans

Arguably the best player in college basketball last season, Buddy Hield averaged 25 ppg for the Oklahoma Sooners. With season highs of 33, 36, 37 and a staggering 46 points at Kansas, we know he can fill it up.

He has unlimited range even with a defender draped all over him far beyond the three-point line. At 6-foot-4, 215 pounds he resembles a young Dwyane Wade physically, I would suggest that is a benefit of staying in college all four years.

The knock on Hield is his average defense and mediocre athleticism. Many prolific scorers (especially in college) have a difficult time bringing the same energy to both ends of the floor. Their role is to score and that becomes the main focus, I don’t suspect that being the case for the Pelicans.

He will have to defend at a much higher level and in return he will have better scoring options to divert to. If he can continue to have the killer instinct on the offensive end this season, we could bear witness to a few amazing nights for a rookie.

Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

Kris Dunn, Minnesota Timberwolves

The biggest and most athletic point guard in the draft, Kris Dunn, is another four-year college guy that is NBA ready. Averaging 16 points and six assists in his senior campaign was enough to propel him up the draft board to the No. 5 pick.

The Timberwolves may have Ricky Rubio and Tyus Jones but none of their guards have the same physical abilities as Dunn. The knock on his game comes off the court with season ending injuries in both his first and second year. Who knows what kind of player would be looking at if he would have stayed healthy his whole career. With an increased size, it is likely the injuries will subside and he will have a promising year.

Attacking the basket and bullying other guards has been his strong suit up until this point. Kris will continue to do just that to smaller guards in the NBA, but he will need to continue to improve on his shooting (37 FG%) if he wants to reach his potential. If Dunn continues to stretch his shooting range, I do not see anything stopping him from becoming an NBA All-Star and maybe even Rookie of the Year.

Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics

The third pick in the NBA Draft comes with a great deal of pressure. High expectations and crazed critics in one of the toughest cities to play for. If anyone in the draft can overcome these circumstances it is Jaylen Brown.

Superior athleticism, a versatile skill set and the perfect physical attributes for his position have Brown ready to shine this season. Averaging nearly 15 points and five rebounds a game as a freshman coincides with his soaring upside.

At times throughout the season he looked like a man amongst boys at Cal, even though he is only 19 years old. Now we can not forget, he has his flaws. Shooting less than 30 percent from the three-point line is unacceptable. Brown has to stay in the gym and develop his perimeter game if he wants to make the impact we all expect him to.

Luckily, Brown is falling into a role with the Celtics that will give him enough time to find his stride in the League. Look forward to seeing big things from Jaylen Brown this season.

Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

Brandon Ingram, Los Angeles Lakers

When Kevin Durant sees Brandon Ingram and says, “(He is the) First person I can say, that I can look at him and feel like I am looking in the mirror.”