Jared McCain’s injury clouds the first rookie ladder of 2025 (here’s our last of 2024, as a refresher). Despite his strong production and part-time offensive engine work, McCain’s time missed exempts him. No other rookie has come close to his output, but quite a few have some cases as the highest impact first-year pro.
As always, the tier placement matters more than the exact order. We’re only ranking the rookies who play more than 15 minutes per game.
Impact Rotation Player
- Zach Edey
- Jaylen Wells
- Ajay Mitchell
- Yves Missi
- Alex Sarr
- Stephon Castle
- Tristan Da Silva
- Dalton Knecht
Positive Play By Rookie Standards
- Zaccharie Risacher
- Ryan Dunn
- Donovan Clingan
- Ja’Kobe Walter
- Kyle Filipowski
- Ron Holland
- Pelle Larsson
- Oso Ighodaro
- Carlton Carrington
Flashes/Inconsistent Play
- Jonathan Mogbo
- Tidjane Salaun
- Kyshawn George
- Keaton Wallace
- Jamal Shead
- Isaiah Collier
- Cody Williams
Zach Edey
Advanced metrics don’t view this as a particularly close rookie race. Edey’s plus-1.9 Estimated Plus-Minus laps all other first-year pros. The gap between Edey and his teammate, Jaylen Wells, in second place covers the same distance between second and seventh place (Tristan Da Silva). He’s by far the most efficient scorer of the rookies, with his 65 percent true shooting blowing second-place Oso Ighodaro (60.4 percent) out of the water.
I’d call the race between Edey and Wells fairly close, as Wells has played nearly double the minutes at a similar level. His perimeter defensive responsibility and malleable off-ball offense add value in a very different manner than Edey does. But Edey’s per-minute impact earns him the top spot for now.
Edey leads the NBA in offensive rebounding rate (18.5 percent), gobbling up missed shots for second-chance opportunities. His presence lessens the burden on Memphis’s half-court offense and widens its margin for error. On-off numbers, which are fickle, back this impact up — the Grizzlies improve by 5.7 points per 100 possessions with Edey on the floor.
He’s defending at a solid level for a rookie big, imposing his size on the interior as best he can. His 5.1 percent block rate places him in the 92nd percentile, as Edey’s sheer stature and play recognition help him block and alter shots. We should consider Edey’s defensive load — he’s contesting 11.9 shots at the rim per 100 possessions (97th percentile), always in the mix when on the floor.
zach edey’s defending the paint impressively, imposing his size and recognition to wall off the rim with some spry movement sprinkled in
far from a perfect defender but he’s a real impact rim defender already, 5.7% block rate is excellent pic.twitter.com/4VqLja5ZQE
— ben pfeifer (@bjpf_) January 3, 2025
Edey’s lack of passing value and some struggles in space still bring his value down somewhat, but there’s no denying his current on-court impact. Regardless of his eventual ceiling, especially in the playoffs, he’s playing like a clear impact rotation player, something most of this rookie class can’t claim.
Tristan Da Silva
Orlando’s almost comically poor injury luck has cracked open the door for Tristan Da Silva, who’s been playing 32.2 minutes a night since the NBA Cup Quarterfinal. He’s playing like an effective rotation piece, providing critical playmaking and creation juice the Magic are otherwise missing due to injuries.
His passing at 6-foot-10 is a weapon; Da Silva’s high feel for the game unlocks passing angles most can’t see, tossing out seven dimes against the Brooklyn Nets on Dec. 29. Without much athletic twitch or power, he relies on veteran craft and patience to carve space to make decisions. He’s still not shooting particularly well from deep (33.6 percent), but his connective offense helps Orlando remain afloat for now.
tristan da silva is a hell of a passer pic.twitter.com/G5JyrHBLJI
— ben pfeifer (@bjpf_) January 3, 2025
Da Silva’s defensive play brought some concern heading into this season, as the aforementioned athletic deficiencies could limit him. Despite generating very few turnovers (block and steal rates both below 1 percent), his awareness and recognition set a sturdy defensive floor at his size. He’s attempting to play with more physicality, reading passing lanes and rotating to protect the rim as best he can.
i’ve been enjoying tristan da silva’s defense as of late, his insane feel and recognition at that size are bonkers and he’s trying to play more physically
had some concerns with his defense predraft but it’s been good pic.twitter.com/HKBSFwmgV5
— ben pfeifer (@bjpf_) January 3, 2025
We’d expect most 23-year-old rookies drafted in the top 20 to contribute early and Da Silva is beginning to showcase just that. It’s fair to question his ceiling but his size, skill and high feel make him a useful contributor, even on his off nights.
Ja’Kobe Walter
After missing the first portion of his rookie season battling a shoulder injury, Ja’Kobe Walter has shown some promise as of late. He’s put on some excellent two-way performances and his movement shooting plus defense package makes him a potential high-value role player.
Despite shooting just 28.2 percent from the 3-point line, his volume (6.6 attempts per 75 possessions) and confident demeanor inspire long-term confidence. He’s a capable movement shooter, sprinting off of screens to catch and fire with defenses trailing. Walter’s intermediate game has translated to the NBA so far, accessing shorter jumpers and touch shots from his craft and sharp off-ball movement.
His speed and fluidity let him move and recover while defending the point of attack. He’s not consistent yet, but his athletic flashes and awareness are defensive tools to build on. Walter still has a ways to go before becoming a true rotation caliber piece, but the early returns look promising on both ends.
Kel’el Ware
Ware hasn’t quite reached the minutes cutoff for our ladder but his recent play deserves some praise. He’s finding his footing in the Miami Heat’s rotation, averaging 9.3 points and 1.1 blocks per game on 82.5 percent true shooting over his last seven games. Against the Indiana Pacers on Jan. 2, Ware notched career highs in single-game points (25), blocks (three) and minutes (21).
A monstrous athlete, Ware’s explosive leaping, size and length let him protect the rim at a high level. His small sample 6.7 percent block rate places him in the 97th percentile this season. Ware’s motor and effort levels still run hot and cold, and he’s learning how to maneuver in pick-and-roll spots, but his defensive ceiling is quite high.
kel’el ware’s defensive play pops lately, he’s such an imposing presence at the rim with his size and athleticism, sick player pic.twitter.com/vYFiAs4ZWd
— ben pfeifer (@bjpf_) January 3, 2025
Ware’s touch and size have led to efficient scoring. He shoots an elite 75.8 percent within five feet of the hoop. His willingness to space the floor bodes well for his future as a perimeter offensive option, making 7 of his first 16 NBA 3-point attempts. News of Jimmy Butler’s trade request should mean more opportunities for young players on the roster as Miami hits a soft reset. Hopefully, Ware will cement himself as a rotation fixture for the next half of the season.
All stats are accurate up to games played on Jan. 3.
