The NBA season is long. There are ebbs and flows to it. Hot streaks and cold. When it comes to rookies, the intensity of that is even higher. We look to rookies to make an impact, and what’s new is often the most exciting. Let’s take a trip around the NBA and dig into some players in their first year of professional action.
Fantasy Basketball Rookie Report
Derik Queen, C, New Orleans Pelicans
I’m going to resist. There are way too many pun opportunities to take with Derik Queen, but let’s just focus on the basketball. Based on his performance as of late, that is more than enough.
From an opportunity standpoint, Queen is in quite a favorable situation. The New Orleans Pelicans are struggling, and talent is at a premium. This started when Zion Williamson was injured, but even with him back in the lineup, Queen has been quite busy. And all Queen has done is earn more playing time and responsibility.
For the season, Queen is averaging 11.7 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game with about a block and a steal per game. As Queen’s playing time continues to increase, it’s only natural that the production will follow. From a fantasy basketball standpoint, the window to acquire Queen through the waiver wire or as a buy-low is quickly closing.
On Wednesday, Queen started his third straight game, and it doesn’t appear that he’s coming out of the starting lineup anytime soon. In fact, playing alongside Williamson will only serve to benefit the rookie. After scoring nine points for three consecutive games, Queen bounced back in a big way with 30 points.
In his last eight games, with at least 25 minutes in each, Queen is averaging 14.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game. He’s also shooting 50% from the field with a solid 73.5% from the free-throw line.
Kon Knueppel, F, Charlotte Hornets
With all of the focus on Cooper Flagg, it’s important to remember that he’s not the only rookie lottery pick from Duke to enter the NBA this season. From a fantasy perspective, it’s also debatable that, at least to this point, Kon Knueppel has been the better fantasy asset. To be clear, though, that’s not how I expect the season to end. Although things might be closer than maybe previously expected.
The Hornets are clearly a team in transition. To say that they are rebuilding would be an understatement. From a fantasy perspective, and for a rookie like Knueppel, it’s the land of opportunity. But with that being said, having LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, and Miles Bridges in tow also helps. They help to open up space for Knueppel and also to spread to focus of opposing defenses.
For better or worse, Ball has started to voice his desire for a trade, but it’s unclear whether or not it will happen. And if it did, the volume would only increase for Knueppel.
Through 15 games, the sharpshooter is averaging 18.3 points per game with 3.3 three-pointers. He’s also added 6.1 rebounds and three assists per game as his role only continues to increase within Charlotte’s offense. His 88.6% free-throw shooting is also a fantasy asset in what has been a strong debut.
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