Let’s be real, all anyone really cares about is Cooper Flagg. Alright, maybe there’s some hyperbole in play, but Flagg is getting a great deal of attention. To be fair, it’s warranted for the number one overall pick, as he could be a generational talent. However, there are a lot more rookies to keep an eye on across the league. Let’s take a trip around the NBA and dig into some players in their first year of professional action.
Fantasy Basketball Rookie Report
Cooper Flagg, F, Dallas Mavericks
It’s a good thing that Cooper Flagg is truly a well-rounded player. Through the first six games, Flagg has struggled with accuracy, shooting just 37.3% from the field. However, he’s still doing enough to average 13.5 points per game, and the fact that he’s perfect from the free-throw line certainly helps here.
Flagg’s adding 6.5 rebounds and three assists per game as he works to find his way. In flashes, Flagg has had some good moments, but he hasn’t been able to put it all together on a consistent basis. The field goal percentage will improve as Flagg gets more comfortable. It’s way too early to form any judgements here, and we know what Flagg’s capable of.
At 33 minutes per game, the Mavericks aren’t asking too much of Flagg, but he also has a legitimate role. There’s a lot of room to grow here and Flagg is capable of doing just that. I’m not reading into the shooting percentage.
Egor Demin, G, Brooklyn Nets
It’s very clear that the Brooklyn Nets aren’t playing for this season. In fact, I’m not sure that they’re even playing for the year after that. There’s young, and then there’s the Nets.
One of the biggest issues for the Nets, though, is finding a point guard. While most teams play some version of positionless basketball, we still can’t understate the need for a dependable point guard to initiate the offense.
In the case of the Nets, they have many options, but Egor Demin is the leading contender. While Demin works on finding his shot, at least from inside the three-point line, the Nets are committed to his development. And while that happens, the rookie should be on our fantasy radar.
The Nets are still managing Demin’s workload as he comes back from a foot injury, but he should be on the court most nights. So far, through five games, he’s only averaging 19 minutes per game, but that’s one of many numbers that should increase for Demin.
Demin’s averaging two three-pointers per game, seven points, to go along with 3.2 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game. The rebounds are nice benefit from the backcourt and Demin’s ability as a playmaker is beginning to develop. There’s a lot of potential here as the season progresses.
Ryan Kalkbrenner, C, Charlotte Hornets
Drafted in the second round, it’s easy for Ryan Kalkbrenner to slide under the radar. However, it’s been a solid start to the center’s professional career. And the fact that we can always use help at the center position only enhances things.
Kalkbrenner is averaging 27 minutes per game through his first seven games, and that gives us a lot to work with. He’s averaging nine points and 6.6 rebounds per game while shooting an insane 81.1% from the field. We know that’s not going to continue, but it’s pretty impressive to start. On the defensive end, there’s also some real value as he’s averaging 2.1 blocks and 1.3 assists per game.
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