2026 Rookie Class - First Impressions

[The Simmer]

Rookie class is released in new file/HTML. Post your thoughts on the class here!

[Andrewu91]

This class doesn't look that great. Maybe full of raw guys, but right off the bat I checked the lottery and no one has even impressed me. Not even the #1 pick. Markelle Fultz has better ratings right now.

[Andrewu91]

When's player options? I need to know if Trey Burke accepted or declined his option?

[Ramcus]

Lotta really raw guys. Interesting to see that Jawun Evans has better overall ratings than the Brazilian rookie. Speaks to the rawness of the class, but the rookie clearly has more room to grow.

[andrei]

Rookies look great. I am personally very happy with both of our draftees.

[hardenwithnod]

Pretty happy with my draft haul, and they should have lots of room to improve!

[cb4raptorscb4]

Looks like we should re-sign PJ Washington as I don't think Obi will cut it for us

[Stockton12]

super happy with birsen and Green ..Melli im not sure yet

[GreenBear]

Rookies look great. I am personally very happy with both of our draftees.

+1

[Marcos_Beck]

Really happy with my guys. They're exactly what I was expecting, raw but should become pretty good.

[emplep7]

I think the class is around as expected. Not really blown away by anyone (Culver was a great pick for Memphis though), but decent depth through the draft. Some shaky pieces throughout the first round too, but I’m really happy with Bader at pick 28. If he develops he’s going to be a very good player.

Yoosman might end up being a top 5 player in the draft. His intangibles are actually pretty damn good too.

[Flaming Homer]

I like to see Zoosmans Rozier imitation

[Ocons]

Zoooooooooooooos!! Pretty good with late 2nd Luke Maye as well. Haven't looked at anyone else yet,

[bt]

Had a quick look and a couple of impressions.

- Everyone will like Hunter because of the 3&D aspect but it's nuts how in love this league is with those guys because I feel like he shouldn't be in the top 5. Flip that defense to scoring with all else the same and he's nowhere near it.

- Bader looks good for a late 1st round pick. We wanted to take him but Jon nutted us one pick before haha.

- There are a couple of real solid late second rounders. Great value for where they were picked.

- Culver looks pretty nice. I reckon Andre will be very happy nabbing him. Christ a little disappointing, Hunter discussed above but Garland looks pretty good too.

- Heat did really well. Brooks was a great pick at 30 and Owens looks really good too. Has that Justin Patton type feel to him without the outside shot and the beastly inside game.

- Marcos will be happy as the Sixer kids look pretty good. His namesake looks spot on and Fall Faye will do what he is drafted to do (defend, rebound and block).

- Umm, Zoosman should have been top 3 if he has any efficiency to his game. I didn't scout him so I don't know but rating wise he looks great. Utah nabbed a great one there.

I feel okay with our draft. Hall looks solid and would have liked him to be a little better defensively but he's pretty much ready now and should be pretty handy. Chiozza looks good enough for pick 29 and could maybe get some spot minutes but actually love Carrington at pick 26 as a project. He's raw as hell though but my coaches say he has pretty good all around potential if he can develop but has a poor profile so will be an interesting project.

[Stockton12]

zoosman is a locker room cancer i guess we shall find out

[emplep7]

Agreed about Armoni Brooks. He was great value that late (I think he's going to the Rockets). Looking more, I also am pretty disappointed with Christ and Hunter as my scouts showed they both offered a little but more than they do, but this draft was always touted as being pretty weak at the top.

Garland looks very solid, Weatherspoon should be a good player, and Marcos looks like he should be a better Jamal Murray as advertised.

[andrei]

- Everyone will like Hunter because of the 3&D aspect but it's nuts how in love this league is with those guys because I feel like he shouldn't be in the top 5. Flip that defense to scoring with all else the same and he's nowhere near it.

Would you not agree that if you flip that defense to scoring and keep everything else (including Godmode efficiency) and he is even more valuable?

[andrei]

Keep in mind also that a key strength of the class is efficiency, which is not something you can easily spot in ratings (as far as I know)

Hunter, Christ, Melli, Owens, Varnado - add efficiency to whatever else they bring.

[TheTwoWallaces]

I agree -- the efficiency of this class stood out. There are so many guys who have low-medium SCR potentials but who are very efficient when they do shoot. I like this relationship as it gives a nod to good roster construction + coaching.

My prediction is that we're going to see a lot of rotation players come out of this class. Only a few lottery picks look like sure-thing CSL starters, while a lot of late 1st rounders and early 2nd rounders look like they'll be better than bench scrubs. This class could go on to add some depth to the league, which is dope. Great job draft team!

[bt]

Keep in mind also that a key strength of the class is efficiency, which is not something you can easily spot in ratings (as far as I know)

Hunter, Christ, Melli, Owens, Varnado - add efficiency to whatever else they bring.

Yeah, very true.

Mine were just rough observations from the ratings but a lot could have great efficiency as that's hard to see unless you scouted them.