This rookie class was one of the best ones in recent memory, and there are so many rookies in quality spots for fantasy basketball that the number two pick, Dillon Harper, didn’t even make my list. A point guard playing with Victor Wembanyama didn’t make the list, think about that. This is a list of very strong rookie options, so let's dive into the top five. It’s a fluid list, and depending on what happens throughout the summer and preseason could lead to some changes. 

 

 

 

Top Fantasy Basketball Rookies

Cooper Flagg, Dallas Mavericks (ADP - 30)

We don’t need to dive too deep into why Cooper Flagg is the top rookie draft pick in a fantasy basketball league. We don’t need to sit here, and you really even sell yourself on the vision of how good he can be, considering how highly touted a prospect he is. The only thing about Cooper Flagg’s fantasy value is that he’s being selected as a third-round pick. Do you see the vision where Flagg can return a third-round value?

I don’t want to listen to Nico Harrison talk about the vision anymore. He got lucky after trading the face of his franchise. But do YOU see the vision? I can see it, especially with how long Kyrie Irving is going to be out for. We can almost bank on Anthony Davis missing time. We can almost bank on Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively missing time. This isn’t exactly the healthiest team in the league, at least their track record suggests that much.

 

 


 

Ace Bailey, Utah Jazz (ADP - 79.8)

As much as the discussion this offseason was about how much Ace Bailey didn’t want to be in Utah, this is a dream fit for fantasy owners. Utah shed a lot of the fat they needed over the past couple of the last couple years as Jordan Clarkson and John Collins have gone their separate ways. There’s also been recent chatter about trading Lauri Markkanen as well, so that could open up even MORE opportunities for Bailey to thrive in this system.

Bailey had a fantastic freshman campaign at Rutgers in which he averaged nearly 18 PPG along with 7.2 RPG, 1.3 APG, 1.0 STL, and 1.3 BPG, and now heads to a team that is going to let him develop. Bailey has room to grow as a three-point shooter as he shot 35% in college, but he took nearly five per game, so he’s not afraid to take them. When Utah is inevitably out of the playoff picture in the second half of the year, don’t be surprised when they start resting their older players, and Bailey will continue to flat-out ball.

 

 


 

Egor Demin, Brooklyn Nets (ADP - 158.7)

Hate the pick or don’t, but the Nets took Egor Demin in the lottery, and he should open the year as the Nets' starting point guard. He was described as arguably the best passer in the 2025 NBA draft, and he showed that off during his rookie year at BYU, as he averaged 5.5 assists per game.

Demin needs to improve as a shooter, as he did NOT look great in that department, as he shot 41% from the field and just 27% from three. That’s obviously something he can get better at at the NBA level, but he’s a good passer and at 6’9” he should be a good rebounding guard.

Brooklyn traded away Cameron Johnson and took FIVE players in the first round of the NBA draft, and is clearly in a development phase, which is great for Demin as the Nets should let him play through his mistakes and play plenty this year.

 

 


 

VJ Edgecombe, Philadelphia 76ers (ADP - 114.6)

I think the 76ers got a star in the making at number three, and V.J. Edgecombe should step in and immediately contribute. He’s extremely good on the defensive end and could potentially slot in as the team’s shooting guard immediately. 

If Edgecombe’s offense can pick up, he’s a force to be reckoned with, and let’s not ignore the fact that Joel Embiid and Paul George are constantly out of the lineup. He’s going to be asked to do more than most of the other lottery picks this season.
 

 

 

Kon Knueppel, Charlotte Hornets (ADP - 138.6)

Landing spots are incredibly important for rookies, and Kon Knueppel landed in a fantastic spot for himself and fantasy value. For as much crap as people can give LaMelo Ball, it’s not because of his playmaking. That’s elite. That’s what makes this Knueppel landing so exciting. He’s an elite shooter and a good offensive player in general.

During his freshman campaign at Duke, he scored 14.4 points per game while shooting at 48% clip, nearly 41% from three, and 91% from the FT line. He’s a good rebounder and a decent passer, too, as he’s a bigger off-guard at 6'7". His best fit for fantasy is category leagues as he’ll help you with your ratios and made threes.