NBA Rookie Sleepers: 5 NBA Rookies That Will Surprise in 2024-2025

We already took a look at the 2024-25 NBA Rookie of the Year favorites and wanted take a deeper look at the 2024 NBA Draft class. Here are five NBA rookie sleepers who will surprise and turn heads with their play.

(Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

They will push for minutes by filling a specific role or simply because they are too productive to completely leave out of the rotation.

This group doesn’t contain realistic bets for NBA ROY, but they could be fantasy steals or players that could make a big leap in 2025-26.

Five 2024-25 NBA Rookies That Will Surprise

(Listed Alphabetically)

Dalton Knecht, Small Forward

1. Team: Los Angeles Lakers
2. Height: 6-foot-6
3. Draft: 2024 R1 Pick 17
4. Age: 23 years
5. Birthday: April 19, 2001
6. Why: He’s a quality scorer and team-first player who will contribute in due time.

The Skinny: As much hoopla and scrutiny as Bronny James (the No. 55 overall pick) is going to get, it’s going to be a nice shot in the arm to see Lakers fans pull for this well-traveled small forward who was last year’s SEC Player of the Year at Tennessee.

He has started slowly with his outside shooting during the preseason, but it will come around, plus he can contribute in other ways, particularly crashing the boards and moving without the ball.

Knecht was one of the most NBA-ready players in this draft and it will show sooner than later for a team that needs young blood.

Jared McCain, Point Guard

1. Team: Philadelphia 76ers
2. Height: 6-foot-3
3. Draft: 2024 R1 Pick 16
4. Age: 20 years
5. Birthday: February 20, 2004
6. Why: This Duke product knows the game and has the work ethic to excel.

The Skinny: Some fans and NBA followers are fooled by the TikToks and painted nails, but the California cool kid is a competitive menace and will find minutes on a team with championship aspirations.

McCain can handle the rigors of the NBA and absorb contact to finish. Once he gets comfortable defensively, his savvy, outside shooting (what he was most noted for coming in) and overall play will make McCain a valuable piece.

We’ve followed and known McCain since he was 12 years old and his desire and belief in his ability is going to take him far.

Yves Missi, Center

1. Team: New Orleans Pelicans
2. Height: 7-foot
3. Draft: 2024 R1 Pick 21
4. Age: 20 years
5. Birthday: May 14, 2004
6. Why: Opportunity and raw talent on a team that can use his 7-foot-2 wingspan.

The Skinny: On a team that projects to be middle of the pack in the Western Conference, New Orleans desperately needs a presence in the middle. The Pelicans traded away Jonas Valanciunas in the off-season, so Missi will be a trial-by-error project on a team where the other spots are filled by quality NBA starters.

Missi is a high-ceiling, defensive-oriented center learning on the job just as he was at Baylor. All-Defensive choice Herbert Jones (a natural small forward) might actually start in the middle, but he’s not the long term answer and the rest of the veteran bigs are not starting quality.

That means Missi’s rim-running and raw talent will give him a great opportunity and New Orleans will like what they see - long term.

Terrence Shannon Jr., Shooting Guard

1. Team: Minnesota Timberwolves
2. Height: 6-foot-6
3. Draft: 2024 R1 Pick 27
4. Age: 24 years
5. Birthday: July 30, 2000
6. Why: His ability is much greater than his draft number in a weak draft.

The Skinny: In December 2023, Shannon was charged with sexually assaulting a woman at a Kansas bar and it caused a drop in his draft stock. He was acquitted of the charges and eventually filed a suit claiming “malicious prosecution” against the Lawrence (Kan,) County P.D. and its D.A.

With his energy and downhill ability, Shannon excited Timberwolves fans during the NBA Summer League and that has continued in preseason games. With his age and what he’s been through, it only benefits his chances to get P.T. on a talented Timberwolves roster. The left-hander can get downhill in a hurry, covers ground and can defend.

He could prove to be a valuable reserve player behind Jaden McDaniels, as it’s hard to deny his energy and talent level.

Jaylen Wells, Small Forward

1. Team: Memphis Grizzlies
2. Height: 6-foot-8
3. Draft: 2024 R2 Pick 39
4. Age: 21 years
5. Birthday: August 26, 2003
6. Why: He has nothing to lose and his game continues to blossom.

The Skinny: Everyone knows how well our projected ROY Zach Edey is playing in the preseason, but Wells also had a 24-point game and is proving to be more than just a 3-and-D prospect.

We saw Wells play in high school and he was much better than a D2 prospect (Sonoma St.) and he eventually proved that at Washington St. Wells can handle it well for his size and will prove to be a capable backup on a team that can play traditionally with a big or go small, which they were forced to do last season.

Don’t be surprised if five years down the line Wells is one of the most productive second round picks from the 2024 rookie crop.