AJ Dybantsa enters his first NBA season with the No. 1 spot on the opening Kia Rookie Ladder, carrying the expectations that come with Washington making him the first pick in a draft class widely viewed as unusually strong at the top. The Wizards forward has already impressed Anthony Davis with his two-way skill set and approach to the work.
“He has what it takes to succeed in this league,” Davis said of Dybantsa. “He can defend and make every kind of shot. He is a special talent, and he wants the work. He listens, stays dedicated and is motivated.”
Washington took Dybantsa first overall, followed by Utah selecting Darryn Peterson at No. 2, Memphis choosing Cameron Boozer third and Chicago drafting Caleb Wilson fourth. Each of those four prospects had a case to be viewed as the class’ best player before draft night, and all arrive with organizations balancing early opportunity against the normal rookie learning curve.
The top of the board
Peterson opens at No. 2 for the Jazz after bringing what Austin Ainge described as an uncommon mix of energy, professionalism and maturity. Utah’s president of basketball operations expects difficult moments along the way, as every rookie faces, but believes Peterson’s character will help him navigate them.
“The NBA can be unforgiving for rookies,” Ainge said. “There will be highs and lows, but we trust his character and the way he works. We think he will handle it and learn through it.”
Boozer, the No. 3 selection, gives Memphis a young frontcourt piece whose passing is already a major calling card. Grizzlies coach Tuomas Iisalo said Boozer’s playmaking will be put to use, while stressing that the 19-year-old needs a measured development plan rather than an overloaded one.
Iisalo said Boozer is physically and mentally advanced for his age, but remains a teenager beginning his first pro season. Memphis intends to build his responsibilities gradually and allow for an adjustment period.
Chicago has adopted a similarly patient tone with Wilson, the No. 4 pick. Bulls executive vice president of basketball operations Bryson Graham said the franchise understands that Wilson’s confidence and outspoken personality will bring attention, but the internal focus is on growth rather than punishing every mistake.
Graham said the Bulls expect both improvement and setbacks from Wilson. A turnover, he said, will not trigger a quick hook; Chicago sees the season as part of a larger building process.
At No. 5, Clippers rookie Keaton Wagler has drawn praise from Ty Lue for how quickly he has immersed himself in the program. Lue said Wagler has been around the team for months, absorbing instruction and working to improve, after showing a college background built on competing and doing the small things that support winning.
The Clippers coach said the staff has an early plan for how to deploy Wagler while also giving him room to develop.
Brooklyn’s Mikel Brown Jr. lands sixth on the opening list and is already trying to establish himself as a vocal organizer. Brown said he has spent significant time on film, studying teammates including Julius Randle and Egor Demin to understand where they are most effective.
Brown said the Nets have challenged him to communicate more consistently. Randle, in particular, has pushed the rookie to speak up, and Brown said he has embraced that direction.
Guards building daily habits
Sacramento’s Darius Acuff Jr. is seventh, with Doug Christie pointing to the rookie’s work habits as an early indicator. Christie said Acuff is regularly in the facility early and stays late, and that establishing a reliable routine is essential for a young player trying to create a foundation that can survive the inevitable rough stretches.
Christie also described Acuff as athletic, polished and driven to become a high-level player. The Kings coach said Sacramento wants to surround him with the resources and support needed to pursue that goal.
Atlanta rookie Kingston Flemings is eighth. Veteran guard CJ McCollum said Flemings has stood out for his intelligence, questions, professionalism and willingness to work. McCollum said a player’s commitment has to be established before evaluating the rest of the package, and he sees both the effort and talent in Flemings.
McCollum’s remaining challenge for the rookie is processing the NBA game in real time, the next layer for a prospect he believes has substantial upside.
Dallas placed Morez Johnson Jr. ninth after seeing the versatility that helped him at Michigan. Mavericks coach Dusty May said Johnson can adapt to a game’s specific demands and has previously reshaped elements of his game for the good of the team.
May said Johnson’s defining traits remain his competitiveness, toughness, physical style and willingness to do whatever helps teammates win.
Brayden Burries rounds out the top 10 with Milwaukee. Bucks coach Taylor Jenkins said a lead guard has major responsibilities in the club’s system, from initiating the offense and organizing teammates to setting the tone within the team’s style of play.
Jenkins said Burries wants the defensive assignment, both at the point of attack and within the larger team scheme. That enthusiasm on both ends, Jenkins said, can spread through a roster.
Frontcourt depth and versatile pieces
Golden State’s Yaxel Lendeborg starts at No. 11 after a summer that impressed Steve Kerr well beyond formal Summer League games. Kerr said Lendeborg was productive in pickup runs, individual sessions and team work, and expects him to play heavy minutes.
The Warriors coach sees Lendeborg as a flexible defender capable of handling bigs or wings, while also offering connective offense through his passing and ballhandling. Kerr said he evaluates players through a basic set of skills — dribbling, passing, shooting and processing — and believes Lendeborg meets each requirement.
Oklahoma City center Aday Mara is 12th. Alex Caruso called him a “monster” because of the way his size changes possessions around the basket, whether he is collecting a ball others believe is secure, finishing inside or getting to a floater.
Caruso also highlighted Mara’s ability to pass, dribble and read off-ball movement. He said that broader skill package was less obvious in the college environment, where the game presented different demands.
Milwaukee forward Nate Ament opens at No. 13. General manager Jon Horst said Ament could have pursued a bigger nightly scoring role at Tennessee, but instead worked within what coach Rick Barnes asked of him on a strong team.
Horst said Ament has confidence and assertiveness, yet chose to be a better teammate before eventually finding more comfort and showing greater production.
Charlotte forward Hannes Steinbach takes the No. 14 spot, and Hornets coach Charles Lee sees a player eager to accept coaching. Lee said Steinbach has the strength and lateral mobility to become a versatile defender, with the next task being faster recognition and clearer communication in coverages.
On offense, Lee pointed to Steinbach’s motor, rim runs, seals, dependable hands and touch around the rim. The Hornets coach said the combination gives Steinbach an intriguing range of uses as his NBA education begins.
The opening order is only a starting point. The season will determine which rookies turn encouraging camp reviews, Summer League flashes and preseason habits into rotation minutes when the regular-season games begin.
