The 2025 NBA Draft has come and gone, and it’s time for fantasy basketball rookie rankings! With the NBA Summer League in full swing, we’re catching our first glimpses of the 2025 rookie class competing against NBA players, though maybe not established All-Stars.
Some early headlines from Summer League include Cooper Flagg‘s 31-point outburst following a poor first showing, Tre Johnson treating offensive possessions like street-ball and Minnesota’s Joan Beringer hosting a block party in his first game.
It’s well-documented that Summer League performances mean little in predicting the career outlooks of young players, but first impressions are important.
Let’s rank the top rookies in fantasy basketball for the first time since they were drafted. Here are our fantasy basketball rookie rankings.
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Fantasy Basketball Rookie Rankings
1. Cooper Flagg (F, G – DAL)
With Dallas’ talented roster, Cooper Flagg’s fantasy ceiling is somewhat capped for next season. Just imagine his outlook as a Net or Jazz. While he should start immediately, there are a lot of mouths to feed on the Mavericks’ roster.
Regardless, Flagg’s versatility on both sides of the ball will give him an elite fantasy floor.
2. Dylan Harper (G – SAS)
The questions surrounding Dylan Harper’s fit in the Spurs’ rotation won’t be answered until the season starts. Should he come off the bench and lead the second unit, the second overall pick will be one of the best bench players in the league.
Harper’s ability to get to the rim, distribute and his ever-present defensive edge are all signs he’ll be an impact fantasy piece early on.
3. Ace Bailey (F – UTA)
In recent weeks, the Jazz have parted ways with John Collins, Jordan Clarkson, Collin Sexton and Johnny Juzang. The impact these moves have on Ace Bailey’s opportunity share next season cannot be understated.
Bailey struggled offensively in his first Summer League game, but later responded with an 18-point showing that helped put some worries to rest. The young forward has little preventing him from being one of the best fantasy rookies next season.
4. VJ Edgecombe (G – PHI)
In an expected turn of events, the 76ers have an injured rookie. VJ Edgecombe produced an eye-catching highlight reel in his first Summer League outing and then quickly suffered a thumb injury.
Edgecombe’s fantasy stock has Tyrese Maxey, Jared McCain and probably Quentin Grimes to worry about when the season starts, but trust in his athleticism and defensive exploits as the makings of a solid floor.
5. Tre Johnson (G – WSH)
Tre Johnson’s calling card at Texas was scoring, and he’s been doing just that. Washington’s crowded backcourt is somewhat concerning for his fantasy outlook, but coach Brian Keefe would be silly to play the talented Johnson behind CJ McCollum, Khris Middleton and Marcus Smart all season long.
6. Derik Queen (C – NOP)
The Pelicans have made the intriguing decision to play Derik Queen next to Yves Missi in their only two Summer League games thus far. It seems the starting center spot in New Orleans is up for grabs because the thought of the two of them starting next to Zion Williamson is frightening, and not in a good way.
Should Queen win out, his offensive talent will undoubtedly take him far in fantasy.
7. Khaman Maluach (C – PHX)
Speaking of Yves Missi, it wouldn’t come as a surprise to see Khaman Malauch’s rookie season look similar to Missi’s from last season. However, Missi attempted and missed one three-pointer during his entire rookie campaign, and Maluach just went 1-for-6 in his only Summer League appearance last Friday. That’s something to pay attention to.
Lobs, rebounds and blocked shots will be the primary sources of fantasy points for the Duke product early on.
8. Kon Knueppel (G, F – CHA)
Kon Knueppel should be the main beneficiary of playing alongside Charlotte’s talented scorers in LaMelo Ball, Miles Bridges, Brandon Miller and Collin Sexton. Knueppel’s off-ball scoring prowess and positional size hint at a lot of threes and rebounds next season.
9. Nique Clifford (G, F – SAC)
Nique Clifford has averaged 18 points, eight rebounds and four assists in his two Summer League outings thus far. For reference, Clifford posted 18.9 points, 9.6 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game in his final season of collegiate play.
Incumbent starters DeMar DeRozan and Malik Monk have both been involved in their fair share of trade rumors this summer, so perhaps a starting job is on the horizon for Clifford.
10. Jeremiah Fears (G – NOP)
Dejounte Murray‘s Achilles injury is set to keep him out for most or all of next season. Jeremiah Fears is joined by Jose Alvarado and Jordan Poole as the next guys up in the New Orleans guard rotation.
Fears certainly has lead-guard potential, but is it realized during his rookie year on a roster that’s in flux?
11. Collin Murray-Boyles (F – TOR)
While the scoring is a work in progress, the rest of Collin Murray-Boyles’ game is mature and sure to produce fantasy points. The South Carolina product won’t start in Toronto, but his defensive grit and playmaking chops will make it hard for him to be left on the bench for long.
12. Cedric Coward (F – MEM)
Cedric Coward’s heavily injured shoulder has and will continue to keep him out of Summer League games. With that said, his role as a rookie will be largely about replacing Desmond Bane — on a winning team, no less.
A tall task, but Memphis paid a heavy price during the NBA Draft to acquire Coward to do just that. Coward’s three-level scoring ability should instill plenty of confidence.
13. Walter Clayton Jr. (G – UTA)
Walter Clayton Jr. has posted 20.5 points per game on 40% shooting from deep in two Summer League games for Utah. His poise with and without the ball has been impressive.
Again, the departures of Jordan Clarkson and Collin Sexton were to give young guards like Clayton more burn. Plus, with Isaiah Collier‘s recent struggles, the former Gator may be starting next to Keyonte George much earlier than most think.
14. Asa Newell (F – ATL)
The thought of Asa Newell being spoon-fed by Trae Young in the pick-and-roll may just be enough to warrant ranking him so highly. Kristaps Porzingis is ahead of Newell in Atlanta’s frontcourt, but Porzingis averages 50 games played per season.
Newell went for 18 points and 11 rebounds with four threes on Sunday. If the jumper sticks, keep your eye on the former Bulldog.
15. Egor Demin (G – BKN)
Say what you want about Brooklyn taking Egor Demin with the eighth overall pick, he’s the team’s starting point guard.
A pass-first, 6-foot-10 guard throwing lobs to Nic Claxton and kicking passes out to Michael Porter Jr. and Cam Thomas doesn’t sound like a bad way to spend your rookie year.
Fantasy Basketball Rookie Rankings: Best of the Rest
16. Kasparas Jakucionis (G – MIA)
17. Carter Bryant (F – SAS)
18. Noa Essengue (F – CHI)
19. Jase Richardson (G – ORL)
20. Liam McNeeley (F – CHA)
21. Joan Beringer (C – MIN)
22. Thomas Sorber (C – OKC)
23. Yang Hansen (C – POR)
24. Ryan Kalkbrenner (C – CHA)
25. Will Riley (F – WSH)
26. Nolan Traore (G – BKN)
27. Rasheer Fleming (F – PHX)
28. Drake Powell (G, F – BKN)
29. Danny Wolf (C, F – BKN)
30. Maxime Raynaud (C – SAC)
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