As the 2024-25 NBA season nears, the latest rookie class is ready to make its official debut. June's draft may not have featured a headliner like Victor Wembanyama, but it has brought plenty of talented players into the league.

Some will make an immediate impact; others will need a year or two to develop.

B/R recently ranked each team's top non-rookie breakout prospect; the following list features each team's best first-year prospect—along with a prediction for what's ahead this season.

Atlanta Hawks: Zaccharie Risacher

2024 Draft: No. 1
Age: 19
Height/Weight: 6'8", 200 lbs
2024-25 Projected Role: Initially a top reserve, eventually starting

Prediction: Risacher got some love from the general manager survey (h/t NBA.com) as one of the best players in his class in five years, but he didn't get any votes for Rookie of the Year (ROY).

That's an oversight, as he'll get more of an opportunity for minutes and touches than the GM favorites. Put him down for ROY and the All-Rookie team as the top-scoring first-year player at 15 points per game, and awards tend to go to bucket-getters over screen-setting/rebounding big men and defensive role players.

Boston Celtics: Baylor Scheierman

2024 Draft: No. 30
Age: 24
Height/Weight: 6'6", 205 lbs
2024-25 Projected Role: Low-minute reserve

Prediction: Scheierman will be the only rookie on this list to win an NBA title in his debut season as the Celtics become the first repeat champions since the Golden State Warriors (2017 and 2018).

He may get more minutes with the Maine Celtics in the G League than the big league club, but he has real potential to crack the rotation in future years.

Brooklyn Nets: Jacky Cui

2024 Draft: Undrafted
Age: 21
Height/Weight: 6'5", 190 lbs
2024-25 Projected Role: Long Island Nets

Prediction: Cui Yongxi, going by "Jacky Cui," is the best rookie prospect on the Nets because he's the only rookie on the roster. That's odd for a rebuilding team, but Brooklyn is still transitioning out of contracts from the Kevin Durant/Kyrie Irving/James Harden era.

Cui will spend most of his time in the G League on a two-way contract.

Charlotte Hornets: Tidjane Salaun

2024 Draft: No. 6
Age: 19
Height/Weight: 6'8", 207 lbs
2024-25 Projected Role: Top reserve, potential starter

Prediction: Salaun will lead the rookie class in three-point percentage and three-pointers made. He'll also earn All-Rookie second-team honors.

Chicago Bulls: Matas Buzelis

2024 Draft: No. 11
Age: 20
Height/Weight: 6'10", 209 lbs
2024-25 Projected Role: Rotation

Prediction: Buzelis will start slowly, but as the Bulls focus on development (and protecting their 2025 first-round pick that will go to the San Antonio Spurs if it's outside of the top 10), the young forward will put up big numbers over the final few months of the regular season.

Cleveland Cavaliers: Jaylon Tyson

2024 Draft: No. 20
Age: 21
Height/Weight: 6'6", 215 lbs
2024-25 Projected Role: Initially low-minute end of the rotation

Prediction: Tyson is a Cavaliers injury (or trade) away from taking on a more significant role. He's a versatile wing who can rebound and create offense as a downhill attacker or secondary playmaker.

He won't get as much of an opportunity initially. Still, he should grow into a role—especially as players are inevitably out with injury or if Cleveland makes a trade (perhaps Caris LeVert, who is in the final year of his contract and plays the same position as Tyson).

Dallas Mavericks: Melvin Ajinça

2024 Draft: No. 51
Age: 20
Height/Weight: 6'8", 210 lbs
2024-25 Projected Role: None (playing overseas for ASVEL Basket)

Prediction: After their run to the NBA Finals, the Dallas Mavericks are focused on winning now. Unlike last season, they don't have a high-level rookie such as Dereck Lively II in the lottery, who was able to contribute immediately.

The team acquired Ajinça through trade from the New York Knicks, but he won't come over to play in Dallas this season.

Denver Nuggets: DaRon Holmes II

2024 Draft: No. 22
Age: 22
Height/Weight: 6'10", 225 lbs
2024-25 Projected Role: None, injured (Achilles)

Prediction: Holmes was a solid pick for the Nuggets outside the lottery. Unfortunately, he suffered a significant injury in summer league and will miss the season.

Denver has a few rookies on two-way contracts (Trey Alexander, PJ Hall and Spencer Jones), but even injured, Holmes remains the team's top prospect. Fortunately, players are returning from Achilles tendon injuries more successfully than ever.

Detroit Pistons: Ron Holland II

2024 Draft: No. 1
Age: 19
Height/Weight: 6'8", 206 lbs
2024-25 Projected Role: Top of the rotation

Prediction: Coming off the bench for the Pistons, Holland will lead his class in poster dunks.

Detroit is slowly assembling a group of players that should climb from the bottom of the standings.

While Holland may not start as a rookie, he'll use his athleticism to embarrass opposing defenders at the rim.

Golden State Warriors: Quinten Post

2024 Draft: No. 52
Age: 14
Height/Weight: 7'0", 238 lbs
2024-25 Projected Role: Santa Cruz Warriors

Prediction: The Warriors still view their franchise as a contender, and with Stephen Curry, they may not be wrong.

Post, who is on a two-way contract, may not get much opportunity to play—put him down for lowest total minutes among his second-round draft class.

Houston Rockets: Reed Sheppard

2024 Draft: No. 3
Age: 20
Height/Weight: 6'2", 185 lbs
2024-25 Projected Role: Key reserve

Prediction: Sheppard has many fans around the league (he is No. 1 on the GM survey for Rookie of the Year and best of his class in five years). He is talented and will eventually live up to the hype, but he may not get enough touches on this Rockets squad to show what he can do.

Houston has roster decisions to make ahead of the deadline and into next offseason, but Sheppard may end up on the NBA All-Rookie second team because the Rockets have too many mouths to feed.

Indiana Pacers: Johnny Furphy

2024 Draft: No. 35
Age: 19
Height/Weight: 6'9", 200 lbs
2024-25 Projected Role: End of rotation/G League

Prediction: Furphy didn't get a chance to show what he can do in preseason due to an ankle injury. The Australian will get most of his minutes in the G League.

While he won't get much of an opportunity to play throughout the year, coach Rick Carlisle and his staff will turn him into a viable, productive spot rotation player by the time the postseason arrives.

Los Angeles Clippers: Cam Christie

2024 Draft: No. 46
Age: 19
Height/Weight: 6'6", 190 lbs
2024-25 Projected Role: End of rotation

Prediction: Christie may struggle to earn minutes as a rookie on the Clippers, who are deep at the wing position (provided Kawhi Leonard can stay on the court consistently).

Put Christie down as playing fewer minutes as a rookie than his brother, Max, with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2022-23 (512 total).

Los Angeles Lakers: Dalton Knecht

2024 Draft: No. 17
Age: 23
Height/Weight: 6'6", 215 lbs
2024-25 Projected Role: Rotation

Prediction: Knecht will make the NBA's All-Rookie team and play a regular role in the Lakers' rotation.

While he won't shoot well initially, he'll become a reliable scoring threat for LeBron James and coach JJ Redick over time.

Memphis Grizzlies: Zach Edey

2024 Draft: No. 9
Age: 22
Height/Weight: 7'4", 305lbs
2024-25 Projected Role: Starter

Prediction: Edey fits exactly what the Grizzlies need at center. He'll earn Rookie of the Year votes but come in second—finishing on the NBA's All-Rookie team.

Miami Heat: Kel'el Ware

2024 Draft: No. 15
Age: 20
Height/Weight: 7'0", 230lbs
2024-25 Projected Role: Rotation

Prediction: Ware will start slowly as coach Erik Spoelstra's third or even fourth big, but over time, he'll earn minutes ahead of Thomas Bryant and Kevin Love.

Ware will finish second in total blocks behind Edey in his class, and Spoelstra will give him looks in a dual-big lineup with Bam Adebayo.

Milwaukee Bucks: AJ Johnson

2024 Draft: No. 23
Age: 19
Height/Weight: 6'5", 1690 lbs
2024-25 Projected Role: Rotation

Prediction: Under normal circumstances, coach Doc Rivers doesn't rely heavily on raw, developing rookies, but the Bucks are struggling to get and stay healthy, notably with Khris Middleton (ankle). That will lead to Johnson getting more minutes than the front office may have initially planned.

He will be wildly inconsistent this season, but the extra time should help him develop.

Minnesota Timberwolves: Rob Dillingham

2024 Draft: No. 8
Age: 19
Height/Weight: 6'3", 175 lbs
2024-25 Projected Role: Rotation

Prediction: Dillingham will be a boom-or-bust player for the Timberwolves off the bench. He'll blow up in some games and be a critical factor in wins; in others, he'll struggle with his shot and turnovers.

In the end, Dillingham will do enough to earn All-Rookie second-team honors.

New Orleans Pelicans: Yves Missi

2024 Draft: No. 21
Age: 20
Height/Weight: 6'11", 235 lbs
2024-25 Projected Role: Rotation, potential starter late in season

Prediction: Missi will gradually develop into this season's Dereck Lively II.

Once he acclimates to the NBA, he fits what the Pelicans need at center. That may be as a spot-starter, but most of his minutes will come as a reserve.

New York Knicks: Tyler Kolek

2024 Draft: No. 34
Age: 23
Height/Weight: 6'3", 195 lbs
2024-25 Projected Role: Rotation

Prediction: Kolek will lead his class in assists per game, coming off the bench for the Knicks.

Oklahoma City Thunder: Dillon Jones

2024 Draft: No. 26
Age: 22
Height/Weight: 6'5", 235 lbs
2024-25 Projected Role: Rotation

Prediction: Jones will play vital minutes and make a significant contribution to a win at some point in the Thunder's postseason run (which may be a long one).

His time on the court may be spotty throughout the regular season, but his versatility and effort will generate opportunities.

Orlando Magic: Tristan da Silva

2024 Draft: No. 18
Age: 23
Height/Weight: 6'8", 217 lbs
2024-25 Projected Role: Rotation

Prediction: Da Silva will need to earn his place in the rotation with the talent and depth the Magic already have in place. The team doesn't have the perfect backup to Paolo Banchero, but Franz Wagner may slide up to in rotation.

Over time, though, Da Silva will get those minutes as an older, versatile rookie who can shoot the ball. By the postseason, he'll be a staple in a significant role.

Philadelphia 76ers: Jared McCain

2024 Draft: No. 16
Age: 20
Height/Weight: 6'3", 105 lbs
2024-25 Projected Role: Rotation

Prediction: McCain is recovering from a scary injury that bruised his lung.

Hoping he can get back to the court quickly, he will earn regular rotation minutes for the Sixers, providing floor space as a willing shooter/scorer—enough to earn All-Rookie second-team honors.

Phoenix Suns: Ryan Dunn

2024 Draft: No. 28
Age: 21
Height/Weight: 6'8", 216 lbs
2024-25 Projected Role: Borderline starter

Prediction: Teams with high-powered scorers like the Suns need defensive-minded role players who can impact the game without the ball.

Dunn was a tremendous selection for this team, and he'll not only crack the rotation but also may get spot starts (depending on health).

He can also score and will do enough for Phoenix to outperform his draft position and earn All-Rookie honors.

Portland Trail Blazers: Donovan Clingan

2024 Draft: No. 7
Age: 20
Height/Weight: 7'2", 280 lbs
2024-25 Projected Role: Rotation

Prediction: Despite coming off the bench, Clingan will lead his class in rebounds per game (edging out, barely, Zach Edey with the Memphis Grizzlies).

Sacramento Kings: Devin Carter

2024 Draft: No. 13
Age: 22
Height/Weight: 6'2", 195 lbs
2024-25 Projected Role: End of rotation, when healthy

Prediction: The Kings were excited to draft Carter, but a shoulder injury should keep him sidelined through the rest of 2024. He'll eventually make his way onto the court, but he'll need time to get in shape and catch up.

It's not a redshirt year for Carter, but it's not the ideal rookie campaign either.

San Antonio Spurs: Stephon Castle

2024 Draft: No. 4
Age: 19
Height/Weight: 6'6", 215 lbs
2024-25 Projected Role: Key reserve

Prediction: Castle may initially come off the bench for Chris Paul, but injuries may lead to a starting role.

Castle will lead his class in steals, prove to be one of the best defenders and earn All-Rookie honors. He'll also come in third for Rookie of the Year.

Toronto Raptors: Ja'Kobe Walter

2024 Draft: No. 19
Age: 20
Height/Weight: 6'5", 180 lbs
2024-25 Projected Role: End of rotation

Prediction: Walter missed the preseason with a shoulder injury. The late start and existing depth will have him playing a bit role on the Raptors this season.

Utah Jazz: Cody Williams

2024 Draft: No. 10
Age: 19
Height/Weight: 6'7", 190 lbs
2024-25 Projected Role: Rotation

Prediction: The Jazz are heading into a development year, and Williams needs to develop. He'll get that chance, leading his class in minutes per game.

Washington Wizards: Alexandre Sarr

2024 Draft: No. 2
Age: 19
Height/Weight: 7'0, 205 lbs
2024-25 Projected Role: Starter

Prediction: Sarr was one of the top selections of the 2024 draft, but the class has fewer ready-to-dominate players than a typical year.

He will get the minutes and opportunity in Washington. His team won't win many games, but he'll earn second All-Rookie second-team honors for what he brings defensively, along with improved outside shooting.

All-Rookie Honors

Putting it all together, the award winners will be:

Rookie of the Year: Zaccharie Risacher (Zach Edey placing second, Stephon Castle third)

All-Rookie Team: Dalton Knecht, Ryan Dunn, Risacher, Edey, Castle

All-Rookie Second Team: Alexandre Sarr, Reed Sheppard, Tidjane Salaun, Jared McCain, Rob Dillingham

Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on X/Twitter @EricPincus.