2025 NBA Playoffs: Top Rookies, Sophomores, and Juniors
Our own Nathan Grubel takes a look at each team's best young player to watch for in the 2025 NBA Playoffs.
Welcome to the 2024-25 NBA Playoffs!!
It’s been quite the season to get here with enough storylines to get completely lost in the action. Who got traded where?!
Past the usual suspects in terms of headlines, there have been a number of intriguing young player performances throughout the year. Which is why it’s important to make sure those guys also get a spotlight come playoff time.
If you’ve been keeping up with No Ceilings over the last few weeks, I’ve been publishing my awards columns that have insights on plenty of the players covered below. I’d suggest checking those out for my thoughts on where the majority of the top players in the rookie, sophomore, and junior classes stand as a whole.
But if you have yet to read a word of those pieces, this is an excellent place to start in order to get coverage on some impactful players who are worth monitoring as much as the more veteran superstars.
For each playoff team, I’ve laid out the top first, second, or third-year players to watch. There are a few squads where I had to cheat just a smidge, and one organization that has essentially gone the year relying solely on veteran talent.
Just as with everything in the NBA, however, even the playoffs have a tendency to become a bright stage for the Youth Movement.
Let’s get started with each set of teams in the play-in, followed by the top six seeds in each conference!
*All stats are as of 4/12/2025 and are courtesy of Basketball-Reference, Synergy Sports, Dunks and Threes, and Cleaning the Glass*
East Play-In Teams
7. Orlando Magic: Paolo Banchero, Forward
If there was ever a time for Paolo Banchero to make a name for himself in the playoffs, it would be now.
The Orlando Magic have endured a rough, injury-riddled season involving all of its core in Banchero, Franz Wagner, and Jalen Suggs. Banchero and Wagner are back in the mix, but Suggs is out for the year due to a left knee injury.
And boy, has the Magic offense been ugly to watch at times. Even with Banchero and Wagner on the floor together, the lack of top-tier spacing has made it difficult for both to get to their spots, as each of them likes to operate from the elbows and take advantage of mid-range creation.
Both Banchero and Wagner are two of the most talented ball-handling forwards in the NBA while also being so incredibly young. It’s reasonable to expect growing pains with any young team, especially one with a pecking order yet to be firmly established.
This is Banchero’s time to take the reigns and live up to the trajectory he found himself on at the beginning of the season pre-injury, and keep the momentum going from where he’s ended up in March and April heading into the playoffs. While his efficiency is still a tad disappointing for a player of his skill level, Banchero’s nuclear scoring capabilities can’t be ignored in the postseason, especially given his aptitude for creating inside the arc and bullying his way to the basket at 6’10” and 250 pounds.
For better or worse, the ball is best in the hands of Banchero because of not only his bully-ball game, but because of his knack for being able to pass out of double teams and find the open man. Others around him, including Wagner, will have to get creative with cutting to the rim and working off actions. But Banchero has the size, skill, and feel to take over as a higher usage option in tight games.
Banchero has as much to prove in the postseason as anyone, and this would be a great time for him to lead his group out of the play-in and into a highly contested matchup against either the Cleveland Cavaliers or Boston Celtics.
8. Atlanta Hawks: Dyson Daniels, Guard and Zaccharie Risacher, Wing
Did anyone see how well Zaccharie Risacher played off of his teammates the other night?
Sure, all of the damage he did was off transition runouts and catch-and-shoot threes. Some analysts have pointed to his lack of usage and on-ball role as a knock against his candidacy for such awards as Rookie of the Year.
To that, I say: get out of here.
Risacher has gotten better over the course of the season as both a shooter and defender. In the case of his shooting, Risacher’s percentage from deep has increased on higher volume month-over-month since January (average mark of 40.3%). He’s gotten much more comfortable at not just standing in the corners, but moving without the basketball. It’s made the lives of Trae Young and Dyson Daniels much easier to hit Risacher on the move because of the attention he commands as a dynamic off-ball player.
Speaking of Daniels, he’s played so well on defense that he’s in the running for Defensive Player of the Year. No player has had as effective of a campaign stealing the basketball as Daniels possibly ever. He’s a league leader in steals, and he quite literally lapping the field in doing so. His instincts playing passing lanes, as well as finding the right time to double opposing ball-handlers, has forced so many easy transition buckets for the Atlanta Hawks.
Both Risacher and Daniels have evolved as players this season, and they are peaking at the right time. It’s not crazy to envision the Hawks giving either the Cleveland Cavaliers or Boston Celtics a series in the first round. I wouldn’t pick Atlanta to win, but a six-game series isn’t out of the question given how well the Hawks have played down the stretch around Young.
9. Chicago Bulls: Matas Buzelis, Forward
Matas Buzelis has quietly had one of the better rookie seasons in the NBA.
While he might not find himself on everyone’s All-Rookie ballot, the emerging forward has filled in some gaps for the Chicago Bulls over a meaningful stretch of basketball these last few months to ensure a spot in the play-in.
The more minutes Buzelis has gotten, the better he’s played in terms of raw numbers and overall efficiency. He hasn’t commanded a lot of on-ball usage up to this point, but Buzelis has cut aggressively to the rim, shot from the outside without hesitation, and shown off some slick ball handling on face-up drives.
His defense, while not as bad as some rookies, leaves a bit to be desired for a frontcourt player. Buzelis will certainly need to get stronger during his professional career to ensure he’s at least a net neutral against other top-tier scoring forwards. For this play-in run, Buzelis will have a shot to hold his own and prove he can effectively help to defend at the rim.
Buzelis has a promising future as a potential All-Star, and he could cement his case as one of the steals of the 2024 NBA Draft with some solid minutes in the coming week.
10. Miami Heat: Kel’el Ware, Center
Kel’el Ware announced himself to the NBA world during last year’s Summer League with an impressive series of performances as arguably the top center prospect in the mix.
That didn’t carry over as quickly as some may have anticipated to start the year for the Miami Heat, but since his playing time picked up in late December/early January, Ware has had some standout runs as seemingly the future frontcourt partner of Bam Adebayo.
Athletic, long, and rangy. All are great adjectives to describe Ware, who brings a tantalizing combination of skills and traits to the table as a 7-foot center. He protects the rim, stretches the floor from above the break, and has the type of footwork and coordination to show, recover, and even pull off some acrobatic finishes at the rim—not to mention that he’s an idea lob target for Adebayo in high/low actions and Tyler Herro off screen-and-rolls.
Ware isn’t going to create at a high level for Miami (at least not yet), but he’s been a star in his role all season. Finding the perfect partner for Adebayo in the frontcourt means he has the freedom to roam outside of the paint and play free safety, something he did well for Team USA in the 2024 Olympics. Ware can play in drop, show and recover, and even help hard hedge up top. His utility as a paint defender, combined with his effectiveness at blocking shots at the basket, allows Miami to play bigger lineups to match size for size in the East.
I’m excited to see what Ware can do for the Heat in the playoffs, and that starts in the play-in this week.
West Play-In Teams
7. Golden State Warriors: Brandin Podziemski, Guard
What a season it’s been for Brandin Podziemski.
It didn’t start out the best for the sophomore guard, especially from an efficiency standpoint. Since the All-Star break, however, Podz has been one of the best young backcourt threats offensively across the league.
Jimmy Butler coming into the mix certainly helped balance the floor for Podziemski against starter-caliber players. Brandin is at his best when he’s able to create downhill off movement instead of from a standstill. He does need a screen up top to do his best work, but little can stop him from converting on pull-up shots and runners when he’s able to get two feet in the paint. As a spot-up shooter, Podziemski works well off screens and knows how to float out to the wings for easy looks.
Podziemski’s passing on the move is as important as how he shoots the ball in how this Golden State Warriors team operates. Steve Kerr’s offensive system is heavily based on read-and-react basketball, and Podz has the instincts and vision to make the correct play time and time again.
Defensively, he really competes against other guards. There are some disadvantages when he’s switched onto bigger wings, but he’s always been a crafty playmaker defensively and contributes heavily on the defensive glass off long rebounding opportunities.
There are so many “little things” that Podz does to help win basketball games. He’s smashed any pre-draft expectations out of the park, and he has the exact type of role-player game to contribute towards winning for the Warriors in the postseason. He may prove to be one of the most important running mates for Stephen Curry not named Butler or Draymond Green.
8. Grizzlies: Zach Edey, Center and Jaylen Wells, Wing
The Memphis Grizzlies had arguably the best rookie tandem across the league this season in Jaylen Wells and Zach Edey.
In Edey’s case, he had high expectations as a lottery pick who was coming off one of the more dominant college careers we’ve seen from a big man in recent memory. At 7’4”, Edey’s size, strength, and force around the rim have carried over to the NBA, particularly on the glass. He’s registered 28 games of nine or more rebounds, while shooting effectively from the field overall and leaving his mark on the game in terms of points splits.
Edey’s advanced stats point to a player who’s impacted the game on both ends, despite what some of the tape may say about Edey defending in space. His rim deterrence was some of the best in the class, as opponents are forced to change the trajectories of their shots or their plans to penetrate the lane altogether when Edey is down low. Even though he’s not a ball-handling guard or wing, he can help to change the landscape of a game by just being out there. He doesn’t play 30+ minutes a game, but opponents have to account for Edey in their game plans.
As for Wells, he had nowhere near the same expectations of Edey as a second-round pick out of Washington State. The talented wing also hasn’t commanded a large number of on-ball reps, but did anything and everything else the Grizzlies asked of him this season. From guarding the other team’s best perimeter player to taking a large volume of shots off the move, Wells was a star in his role this year for Memphis. He’s the type of role player that can scale well, and pack a punch in a playoff series. It only takes one game for him to get hot, and that one performance can change the complexity of a series. It can give momentum, and hope, to a team to push through and pull off an upset.
Given the turmoil in Memphis over the last month, I’m not necessarily calling for the Grizzlies to play spoiler should the team make it out of the play-in. But it also wouldn’t shock me, and if that were to happen there’s little doubt in my mind that this rookie duo would’ve helped to make that outcome a reality.
9. Sacramento Kings: Keegan Murray, Forward and Keon Ellis, Guard
I’m expecting both Keegan Murray and Keon Ellis, another duo here in the Western Conference, to remind everyone of why they could be one of the most underrated young tandems in the league.
With Murray, he’s evolved into more of a power forward this season out of necessity. He came into the NBA as exclusively a spot-up shooting wing, but he has added more bulk to his frame and played with an aggressive motor on the glass. He’s embraced doing more of the dirty work for the Kings since Harrison Barnes went to San Antonio, and even though his shooting numbers have dipped, he’s shown up on the tape as a defensive-minded glue guy who could still get hot at any moment for Sacramento.
He still has the offensive potential to develop into a Tobias Harris-like scoring forward, but for now, it’s his goal to do what the Kings ask of him and stand out more on tape than in the box score.
When it comes to Ellis, he’s such a dynamic two-way guard. Slippery, quick, and deceptively explosive, Ellis has the scoring and shooting chops to put the ball in the basket in bunches, and in a hurry. Not only is he capable of setting up his teammates as much as he is creating his own look, but Ellis has that grit to actually get in someone’s face defensively. He’s not particularly strong, so there are matchups that can give him trouble. But he plays hard, and he doesn’t back down to his opponents.
I’m jealous of Chuck from Chucking Darts for coining the phrase “Switchblade Guard” before I did, but that’s exactly who Ellis is at his core—the exact type of player every team wants to have in playoff situations in the backcourt.
10. Dallas Mavericks: Max Christie, Wing
Max Christie’s season has certainly been one for the books, after having been involved in the infamous Luka Doncic trade that sent the multi-time All-Star to Los Angeles.
Christie was part of the deal along with Anthony Davis in what came back to the Dallas Mavericks, and since the trade happened, he’s looked like a quality rotation player.
Known for his “3-and-D” type of game with the Lakers, Christie has flashed a little more on-ball juice with Dallas. His percentile rankings in pick-and-roll offense and working off movement haven't taken massive leaps forward, but it’s been encouraging to see him attempt more getting downhill as he’s progressed in his career.
Where Christie could help the Mavericks play spoiler is on defense. I love watching Christie go to work on that end of the floor. He’s great at navigating ball screens, picking up his man, and still making a play on the ball or contesting a tough shot. Generally, young players aren’t great at playing through screens and staying on the hip of their man, but Christie’s footwork and flexibility in those actions are well appreciated, and needed in the playoffs when so much becomes high screen-and-roll to dictate matchups.
It wouldn’t shock me if Christie played a pivotal role in a big play-in game. He’s that talented of a role player.
East Top 6 Seeds
1. Cleveland Cavaliers: Evan Mobley, Forward
Here’s where I had to cheat just a smidge, as Evan Mobley isn’t exactly in his third season. Mobley is young enough in terms of playoff experience, however, to serve as a choice for a team that has a primarily veteran rotation that’s likely to shorten past the likes of Craig Porter Jr. come the playoffs.
Mobley is a true difference-maker worth writing about. He would have my vote for Defensive Player of the Year, All-Defensive First Team, and All-NBA Second or Third Team. He’s been that important to what the Cleveland Cavaliers have done this season.
Mobley’s defense is what is talked about the most in public circles, as he helps Jarrett Allen anchor one of the best frontlines in basketball. The ground coverage he provides, his versatility in defending ball screens, weak side rim protection, and active hands help him to support Allen as the team’s primary paint defender. Mobley’s ability to cover multiple positions while still providing the necessary size to compete deep in the playoffs as part of a “twin towers” lineup is what gives Cleveland a chance against a team like the defending champion Boston Celtics.
What the Cavaliers will need the most from Mobley in the playoffs though is his offense. It’s not only that Mobley tripled his volume from three-point range this season while still connecting at a 37% rate, but his overall aggressiveness in getting to the basket changed the dynamic of the team’s offensive approach. Mobley embraced becoming a dynamic driver with his blend of ball handling and footwork. His improved strength helped back defenders down, and Mobley finished well in low-post position shooting 71% at the rim per Synergy.
If Mobley can continue to not only facilitate out of the high post but fake handoffs and assert himself as a downhill forward, it changes the way defenses can react to everyone around him. It pulls help off Allen, who can dive for a bucket depending on where Mobley draws a double from. It could mean that Mobley can spray the ball out to open shooters like Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, and Max Strus. Scoring at a high level means creating advantages, and displacing defenders is exactly how those advantages are created. Crisp ball and player movement.
Mitchell and Garland can generate paint touches and drain outside shots, but Mobley’s increased effectiveness with the ball in his hands is what makes the Cavaliers a true title contender.
2. Boston Celtics: Sam Hauser, Wing
Sensing a theme here? The top teams in both conferences aren’t exactly relying on third-year or less talent to carry them through the playoffs. But that doesn’t mean a few of them aren’t quality rotation players ready to contribute at a high level.
Sam Hauser had his moments during last postseason as a trusted shooter off the bench for the Boston Celtics. Another player who is in his fourth season, Hauser is the youngest player on the roster likely to play minutes and help Boston compete in the playoffs for a consecutive championship.
A career 42% shooter from three, Hauser is a lethal floor spacer capable of hitting shots on the move as much as from the corners on open spot-up looks. Player movement helps to displace defenders and make players think about where they need to be on coverage. Having a guy like Hauser who can move a bit off screens and get open from three feeds into the Celtics’ mindset of winning the “math game” within the game: shoot a ton of threes, make a ton of threes, and walk away with a victory.
At some point, Boston will need Hauser to have one of those “role player games” at home to win. And he’s the ideal shooter to look towards when calling on a wing to sub in for 10-15 minutes deep into the playoffs.
3. New York Knicks: Miles McBride, Guard
I’m sorry, everyone. I really tried to dig deep and find a young contributor on every team; they just don’t all fit in perfectly with the Youth Movement theme!
Still, Miles McBride fits the criteria of being young enough from a playoff experience perspective to qualify for this piece here.
McBride’s season hasn’t produced the same overall results from the field as last year, with his overall field goal mark dipping by about five percentage points. However, McBride remains a live threat from deep, and he’s a very capable backcourt defender under that “switchblade guard” moniker.
He’s not tall at his position, but McBride’s lateral mobility and length help to contain matchups on the perimeter. He can get into defenders, play low, and take the ball away if opposing players aren’t careful with their handles.
Being able to look down the bench and lean into a player that cares about defense first and foremost, while also being able to hit open shots, is exactly what matters in the playoffs. On top of that, McBride is having a career-best season in terms of limiting turnovers and taking care of the basketball (2.8 APG to 0.6 TOV). McBride’s advanced metrics appreciate this part of his game, with other career-best marks in terms of Actual Estimated Plus/Minus and Estimated Wins, per Dunks and Threes.
If he’s run off his spots, he can move the ball in a pinch. And if he can figure out how to regain his effectiveness from two-point range, McBride could end up having a few key moments in this upcoming playoff run.
4. Indiana Pacers: Bennedict Mathurin, Wing
Bennedict Mathurin quietly had a nice third season for the Indiana Pacers.
While he still hasn’t shown enough growth in other areas, such as making plays for others and separating himself as a player worth higher usage, Mathurin is still an athletic scoring wing that can light up defenses from range.
As a scorer in ball screens, Mathurin ended up in the 59th percentile per Synergy on roughly 192 possessions. It’s not considerable volume, but enough of a sample size to suggest he’s trending in the right direction. The majority of his points come off transition buckets and spot-up jumpers, but Mathurin’s catch-and-shoot offense, in particular, is incredibly valuable in the playoffs.
Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam will command enough attention from their projected matchup with the Milwaukee Bucks. Having guys like Mathurin and Andrew Nembhard who can knock down spot-up threes and attack off closeouts is key to taking advantage of that manipulation and penetration from the team’s two highest-usage stars.
Where I want to see Mathurin at most in the playoffs is on defense. He still has a tendency to get a smidge lost away from the ball, and he can still be physically beaten up a little bit when trying to guard bigger forwards. But if Mathurin can take his defensive efforts to a new level and make timely rotations, he could be a game-changer for the Pacers defensively on the perimeter.
Mathurin stepping up as a true two-way wing has the potential to swing a series, as he’s that capable of a microwave scorer. Let’s see if his game can jump up past another bar in the postseason.
5. Milwaukee Bucks: AJ Green, Wing
AJ Green’s three-point shooting could very well be as much of a difference maker as any for the short-handed Milwaukee Bucks as this team looks to pull off an upset by seed against the Indiana Pacers.
There’s another guy down the bench I wanted to write about in Andre Jackson Jr., who could come in and cause chaos defensively depending on the spot. Green has been the guy who has gotten the most time with the Bucks this season, however, and for good reason.
Similar to the case for Sam Hauser, Green’s movement shooting works well playing off Giannis Antetokounmpo. The more spacing on the court, the more room Giannis has to attack the basket and rely less on his jumper.
In order for Green to stay on the floor, he needs to prove capable of holding up defensively in his minutes. Per Dunks and Threes, Green has had his best defensive season per EPM, as he’s been able to play well enough within the team’s construct to not be a major negative on that end of the floor. Green is more athletic than given credit for, and he can stick in front of a backcourt matchup.
The guys who end up playing 15-20 minutes a game in the playoffs end up mattering at some point. Winning hardware comes down to having the star power at the top, but anyone who has won will also speak about how having clutch shot makers in certain playoff spots helped to get the job done. Green can be one of those guys, and he is worthy of a mention here.
6. Detroit Pistons: Ausar Thompson, Wing and Jalen Duren, Center
It’s no secret that the Detroit Pistons have more than tripled their win total from the prior year based on improvements from both sides of the ball. But if you ask me, who has watched enough of the resurgence of the Pistons, this team’s defense has gone up a few levels under JB Bickerstaff.
Two players who embody that mentality are Ausar Thompson and Jalen Duren. When Duren is locked in, he’s a force by the basket blocking shots and feasting on the glass. He hasn’t proven to be the type of switch-happy big man that some projected he could become before the draft, but his improvements over the last few months as a drop defender have helped the Pistons round into potential upset form with the playoffs right around the corner.
High-level finishing, elite rebounding, and rim protection. That’s the formula for Duren, and it’s one that should get him paid in the offseason. For now, it would help his extension case tremendously by playing up to his potential against a New York Knicks squad that will test his ability to step out from the paint and contest deep looks from stretch big man Karl-Anthony Towns.
Thompson could have the type of big-stage breakout his brother Amen has had with a clutch playoff performance for Detroit. He’s had as close to impressive of a defensive season for anyone who has paid attention to him, especially from a playmaking perspective.
As I wrote about in my sophomore awards, Ausar was on pace to exceed both Amen and Toumani Camara in steals and blocks, but he started the year off late due to a blood clot condition. Since his second-year debut, Thompson has been an integral part of Detroit’s winning ways as an athletic play finisher and chaotic defender.
Thompson’s playmaking is an underrated aspect of his game to watch out for in the playoffs. The Pistons have racked up wins based not only on Cade Cunningham’s All-NBA caliber season, but off volume shooting created off drives to the basket. Malik Beasley and Tim Hardaway Jr. are excellent catch-and-shoot players, so having someone who can make quick decisions on the move like Thompson to help with setting those guys up could be a difference in creating high-quality looks in the postseason.
Both Thompson and Duren are integral pieces to what the Pistons are looking to bring to the table against the Knicks. Expect both to show what they’re capable of in the first round (and possibly beyond).
West Top 6 Seeds
1. Oklahoma City Thunder: Jalen Williams, Wing and Chet Holmgren, Center
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will be the reason the Oklahoma City Thunder win a title if the team is actually able to capitalize on a deep playoff run. There’s no arguing that.
But the two reasons past him for success? No doubt, their names are Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren.
Both Williams and Holmgren are only in their first few seasons in the league, yet have become legitimate star players for the Thunder—so much so that this team wouldn’t have set a net rating record in the regular season without them.
In the case of Williams, his ability to take on a significant offensive burden while also serving as a rotating chess piece on the defensive board has been invaluable for Oklahoma City this season. Williams can step in and guard virtually anyone on the floor, thanks to his strength and length profile. He’s competitive, instinctual, and disciplined on defense. Williams makes the correct rotations, plays well in a switchable scheme, and creates deflections to capitalize on offensive mistakes.
Offensively, Williams has increased his volume in pick-and-roll and has improved as a mid-range scorer. He’s perfectly capable in an off-ball role as a cutter and spot-up shooter, but his ability to initiate and create when a play breaks down in order to take some pressure off Shai will be crucial to the Thunder winning multiple rounds in the playoffs.
Holmgren’s year was derailed a little bit due to injury, but the way he started it (and is ending it) suggests his ceiling might be within reach to grab in this postseason. What he’s become as a three-level scoring big, coupled with his impressive rim protection, helps him stand out as a unicorn center in the league. Few players have the capabilities of Holmgren on both ends of the floor, but there’s plenty of room for him to continue growing his game as a ball handler in the halfcourt.
It remains to be seen whether the Thunder can actually win a title with as young of a core as the foundation is built on. But SGA, Holmgren, and JDub are as lethal of a “Big 3” as theirs is in the NBA.
2. Houston Rockets: Amen Thompson, Guard and Tari Eason, Forward
The Terror Twins are ready to be unleashed in the playoffs for the Houston Rockets.
What Amen Thompson and Tari Eason can do defensively is literally the definition of changing the complexity of a game. Thompson has cemented himself as a starter for the Rockets, but Eason coming off the bench to join him in the lineup means big trouble for the opposing team.
Both are very comfortable gambling to jump passing lanes and create deflections. Those plays are the backbone of Houston’s offensive efficiency, as there aren’t a lot of lethal spot-up shooters, nor does the team rely on a high volume of threes to win (27th in the NBA in terms of three-point attempts).
Thompson and Eason are excellent transition finishers and passers on the break. If a team has to see Thompson, Eason, and Jalen Green running the floor on the break, it’s assuredly curtains.
In terms of halfcourt offense: as I mentioned, three-point shots aren’t the name of the game. Alperen Sengun and Fred VanVleet work well off cutting actions and dives to the basket. Thompson and Eason are better screen setters than given credit for, and they can cut on the baseline to take advantage of defenders falling asleep off the ball.
Secondary creators, on-and-off ball defenders, high-level interior finishers. Few teams can match the athleticism of the Houston Rockets, so it will be up to Thompson and Eason to make sure they maintain their advantage and play as hard as possible through the postseason. Both have the potential to act as catalysts on a deeper playoff run than many may expect from the Rockets.
DO NOT count out the Rockets from winning the Western Conference. Yes, I said it.
3. Los Angeles Lakers: Dalton Knecht, Wing
While Dalton Knecht’s rookie season hasn’t gone exactly how he likely planned it, there’s still room for him to play winning basketball in the postseason for a contender that’s gained a considerable amount of steam since trading for Luka Doncic.
The Los Angeles Lakers will assuredly rely on as many veteran minutes as possible around Doncic and LeBron James, but Knecht’s ability to hit threes off a high volume is exactly the type of skill that can swing a playoff game off the bench.
Knecht was a scout’s favorite last draft cycle because of how he amassed his offensive totals, not purely because of the numbers themselves. Knecht isn’t the type of player who can consistently break down defenders in isolation, but he’s well-conditioned to create shots for himself off movement and transition runouts.
James and Doncic will dictate matchups entirely on their own, utilizing timely passing to their play-finishing teammates. At some point, the ball is going to swing to a corner shooter like Knecht, and it will be up to him to either connect on that look or let a defender closing out fly by while he scores at the rim off a baseline drive.
Knecht’s defense is a sore spot in his evaluation, and there’s potential for teams to hunt for him without the Lakers having a true backline defender behind Jaxson Hayes. If Knecht can hold his own well enough on defense, what he can do offensively could become an unexpected spark for Los Angeles at different points throughout the playoffs.
4. Denver Nuggets: Christian Braun, Wing
Has anyone paid attention to just how good Christian Braun has been this season?
Braun has had arguably a better season than Kentavious Caldwell-Pope did when the Denver Nuggets won the championship a few years ago. While he may not have all the same defensive savvy as KCP, his offensive game has taken a leap forward in a meaningful way alongside Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray.
With Braun on the floor, the Nuggets are 13.8 points better per 100 possessions, a mark that rates out in the 98th percentile in the NBA per Cleaning the Glass. Look at each one of the “Four Factors” that statistical analysts have built advanced metrics on, and Braun affects every single play in a positive way on both ends of the floor. Individual defense, off-ball offense, secondary playmaking, spot-up shooting. There’s little that Braun hasn’t shown the ability to do at this point.
Overall, Braun is the exact type of athletic complement Denver needs alongside its stars. He’s the perfect (and overqualified) fifth starter for the Nuggets, and if he continues to hit threes at a career-best mark of close to 40%, there’s no doubt in my mind that the Nuggets could still win a title this season.
Many may think those chances evaporated with the firings of Michael Malone and Calvin Booth, but the best player in the world still resides in Denver. Murray has the experience and clutch scoring chops to carry a team through some rough patches offensively. Aaron Gordon and Michael Porter Jr. bring competitive size and skill to the frontline next to Jokic. Braun is a crucial final piece to balance out that starting lineup, and he has all the makings of a breakout player on the big stage.
5. LA Clippers: Kobe Brown, Forward
I was very tempted to just say “none” for the LA Clippers in terms of young contributors. This is the most top-heavy veteran rotation team in the entire playoffs when breaking down the minutes totals for the team during the regular season.
Kobe Brown has gotten some rotational minutes of late, and has the type of offensive game to slot in alongside veteran teammates should he need to play a few minutes in the postseason.
A mismatch forward who can back down smaller defenders while stretching out bigger forwards to the perimeter, Brown’s offensive game hasn’t been consistent in large part due to the few opportunities he’s gotten. He hasn’t found his rhythm on three-point shots in his NBA career, and his playmaking-to-turnover numbers leave a bit to be desired.
Still, Brown’s physicality on defense has actually helped his case for playing time, as his advanced metrics paint a much nicer picture than what he’s left on the table offensively. If Brown can hit shots, then he becomes a much better proposition for spot minutes, given how he fits the defensive identity for the Clippers.
6. Minnesota Timberwolves: Jaylen Clark, Wing and Rob Dillingham, Guard
There’s no guarantee that either Jaylen Clark or Rob Dillingham will make it into the stacked rotation of the Minnesota Timberwolves as the franchise prepares for the postseason.
However, I could make arguments for either to get some minutes depending on the game.
The Timberwolves invested real draft capital into Dillingham to move up and draft him. And even though he hasn’t quite gotten the time yet to justify the move, he has shown some intriguing flashes in the minutes he’s had to work with. An undersized guard, Dillingham’s ball handling, speed, and shooting can create a microwave effect off the bench. Should Minnesota need an offensive spark, or if something were to happen to Mike Conley *knock on wood*, the team could very well turn to Dillingham in order to provide the necessary juice to make it out of a rough patch.
Clark, on the other hand, has the profile of the type of nasty defender that could be thrown into a game to either mix up coverages on an opposing ball-handler, or just absorb some fouls and give a breather to the veterans in that slot like Jaden McDaniels and Donte DiVincenzo. He’s shown a few offensive flashes this year, both getting to the basket and shooting off open spot-up looks. If he could prove to be a viable enough offensive player to keep on the floor for short stretches, his defensive impact could provide an unexpected element of surprise for Minnesota in a play-in or playoff game.