There has been tangible growth among first-year players as we enter the final third of the 2024-25 NBA season, with rookies settling into expanded roles and emerging as contributors for teams such as the San Antonio Spurs, Washington Wizards and Memphis Grizzlies.
This weekend's All-Star festivities gave a number of rookies opportunities in the spotlight, particularly Spurs guard Stephon Castle, who won MVP of the Rising Stars game with a strong showing and finished second in Saturday's dunk contest.
The league's trade deadline is now in the rearview, with opportunities and roles shifting and more minutes opening up for young talent. We've seen the surprise emergence of Isaiah Collier with the Utah Jazz and the Wizards lean hard into their rookie youth movement.
Let's revisit how members of the 2024 draft class are faring with less than two months left in the regular season. Please note that this ranking is not an attempt to gauge players' long-term potential or trade value. It's simply a barometer of which first-year players have made the most interesting and notable impact at this stage of the season.
Jump to a section:
Ranking the top eight rookies
Surprise standout for the Jazz
Deadline impact on Knecht, Buzelis
Next Thunder? Wizards' rookie plan
