But when you look beyond the seemingly limitless upside and attention that group naturally generates each season, some of the more interesting prospects are the ones NBA teams already know quite a bit about.

Returning to college for another season is a path more players are taking for various reasons, and it’s making modern draft classes look a lot different. For some players who return, the decision is about expanding their role and showing they can handle responsibilities they weren’t given previously. Others already have a clear NBA archetype, but need another year to develop particular skills that could change how teams view their ceiling. Then there are productive college players who have already put up numbers, but need to prove that production is indicative of NBA translation, sometimes against higher-level competition, and that they’re more than just great college players.

That’s what makes the upcoming draft cycle particularly interesting. This is a class that features quite a few first-round and early second-round graded talents who will spend another season at the collegiate level. That doesn’t mean those players don’t have high ceilings or can’t become stars at the next level. Development is never linear. But their pathways to improving their stock over the next year look different.

Many of these players have already received feedback from NBA teams throughout the pre-draft process before ultimately opting to return to school, along with plenty of informal feedback throughout their careers. So rather than simply ranking the best returning prospects, let’s categorize them by the actual bet they’re making by going back to school.

The Role Expansion Bet

Sometimes returning to college isn’t about addressing a weakness or improving in one particular area. Sometimes it’s simply about earning more minutes and usage and proving that your production can scale. It’s the difference between being a player with perceived scalable upside and someone who has actually done it.

Braylon Mullins is perhaps the best example of that.

As he enters his second season at UConn, Mullins has already shown plenty of NBA-translatable skills, particularly as a shooter. And in the upcoming season, he’s not going to be asked to reinvent himself to become a top-tier pick. In fact, had he been a one-and-done prospect, he likely would have been a first-round pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.

Instead, the opportunity he’ll have this season to become a primary offensive piece is what could really improve his stock. There’s a meaningful difference between projecting as a high-level complementary shooter and being viewed as a perimeter player who can create offense and assume significant responsibility. That’s the additional value another collegiate season can provide.

This is the chance for players like Mullins to take on the type of role they envisioned when they were highly recruited prospects. He’ll have an opportunity to move higher in the offensive hierarchy and prove that some of the skills he showed in flashes as a freshman can hold up in a much greater context.

Other players in similar situations include Amari Allen at Alabama, Trey McKenney at Michigan, Matt Able at North Carolina, Dame Sarr at Duke, Ivan Kharchenkov at Arizona and Neoklis Avdalas at North Carolina. All of them have opportunities to shoulder larger loads and showcase more of their skill sets.

The question isn’t simply whether they can get better. It’s whether that increased responsibility reveals a different level of upside, or shows that these players are actually less capable of shouldering that type of load than previously believed.

The Skill Development Bet

For another group of returners, the NBA role is a little bit more clear. That’s not to put a player in a box or be naive enough to think they can’t develop into a different type of player at the next level. The question for this group is whether they can develop the skills necessary to complement the ones that are already starting to show promise.

Malachi Moreno is a great example of this type of bet.

The Kentucky center already possesses several attributes that make him intriguing at the NBA level. He’s got great size, good feel as a passer and can impact the game around the basket in multiple ways. NBA teams already buy into many of those things, too. Moreno is a player who potentially could have gone late in the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft.

Another college season gives him a chance to become stronger, more physical and more dominant than he was last season. It’s not necessarily about adding a bunch of net-new things to his game. A lot of complementary players don’t need to become superstars to stick at the next level. It’s about what they can do to impact winning.

For Moreno, the development he shows this season could be the difference between being viewed as a useful NBA big and one with significantly more upside.

Sometimes even small improvements in a few core areas can change everything. It’s not about suddenly developing the ability to knock down shots from 30 feet or becoming a primary ball-handler as a big. For a player like Moreno, improvement in strength, processing, decision-making and functional playmaking within a scheme could be all it takes. It’s doing things more consistently and at a higher level.

Tounde Yessoufou at St. John’s, Patrick Ngongba II at Duke, Flory Bidunga at Louisville and JoJo Tugler at Houston are among the other returners whose stock could change considerably through targeted development.

They don’t need to become completely different players. They need to become better versions of the players NBA teams already think they can be and continue to show growth in the areas that made them intriguing in the first place.

The Production Translation Bet

This is probably the most difficult bet of all, because when a player has already proven he can be really good at the college level, there’s risk in changing scenery or continuing to produce without showing meaningful improvement.

Juke Harris is a name that falls into this category as he enters his first season at Tennessee after proving himself as a productive player at Wake Forest. Unlike a young prospect still waiting for an opportunity, Harris doesn’t need this upcoming season to show he can put up numbers.

What he will have the opportunity to do is produce in the SEC against high-level competition and prove those numbers actually matter, are translatable and aren’t simply empty statistics. There’s an important distinction between being a great college player and a great NBA prospect. Throughout the history of college basketball, plenty of players have landed on national player of the year lists and broken records from a production standpoint without their games translating to the NBA.

The professional game presents different spacing and different types of athletes, and even highly productive college players are often asked to play much smaller roles when they reach the league. That’s especially true for scorers, who likely won’t receive the same volume of shots early in their NBA careers.

That’s why this bet is about proving that production can translate across a multitude of different roles and frameworks.

For Harris, continued scoring production would certainly help, but improved shooting consistency and accuracy, greater defensive impact and the ability to influence games without dominating possessions could be more impactful for his draft stock than simply increasing his points-per-game output or taking more shots.

Milan Momcilovic at Kentucky, Thomas Haugh at Florida and Tyler Tanner at Vanderbilt are other players who fall into this category. Each of their situations is different and represents a different version of the same bet, but it’s not simply about producing more. It’s about producing in ways that could change how NBA teams value them and showing how that production can translate to a future NBA role.

That’s ultimately what makes this group of returners so fascinating. Another season in college doesn’t automatically make someone a better NBA prospect. In some cases, going back another year introduces additional questions. Players get older, expectations change and NBA teams get another full season to evaluate their strengths and weaknesses.

But that’s what makes it a bet.

These players have an opportunity to fundamentally change how NBA teams see them, for better or worse. Some will thrive with another season and significantly improve their stock, while others could find themselves in a worse position than they were a year earlier. By the time the 2027 NBA Draft arrives, the players who make the most of that additional season could find themselves in an entirely different tier than where they stand today.

The post The Three Bets That Could Define the 2027 NBA Draft’s Top College Returners appeared first on Swish Theory.

For second-year players, Las Vegas serves an entirely different purpose. After a full season of NBA practices, strength programs, film study and, in many cases, G League development, these players are no longer trying to prove they belong in the league. They’re trying to prove they’re ready to contribute. Summer League becomes an opportunity to showcase growth, demonstrate a more polished skill set and make a case for meaningful rotation minutes entering the new season.

One strong week in Las Vegas won’t completely change a player’s long-term outlook, but it can offer valuable insight into who is beginning to put everything together. With that in mind, here are 10 second-year standouts who have looked ready to earn a more consequential NBA role heading into the 2026-27 season.

Tre Johnson (Washington Wizards)

The Wizards are expected to take a significant step forward this season. While much of the conversation surrounding Washington will center on No. 1 overall pick AJ Dybantsa, along with veterans Trae Young and Anthony Davis, the internal development of the roster will be just as important to the team’s success.

One player with a real chance to make a significant leap is Tre Johnson, Washington’s premier draft pick from a year ago. After a promising rookie campaign, Johnson looks poised to become an even more dynamic scorer in Year 2. From his first Summer League appearance, he looked every bit like one of the best players on the floor, showcasing the effortless shot-making ability that gives him legitimate 20-point-per-game upside at the NBA level.

Exactly what Johnson’s role looks like on a nightly basis remains to be seen, especially with several established creators already on the roster. But whenever those opportunities come, his ability to create offense for himself should make him an impactful piece of Washington’s rotation.

Will Riley (Washington Wizards)

Johnson wasn’t the only Wizard to stand out in Las Vegas. In fact, Will Riley may be one of the most underrated young players anywhere on Washington’s roster.

Through his first two Summer League games, Riley established himself as one of the event’s most prolific scorers while knocking down an incredibly high percentage of his 3-point attempts. His shot-making was impressive, but perhaps even more encouraging was how naturally his game fits alongside the roster Washington is building.

Riley still has room to add strength and continue rounding out his game, but his positional size, length and shooting ability project seamlessly alongside jumbo creators like Dybantsa and the rest of the Wizards’ young core. If his Summer League performance is any indication, Riley has a legitimate opportunity to emerge as an important bench contributor this season.

Liam McNeeley (Charlotte Hornets)

The new-look Hornets will be one of the more fascinating teams to follow this season after trading away LaMelo Ball. Charlotte is entering a new era built around Kon Knueppel and Brandon Miller, creating new opportunities for young players like Liam McNeeley to establish themselves.

McNeeley isn’t expected to be one of Charlotte’s primary scorers, but through his few Summer League appearances, he showed he can impact the game in a variety of ways. Long regarded as one of the better shooters in his class dating back to high school, McNeeley also displayed impressive feel as a passer and secondary playmaker, averaging more than three assists per game during the opening stretch in Las Vegas.

For McNeeley, that’s the key to carving out a long-term NBA role. His shooting will always be his calling card, but continuing to find ways to impact winning beyond simply making shots will ultimately determine how large his role becomes with the Hornets.

Chaz Lanier (Detroit Pistons)

The Pistons made it clear this offseason that improving their perimeter shooting was a priority. After a breakthrough regular season and a playoff appearance, Detroit added proven shooters like Isaiah Joe and Kevin Huerter to better complement Cade Cunningham.

Chaz Lanier could quietly become part of that equation in Year 2.

An older prospect who spent five seasons at the college level, Lanier once again showcased why he’s regarded as one of the better volume shooters in his class. He has been one of the most impressive volume perimeter shooters of the summer and has proven he can shoulder plenty of offensive responsibility at this level.

Lanier isn’t expected to play a major role for the Pistons as a sophomore, but there’s a clear pathway to earning meaningful minutes. If he can continue spacing the floor, hold his own defensively, make quick decisions as a passer and consistently knock down open shots, Detroit has every reason to trust him as a complementary piece on a playoff-caliber roster.

Egor Dёmin (Brooklyn Nets)

The Nets are still waiting for one of their young prospects to truly establish himself as the face of the franchise’s future. After selecting five players in the first round a year ago and following that up by landing Mikel Brown Jr. in the 2026 NBA Draft, Brooklyn has no shortage of intriguing young talent.

While Brown may have the clearest path toward becoming the organization’s cornerstone, Egor Dёmin shouldn’t be overlooked.

With his unique combination of size, ball-handling and playmaking ability, Dёmin immediately stood out during his limited Summer League action. He looked a step ahead of the competition, controlling the game with his pace while showing flashes of the versatility that made him such an intriguing prospect entering the league.

If Dёmin can carry that momentum into high-impact NBA minutes that lend to winning this season, it won’t be long before he’s on the brink of truly breaking out as a star. One year from now, he could very well be viewed as one of the league’s most promising young players.

Joan Beringer (Minnesota Timberwolves)

The Timberwolves made one of the splashiest moves of the offseason by acquiring LaMelo Ball to pair with Anthony Edwards, a move that also required parting ways with Julius Randle and reshaping parts of the roster. While much of the attention has focused on Minnesota’s revamped backcourt, Joan Beringer quietly put together one of the most impressive Summer League performances among second-year bigs and should spark conversations about the frontcourt rotation.

Beringer likely won’t share many minutes alongside Rudy Gobert, but what he showed in Las Vegas suggested he’s already capable of filling the backup center role while potentially positioning himself as Gobert’s long-term successor. That’s no small task considering Gobert’s defensive résumé, but Beringer flashed many of the same traits that have made the veteran so valuable for playoff teams. Through his first Summer League appearance, he was an elite rebounder, protected the rim at a high level and showed more offensive polish than many expected.

He’s still not the stretch big many NBA teams covet, but Minnesota’s system has long shown it can thrive with a non-shooting center. If Beringer continues progressing, there’s a clear path to meaningful rotation minutes this season whenever Gobert rests or misses time, with the potential for an even larger role in the years ahead.

Adou Thiero (Los Angeles Lakers)

Speaking of roster overhauls, few teams changed more than the Lakers. Outside of Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves, much of Los Angeles’ core rotation looks different entering the season, creating opportunities for young players to establish themselves over the course of an 82-game schedule.

While rookie Cameron Carr impressed during Summer League, second-year wing Adou Thiero may be just as important to the Lakers’ long-term outlook.

The biggest question surrounding Thiero remains his perimeter shooting, and through his first two Summer League games, that jumper still looked like a work in progress. But everything else that makes him intriguing was on full display. His athleticism, defensive intensity, transition play and ability to finish around the basket consistently impacted winning, even when the shot wasn’t falling.

For a Lakers team trying to prove it can compete around Dončić for years to come, the development of players like Thiero matters. If he embraces an energy role, becomes a disruptive defender and continues thriving in transition alongside one of the league’s best playmakers, there’s a very realistic pathway to meaningful rotation minutes this season.

Noah Penda (Orlando Magic)

Penda entered the league with plenty of intrigue following the 2025 NBA Draft, but after spending much of his rookie season developing behind the scenes, he arrived in Las Vegas looking like one of Summer League’s biggest surprises.

Through his first two appearances, Penda showcased far more than just reliable spot-up shooting. He created offense for himself, knocked down movement threes, looked comfortable attacking with the ball in his hands and consistently made the right play. His passing flashes stood out, he rebounded at a high level and showed the versatility teams covet from modern jumbo wings.

The Magic have spent the past few seasons pushing their chips toward the middle in pursuit of becoming a legitimate championship contender. Players like Penda could quietly become an important part of that equation. Whether it’s helping secure regular season wins or eventually carving out a complementary playoff role, his Summer League performance suggested he may be ready for a much larger opportunity than many expected.

Cedric Coward (Memphis Grizzlies)

There’s a legitimate argument that Cedric Coward was almost too accomplished to even be playing in NBA Summer League after the rookie season he put together. While his shooting efficiency wasn’t where he’d like it to be during his return to Las Vegas, the rest of his game more than made up for it.

In his limited Summer League appearances, Coward rebounded at an elite level for his position, showcased outstanding playmaking ability and once again proved why his defensive versatility is so highly regarded. Even during stretches when the jumper wasn’t falling, he still controlled games in a variety of ways.

Perhaps the biggest takeaway was simply how comfortable he looked. There were moments where Coward appeared to be operating at a completely different level than everyone else on the floor. Despite some uneven shooting splits, he consistently looked like one of the best players in the building.

The Grizzlies may not be expected to contend immediately, but Coward has all the tools to emerge as one of the league’s premier second-year players. Alongside teammate Cameron Boozer, he gives Memphis another foundational building block capable of leading the franchise into its next era.

Khaman Maluach (Phoenix Suns)

Maluach looked understandably raw during his rookie season on a Suns team focused on winning immediately, limiting his opportunities to develop through consistent NBA minutes. Entering Year 2, however, the outlook feels very different.

He may not open the season as Phoenix’s starting center with Mark Williams on the roster, but there’s a realistic path for Maluach to earn that role before the year is over. He still has moments where his processing lags behind the speed of the game and there are defensive rotations he’ll continue learning, but the flashes have become increasingly difficult to ignore.

During his time in Las Vegas, Maluach dominated the glass, scored efficiently, showed legitimate shooting touch from beyond the arc and consistently impacted the game as a rim protector. Just as importantly, his energy was contagious, elevating the intensity of the group whenever he was on the floor.

If he continues refining the processing side of the game and becomes more comfortable within Phoenix’s defensive scheme, Maluach’s sophomore season could look dramatically different from his rookie campaign. Few players from the 2025 draft class appear better positioned to make a significant Year 2 leap.

Summer League is rarely about proving who can score the most points. For second-year players, it’s about demonstrating growth, showing that the game has slowed down and proving they’re ready for a larger role when training camp arrives. While there is still plenty of offseason left before opening night, these 10 players have already strengthened their cases to become meaningful contributors during the 2026-27 season.

The post Second-Year Standouts: Which Sophomores Look Ready for a More Significant NBA Role? appeared first on Swish Theory.

These aren’t necessarily players expected to average 25 points per game or contend for NBA Rookie of the Year. Instead, they’re first-year players who could be asked to fill meaningful rotation minutes for teams with aspirations of making deep postseason runs. That responsibility may look different depending on the roster. It could be eight dependable minutes in the middle of a tight game. It could be drawing an assignment against one of the opposing team’s top scorers for a stretch. It could be providing energy as a rim-running big, cleaning the glass, or simply giving a veteran starter a reliable breather.

With that in mind, there are also a handful of cases around the league where rookies will be expected to play significant roles in playoff pushes and even emerge as one of their team’s top three scorers as early as Year 1.

Whether these rookies ultimately start or come off the bench, NBA Summer League represents the first opportunity to begin adapting to the NBA’s speed, physicality and style of play. For playoff-caliber teams, that process matters. Every meaningful possession a rookie can handle by April is one less burden on an established veteran.

What’s particularly interesting about the 2026 NBA Draft is not just the talent at the top or the depth throughout the class, but the number of first-round picks who could play real roles on bonafide playoff-caliber teams from Day 1. This isn’t about players like Darius Acuff, who could put up impressive numbers for the Sacramento Kings, or Cameron Boozer, who could be a borderline All-Star in his first season for a Memphis Grizzlies team that isn’t expected to be in the playoff mix. Those players may have larger individual workloads, but they aren’t stepping into the same team context.

Instead, this list focuses on organizations that should be in the playoff picture barring unforeseen circumstances. Nearly one-third of the league fits a description of a team that has postseason expectations while also having selected a first-round rookie capable of contributing immediately. Some will be counted on as rotation pieces from opening night. Others may begin the season in smaller roles before becoming valuable depth as the year unfolds. Either way, these are the 10 playoff-caliber teams whose rookie classes could quietly play an important role in shaping the 2026-27 season.

Oklahoma City Thunder

Rookies: Bennett Stirtz, Aday Mara

The Thunder entered the offseason facing a looming financial crunch, ultimately moving on from Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins in an effort to manage the salary cap. Even before those departures, there was already a sense that Oklahoma City would need to rely on inexpensive rookie contributors as it looks to return to the NBA Finals after falling short last season.

That helps explain why the Thunder targeted two experienced, multi-year college players in Bennett Stirtz and Aday Mara. Rather than swinging on long-term upside, Oklahoma City prioritized prospects capable of contributing sooner rather than later.

Mara appears to have the clearest path to meaningful minutes, particularly if injuries surface in the frontcourt again. His size, rim protection and interior presence could make him a valuable second-unit contributor whenever his number is called. Stirtz, meanwhile, offers some of the shooting, shot creation and offensive versatility the Thunder lost with Joe and Wiggins no longer on the roster. Even if his role isn’t massive from opening night, there should be opportunities throughout an 82-game season for him to provide meaningful bench production.

It’s also worth mentioning Thomas Sorber, who technically enters the season as a rookie after missing all of last year with a torn ACL. While he wasn’t part of the 2026 draft class, he’ll effectively be another first-year frontcourt player the Thunder could lean on if injuries become a factor.

San Antonio Spurs

Rookies: Tarris Reed Jr., Jayden Quaintance

Jayden Quaintance’s availability remains one of the bigger questions entering the season as he continues recovering from lingering knee issues, but Tarris Reed Jr. was one of the clearest need-based selections of the first round.

One of San Antonio’s few weaknesses last season was its lack of a dependable backup center behind Victor Wembanyama. Reed arrives after proving himself as a productive, winning player at the college level, bringing physicality, strength and athleticism to the position.

While Luke Kornet provides veteran stability, Reed offers a different dimension that could prove valuable in certain matchups. He’s still a rookie with plenty of development ahead of him, but there should be situations throughout both the regular season and the playoffs where his skill set fills a need for a Spurs team with postseason aspirations.

Los Angeles Lakers

Rookies: Cameron Carr

The Lakers underwent significant roster turnover this offseason. Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves remain the headliners, but much of the supporting cast looks different heading into the new season.

Even after adding depth pieces, Los Angeles still has questions on the wing, creating an opportunity for Cameron Carr to carve out a role. Carr is an athletic wing with intriguing defensive upside despite his slender frame, while also possessing the ability to score at all three levels.

He won’t be asked to carry the offense on a veteran team built around established stars, but the Lakers will need reliable bench production throughout the season. Carr has the tools to become an energy piece capable of defending multiple positions, running the floor and providing instant offense when called upon.

Golden State Warriors

Rookies: Yaxel Lendeborg

The Warriors are still weighing options to improve the roster and make another championship push in the final years of the Stephen Curry-Draymond Green era. Golden State has already been connected to several big names, including LeBron James, but the Jimmy Butler injury still looms as one of the biggest swing factors of the season.

While Butler could return at some point, especially later in the year or in the playoffs, his absence leaves a massive void on the wing and in the frontcourt. That type of player is incredibly difficult to replace, given his salary slot and two-way impact, which is why drafting Yaxel Lendeborg was so important.

Lendeborg will be 24 years old as a rookie and brings championship experience from the college level. He began his collegiate career playing the five before developing into more of a perimeter-oriented forward who can operate with the ball in his hands. That makes him an ideal fit for Golden State’s system and current roster needs.

He should be ready to play real minutes immediately, and the Warriors may end up leaning on him more heavily than nearly any other rookie in this class. It’s still fair to wonder whether Golden State is a true contender as currently constructed, but there is no question the Warriors should be competitive in the Western Conference, and Lendeborg could have a direct impact on how much success they ultimately have.

Atlanta Hawks

Rookies: Zuby Ejiofor, Kingston Flemings

The Hawks were one of the big winners of the draft, landing two strong pieces for both the present and the future.

Kingston Flemings is a dynamic point guard with tough shot-making ability and defensive upside. In this new era without Trae Young, he has a clear path to becoming Atlanta’s long-term starting point guard. His two-way impact and ability to play within a structured system were evident as a freshman in Kelvin Sampson’s program at Houston, which should have him well-equipped for the next level.

He’ll still have plenty to learn early in his career, but Flemings should immediately be a key piece of the Hawks’ backcourt rotation.

Zuby Ejiofor, meanwhile, gives Atlanta a different type of rookie contributor. He’s a high-motor transition threat who plays with physicality and athleticism, though his exact NBA role will be interesting to track. He’s a bit undersized to play center full-time and doesn’t necessarily have a traditional perimeter skill set, even if he can knock down 3-pointers with a reliable level of accuracy.

For Ejiofor, it’s all about finding his spot in the rotation and establishing what kind of player archetype he’ll become at the NBA level. Still, he’s a winning player with experience and an NBA-ready frame. At minimum, he gives the Hawks another rotation piece who thrives in the open court and has the ability to impact the game on both ends.

Philadelphia 76ers

Rookies: Labaron Philon Jr.

After trading away Jared McCain at last year’s deadline, the Sixers made a clear pivot toward acquiring draft capital while creating more financial flexibility to retain Quentin Grimes, who ultimately still ended up with the Los Angeles Lakers. That left Philadelphia in a situation where two of its core rotation guards from the start of last season would no longer be on the roster.

However, the pick acquired from Oklahoma City in the McCain trade ultimately turned into Labaron Philon Jr., the guard who fell further than almost anyone in the draft. A two-year college player, Philon is a dynamic scorer and extremely underrated passer who could have gone in the lottery, but instead landed with the Sixers at No. 22.

Philadelphia then turned around and traded for Jaylen Brown, building what is now one of the best rosters in the Eastern Conference, with the possibility of still pursuing another major piece like LeBron James. Given the year-over-year changes in the backcourt, Philon projects as a quality bench contributor who can facilitate, create offense and score behind what is shaping up to be one of the NBA’s best starting lineups.

Toronto Raptors

Rookies: Allen Graves

The Raptors have been one of the big winners of the summer, bringing back Kawhi Leonard in a splashy trade that puts them right back into contention in the Eastern Conference. But before that move, Toronto drafted Allen Graves, one of the more interesting swing players in the class.

Graves was a sixth man at Santa Clara, but also one of the best players in the conference and an analytics darling throughout the pre-draft process. There is certainly a world in which his game doesn’t translate quite as well as some expect, especially if the athleticism fails to pop at the NBA level or if certain skill areas aren’t as polished against better competition.

At the same time, the advanced data suggests Graves could become a phenomenal NBA player and one of the steals of the draft. For the Raptors, the short-term appeal is clear. His versatility, positional flexibility and ability to impact the game in different ways should give him a real role as a rookie.

That role will likely be more complementary and niche off the bench early on, but as injuries happen and different playoff matchups emerge, don’t be surprised if Graves becomes an important piece for Toronto.

Charlotte Hornets

Rookies: Christian Anderson, Hannes Steinbach

The Hornets have been one of the most surprising teams of the offseason. After having one of their best years in recent franchise history, nearly making the playoffs after a fun late-season push, Charlotte made the NBA Play-In Tournament before ultimately falling short.

Then, the franchise opted to trade LaMelo Ball to the Minnesota Timberwolves, sparking a new era built around Kon Knueppel and Brandon Miller. From there, the Hornets also traded away Miles Bridges, but they added two quality rookies along the way who could help this team immediately.

Christian Anderson is a poised point guard who has operated offenses at a high level internationally and collegiately despite being undersized. He’s a smart, cerebral, winning player who can score and create for others, and with Ball no longer in the equation, Anderson should have a real chance to earn significant point guard reps in Year 1. There will be struggles at times, as this is a completely different level of basketball, but if anyone can make the adjustment quickly, Anderson can.

Steinbach is not a direct replacement for Bridges, but he’s a phenomenal rebounder who should have plenty of opportunity in Charlotte right away. The German frontcourt prospect could be the franchise’s long-term starter in the frontcourt, bringing the ability to set strong screens, clean the glass and score in a variety of ways. If Steinbach’s 3-point shot comes around, this could become one of the best rookie duos in the league this season.

Charlotte should expect quite a bit of production from both rookies in Year 1.

Washington Wizards

Rookies: AJ Dybantsa

The Wizards have made it clear they’re ready to start winning now. During the 2025-26 season, Washington acquired Anthony Davis and Trae Young before extending Young on a max contract, while also exploring a long-term extension with Davis. At the same time, the organization’s young core has gained valuable experience. Alex Sarr, Bilal Coulibaly, Bub Carrington, Tre Johnson, Keyshawn George and Will Riley are no longer simply intriguing prospects; they’re players expected to contribute to winning basketball.

Now, the Wizards add AJ Dybantsa, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft and a prospect with legitimate face-of-the-franchise potential.

As talented and deep as Washington is on the wing and in the frontcourt, there’s no question Dybantsa will be featured as one of the focal points of the offense from Day 1. The Wizards have assembled a playoff-caliber roster, but just how high they climb in the Eastern Conference standings could very well depend on how quickly Dybantsa adapts to the NBA.

If he delivers a Rookie of the Year-caliber campaign, Washington has the talent to finish comfortably in the top six of the East. If he struggles, or is simply an average rookie, the Wizards could instead find themselves battling through the Play-In Tournament. That level of influence speaks to both Dybantsa’s talent and just how heavily Washington plans to lean on him from the start.

Utah Jazz

Rookies: Darryn Peterson

Peterson may very well be the best guard prospect to enter the NBA Draft in the last decade. With elite size for a guard, scoring ability, athleticism and defensive tools, he possesses the type of ceiling that could eventually produce scoring titles, MVP consideration and perennial All-NBA appearances. His landing spot only makes things more intriguing. Like Washington, Utah accelerated its timeline with in-season moves, highlighted by the acquisition of Jaren Jackson Jr.

Peterson joins a roster featuring established star Lauri Markkanen, rising guard Keyonte George, last year’s top-five pick Ace Bailey and one of the bigger, more versatile rotations in the league.

The Jazz expect Peterson to step into a starting backcourt role immediately, and there’s every reason to believe he’ll have every opportunity to flourish. Summer League production should always be taken with a grain of salt, but combined with his pedigree and the player he was entering the draft, it’s easy to envision Peterson emerging as the Rookie of the Year favorite and ultimately the best player in this class.

Utah has assembled a playoff-caliber roster, and if Peterson hits the ground running, the Jazz have enough talent to skip the typical Play-In progression altogether and push for a top-six seed in an incredibly competitive Western Conference. That possibility is exactly why Peterson is one of the most important rookies on any playoff-caliber team entering the 2026-27 season.

The NBA Summer League doesn’t determine whether these rookies become stars, but it offers the first glimpse into how quickly they can help winning teams. For organizations with playoff aspirations, every reliable rotation piece matters, making the development of this rookie class more important than ever. Whether it’s a spot-up shooter, a defensive stopper or a future franchise cornerstone, these first-year players could quietly shape the 2026-27 playoff race more than most realize.

The post Why Rookie Production Could Shape the 2026-27 Playoff Race appeared first on Swish Theory.