Five early-impact NBA rookies

Da_Eggman

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Stephen Curry was drafted by Golden State at No. 7 in 2009; Kawhi Leonard was selected 15th by San Antonio two years ago; and Damian Lillard went sixth to Portland in 2012. They are all quality players, but almost equally as important as their draft position was the spot in which they landed.

Let's take a look at five players from the 2013 NBA draft who should be able to excel quickly and five more who could be slower to develop.

Early impact

Michael Carter-Williams, Philadelphia 76ers

Philadelphia took him with the 11th pick, minutes after dealing away All-Star point guard Jrue Holiday. Carter-Williams is long and talented -- and should get an immediate opportunity to earn the starting point guard spot. Will he make his mistakes? Absolutely. However, MCW has an extremely high upside and should get a chance to learn under fire. If he can become a solid long-range shooter, he could be scary good.

Trey Burke, Utah Jazz

Utah dealt its No. 14 and 21 selections to move up to No. 9 and grab Burke. It's a logical move, and the ideal marriage for both sides: The Jazz get a heady, high-character floor leader whose game translates to the next level. Sure, he's not a super athlete -- but Utah coach Tyrone Corbin likely will rely on him to come right in and start. Mo Williams, Earl Watson and Jamaal Tinsley are all free agents. This will be Burke's show from the outset.

Victor Oladipo, Orlando Magic

The former self-made Indiana star is still a work in progress on the offensive end, but he'll make an instant impact thanks to his motor, his ability to defend, his work ethic and his personality. Oladipo's effort will get him -- and keep him -- on the floor. He won't put up gaudy offensive numbers, but he'll do a little bit of everything and find a way to have an impact on the game. Think of a smaller Michael Kidd-Gilchrist with a better offensive game. Magic GM Rob Hennigan loves this kid, and Oladipo will get every opportunity to succeed.

Shabazz Muhammad, Minnesota Timberwolves

I've always maintained that Muhammad is vastly overrated, but he was taken by the right team in Minnesota and at a legitimate spot (No. 14). The Wolves possess one of the best true passers in the league in Ricky Rubio, plus one of the most gifted and skilled big men in Kevin Love. Although Muhammad is a mediocre shooter, a mediocre athlete and a subpar defender, I still think he'll find a way to get onto the court because of his physicality and toughness -- and will find a way to get his points (he doesn't do much else). The Wolves are desperate for a productive wing, and Muhammad -- although not what he was cracked up to be -- has always been productive.

Alex Len, Phoenix Suns

Suns rookie general manager Ryan McDonough went with the 7-foot-1 Ukrainian over Nerlens Noel with the No. 5 pick. Len is skilled offensively, and he will be thrown into the fire because the Suns have arguably the most barren roster in the league. Don't be surprised to see Len as one of the top 10 centers in the NBA by the end of his first contract. He is valuable on both ends of the court.

Tough situations

Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks

I like Milwaukee GM John Hammonds, but I don't understand what he was thinking with this pick. The consensus among just about every NBA executive who saw the intriguing Greek point forward was that he needs at least two -- maybe three -- more years overseas. The Bucks need help. Now. My guess is Antetokounmpo could be relevant about the same time the Celtics are relevant again -- maybe 2016 or so.

Tim Hardaway Jr., New York Knicks

The Knicks took the son of the former NBA star late in the first round (24), and, although it seems there is room for him with the departure of J.R. Smith, he'll have to beat out Iman Shumpert for playing time. Hardaway is a streaky, streaky shooter who doesn't do much else.

Rudy Gobert, Jazz

The Jazz gave up the 46th pick and cash to Denver to take the exceptionally long and thin Frenchman with the 27th pick. He looks good in layup lines, but there's no way he can play in the NBA for at least another couple of years. He can't score, and although he eventually could become a defensive presence, he doesn't have the strength to hold his ground in the paint right now.

Steven Adams, Oklahoma City Thunder

He has an NBA-ready body, but he's raw and will have trouble getting onto the court. He was erratic this past season at Pittsburgh and will have to learn to play with instincts. The good thing for OKC is that it doesn't really need Adams right now with the presence of Serge Ibaka.

Tony Snell, Chicago Bulls

I'm actually a fan of Snell, but it's going to be difficult for him to crack the rotation in Chicago -- especially with the emergence of Jimmy Butler this past season. Snell is long and can really shoot the ball, but he wasn't even the best shooter among Gar Forman's draft picks. That honor belongs to 6-10 second-rounder Erik Murphy. The Bulls can take their time in developing Snell, who needs to learn how to get by defenders and play with more intensity.
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Hammer

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terribly written article

how will Len have a top 5 early rookie impact?

he will be a backup to gortat and probably get 12 minutes a game... :snoop:
 
Hahahaha

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His hate against the Bucks pick makes no sense. The Bucks are going to be terrible next year and should tank. If they can get some top 5 picks for a few years and get Giannis to stay oversees to grow they could have a great team in 3-4 years with X/X/Giannias/Henson/Sanders
 
Charly Wingate

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I think CJ Leslie can come in and contribute for the Knicks. His stock fell due to his poor shooting; he was under utilized at NC State also. It also helps that they're rumors that Shump/Felton/Novak/Cash/Picks will be moved for Rondo..
 
DPresidential

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Charles Wingate said:
I think CJ Leslie can come in and contribute for the Knicks. His stock fell due to his poor shooting; he was under utilized at NC State also. It also helps that they're rumors that Shump/Felton/Novak/Cash/Picks will be moved for Rondo..
Click to expand...

fukk that... Do not move Shump under any circumstance.
 
phillycavsfan

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Charles Wingate said:
I think CJ Leslie can come in and contribute for the Knicks. His stock fell due to his poor shooting; he was under utilized at NC State also. It also helps that they're rumors that Shump/Felton/Novak/Cash/Picks will be moved for Rondo..
Click to expand...

Moving all of those players on an old roster for a player who won't be back until March at the very least is kinda dumb (ie. typical Knicks).
 
QuintessentialBM

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I disagree with you, OP on Steven Adams.... He probably won't (or shouldn't)see any playing time in the NBA because he needs to work on his offense badly. What I think will happen is that they will send him to Tulsa D-league to work on his game then let Perkins's contract expire(because what dummy would take him in a trade), then hopefully he'll be productive in year two.

I hope the kid from Duke that the Lakers picked up produces. Dude could be a baby Dirk. LA needs this pick to come through....
 
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Hammer said:
terribly written article

how will Len have a top 5 early rookie impact?

he will be a backup to gortat and probably get 12 minutes a game... :snoop:
Click to expand...

Im thinking they will shop Gortat at some point and try to get more draft picks for him, maybe a point guard (Im not sold on Kendall Marshall amounting to anything)
 
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