The 2025-2026 NBA season is getting hot, with rising stars vying for a breakout year, young players trying to prove something, and seasoned vets giving it their last hurrah. However, what needs to be looked into are a few names that could be game-changers for their respective teams–the Rookies. Which rookie do you think could alter their franchise’s future this season?
Egor Demin (Brooklyn Nets)
A 6-foot-9 point forward? Seems like we’ve already seen this prototype in Magic Johnson and LeBron James, but the stud from BYU, Egor Demin, is looking to be part of that elite class.
According to various scouting reports, Demin is an elite playmaker, offensive enforcer and is probably the best pure passer in his class. At his height, that is a very rare ability. Although he still struggles to create his own shot and has a poor free-throw percentage, he still has time to improve his shooting.
Demin would actually fit in the 2025-2026 Brooklyn Nets roster as the much-needed facilitator and floor general who could make open shots for Cam Thomas, who just shoots everything in his hand, and Michael “Never Swing the Rock” Porter Jr. Overall, Brooklyn still has a good player in their hands, albeit someone who still needs more polishing. Although Egor Demin wouldn’t automatically turn things around for Bed-Stuy, the Russian kid could make the team more entertaining to watch.
Khaman Maluach (Phoenix Suns)
Probably the most intriguing NBA rookie right now is former Duke standout Khaman Maluach. The 7-foot-2 South Sudanese big man quickly rose as one of the top prospects before the 2025 NBA draft, considering his stock wasn’t even that high when he entered college and that he was far from being the best player in Duke, with the spotlight shared by prospects like Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel, and Isaiah Evans.
However, those who have seen him play, witnessed how fast Maluach’s defensive game and versatility have improved in just over a year. From being a raw talent with a very unpolished style who played a minimal role in South Sudan’s National team in the 2024 Paris Olympics–who, by the way, almost beat Team USA–to a 5-star consensus recruit and a lottery pick in the NBA draft, Maluach surely has come a long way.
Now, the only thing for him to do is go further. He had just turned 19 and will most likely play a pivotal role in Phoenix as a backup. Scouts have said multiple times there’s a lot of potential with Maluach, and if he continues to develop, he’ll more likely take the starting center spot over Nick Richards and Mark Williams. As we all know, the Suns have been looking for a stellar big man they can pair with Devin Booker. Hopefully, with concerns regarding his shooting, raw touch, and mediocre rebounding, Maluach doesn’t turn out to be a bust. After all, people are now calling him a more athletic Clint Capela with Serge Ibaka’s perimeter game. Hopefully, he surpasses both of the mentioned African stars and makes a name for himself.
Ace Bailey (Utah Jazz)
The last time the Utah Jazz was a contender was probably five years ago, when they still had Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert. However, with the departure of their stars, they’ve been at the bottom of a stacked Western Conference since. But things look a bit brighter after they draft a one-and-done stud from Rutgers, Ace Bailey.
Taking away all of the peculiarity and the absurdity in his pre-draft journey, Bailey is actually a potential rising star with a top-tier caliber of scoring. In his first preseason game with the Jazz, Bailey impressed everyone after scoring a team-high 25 points on top of his 6 rebounds against the Kevin Durant and Alperen Sengun-led Houston Rockets. In that matchup, the 19-year-old forward looked more like a veteran than a rookie with how smooth and comfortable he moves up and down the court and how lethal he makes buckets, on the perimeter, as a cutter, or in transition.
As early as now, fans say he’s going to be a game-changing player and already want Utah to hand him the keys to the franchise as their next perennial star. Basically, Ace Bailey is going to be an incredible player in the future.
V.J. Edgecombe (Philadelphia 76ers)
Weirdly enough, V.J. Edgecombe has looked more like the most polished basketball player in his draft class since the offseason. This year’s third overall pick came to the league as a flashy, explosive, and athletic guard who had some comparisons to Dwyane Wade and Victor Oladipo, but as the months go by, Edgecombe has actually gotten way better.
The 20-year-old guard from Baylor University got busy in the summer league (including a 28-point, 10-rebound double-double debut) and preseason, showcasing why he was picked in the top five. Surprisingly, he had more in his bag than just dunking the ball for a highlight reel. One of those is his ability to create jaw-dropping passes and make plays for his teammates. With his insane athletic ability, polished scoring prowess, and NBA-ready body, fans say he resembles current stars like Anthony Edwards and Jimmy Butler.
With Jared McCain out due to injuries, Edgecombe may actually fill that starting backcourt spot for the Sixers, alongside All-Star teammate Tyrese Maxey.
The downside is, the Philadelphia 76ers have had failures in their past high picks. Hyped college stars who turned out to be busts or failed projects that cost the franchise missed opportunities. However, there are high hopes with Edgecombe coming to Philly, at least for now.
Honorable mention: Yang Hansen (Portland Trail Blazers)
A lot of basketball pundits mocked the Blazers for picking a relatively unknown player at number 16 with Chinese prospect Yang Hansen. However, as of now, Hansen is actually proving the haters wrong after his excellent run in the summer league as one of the top 10 players. But will he be a game-changer for Portland? Probably not. On the flip side, Hansen has a lot of wiggle room, and who knows what this 7-foot-1 center can contribute to Rip City, with Deandre Ayton gone and Damian Lillard back in the lineup.
