The 2021 rookie class is proving to be one of the best in recent memory, with numerous players standing as potential All-NBA candidates in the coming years. Evan Mobley has been a revelation in Cleveland. Scottie Barnes and Josh Giddey have looked right at home in the NBA since their opening weeks as rookies. There’s been a bit of a learning curve for Cade Cunningham, though he still has the potential to be the best player in his class. Perhaps we’ll see a bust in Springfield for multiple ‘21 rookies a couple of decades from now.
But the talent in this class doesn’t just reside in the top picks. We’ve seen players outside the lottery make notable contributions, with a couple of players potentially vying for a shot on the All-Rookie team. This class sports depth and top-end talent, a rare combination in a given year. So, which of the non-lottery talents have turned in the best performances thus far? Let’s sort through the best players not selected in the top 14 as we approach the All-Star break.
