NBA Season Preview 2015 Top 5 Rookies: D'Angelo Russell, Karl-Anthony Towns, Jahlil Okafor, Justise Winslow, Emmanuel Mudiay Best Young Players

Oct 19, 2015 03:00 PM EDT
D'Angelo Russell #1 of the Los Angeles Lakers
D'Angelo Russell #1 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket against Ian Clark #21 of the Golden State Warriors during a preseason game on October 17, 2015 at Valley View Casino Center in San Diego, California. "

The NBA season is just around the corner and this year there are some exciting new rookies joining the pro ranks, including players like D'Angelo Russell, Karl-Anthony Towns, Jahlil Okafor, Justise Winslow, Emmanuel Mudiay, Stanley Johnson, Kristaps Porzingis, Jerian Grant and Devin Booker. Here is a look at five of those players heading into the season.

D'Angelo Russell, Lakers

Russell is looked at as a future star for the Lakers and the team was thrilled to get him with the number two overall pick. Russell has looked great and inexperienced at times this preseason and that is to be expected with a prospect as young as he is at just 19. The Lakers may not be a great team, but Russell has the chance to make the team better and he could end up starting at PG. Russell has all the tools to be a star and he had a great game last week with 11 assists for the Lakers. Keep an eye on him for rookie of the year this season.

Karl-Anthony Towns, Timberwolves

Towns is also a young player and the Wolves see him as a future superstar as well and he now joins a team that has some talent in Andrew Wiggins, Tyus Jones and Zach LaVine. The Wolves will be bad again after getting the number one pick last season, but the future is bright and the team could have another rookie of the year after Wiggins won last season. Towns has good size and versatility and his defense could end up being one of his best skills as he develops over the next couple years.

Jahlil Okafor, Sixers

Okafor came into last season with many scouts thinking that he would be the number one pick and while that did not happen, there's a chance Okafor could end up as the best professional of the top three. Okafor has a tough task playing for the Sixers, but he is a scorer and should be able to put up some good numbers for the team. Okafor's defense has been a concern for some scouts and that is one area he will need to work on in his first season.

Justise Winslow, Heat

Winslow dropped a bit in the draft compared to what many scouts predicted for the Duke star and he could pay off big for Miami. Winslow has been solid in the preseason and he provides some major depth for the team off the bench. Winslow had a game in the preseason with eight assists and another with a double-double and he has already shown some versatility for the team. Winslow is a "winner" and he could play a key role on a playoff contender in Miami.

Emmanuel Mudiay, Nuggets

Mudiay was one of the wild card prospects in the draft, as he played in China last season and now he likely will be starting for the Nuggets. Mudiay averaged 18 points and six assists in 12 games with Guangdong last year and this preseason he has been averaging 15 points and 5.4 assists. The Nuggets moved on from Ty Lawson, basically giving the point guard job to Mudiay and now he will get the chance to develop into a consistent pro. Mudiay is another player with all the tools and while he has been turning over the ball a bit much in the preseason, he has time to work that out with the Nuggets in rebuilding mode.

Honorable mention:

Kristaps Porzingis, Knicks

Porzingis went number four overall to the Knicks and while many see him as a project player, some scouts think he has the highest upside of anyone in the top five. Porzingis needs to develop more of a defensive game and this season he likely will start off as a bench option for the Knicks.

Check here for more on the NBA season and previews for the 2015-16 season.

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