As the 2025 NBA season gets under way, our first looks at several of this year’s rookies have provided flashes of long-term potential. While most eyes have been drawn to lottery picks, other players selected later in the first round and into the second round have taken advantage of their opportunities in season openers. This article will examine five rookies who, primarily in limited minutes, made a good first impression and showcased their long-term potential.

Jamal Shead is the outlier on this list in terms of minutes played, as he saw 19 minutes of action following an injury to Immanuel Quickley. He was widely regarded as an elite defender in last year’s draft and continued to showcase this throughout summer league and the NBA preseason. Shead finished the game with ten points, four assists and one rebound. He played with great confidence on both ends of the floor but primarily stood out for his activity and aggressiveness on defense, where he tallied a block and a steal thanks to his strength and anticipation. Throughout this year, his minutes will likely vary depending on Quickley’s status, but the Raptors need to feel confident having him on the court.

Tyler Smith didn’t see the floor until the Bucks had their matchup against the 76ers in hand, but he quickly took advantage of his opportunity. Despite playing just two minutes, Smith recorded five points and one rebound, including a catch-and-shoot corner three for his first NBA points. While this first look should be taken with a grain of salt, his confidence and smooth jumper seem to translate as a viable option as the Bucks’ rotation evolves throughout the year. While Bobby Portis is available to fill the forward position off the bench, the rest of their depth isn’t overwhelming; Therefore, if an injury or trade occurs, this could clear a path for Smith to step in as a forward for Milwaukee with floor spacing and a changed style of play.

Jaylon Tyson was picked up by the Cavs to add wing depth and showed flashes of being able to fill that role in his NBA debut. He made his first appearance after the game was well in hand but quickly made an impression in his seven minutes of action. Tyson finished the game with four points, two rebounds and one assist, clearly making a point to play hard and provide hope for an expanded role if Max Strus misses an extended period. He was a clear spark plug in his limited minutes, making a good first impression and confirming many of the strong colors that intrigued Cleveland heading into last year’s draft.

Pelle Larsson played six minutes in Miami’s blowout loss to the Magic but showed a two-way upside that fits the Heat’s culture of toughness. He played aggressive defense, which his one steal doesn’t quite capture. After converting this steal into a fast break opportunity, Larsson finished at the rim for his only two points. When he switched to bigger opponents, he impressed by playing physically and making quick decisions. After showing effectiveness on both ends in the preseason, Larsson has the opportunity to continue increasing his minutes and could be the next Heat player to seemingly come out of nowhere and make a significant impact.

Jonathan Mogbo played eleven minutes in his debut against the Cavs and finished with an impressive seven points. Many questions were raised about him last year, as he is undersized for his style of play, but his strength and explosiveness have proven to translate. Mogbo has clearly worked on his game, as he knocked down a three-pointer, which was not an aspect of his game in college. Typically, players who seem stuck between positions don’t find a long-term fit in the NBA, but Mogbo could be an exception as he works his way into the Raptors’ rotation, which doesn’t stick to prototypical roles.

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