Rookie season or dynasty launch? These players make the call
The 2025/26 NBA season continues a generational shift, with great veterans who started in the 2010s and even the 2000s fading into the background.
At the same time, new talents coming straight from the draft have shown they are ready to set their own rules in the league from the very first months.
1xBet review takes a look at the brightest rookies of the year.
Tre Johnson (Washington Wizards)
A shooting guard who entered the league at just 19 years old, Tre Johnson is already openly talking about his ambition to become one of the greatest players in history. He truly has it all. First and foremost, it’s his polished shooting touch, which gives hope that he could one day join the elite 50-40-90 club – those who shoot 50% on two-pointers, 40% from three-point range, and 90% from the free-throw line.
Washington is also ready to provide him with the ideal conditions to develop his talent. In early January 2026, Trae Young arrived in the U.S. capital. One of the NBA’s best playmakers will certainly establish an efficient flow of passes to Johnson, meaning the young guard’s scoring numbers should only continue to rise.
Derik Queen (New Orleans Pelicans)
Every team dreams of finding the next Nikola Jokić, and in Queen’s case, comparisons with the Serbian star do not seem like an overstatement. For now, the rookie is still far from a multi-time league MVP in terms of composure, but his potential for major improvement is already evident.
The pressure is increased by the fact that the Pelicans gave up their 2026 draft pick to acquire Queen. However, if the 21-year-old continues to develop at this pace, few will regret the club’s risky move. You can already follow his progress on 1xBet online.
VJ Edgecombe (Philadelphia 76ers)
The Bahamian guard drew attention in his very first game, scoring 34 points against Boston, while his athleticism makes the crowd hold its breath every time he accelerates. With Edgecombe on the roster, the Sixers will cope more easily with Paul George’s absence.
Still, VJ is not just about highlight-reel dunks. Edgecombe belongs to the rare category of athletes who genuinely enjoy intense defensive play. It is quite possible that he will become an elite two-way player, capable of contributing on both ends of the floor for many years to come.
Cooper Flagg (Dallas Mavericks)
Cooper Flagg had been talked about for several years before his debut, and he is gradually living up to the expectations placed on him. With Kyrie Irving sidelined by injury, Dallas head coach Jason Kidd even tried Cooper at the point guard position at the start of the season. This experiment will certainly pay off in the future – Kidd once did the same with Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Cooper is already capable of defending all five positions, and his signature performance came on Christmas Day against Golden State, when he scored 27 points. Before that, the only teenager to score 25 or more points in a Christmas game was LeBron James.
Kon Knueppel (Charlotte Hornets)
Kon entered the NBA with the confidence of a ten-season veteran. An elite, new generation shooter, he doesn’t just wait for the pass in the corner but constantly wears down opposing defenses with his relentless off-ball movement.
Kon became the fastest player in NBA history to reach 100 three-pointers made. Another record is the number of games in a season with the famous 50-40-90 mark, where the best rookie before Kon was none other than Stephen Curry.
Follow the matches of the season’s top young talents with 1xBet!
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