Biggest Surprises, Breakout Rookies & Players to Watch

Brooklyn and Memphis are turning heads, Chicago may have found a future star, and the NBA’s newest rookie class is wasting no time making noise.

The NBA preseason is officially wrapping up, and one thing is becoming clear: the next generation isn’t waiting for permission to take over.

Forget the usual preseason routine where veterans play a few minutes, superstars rest, and coaches experiment with lineups. This October, several young players have made the most of their opportunities, turning what should have been meaningless exhibition games into legitimate auditions for the regular season.

The Brooklyn Nets and Memphis Grizzlies have emerged as two of the league’s biggest surprises, while Chicago Bulls rookie Caleb Wilson is giving fans something they haven’t had enough of lately — excitement about the future.

And with the regular season tipping off October 20, there’s plenty to unpack.

Brooklyn Nets: Don’t Sleep on the Rebuild

Brooklyn wasn’t supposed to be one of the more interesting teams heading into the season. After winning just 20 games last year, expectations were understandably low.

But the Nets opened preseason play 3-0 and finished 3-1, showing that this young group might be more competitive than people expected.

The biggest difference? Brooklyn finally has some offensive options.

Julius Randle gives the Nets a veteran who can score inside, create opportunities for teammates, and make defenses think twice before collapsing on Michael Porter Jr.

Porter remains a dangerous perimeter scorer, while second-year guard Egor Dëmin is beginning to show the confidence that made him a lottery selection.

Then there’s rookie Mikel Brown Jr., who produced 15 points in his preseason debut.

Even with the encouraging results, there’s a problem Brooklyn can’t ignore: defense. The Nets allowed 144 points in their preseason finale against Miami, exposing weaknesses in rim protection and interior coverage.

BuckBully Take: Brooklyn isn’t suddenly a playoff powerhouse. But there’s a difference between a bad team going nowhere and a young team finally building something. The Nets appear to be moving in the right direction offensively.

Memphis Grizzlies: No Morant, No Jackson, Still Making Noise

Memphis has entered a new chapter following the departures of Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr.

That would normally suggest a painful rebuilding season. Instead, the Grizzlies have been surprisingly competitive while giving their younger players opportunities to develop.

And one rookie has been especially impressive.

Cameron Boozer — The Real Deal?

12.3

PPG*

57.1%

Field goals*

5.0

RPG*

*Through Memphis’ first three preseason games, as reported October 15.

The No. 3 overall draft pick is already showing why Memphis made him a centerpiece of its rebuild.

Boozer’s biggest strength isn’t simply scoring. It’s efficiency. He’s comfortable around the basket, knows when to attack, and makes smart decisions with the basketball.

He also added 19 points, seven rebounds and three assists in Memphis’ Friday preseason win over Charlotte.

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Zach Edey Is Back

After an injury-disrupted season, the 7-foot-4 center is working his way back into the rotation.

Against Chicago, Edey delivered 10 points, five rebounds, two steals and one block in only 16 minutes.

Those aren’t superstar numbers, but the efficiency and activity are encouraging for a player returning from significant injuries.

BuckBully Take: Memphis might lose plenty of games this season, but Boozer and Edey offer a potentially exciting interior combination. The Grizzlies are rebuilding with size, basketball intelligence and upside.

Chicago Bulls: Caleb Wilson Is Giving the City Something to Believe In

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Now let’s talk about Chicago.

The Bulls have spent years searching for a new identity, and their latest rebuilding effort comes with a familiar question: who’s going to lead this team into its next chapter?

Enter Caleb Wilson.

The 6-foot-10 forward and fourth overall pick out of North Carolina has wasted little time making his presence felt.

Wilson scored in double figures in all five preseason games, combining scoring ability, athleticism, defensive potential and the willingness to push the basketball in transition.

Caleb Wilson’s 2026 preseason numbers

Statistic	Average
Points	15.8
Rebounds	4.4
Assists	2.8
Blocks	0.6
Field goal percentage	44.1%
Three-point percentage	31.0%

The numbers are encouraging, but what really stands out is how Wilson produces.

He’s dangerous running the floor, can attack defenders off the dribble, and has shown flashes of playmaking that could eventually make him much more than a traditional power forward.

Three games that turned heads

21

PTS

October 9 vs. Memphis

Five three-pointers, showing Wilson can stretch the floor when his outside shot is falling.

17

PTS

October 11 vs. Denver

Six made field goals on ten attempts, plus five assists — a glimpse of his offensive versatility.

16

PTS

October 16 vs. Minnesota

Seven rebounds, four assists and two blocks in a 133-116 Chicago victory.

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What Wilson still needs to improve

Of course, he’s not a finished product.

His outside shooting remains inconsistent, his turnover decisions need refining, and his defensive positioning will be tested by NBA veterans.

But those are normal growing pains for a 19-year-old rookie.

The important thing is that Wilson already looks comfortable taking responsibility on both ends.

BuckBully Take: Chicago fans shouldn’t expect an All-Star overnight. But Wilson looks like a player the Bulls can build around. If his shooting becomes consistent, he has the tools to develop into one of the most versatile forwards in his draft class.

With Chicago opening its season October 21 against Toronto, Wilson is entering the regular season with momentum.

The 2026 Rookie Class: Who Else Is Turning Heads?

Chicago and Memphis aren’t the only teams benefiting from talented newcomers.

This year’s draft class features several players with the potential to make an immediate impact, and a few less-publicized names are already demanding attention.

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Yaxel Lendeborg — Golden State Warriors

BUCKBULLY’S BREAKOUT WATCH

Golden State may have found another valuable piece. Lendeborg brings size, shooting and defensive versatility, including an impressive two-game stretch in which he scored 40 combined points with outstanding efficiency. His ability to contribute without dominating the basketball makes him particularly interesting alongside established stars.

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Aday Mara — Oklahoma City Thunder

INTERIOR DEFENSIVE WATCH

At 7-foot-3, Mara has the type of length that changes opponents’ decisions around the rim. His preseason scoring efficiency and shot-blocking potential are drawing attention. If he develops into a reliable interior presence, Oklahoma City becomes even more difficult to attack.

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AJ Dybantsa — Washington Wizards

TOP-PICK WATCH

The first overall pick comes into the league with massive expectations. His athleticism and shot-creation ability are obvious, but consistency will determine how quickly he becomes Washington’s featured scorer. A mild ankle sprain in his preseason finale is another early-season situation to monitor.

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Darryn Peterson — Utah Jazz

SCORING UPSIDE WATCH

The second overall pick is already flashing the offensive skills that made him such a highly regarded prospect. His confidence creating shots is impressive, although shot selection and efficiency will be closely watched as the competition gets tougher.

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Other Players Flying Under the Radar

Ron Holland II — Detroit Pistons

Holland isn’t a rookie, but his defensive energy deserves attention. His ability to pressure ball handlers, jump passing lanes and challenge shots provides value even when his offense isn’t clicking. Holland also scored 14 points in Detroit’s preseason opener against Phoenix.

Trevon Brazile — Denver Nuggets

The second-round pick produced a 22-point preseason performance against the Clippers, then added 12 points and eight rebounds in his finale. For a player drafted 35th overall, those are the kinds of opportunities that can earn a longer look in the rotation.

Mikel Brown Jr. — Brooklyn Nets

Brown’s 15-point debut was a reminder that Brooklyn’s young talent extends beyond its starting group. His scoring instincts and perimeter creation could make him an interesting player to follow as the Nets experiment with rotations.

Bennett Stirtz — Oklahoma City Thunder

One of the less-publicized rookie standouts, Stirtz made 3.5 three-pointers per game on 53.8% shooting across his first four preseason appearances. It’s a small sample, but that’s exactly the type of shooting that gets a rookie noticed.

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BuckBully Preseason Report Card

Editorial assessments based on preseason performance, not regular-season projections or official NBA rankings.

Team or player	Grade	Biggest takeaway
Caleb Wilson, Bulls	A	Immediate offensive impact
Cameron Boozer, Grizzlies	A	Highly efficient young scorer
Yaxel Lendeborg, Warriors	A	Versatile, NBA-ready contributor
Aday Mara, Thunder	A-	Impressive interior presence
Brooklyn Nets	B+	Better offense, defensive concerns
Memphis Grizzlies	B+	Young talent exceeding expectations
AJ Dybantsa, Wizards	B+	Elite upside, still developing
Darryn Peterson, Jazz	B+	Exciting scoring potential
Ron Holland II, Pistons	B+	Defensive energy and versatility

Five Things to Watch When the Regular Season Begins

1. Can Caleb Wilson carry his production into meaningful games? Chicago needs more than highlights. They need consistent scoring and a foundation for the rebuild.

2. Is Cameron Boozer an early Rookie of the Year contender? His basketball IQ and efficiency already make him one of the most interesting names in the class.

3. Can Brooklyn turn its offensive improvement into wins? Randle and Porter Jr. should help the scoring, but defense could hold the Nets back.

4. Will Golden State and Oklahoma City find rotation minutes for their promising rookies? Both franchises have established talent, making every available minute valuable.

5. Which overlooked rookie will become a household name? The preseason has already introduced several possibilities, and the real opportunities are just beginning.

Final Word: The Future Is Already Here

Every October, NBA fans hear the same warning: It’s only preseason.

And that’s fair.

A great exhibition performance doesn’t guarantee a breakout season. Defensive intensity changes, rotations shorten, and opposing teams begin studying players more closely.

But preseason does tell us something about confidence, development and opportunity.

Brooklyn has shown signs of offensive life. Memphis appears to have found a valuable building block in Cameron Boozer. Oklahoma City and Golden State have promising newcomers.

And here in Chicago, Caleb Wilson has given Bulls fans a legitimate reason to pay attention.

The veterans still run the league, but this rookie class is coming for its share of the spotlight.

As the 2026–27 NBA season approaches, one question remains:

Which of these young guns is ready to turn preseason hype into regular-season production?

BuckBully Sports — Be Bullish On What You Hold.