As the NBA’s
self-appointed
 voice
of absolutely
everybody…

Here are MY four
rookies to watch
in 2026–27.
Preseason
clues. Not
prophecies.

My No. 1: 
Cameron Boozer,
Memphis Grizzlies.

Memphis went 3–1.
Against Atlanta: 
11 points, 5 boards,
4 assists, 2 steals.
That’s an entire
shift, not one highlight.

My Rookie of 
the Year 
pick. I’ve
informed 
the league.
Mentally.

My No. 2: 
Caleb Wilson,
Chicago Bulls.

Against Denver: 17
points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists. 
Six makes on ten shots.
Efficient AND involved.

Chicago lost 133–128.
My scouting department—
also me—still approved.

No. 3: 
 Darryn Peterson,
Utah Jazz.

Three points on
1-for-5 in his debut?
Ugly first page.
Not the whole book.

I’m watching the
scoring upside and
the adjustment.
The league has been
instructed to remain calm.

My No. 4: 
Mikel Brown
Jr., Brooklyn Nets.

An ankle sprain
delayed his debut. Then:
15 points, 3 boards,
3 assists, 2 steals
in 18 minutes.

Brooklyn lost 144–128.
I’m scouting the
rookie—not awarding
a preseason parade.

Honorable mention:
AJ Dybantsa,
Washington Wizards.
Yes. The No. 1 pick.

With Trae Young and
Anthony Davis
alongside him, I’m
watching how the
touches shake out.

“Honorable mention”
is about MY
early-impact list.
Not a ceiling on his
talent. Please lower
the pitchforks.

Boozer. Wilson.
Peterson. Brown.
That’s my four. 
AJ gets the
dangerously large
asterisk.

Preseason is a clue,
not a verdict.
But this verdict is
officially… mine.

Which rookie makes
this list look
ridiculous by
January?