NBA Draft: The Top Three Most Impactful Rookies for 2023-24

NBA development is far from linear. Many prospects won’t be immediately impactful, and will instead need time and developmental minutes before truly coming into their own in the league.

But some draftees from the 2023 NBA Draft are set to make an immediate impact on their respective teams. Some will be the new epicenter of their teams, others will quickly fill necessary roles in order to help their new squad win.

Here are three rookies set to make an instant impact in year one:

Victor Wembanyama, Spurs

The easiest pick on this list, French phenom Victor Wembanyama is set to become the Sun that the rest of the Spurs roster will orbit around.

At 7-foot-4 with immense offensive and defensive capabilities, Wembanyama is likely going to be the focal point for San Antonio from the jump, making him outright their most important player next season.

He likely won’t yield a ton of wins in year one, but getting his footing in the NBA will be a win in and of itself.

Ausar Thompson, Pistons

Likely not the Thompson twin you were expecting here, there’s a great chance Ausar’s skill makes more

As the third of a new trio in Detroit alongside Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey, Thompson is going to have ample offensive opportunities and will have a free safety-esque role on defense, too.

It’s no secret the Pistons have found wins hard to come by in recent years. Thompson could very well be the key to them making a jump as soon as next year.

Jarace Walker, Pacers

The Pacers are set to potentially be one of the NBA’s breakout teams. And some of that is resting on the eighth overall pick, Jarace Walker.

Walker had claim to being the best defender in the class. Skills that could help to amplify a budding Indiana squad.

Tyrese Haliburton, Bennedict Mathurin and more could be set to help the Pacers ignite, but Walker will need to be a key part of that too for them to reach their potential.

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