The 2024-2025 NBA preseason has officially kicked off, with the last two champions, Boston and Denver, facing off in Friday’s early game in Abu Dubai.

There will be more action tonight, including some of the draft’s top picks. Here are the best rookies to watch in the NBA on Friday:

Dillingham was ranked eighth overall after Minnesota traded the spot and is one of the most highly anticipated rookies in the class with a high-octane offensive game.

He can score at all three levels as an undersized guard, and he is expected to do so for a contending Timberwolves team this year.

For now, he’s backing up starting guard Mike Conley, but Dillingham is likely the future in Minnesota.

Knecht was one of the best sliders of the draft, but ended up in a near-perfect situation alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis with the Lakers.

He is one of the top scorers in the draft and will do just that in Los Angeles’ aging core. He was a slow riser in the draft process as a whole, first going the JUCO route before landing in Northern Colorado and then Tennessee. It remains to be seen if he will be an impactful piece in year one.

The Timberwolves and Lakers tip off tonight at 9:30 PM CT.

The Utah Jazz left with a trio of talented players at the 2024 NBA Draft, all of whom should be featured in some capacity tonight against the NZ Breakers. The most prominently selected was Cody Williams – brother of Thunder star Jalen Williams – at No. 10, but he will be flanked by dynamo point guard Isaiah Collier and Duke big man Kyle Filipowski.

With the Jazz’s interesting roster construction, minutes will certainly be there for the taking as the rookies capitalize on the opportunity or fade into the back of the rotation.

Utah and New Zealand tip off at 8:00 PM CT.

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