With the start of the NBA season just around the corner, it's time to take a look at the season ahead for a handful of former Blue Devil standouts. This year, four new rookies join an already talented pool of former Blue Devils in the NBA.
Jahlil Okafor, Philadelphia 76ers: After being selected third overall in this year’s NBA Draft, Okafor will make his debut as Philadelphia’s starting center to begin the season. The big man will find himself alongside another former high draft pick in Kentucky product Nerlens Noel. The Sixers figure to be one of the worst teams in the league again this season, but the offense-defense duo of Okafor and Noel in the middle should be a highlight for fans. Okafor is currently battling knee soreness, but should be ready for the start of the season. The national championship-winning center has averaged just under nine points per game in three preseason contests so far.
Justise Winslow, Miami Heat: Winslow figures to be one of the top two-way threats off the bench for a veteran-laden Heat team with high expectations. Although he has not shot well so far this preseason—shooting just 9-for-28 from the field and 9-for-15 from the free throw line—Winslow has already showed off the defensive skills that made him a top-ten draft pick this past June. The forward scored 12 points in Miami’s loss to the Magic on Tuesday.
Tyus Jones, Minnesota Timberwolves: The Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four this past April, Jones has been looking for minutes in Minnesota’s crowded backcourt, competing with fellow youngster Zach LeVine and veteran Andre Miller for minutes behind starter Ricky Rubio. In just three preseason games, Jones has averaged 5.7 assists per contest, and flashed some of his offensive potential when he came off the bench to score 18 points in a loss to the Bulls on Saturday.
Quinn Cook, Cleveland Cavaliers: The only senior from last year’s championship-winning team got a training camp invite from the reigning Eastern Conference-champion Cavaliers. But Cook is in a fight to make it onto the regular season roster and needed to impress this preseason in order to make his case. The point guard has played in four preseason games already, averaging 4.3 points and 2.3 rebounds per game. Cook's performance in the next week or so could determine if he makes the team's opening day roster.
Jabari Parker, Milwaukee Bucks: After tearing his ACL 25 games into his rookie season, the Bucks have been cautious with the former No. 2 overall pick, who averaged 12.3 points per game on 49-percent shooting in his limited action. Parker has practiced fully during training camp but has yet to see the court for any preseason action. The Bucks are coming off a surprising postseason appearance a season ago, and Parker should fit in nicely with a talented young core that includes Michael Carter-Williams, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Greg Monroe, and Khris Middleton.
Rodney Hood, Utah Jazz: Hood has had a couple of big scoring outbursts this season, with 21 points in a win over the Lakers on October 7 and 13 in a loss to Portland on Monday. The lanky forward should be a solid bench contributor to a Utah team with ideas of contending for a spot in the Western Conference playoffs after a strong finish last season. Hood will be competing with Alec Burks for minutes at the shooting guard position behind starter Gordon Hayward.
Mason Plumlee, Portland Trail Blazers: An offseason trade from Brooklyn to Portland has earned the middle Plumlee his first opening night start in the NBA. After the Trail Blazers’ roster was depleted this offseason with the departures of All-Star LaMarcus Aldridge and former starting center Robin Lopez, the Blazers brought in Plumlee for some stability in the middle for the rebuilding team led by star point guard Damian Lillard. It remains to be seen whether Plumlee will shine in his additional minutes on the court.
Ryan Kelly, Los Angeles Lakers: Kelly returns for his third season in the Lakers purple and gold, and he should be a regular bench contributor this season with former Kentucky star Julius Randle back in action following a season lost to injury. In four preseason games so far, Kelly has averaged 6.5 points and 4.3 rebounds per game and shown no signs of being limited by injury. When healthy, Kelly has the potential to stretch the floor and contribute off the bench at the next level.
Seth Curry, Sacramento Kings: After finally scoring a guaranteed NBA contract this offseason following two years of impressive D-League performances, Curry has played in three games so far in the preseason with Sacramento. The younger brother of Stephen Curry has yet to make a major impact offensively, but did put up six points in the Kings’ win over Portland on Saturday.
Austin Rivers, Los Angeles Clippers: Rivers was a valuable piece on a thin Clippers roster in last year’s postseason, but he faces a more daunting task of picking up minutes on this year's improved bench. Behind starters Chris Paul and J.J. Redick, head coach Doc Rivers—father of Austin Rivers— has added veterans Lance Stephenson and Pablo Prigioni to the mix. The former Blue Devil product has averaged 6.0 points-per-game in three preseason contests.
Miles Plumlee, Milwaukee Bucks: The talented Bucks roster will benefit from having Plumlee available on the bench as a complement to their typical downsized starting lineup. Plumlee—who sat out Tuesday night’s game against Cleveland with a knee injury—is expected to compete with John Henson and Johnny O’Bryant for playing time up front.
Kyrie Irving, Cleveland Cavaliers: The Cavs do not expect their All-Star point guard to be ready for the start of the season after he fractured his kneecap in Game 1 of the NBA finals. Still, expectations are high for Irving’s squad this season, mainly since LeBron James remains on the roster. With James and Kevin Love in the lineup, Cleveland should be just fine until Irving returns with the potential to become dynamic offensively once Irving regains control of the game.
Gerald Henderson, Portland Trail Blazers: Coming off a solid season for the Hornets, in which he averaged 12.0 points, 2.6 assists, and 3.4 rebounds per game, Henderson heads to Portland where he could be a solid piece off the bench or trade bait for another squad. Henderson has yet to play this preseason due to a bruised hip.
Josh McRoberts, Miami Heat: Coming off an injury-marred campaign a year ago, McRoberts is dealing with a knee injury yet again. The former Blue Devil should get minutes in Miami’s frontcourt despite a crowded rotation, but will need to show his ability to stay healthy to convince head coach Erik Spoelstra. At his best, McRoberts is the perfect stretch-three capable of scoring in the post or out near the three-point line
J.J. Redick, Los Angeles Clippers: Redick will start alongside All-Star Chris Paul in the Clippers’ backcourt for a squad that once again has championship aspirations. Reddick averaged a career-high 16.4 points per game a year ago while staking his claim as one of the top three-point shooters in the association. Redick's 43.7-percent three-point percentage was also a career best. The former Duke standout's top outing so far this preseason came Sunday in Charlotte, when he scored 23 points in a Clippers loss.
Luol Deng, Miami Heat: Deng will start at small forward for a Heat team that has the potential to challenge Cleveland atop the Eastern Conference. Deng did his part for the Heat last season, averaging 14.0 points per game, but the poor health of Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh proved crippling for the squad. Deng scored 11 points in just 24 minutes on the floor in Miami’s win against the Spurs Monday.
Mike Dunleavy, Chicago Bulls: Dunleavy will miss 8-to-10 weeks after undergoing back surgery, but should fit into the Chicago starting lineup upon his return. Although Dunleavy missed 19 games with injury last season, he did play well in Chicago’s playoff run, which ended with a loss to the Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference semi-finals. As he continues to age, it remains to be seen what kind of impact Dunleavy can continue to have at the next level.
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