Five NBA rookies poised to make instant impacts

Even in a supposedly weak NBA Draft class, surprise instant contributors are likely to emerge. By the end of the season, multiple rookies should be important pieces on their teams.

Here are prime candidates who can become quality NBA players almost immediately.

Donovan Clingan, Portland Trail Blazers | seventh overall pick

Clingan's impact won't be covered heavily nationally because the Blazers, who finished 21-61 last season, are going to be brutal to watch. But the UConn national champion will get plenty of opportunities to showcase his talent, especially if Portland parts with current starter DeAndre Ayton. The 7-foot-2 Clingan should help shore up Portland's interior defense immediately, and if he can show any growth in his offensive game as a rookie, it'll be a bonus for the Blazers.

Rob Dillingham, Minnesota Timberwolves | eighth overall pick

Dillingham's draft position will quickly become mystifying because there's a good chance he becomes the best player from this draft. He has a great situation in Minnesota, where he won't be cursed with high expectations. He'll come off the bench, and playing behind veteran Mike Conley will be a perfect learning experience. Dillingham brings shooting and on-ball defense to a Minnesota team that doesn't really need either of those things, but you also can't have too much of them either. 

Dalton Knecht, Los Angeles Lakers | 17th overall pick

"Versatility" isn't a word anyone will use to describe Knecht, who L.A. picked 17th overall in the draft, but sometimes being a master of one skill — scoring, in Knecht's case — can be more beneficial for rookies than being decent at a bunch of things. After starting his college career at JUCO Northeastern Junior College, Knecht transferred to Northern Colorado of the Big Sky before landing at landed at Tennessee, where he became one of the best scorers in the country. In his lone season at Tennessee he averaged 21.7 points on .458/.397/.772 shooting splits. He takes (and makes) contested shots, has great body control and is just as dangerous inside the arc when his threes aren't falling.

Tristan da Silva, Orlando Magic | 18th overall pick

One of the highest "floor" players in the draft, the former Colorado star will be a good NBA player. His ceiling isn't particularly high and he likely won't make an All-Star team, but on a team such as Orlando that's hoping to leap into Eastern Conference contention this season, da Silva is a sublime fit. Don't be surprised if the 6-foot-8 forward cracks the rotation by December.

Yves Missi, New Orleans Pelicans | 21st overall pick

Missi will be fascinating to watch because he might play the biggest role of any rookie on a team that hopes to make a deep playoff run. A likely starter from the get-go, he brings an alluring mix of athleticism and coordination for a 6-foot-10 20-year-old. His game needs polishing, but if he can do normal center things — catch lobs, set screens, rotate on defense — New Orleans' gamble of starting a rookie at center might pay off.