24. Malcolm Brogdon, Milwaukee Bucks
Brogdon shouldn’t have won Rookie of the Year, but he did prove himself as a legit NBA player for the foreseeable future. Now entering his second year as one of the most polished sophomores in the association, Brogdon should continue to find success as Giannis Antetokounmpo‘s safety valve on the perimeter.
Giannis will be the Bucks primary creator next season, but that makes Brogdon’s 3-point shooting all the more valuable. When you combine that with his long arms and stellar defense, there’s a reason he found such impressive stability in his first year as a pro.
People tend to shy away from older rookies, but Brogdon — who starts his second season at 24 years of age — is an excellent example of the benefits that come with collegiate experience. He won’t be a star, but he’ll be a steadfast contributor on a competitive team for the next 10 years.