NBA: 5 Rookies Who Need To Start In 2015-16

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Oct 16, 2015; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks guard Jerian Grant (13) is fouled by Boston Celtics guard Avery Bradley (0) during first half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Kristaps Porzingis/Jerian Grant

Head coach Derek Fisher took the mystery out of this one, telling ESPN’s Ian Begley that the New York Knicks will be starting Jose Calderon, Arron Afflalo, Carmelo Anthony, Kristaps Porzingis and Robin Lopez on opening night. For the sake of the No. 4 overall pick in this year’s draft, that’s excellent news.

At 7’3″, the 19-year-old Porzingis has already drawn comparisons to both Shawn Bradley and Dirk Nowitzki in terms of his potential. He’s a versatile player who can make smart passes, block shots and shoot from the perimeter. Porzingis is still raw and needs to bulk up, but with Derrick Williams looking so effective off the bench, it’s good that Fisher is sticking with the next potential face of the franchise in his starting lineup.

I like Jerian Grant's confidence. He says, humbly, that he thinks he can come in and start right away for the #Knicks.
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) June 26, 2015

As for Jerian Grant, however, it’s unfortunate that the Knicks are going with the 34-year-old Jose Calderon at the point guard position instead of him. Calderon has played fairly well in limited preseason minutes, but the 23-year-old Grant has been better, averaging 7.4 points and 3.8 assists per game with an eye-popping +8.2 point differential.

Calderon is a woeful defender, and Grant’s versatility as a combo guard makes him the more intriguing player of the two. It’s only a matter of time before the rookie from Notre Dame moves into the starting lineup, but hopefully that “matter of time” doesn’t take too long.

Next: No. 3