Day Four of NBA Preseason: Under the radar players who stood out
Monday night featured new teams like the Pelicans and Heat getting action in. Rookies and bench players played great once again.
Isaac Okoro: The Cavs rookie looks extremely impressive so far. He never takes a bad shot and plays great defense. 15 points, 4 assists
Dante Exum: Exum can help the Cavs make plays off the bench in a big way this season. Scored and dished the ball nicely last night. 23 points, 5 assists
Dean Wade: Wade was a polished college player at Kansas State who can shoot the three at 6’9. Saw some experience last year for Cleveland. 8 points, 2 3’s
Dylan Windler: Windler plays the right way and is a pleasure to watch. His cutting, running in transition and passing out stood last night. 7 points, 4 assists
T.J. McConnell: McConnell is a great teammate to play with. Runs a solid offense off the bench for Indiana. 8 points, 4 assists
Edmond Sumner: Sumner now enters his 4th season with the Pacers. Can run and make plays, expect him to get more minutes in 2021. 11 points, 3 rebounds
Cassius Stanley: Stanley had some nice moments in limited minutes Monday. The rookie is a next level athlete. 5 points, 3 rebounds
Malachi Flynn: Flynn was the 2020 #29 pick, but looks like a lottery selection early on. His passing, defense and range from deep are NBA ready. 17 points, 3 assists
Deandre’ Bembry: Bembry is going to fit right in with the Raptors culture. Plays hard, runs the floor and defends. 9 points, 2 assists
Terence Davis: Davis shot 38.8% from three last year and may shoot even better in his second season. Raptors have an incredible eye for undrafted talent. 14 points, 2 3’s
LaMelo Ball: Ball scored his first points on Monday and put up more shots. Threw an electrifying alley-oop pass to Miles Bridges for a slam. 12 points, 2 3’s
Jalen McDaniels: Mcdaniels scored on the break and from three last night. Looks versatile in preseason for the Hornets. 15 points, 3 3’s
Cody Martin: You can always count on one of the Martin twins to have a good game. Had a powerful dunk off a drive last night. 6 points, 3 rebounds
Nickeil Alexander-Walker: The second year guard for the Pelicans looks improved. Shot the ball well on Monday and looks ready to be more consistent in 2021. 14 points, 4 3’s
Kira Lewis Jr: The Pelicans rookie played well in limited action. Gives the Pelicans playmaking abilities off the bench. 5 points, 2 rebounds
Precious Achiuwa: Miami’s #20 pick is going to fit into the Heat’s culture smoothly. Played hard and shot well from the floor on Monday. 8 points, 2 rebounds
Max Strus: Strus is a 6’5 guard with nice rebounding and passing skills. Scored, crashed the boards and passed well for the Heat. 11 points, 8 rebounds
Josh Green: The rookie brings versatility to Dallas. Shot the ball from deep and defended for the Mavericks. 10 points, 2 3’s
Maxi Kleber: Kleber was perfect from deep on Monday. Gives Dallas quality production in a short amount of time. 9 points, 3 3’s
Jalen Brunson: Brunson stood out on offense using screens to make plays. Playmaking ability is underrated for the Mavericks. 10 points, 2 assists
Willie Cauley-Stein: Cauley-Stein can protect the rim and sets solid screens for Dallas. His three-point shot looks improved as he went perfect from deep last night. 8 points, 2 3’s
Jordan Nwora: The 2020 Bucks 2nd round pick had a productive stretch on Monday. Can score and rebound at 6’7. 7 points, 2 rebounds
Bryn Forbes: Forbes can get going from three and that will help the Bucks bench for 2021. Brings playoff experience from San Antonio. 11 points, 3 3’s
Torrey Craig: Craig had a nice run for the Denver Nuggets from 2017-2020. Defender who also brings playoff minutes to Milwaukee. 5 points, 2 rebounds
D.J. Augustin: Augustin’s passing ability can help the Bucks second unit get going. The veteran has been consistent his entire career. 6 points, 6 assists
Bobby Portis: Portis can fill it up quickly for Milwaukee. Played well again on Monday against Dallas. 12 points, 4-5 FG
De’Anthony Melton: Melton started for Memphis last night and looked good next to Ja Morant. Looks improved so far in preseason. 11 points, 3 rebounds
Grayson Allen: Shot the ball well from deep on Monday. Allen shot 40% from three for Memphis last season. 13 points, 4 3’s
Desmond Bane: The rookie looked impressive again. Hard to believe he went #30 in the draft. 10 points, 4 rebounds
Jake Layman: Brings quite a bit of NBA experience to the Wolves young roster. Layman is an underrated athlete. 6 points, 2 steals
Juancho Hernangomez: Hernangomez hit two three-pointers last night and rebounded well. He’s looking to improve his defense in 2021. 8 points, 5 rebounds
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson: Went perfect from the field for Minnesota. Played hard and gave the Wolves a ton of energy. 17 points, 2 blocks
Jarrett Culver: Combo guard who plays the right way. Started in 35 games last year as a rookie. 13 points, 4 rebounds
Jalen Smith: The Suns rookie showed some good signs while getting the start. Was able to learn a few things against Rudy Gobert. 8 points, 7 rebounds
Mikal Bridges: Bridges looks ready to make a big jump this season. Shot the ball well from three in the start. 15 points, 3 3’s
Johnathan Motley: Motley can be counted on for the Suns when needed off the bench. He has learned a lot in the NBA since 2017. 7 points, 3-3 FG
Langston Galloway: Galloway shot the ball well from three again on Monday. Gives Phoenix a knock down shooter off the bench. 14 points, 3 3’s
Elijah Hughes: Hughes is a known scorer and is displaying that so far for Utah. The 2nd round pick has potential for the Jazz’s future. 8 points, 2 rebounds
Trent Forrest: Forrest has been very productive in short minutes for the Jazz. Very polished playmaker for an undrafted rookie. 5 points, 3 assists
Miye Oni: Oni had an impressive all around package in college at Yale. He’s now in his second season and looks ready to earn more minutes. 8 points, 3 rebounds
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