Yahoo Sports takes a look at six rookies who could provide an added spark to their teams despite not being a top draft pick.

NBA Draft was widely perceived as a weak one. Summer league did little to change that perception and so it's not surprising that preseason expectations, for even the most promising rookies, are measured to say the least.

Pressure in the NBA generally comes in two forms: Pressure to win and pressure to get paid. There are some of both of those on this list, plus a little career legacy thrown in for a few cases (the bottom two on this list are more legacy, more “pressure is a privilege,” while the top five it is more immediate).

As the 2024-25 NBA season approaches, every team is relying on their standout player to steer them toward success, whether that's competing for a championship or building a foundation for the future.

For years, big threes were all of the rage in the NBA. During the 2000s-2010s, most championship teams had a trio of star talent that led them to victory, and the rest of the roster was usually filled out with role players and depth pieces.