There is no doubt that beyond the best players in every single class, the NBA Draft process is a difficult one where teams actually miss on prospects more often than they hit. As a result, there always seems to be at least a handful of undrafted rookies that make an impact. If it was easy to predict which undrafted rookies would become big factors, then they likely wouldn’t have gotten to that point in the first place.
However, it happens every year, which is why we’ve done our homework to unearth four guys that could important next season and therefore fantasy relevant.
T.J. McConnell, Philadelphia 76ers
McConnell didn’t have the size or athleticism to earn a spot in the NBA Draft but all 15 teams that he worked out for invited him to play summer league ball. He decided his best potential opportunity for success would be with Philadelphia. The 76ers liked McConnell enough to extend him a contract with a six-figure partial guarantee.
The good news is that there are only two point guards listed ahead of him on Philadelphia’s depth chart in Tony Wroten Jr. and Isaiah Canaan, which means there could be an opening for him to earn a role with the team. Factor in some of the surprising trades that the 76ers have made over the past couple of seasons including moving the reigning Rookie of the Year Michael Carter-Williams and there is a real chance McConnell makes an impact as an undrafted rookie this season.
Aaron Harrison, Charlotte Hornets
Harrison arrived in college at Kentucky as a star recruit and few would have believed at the time that he would end up going undrafted. However, that’s what wound up being the case and now he will have to earn a spot on an NBA roster over the summer. The Hornets took a chance on Harrison despite a shaky jumper because he has all of the physical tools to succeed. He also proved his pedigree as a clutch player during Kentucky’s national title run in 2014. All of that combined with the fact that Charlotte is desperate for better guard play means that Harrison could make an impact as an undrafted rookie this season.
Robert Upshaw, Los Angeles Lakers
Upshaw got kicked off two college teams at Fresno State and Washington, so there is no doubt that he has some off-court issues, but Los Angeles decided to take a chance on him as an undrafted free agent. The combination of maturing as a human being and getting the chance to get paid to play basketball should be enough to set him on the right track. Upshaw is a seven-foot center that had the biggest hands and widest wingspan at this year’s NBA Draft combined and while teams were unwilling to take a shot on him with a draft pick, the Lakers will take a long look at him in this year’s summer league action.
Big men usually take longer to reach their potential at the NBA level than guards but Upshaw is 21 years old and his size and strength could earn him a role on the team as a shot blocker. The Lakers did pick up Roy Hibbert and he’ll serve as the defensive specialist this season but he’s likely to only be around for a season, so Upshaw could be groomed to fill the role over the course of the year.
Brandon Ashley, Atlanta Hawks
A foot injury combined with doubts about his overall skill set kept Ashley from being drafted but he has a quality jumper that could help him earn a role with the Atlanta Hawks. Ashley has the potential to contribute at the offensive end and in a small market like Atlanta, he certainly seems to be worth taking a shot on if he can prove he can stay healthy for the Hawks. Atlanta lost DeMarre Carroll and while Ashley won’t fill that void, he could provide valuable minutes off the bench as a role player in his rookie season.
