NBA Draft 2015: Which Rookies Will Start Opening Night?

Mario Hezonja, F, Orlando Magic

Mario Hezonja has a lot of confidence for a young player entering the NBA. He also has found the perfect fit for his talent in Orlando. With Elfrid Payton and Victor Oladipo running the show in the back-court, Hezonja is the perfect piece as a swingman to provide a scoring punch that Orlando desperately needs.

There’s no doubt that Orlando has been acquiring some great young talent over the last couple of years, and they have disciplined players who can play defense under the new Scott Skiles regime. However, of their young players, none were a top flight scorer. While Oladipo and others have shown great improvement in scoring the ball, Hezonja is being brought in for his scoring punch.

With the Magic likely moving on from the price tag that Tobias Harris will command in the off-season, Hezonja can slide right into the starting lineup on opening night and provide a scoring threat.

He shot just a shade under 40 percent from three in the Euroleague, but as he continues to work with his coaches and teammates, his shot should greatly improve and he should become a dynamic threat from outside.

Not only can he shoot, he is an explosive player with great athleticism that can play defense and stay in front of his man. All are great traits that usually take most rookies time to learn and develop.

He is a special talent, and if he lives up to his potential, there is a good chance that he could walk away as the best player from this draft.

There’s no reason he shouldn’t be in the starting lineup to start the season.

Next: 4. Willie Cauley-Stein