Since it’s too early to assign any definitive fantasy value to the current crop of rookies after just one or two games, the initial installment of Rookie Watch will go according to the NBA Draft order. Subsequent installments will place the rookies in order of their value for the remainder of the season. Positions used are based on Yahoo! eligibility.

Blake Griffin (1st overall, SF/PF, Los Angeles Clippers): Griffin looked like the real deal in the preseason and could have flirted with a double-double. But a fractured kneecap has sidelined him for approximately two months and it will take some time to get back into the swing of things once he returns.

Hasheem Thabeet (2nd overall, C, Memphis Grizzlies): Thabeet played 12 minutes in Memphis’ season opener and grabbed two rebounds with zero blocks. He missed both his shots from the floor and both free throws attempted. A possible shot-blocking force this season, Thabeet won’t get much opportunity if Marc Gasol puts up 21 points and 15 rebounds per game (not likely).

James Harden (3rd overall, PG/SG, Oklahoma City Thunder): Harden got 13 minutes off the bench in Oklahoma City’s season opener and had five points and two rebounds with no assists. He made his only two shot attempts, including a 3-pointer. Harden will likely struggle with his shot for long stretches, but the Thunder are expecting him to contribute off the bench and he’ll get plenty of chances.

Tyreke Evans (4th overall, SG, Sacramento Kings): The woeful Kings need Evans to play some big minutes early in the season. Evans got nearly 35 minutes in his NBA debut with mixed results: 10 points on 5-of-16 shooting, four rebounds, two assists, one steal and three turnovers with five fouls. It’s not a spectacular start, but plenty of minutes will be coming his way and opportunity is half the recipe for success in fantasy basketball.

Ricky Rubio (5th overall, PG/SG, Minnesota Timberwolves): At some point this week, enjoyed a tasty sangria at a Spanish coastal resort. He took a dip in the pool and felt refreshed and repeated as necessary.

Jonny Flynn (6th overall, PG/SG, Minnesota Timberwolves): The injury-plagued Timberwolves have already gave major minutes to Flynn, who had 18 points on 5-of-13 shooting, two assists and two steals in his first NBA game. He also made 8-of-10 free throws and showed tremendous leadership down the stretch as he sparked a double-digit comeback for Minnesota.

Stephen Curry (7th overall, PG/SG, Golden State Warriors): Curry had an impressive overall debut with 14 points on 7-of-12 shooting with seven assists, four steals and two rebounds. He showed immense quickness and defensive instincts and was at his best in the fourth quarter. The Warriors will be a team full of fantasy goodness and Curry will be no exception.

Jordan Hill (8th overall, PF, New York Knicks): The New York Nicks’ Jordan Hill played less than two minutes in a blowout loss to the Miami Heat. He was not a factor, nor should you expect him to be this early in the season.

DeMar DeRozan (9th overall, SG/SF, Toronto Raptors): DeRozan got 24 minutes in Toronto’s season opener and contributed across the board with eight points, five rebounds, one steal, one block and one assist. He made 3-of-6 shots and both his free throws but is among the riskier fantasy rookies since his game is based less on skills and more on raw athleticism.

Brandon Jennings (10th overall, PG/SG, Milwaukee Bucks): Expected to be the starting point guard when the Bucks open their season in Philadelphia Friday night. Expect some assists, steals and plenty of turnovers.

Terrence Williams (11th overall, SF/PF, New Jersey Nets): Williams showed tremendous tenacity in his debut and had 15 points and 10 rebounds in 31 minutes. He made 6-of-14 shots, attempted a pair of 3-pointers (missing both), and was 3-of-3 from the line, although he committed five turnovers. The bright side: Jarvis Hayes will be sidelined for 2-to-3 weeks, leaving plenty of minutes for Williams in November.

Gerald Henderson (12th overall, SG, Charlotte Bobcats): Scored eight points in 25 minutes and added two rebounds and an assist as the Bobcats were buried in their season opener. May see more minutes than expected with Raja Bell out but the game was so lopsided, it’s impossible to determine if he fits anywhere in Charlotte’s rotation.

Tyler Hansborough (13th overall, PF, Indiana Pacers): Sidelined for most of the preseason with shin splints, Hansborough just started practicing full court and there is no telling when he’ll return. It’s also difficult to tell what kind of NBA player he’ll be when he returns. But expect some rebounds, hustle stats and plenty of awkward Ryan Madsen-type (LINK) moments.

Earl Clark (14th overall, PF/C, Phoenix Suns): Clark was active in the Suns season opener with six points, five rebounds, one steal and one block in 20 minutes. Clark’s long athleticism means he can be an asset this season, especially if Amare Stoudemire finally whines his way out of Phoenix.

Once we get past the top 14 picks, the contributions become spotty, so let’s whittle the rest of the list to those who have had contributed thusfar and may have some fantasy value soon.

Ty Lawson (18th overall, PG/SG, Denver Nuggets): Lawson was tremendous in his first NBA game with 17 points, six assists, four rebounds and a steal in 26 minutes. The enthusiasm has subsided a bit with his seven-point effort on Thursday, although he added two more steals. Realistically, Denver coach George Karl doesn’t favor rookies and Lawson’s value will be negligible once J.R. Smith returns from his seven-game suspension.

Jeff Teague (19th overall, PG/SG, Atlanta Hawks): Teague had five points, four assists, three rebounds, one steal and a partridge in a pear tree in Atlanta’s season opener. He’ll generally struggle to get minutes behind Josh Johnson, Mike Bibby and Jamal Crawford.

Omri Casspi (23rd overall, SF, Sacramento Kings): Could we have our first fantasy-relevant player from Israel? It’s possible after Casspi had 15 points on 7-of-9 shooting with one steal and one block in just 19 minutes in his NBA opener. Of course, the game was a blowout, but the Kings are terrible and Casspi may get some minutes behind Spencer Hawes and Jason Thompson.

Wayne Ellington (28th overall, PG/SG, Minnesota Timberwolves): Once again, the Timberwolves are just awful and their rookies will get some minutes. Ellington had eight points, six rebounds and two assists in 23 minutes on Wednesday.

DeJuan Blair (37th overall, SF/PF, San Antonio Spurs): It’s no secret Blair was the steal of the NBA Draft but it is always difficult to predict the impact a rookie can have on a veteran contender like San Antonio. Blair made plenty of noise in his NBA debut with 14 points on 7-of-10 shooting, 11 rebounds and three assists in 22 ½ minutes. He had only six points and four rebounds in 13 minutes on Thursday, proving that his contributions will be inconsistent.

However, there is little doubt Blair can rebound in the NBA (think Paul Millsap) and he will get his chance since the Spurs will increasingly rest their older vets. As Tim Duncan, Michael Finley, Manu Ginobili and Antonio McDyess see their minutes decline in preparation for the postseason, Blair will be there to fill the void. He will wind up as one of the most valuable rookies by season’s end.

Derrick Brown (40th overall, PF, Charlotte Bobcats): Another beneficiary of Bell’s wrist injury, Brown had nine points, four rebounds, two steals and two blocks in 21 minutes. But Charlotte lost by 33, so he hardly seems like a solid part of their rotation.

Chase Budinger (44th overall, SG, Houston Rockets): Budinger scored six points in 15 minutes on Tuesday and added 11 points in 18 minutes on Wednesday. He’s not contributing in any category but 3-pointers, however, but may emerge as a potential sharpshooter.