The NBA draft’s new two-day format debuts Thursday, with the second spherical getting a standalone slot after Wednesday’s Spherical 1. The most important story line of the second day is the place Bronny James will find yourself, with the Los Angeles Lakers at No. 55 circled by many as James’s probably vacation spot. Outdoors of the James dialog, there are nonetheless a number of high-level gamers on the board coming into the draft’s second day, lots of whom may make an affect as quickly as subsequent season of their new properties.
Right here’s a take a look at the ten greatest gamers nonetheless out there.
Bigs with Filipowski’s numerous offensive ability set are arduous to seek out, with the 6’11” huge man able to dealing with the ball, capturing the three and distributing. He’s additionally not as stiff of a defender as he’s perceived, really holding his personal properly in opposition to switches whereas at Duke. There may very well be some lingering concern concerning the double hip surgical procedure he underwent final April, however assuming medicals are clear, he’s properly price a choose early within the second.
Furphy slipping out of the primary spherical was a shock, because the Kansas product was seen as an possibility as excessive because the late teenagers. He’s an athletic slasher who settled right into a priceless position for the Jayhawks this season after reclassifying from the 2024 highschool class into ’23. Furphy’s removed from a completed product, however ought to come off the board shortly Thursday.
Groups looking a second unit level guard can be sensible to focus on Kolek, the most effective passers within the draft. As a four-year school participant with athletic limitations, Kolek’s ceiling is pretty low. That will have saved him out of the primary spherical, however Kolek shouldn’t fall lengthy given his IQ, competitiveness and talent to get teammates concerned.
Christie’s brother, Max, was a fringe first-rounder in 2022 who fell to No. 35 total on draft evening. Cam Christie faces an identical destiny. His slender body could make it arduous for him to make a big affect as a rookie, however Cam Christie was extraordinarily spectacular on movie in his lone season at Minnesota and profiles as a big-time shooter long run.
It might’ve been arduous to think about Edwards sliding to Day 2 of the draft when he enrolled at Kentucky final summer time, however that’s the destiny he faces after a disappointing 12 months in Lexington. Edwards nonetheless possesses a great deal of upside given his dimension and slashing capability, however utilizing his elite bodily instruments extra constantly has been a problem since his time as a prime highschool recruit. Somebody will roll the cube right here.
Facilities have come off the board shortly on this draft, with Zach Edey, Kel’el Ware and DaRon Holmes II all drafted on the prime of their projected ranges. That might spell excellent news for Bona, the freakishly athletic Turkish huge man whose pace and explosiveness off the ground makes him an intriguing defensive prospect. If he falls to No. 38, the New York Knicks are an apparent match given their want for an enormous and Tom Thibodeau’s emphasis on the defensive finish.
Smith performed third fiddle behind Ron Holland and Matas Buzelis on the G League Ignite and was regarded as a robust candidate to land within the late first spherical. As an alternative, he’s out there on Day 2. Smith is an fascinating cube roll given his capturing capability, but it surely seems like he’s an extended methods away from making a constant two-way affect.
Johnson is a extremely completed school participant, with a visit to the nationwide title sport at San Diego State earlier than wrapping his profession up with an enormous season at Arizona. He’s an explosive athlete who defends a number of positions because of his plus size and mobility, and his three-point shot improved by leaps and bounds final season. Anticipate him to discover a method as a job participant on the subsequent degree.
Spencer struggled within the NBA draft mix scrimmages, however was such a unbelievable participant for UConn within the Huskies’ run to the nationwide title this spring. He’s probably the most spirited opponents this faculty basketball author can bear in mind, and he provides worth on the ground as a high-feel man who shoots the lights out from three. He’s price a assured contract.
Mogbo is a novel participant, an undersized ahead who can deal with the ball and move however lacks an outdoor shot. It’s going to take the appropriate staff context to seek out one of the best ways of maximizing his funky sport, but when issues break proper, Mogbo may go down as a Day 2 steal.