2024 NBA Draft 2nd Round Recap
Written by: Danny Albers
The story of the 2nd round of the NBA draft was if the Lakers were going to draft Bronny James and create the first father-son duo in the NBA. We got our answer. Bronny was drafted at the end of the 2nd round and began a bunch of criticism from the NBA fanbase. The “nepotism baby” moniker will be labeled to him until he’s able to shut people up. Let’s break down each pick from the first round.
(31) Toronto Raptors: C Jonathan Mogbo (San Francisco) 6’6” 217 LBS
Mogbo is a small, undersized center. At only 6’6” I have concerns about his ability to have an effective post game. He will likely be moved out of the center position and moved out as a wing. He’s a defense-first player, and feels more comfortable passing and getting teammates involved than he does shooting or attempting to score. His first goal will be to develop a 3-point shot so he can settle in as a d-and-3 style player.
Grade: C+
(32) Utah Jazz: PF Kyle Filipowski (Duke) 6’11” 230 LBS
Getting Filipowski here is incredible value for the Jazz. He’s a 7-footer who can shoot the ball effectively, and has natural instincts offensively. He probably will be asked to pass and play the post more than shooting out of the perimeter with the Jazz already having a 3-point shooting big in Lauri Markanen. He can score the ball and be effective in other ways on offense.The Jazz is also a perfect landing spot for Filipowski as he will be given time to play his rookie season, his style fits the mold for how the Jazz operate, a team often looking for offense-first players.
Pick Grade: A+
(33) Milwaukee Bucks: SF Tyler Smith (G League Ignite) 6’9” 224 LBS
Tyler Smith was battle tested in the G-League last season, and proved he can be a strong interior scorer against higher competition. He’s still raw in some aspect of his game, mostly defense and just overall decision making at just 19-years old. He can shoot the 3 well, and it seems the Bucks are confident in their developmental system taking all G-League teenagers this season. There’s a clear direction and pattern here, and I won’t knock it. He’s exceptional value in the second round since he was originally projected as a late first round pick.
Grade: A+
(34) New York Knicks: PG Tyler Kolek (Marquette) 6’1” 197 LBS
Tyler Kolek intrigues me as a draft prospect. The kid was one of the most fun players to watch last season, and was the anchor to an incredible Marquette team. His passing ability will have to guide him at the next level since his athleticism is going to be challenged against NBA competition. Also, he will have to prove he can stay healthy. He can give Jalen Brunson some relief, and at the very least be a 3-point threat to the other team. This kid has the ability to be a 40% 3-point shooter.
Grade: A-
(35) Indiana Pacers: SG Johnny Furphy (Kansas) 6’8” 189 LBS
Johnny Furphy reminded me a lot of Josh Giddey last season. He’s a big and tall guard who has solid shooting ability. His lack of strength and physicality probably moved him down draft boards, but he’s very much a first round talent. Furphy is a developmental piece, but the Pacers traded up to get him which shows me that they have a spot in mind for him on this talented roster. It’s a great place for Furphy, a kid who’s yet to hit his ceiling to go to. The Pacers have done exceptionally well at developing young talent.
Grade: B+
(36) San Antonio Spurs: PG Juan Núñez (Spain) 6’4” 206 LBS
Nuñez is a creative point guard who reminded me a lot of Ricky Rubio. He’s a better shooter and scorer than those previous Spanish point guards. He’s nowhere near done developing, and he’s got good size that will help him on defense. This feels like the type of player that Greg Popovich can turn into a great role player. He’ll probably spend a year in development before getting time on the main roster.
Grade: A-
(37) Detroit Pistons: PF Bobi Klintman (Sweden) 6’9” 212 LBS
Klintman has God given ability and raw tangables that stood out to teams. He’s an extremely raw talent as he’s got to develop some skill, but you’re willing to take that on a kid who won’t take long to be a fine rebounder and defender. He’s an electric athlete, and will have a lot of time to work on his game.
Grade: B+
(38) Oklahoma City Thunder: PG Ajay Mitchell (UC Santa Barbara) 6’3” 197 LBS
Ajay Mitchell is an interesting prospect as he has a lot of tangibles that can translate to the league. We don’t know how he will look against elite talent, so there could be a learning curve. He’s a big, explosive point guard, and can hit a jumper. He’s a creative passer, but has had injuries follow him through his college career. He has a feel for the game you can’t teach. He’s an unselfish player that can guard the perimeter.
Grade: A+
(39) Memphis Grizzlies: SG Jaylen Wells (Washington State) 6’7” 206 LBS
Wells is an elite 3-point shooter out of the Pac 12. He was a 42% 3-point shooter. He’s a bit soft, and struggles on defense. He’s only 20 years old so there is a lot more for this kid to learn. Memphis got a big post player in Zach Edey in the first round, and now look to fill out the perimeter. Wells could develop into a fun role player to provide an offense boost to the bench unit. He’s got a lot of work to do to make sure he can contribute to the team though. He improved a lot last season, and with the right coaching can do it again.
Grade: B-
(40) Phoenix Suns: PF Osasere Ighodaro (Marquetee) 6’10” 222 LBS
Ighodaro is an interesting pick here. I didn’t think he had the offensive ability to translate to the next level. He isn’t a very good rebounder. He’s a good interior passer who can kick out to find the open shooter. It might take a year or two to find his offensive game for the Suns, but they have a spot for him to get some minutes.
Grade: D
(41) Philadelphia 76ers: C Adem Bona (UCLA) 6’8” 243 LBS
A very interesting post player who’s a fast big man who has streaks of explosiveness. He’s got a 7-foot-4 wingspan and has the ability to be an elite defender. He can help relieve some of the playing time for Joel Embid. He’s a good lob finisher. He can be over aggressive at times, but off the bench and with NBA coaching that shouldn't be a problem. He’s got physical traits that should help him adapt to the next level. His energy and rebounding will help him get playing time right away for Philly. The city of Brotherly Love will love this kid.
Grade: A+
(42) Charlotte Hornets: PG KJ Simpson (Colorado) 6’0 187 LBS
Simpson is a fun player to watch as he has good scoring ability and can hit big shots. He played a lot at Colorado and he grew into a great player and team leader. He’s a bit undersized which is why he fell out of the first round. He’s not a great defender so he will likely be a role player off the bench until he can grow on that side of the ball. He’s a great energetic scorer that can bring life back to the Hornets rebuilding roster.
Grade: A+
(43) Atlanta Hawks: SG Nikola Djurisić (Serbia) 6’7” 207 LBS
A really good wing player for the Atlanta Hawks here. He’s got physical traits to blend in well in the NBA. He’s a playmaker and at times has been inconsistent from 3-point shooting. His defense is a bit soft at times. I think the Hawks are going to trade Trae Young and enter a complete rebuild, so I think that Nikola will have time to develop for a team who will be patient with him. There will be times he gets exploited by the opposing offense, and times he goes cold. But there will be times that he shows flashes of his potential.
(44) Miami Heat: SG Pelle Larsson (Arizona) 6’5” 212 LBS
Larsson is a good two-way guard who’s best game is off the ball. He’s a good shooter but needs to find his confidence. He’s an unselfish and smart player that I think the Heat will be able to work with. He’s a very stereotypical Heat type of player who they can get to buy into their culture. A good minutes eater that can hit shots.
Grade: A
(45) Toronto Raptors: PG Jamal Shead (Houston) 6’0” 201 LBS
Jamal Shead is a pitbull defender and is tough for his small frame. He’s a competitive player that went 120-18 at the college level. He is inconsistent offensively, and isn’t much of a shooter. He doesn’t need the ball to step up for this team. He’s a physical scorer that can draw fouls. He’s a pest for opposing guards and is good value in the second round.
Grade: A-
(46) Los Angeles Clippers: SG Cam Christie (Minnesota) 6’5” 190 LBS
Christie is a great shooter and has size for a perimeter scorer. He’s really young and already has very good skills that will help him translate to the next level. He’s got a really good touch on passes and shots. He can slash to the rim, but he’s at his best when he’s on the outside of the ball. His length can help him turn into a great perimeter defender who can crash and block shots. I love this pick for the Clippers.
Grade: A+
(47) New Orleans Pelicans: SG Antonio Reeves (Kentucky) 6’5” 187 LBS
Antonio Reeves was part of that dynamic Kentucky 3-point shooting attack. He shot 45% and was one of the most efficient scorers in college basketball. He’s a 23-year old 5-year player, so he’s had a lot of experience. He’s not very physical as he’s a pure scorer and doesn’t really play defense. But he’s a good bench scorer for the Pelicans who are looking to make a jump into a deep playoff contender.
Grade: B
(48) San Antonio Spurs: SF Harrison Ingram (North Carolina) 6’5” 234 LBS
Ingram has a good basketball IQ and is a Spurs-type of player. He’s got a really good offensive game. He’s a bit undersized which sometimes makes him a mismatch on defense. He's a good 3-point shooter who can take over games when he gets hot. He’s an experienced player that played a big role for UNC. He needs to improve on his free throw game, as the team will likely put him on the line a lot since he only shot 62% from free throws. But he’s good value in the 2nd round.
Grade: A-
(49) Indiana Pacers: PG Tristen Newton (UCONN) 6’3” 192 LBS
Newton is a big point guard and was a good playmaker for UCONN. He’s 23-years old and has a high basketball IQ. He’s an inconsistent scorer and will need to develop his perimeter shooting. He’s limited on defense as he’s a bit slower, but is long enough he can help out on mismatches. He improved in his final season as a big game shot-maker in clutch moments. He’s a leader and will help the Pacers who look to build a winning culture.
Grade: A
(50) Indiana Pacers: PF Enrique Freeman (Akron) 6’7” 212 LBS
A really high energy kid who was a double-double machine in the MAC. He’s a really bad shooter, and so he will really have to develop that to get playing time on a deep Pacers team. He’s got a 7-foot-2 wingspan and could provide defensive depth, but right now might not be ready for significant minutes. He had a great combine, and the Pacers got time to develop him.
Grade: C+
(51) Dallas Mavericks: SG Melvin Ajinça (France) 6’7” 214 LBS
Ajinca has the ability to step immediately as a d-and-3 style player. He’s got good energy, and that made up for some of his inconsistencies at shooting. But if he improves on his shot he reminds me of a Derrick Jones Jr. style player. He can be a great perimeter defender. The Mavericks are in no hurry to rush his development. This kid will get time to work on his game before getting the call.
Grade: B-
(52) Golden State Warriors: C Quinten Post (Boston College) 7’0” 244 LBS
Post is a 7 footer who can knock down shots. He’s a good offensive minded center who’s slow on defense, but strong on the pick-and- roll offensively. He can pass, has solid handles, and he can knock down shots consistently. He was a very productive player for Boston College who were a little thin on talent around him. The Warriors have done really well in developing big men in the past.
Grade: A-
(53) Memphis Grizzlies: SG Cam Spencer (UCONN) 6’3” 202 LBS
This is a smart basketball player that can be what Grayson Allen was for the Grizzlies. He’s a smart player that has good shooting ability and can pass the ball. He’s not very big or athletic but he’s got a lot of grit and toughness. He will keep defenses on their toes, especially if he gets open in the corner. He’s a championship caliber player, coachable, and intelligent. Spencer can be a great role player for the Grizzlies.
Grade: B+
(54) Boston Celtics: PF Anton Watson (Gonzaga) 6’8” 233 LBS
Anton Watson is a smart player who can find ways to help his team besides scoring the basketball. He’s not very athletic, and he’s limited on the offensive end. He’s a good passer and good at getting teammates involved, and has no limits on who he can guard defensively. He has solid shot blocking ability. He’s the type of person that the Celtics can turn into a good role player.
Grade: C
(55) Los Angeles Lakers: PG Bronny James (USC) 6’2” 210 LBS
Bronny James is a much better player than what his stats in college said. I felt his season was derailed by the cardiac arrest episode. He’s obviously a developmental piece, nothing more. He is far from playing at the professional level, but might get the Antetokounmpo treatment. I never really saw him as an NBA talent, especially after 1 college season and at 19 years old. He probably will be back and forth to the G-League. But this is obviously the decision to play with his dad who will do his best to develop his kid into a good NBA prospect. The first time their on the court together should garner a lot of publicity.
Grade: D
(56) New York Knicks: SF Kevin McCullar Jr. (Kansas) 6’6” 206 LBS
Kevin McCullar was one of the best players in college this past season before he had some troubles with injuries. McCullar is a competitive player and a quality defender. He’s a good passer and can get teammates involved in the game. There are some questions about his inconsistent offense, but he’s not a bad depth piece for the Knicks. If McCullar stays healthy, he will likely make this team and fight for bench minutes.
Grade: A
(57) Toronto Raptors: PF Ulrich Chomche (Cameroon) 6’10” 232 LBS
At only 18 years old, Chomche has some developing to do in the G-League. But his raw ability alone makes him a solid investment. At times he showed flashes of NBA level skillset with the NBA academy, but he’s 2-3 years from wearing a Raptors jersey and contributing at the NBA level. He’s got a 7-foot-4 wingspan, and is a sticky defender.
Grade: B+
(58) New York Knicks: C Ariel Hukporti (Germany) 6’11 242 LBS
I don’t hate the strategy here from the Knicks. New York was fairly active in the second round of the 2024 NBA draft, and on the final pick they added a 6’11” big man from Germany. Ariel Hukporti was likely selected for his rebounding and rim production ability. He probably lacks the skill to be a starting center in the league, but it’s not out of the question if he gets some minutes off the bench. His strength and defense alone are interesting traits as he likely won’t get bullied at the next level.
Grade: A-
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