2024 NBA Draft Grades — Second Round
With all the selections in the books, it's time for a quick grade for each second-round pick. As always, with an explanation and depth. The first round was published yesterday.
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The Second Round
31 — Toronto Raptors: Jonathan Mogbo (Senior, C)
Grade: A-
Raptors get their rim-running play-finisher in Mogbo. He’s a fantastic athlete who is one of the better rebounders in this class. In Toronto, he will complement the second unit where he can eventually grow into a a starter if everything clicks. His screening and play-finishing gravity will lead to him keeping the interior busy while fitting a four-out type of offense. With the Raptors’ size and multiple ball handlers, the overall fit is intriguing for both.
32 — Utah Jazz: Kyle Filipowski (Sophomore, PF)
Grade: C+
As expected, Filipowski fell on draft night due to NBA decision-makers struggling to complement his ball-heavy type of game at Duke. His inconsistency in the latter stages of the season while playing in a post-up-heavy game, Filipowski has to prove he can scale his role down to succeed in the NBA. Adding another big body who can pop to the perimeter and shoot open threes to start with is much needed for the Jazz here.
33 — Milwaukee Bucks: Tyler Smith (2004, PF)
Grade: B+
The Bucks complement their frontcourt with an ultra-athletic Smith who will continue to develop as a team defender. He’s one of the best shooters among forwards in this class. With his play-finishing being feasible after adjusting well early on to the G League level while coming out of high school, his bad outing at the NBA Draft Combine likely led to him sliding on draft boards.
For Milwaukee, adding versatility to their aging frontcourt was the focus here, while picking up a developmental name on a cheaper contract. Smith is betting on himself to quickly sign a second contract if everything clicks.
34 — New York Knicks: Tyler Kolek (Senior, PG)
Grade: B
The New York Knicks needed another pick-and-roll playmaker to put less pressure on Jalen Brunson. In a combination of two play-finishers at the five, Kolek can lead the second unit as a floor general, while spacing the floor when he doesn’t have the ball in his hands.
The Knicks have the right personnel in their frontcourt to serve Kolek early. Defensively he’ll struggle but in a Thibodeau system, the Knicks will have to focus on putting a good point-of-attack defender alongside Kolek, making more minutes in the second unit for McBride more likely. Great NBA-ready pick, despite defensive woes.
35 — Indiana Pacers: Johnny Furphy (Freshman, SF)
Grade: N/A
I haven’t watched Furphy in this draft cycle. Therefore I won’t have a take for this draft pick.
36 — San Antonio Spurs: Juan Núñez (2004, PG)
Grade: A-
The Spurs get another steal in Núñez. Although he will likely play in Europe, while being brought up as a signing for Barcelona, one of the top teams in the continent. Continuing to work on his craft and coming over later to start is the focus here, rather than coming over now and filling a rotational role at best.
Núñez is by far the best passer in this class, with his playmaking, screen navigation, and decision-making being beyond his years. One of the best players in the class in terms of implementing his feel for the game to the game and leading an offense. San Antonio will likely sign him somewhere down the line.
37 — Detroit Pistons: Bobi Klintman (2003, SF)
Grade: B-
Detroit adds another plus-sized ball handler who has a smooth interior scoring game. He brings toughness to the table while being able to scale down his role to a spot-up shooter and closeout-attacker. He’s a good team defender who improved in the NBL. However, he must continue to fill his frame to match the physicality of the NBA game. He has the athleticism to develop into a better team defender but looks underwhelming at times in absorbing contact closer to the basket.
The Pistons add a switchable defender that needs development they can provide. Klintman’s experience in both college and professional basketball makes it feasible that he will continue to develop at the next level.
38 — Oklahoma City Thunder: Ajay Mitchell (Junior, PG)
Grade: B+
Oklahoma City adds another scorer to their guard rotation. What makes Mitchell’s game intriguing is how he revolved from an all-around scorer to adding a reliable catch-and-shoot three to his arsenal. For the NBA that means him scaling his role down to fewer ball touches, while he’s a great ball mover, and floor spacer and has the basketball IQ to fit in the creative offensive schemes Coach Daigneault runs.
Another advantage for Oklahoma City is that they continue to add size to their guard rotation as well. With Mitchell is likely that he will contribute for their second unit, while his NBA readiness leads him to have to play fewer G League minutes for his development.
39 — Memphis Grizzlies: Jaylen Wells (Junior, SF)
Grade: A-
Wells was ‘my guy’ in this draft cycle. The Grizzlies will likely give him guaranteed money to keep him on the roster and fix their shooting needs on the wing. While growing from the Division II level to a high-major where he had a big role in Washington State’s run to the tournament. Wells is the type of player who will master a certain role earning him multiple contracts in the span of his career.
40 — Phoenix Suns: Oso Ighodaro (Senior, PF)
Grade: B+
The Suns are expanding their rotation with Ighodaro who has an excellent feel for the game. He’s an excellent frontcourt passer who shows many flashes of a short-roll playmaker, feeding their need for a floor general, even more, to make him effective. He has a good floater and he can make plays for himself off the dribble, which will be asked less from him in the NBA.
With Ighodaro’s experience and mature game, they get a cheap contract while having an NBA-ready rotational piece, which will help their minutes distribution in the frontcourt next season. His style of play fits well with how Phoenix is accustomed to using Nurkić while being able to continue doing so in the minutes he sits on the bench and Ighodaro fills in.
41 — Philadelphia 76ers: Adem Bona (Sophomore, C)
Grade: B+
Bona adds athleticism to the Sixers’ frontcourt. Bona has a clear role on day one where he’ll play hard with his consistent motor as he will serve as a play-finisher on offense while helping Philadelphia retain their defensive rebounding, where they can scheme to complement Bona crashing the offensive glass. In terms of adding more to his game, Bona has a jumper in his arsenal but will likely be asked to not shoot and influence the game with his energy.
Areas of development for him are his screening and avoiding foul trouble. That got in his way more often than not at UCLA.
42 — Charlotte Hornets: KJ Simpson (Senior, PG)
Grade: N/A
I haven’t watched Simpson enough in this draft cycle. Therefore I won’t have a take for this draft pick.
43 — Atlanta Hawks: Nikola Durišić (2003, SG)
Grade: B-
Durišić is an athletic swingman-type of player who is an excellent shooter, both off the catch and coming off movement. He will play spot minutes early on where his connective passing and individual playmaking will complement their second unit. He’s a crafty scorer inside the arc, but will likely get fewer ball-touches compared to his times in Serbia.
Atlanta gets another young piece to complement their rotation, focusing on size and versatility. The most crucial element in Durišić’s game is to improve as a team defender, and Coach Snyder and his staff will help him in that regard.
44 — Miami Heat: Pelle Larsson (Senior, SG)
Grade: A+
The Miami Heat do it again. An excellent connecting guard who can complement Miami’s will to play inverted pick-and-rolls with Jović on the roster. Larsson is a born leader who is a reliable shooter off the catch opening up his minutes where he will impact with his athleticism and toughness. He has ideal size for a guard close to 6-foot-6, with the Heat continuing to add defensive toughness to their rotation, Larsson will likely take on a bigger role as a rookie.
He has the best odds to be in an All-Rookie team among all picks in the second round. This in-depth scouting report is a must-read to better contextualize his NBA role:
45 — Toronto Raptors: Jamal Shead (Senior, PG)
Grade: B+
Shead is an excellent defender who is among the best in college floor generals. His work ethic at Houston inspired many of his teammates. Shead was the coach’s voice on the floor while showing maturity in his game that fits what most NBA teams look for. He will play good minutes early on in his career.
46 — Los Angeles Clippers: Cam Christie (Freshman, SG)
Grade: B-
The Clippers work on their shooting depth by adding one of the top shooters in the class. Christie has an NBA-ready game in that regard but has to fill his frame to stick in the NBA. At times the lack of strength hurts him in screen navigation, taking away the point-of-attack defense while he’s compensating by being a decent team defender. Christie will likely spend time in the G League while working on his body in his rookie year.
47 — New Orleans Pelicans: Antonio Reeves (Senior, SG)
Grade: B
The Pelicans work on their shooting depth with Reeves. With movement shooting becoming a well-regarded trait, it’s committing those shooters to scheming in ways to get these play types up. New Orleans will likely do so, thus adding another high-end shooting in Reeves who can serve in their second unit as a spot-up shooter, ball mover, and good team defender.
48 — San Antonio Spurs: Harrison Ingram (Junior, PF)
Grade: B
Ingram has been a point forward at Stanford, where his handles and playmaking were his unique selling points. However, at North Carolina, he was their ultimate connecting forward. He has a bulky build and can switch to multiple positions. In terms of someone embracing a role without the ball while having played with the ball for two years, says a lot about his positive mindset. The Spurs are getting another high-feel player who can help their second unit right away.
49 — Indiana Pacers: Tristen Newton (Senior, SG)
Grade: B-
The Pacers get a back-to-back national champion in Newton who was one of his team’s leaders. He’s an excellent scorer who fits in almost every system. He can impact the game as a ball-mover and complementary piece due to his quick decision-making. With the Pacers having one of the best offenses in the league, they must add offensive talent to the end of their bench.
50 — Indiana Pacers: Enrique Freeman (Senior, PF)
Grade: A-
Steal! He started his career with an academic scholarship and grew into an NBA prospect in five years. An excellent rebounder with a great motor. Excellent screener and play-finisher. He will continue to improve in the G League while continuing to get better. Despite being the 50th pick, I expect Indiana to be committed to his development.
51 — New York Knicks: Melvin Ajinça (2004, SF)
Grade: B
The Knicks address their shooting need for the wing in Ajinça. He has a clear role as a floor-spacing team defender who will knock down shots in bunches. With the Knicks needing to expand their rotation to put less pressure on the rest, Ajinça can help the Knicks immediately. He’s the type of player who will master a role and battle to earn a second contract. For more context, read the below-mentioned scouting report.
52 — Golden State Warriors: Quinten Post (Senior, C)
Grade: B
Quinten Post adds offensive versatility to the Thunder’s center rotation. He’s an excellent pick-and-pop shooter who has a great feel for the game. Great fundamentals. He has had a great ACC career where he has a clear role as a rotational big man who will impact the game as a ball-mover. For more context, read the below-mentioned scouting report.
53 — Memphis Grizzlies: Cam Spencer (Senior, SG)
Grade: C+
Another national champion is being drafted. The Grizzlies go with experience in the 24-year-old Spener who will likely spend time in the G League where he will battle for spot minutes next year. Shooting depth is the way the Grizzlies went in the second round so far.
54 — Boston Celtics: Anton Watson (Senior, PF)
Grade: B-
Watson has been one of the best rotational players in college basketball. Despite being undersized to play as a full-time four in the NBA, Watson is an excellent rebounder and connective passer. He plays tough and has no issue with adjusting to any defensive scheme he’s thrown into. The challenge for Watson is to find a way to get his production to keep an NBA team’s offensive rating at par. I expect Watson to come off the bench for the Celtics.
55 — Los Angeles Lakers: Bronny James (Freshman, PG)
Grade: C-
The connection with his father is the reason why he’s drafted here. Let’s be honest. But it’s not that Bronny doesn’t earn a spot in the league. His role as a connecting guard with a great feel for the game will get him some playing time in the NBA. For more context, see this in-depth scouting report:
56 — New York Knicks: Kevin McCullar, Jr. (Senior, SG)
Grade: B-
The best guard defender in the class. No doubt. McCullar Jr. was an improving shooter from three who played on an All-American level before his injury ended the season. New York adds size, defensive versatility, and toughness to their guard rotation. I expect him to play G League minutes to continue to work on his three-point shot. He’s one of those defensive specialists whose career ultimately comes down to him being able to shoot.
57 — Toronto Raptors: Ulrich Chomche
Grade: B
Chomche is a long-term bet as the youngest draft-eligible player in this class. While falling in love with his uber-athleticism and mobility, I had him top ten in my early-season rankings. However, cooling off after not seeing improvement throughout the season made it clear that a team is committing to developing him via the G League, making a late first-round or even second-round pick more likely.
The Raptors can afford to develop a potential starting-caliber center who’s a few years away from being able to stand on an NBA floor. Working on his fundamentals and processing the game is key for Chomche.
58 — New York Knicks: Ariel Hukporti
Grade: N/A
I was high on Hukporti two years ago, but I haven’t followed him since last summer. Therefore I have no take for this draft selection.