When the first round of the 2024 NBA Draft concluded late Wednesday night, everyone was left scratching their heads and wondering why Kyle Filipowski, Johnny Furphy, and Tyler Kolek fell to the second round. Furphy is still a raw and underdeveloped freshman, so perhaps it is not as surprising to see him available as Filipowski and Kolek, who can be role players in the NBA right now. With the second round set to begin on Thursday afternoon, these are the top prospects everyone around the league is watching. For fans, Bronny James remains the player everyone wants to know about pertaining to where he will end up in the second round.
The Los Angeles Lakers have long been linked to Bronny for obvious reasons. However, there have been other teams with rumored interest in LeBron James' son. Could a team trade up or select Bronny before the Lakers have a chance to pair him with his father?
Between James still being available and Filipowski falling to the second round, the biggest question heading into the second round of the 2024 NBA Draft revolves around the idea of trades that are still developing around the NBA.
Only a total of five moves were made on Wednesday, one of which involved the likes of Deni Avdija and Malcolm Brogdon being on the move. As various teams look to move below the tax line and set themselves up for long-term financial success, we could still see multiple star-level players on the move between now and free agency.
The second round of the 2024 NBA Draft almost acts as a connector between the first round and free agency, which is set to begin Sunday evening. What teams do with these picks and in terms of trade talks will be very telling as to what we should expect to see around the league over the next two weeks heading into Las Vegas Summer League.
Based on who is still remaining, here is how the second round of the 2024 NBA Draft could play out.
31. Toronto Raptors: PF/C Kyle Filipowski – Duke
It was really shocking to see Kyle Filipowski fall as far as he did. Although many teams in the 20-to-30 range of the first round were not looking for frontcourt help, the Denver Nuggets, Utah Jazz, and Boston Celtics were all potential suitors for Filipowski, who had interest from teams in the teens. Now, he could end up being a steal for a team like the Toronto Raptors at the start of the second round. Filipowski is a 7-footer who can play in the low post and be a passing big man from anywhere on the floor. He would fit in nicely with a Raptors team looking for more playmaking at the power forward position.
32. Utah Jazz – SF/PF Bobi Klintman – Sweden (Cairns Taipans – NBL)
Bobi Klintman has a chance to be a really good player due to his athleticism and defensive versatility. The Swedish forward improved a lot going from Wake Forest to the NBL this past season, and his strengths revolve around his abilities to run in transition and be a slasher on offense. If he can develop strong shooting tenancies and hit his threes with consistency, Klintman will evolve into an everyday factor for a team like the Jazz, who added another versatile wing in Cody Williams with the 10th overall pick.
33. Milwaukee Bucks – SG/SF Johnny Furphy – Kansas
Many expected Johnny Furphy to have a promise inside the top 20 after he decided to remain in the 2024 NBA Draft. Ultimately, that did not prove to be true, and he now finds himself as the best shooter available in the second round. Furphy is still only 19 years old, and it is going to take time for him to reach his full potential. At 6'8″, he presents length and scoring upside on the wing. The Milwaukee Bucks are looking for players that they can develop into real impactful talents, making Furphy the perfect target here.
34. Portland Trail Blazers – PF Tyler Smith – G League Ignite
The Portland Trail Blazers held interest in Tyler Smith throughout the pre-draft process, which is why they would be lucky to get him here. He can score in or outside of the paint, and Smith has the tools to make a difference on either end of the court. However, he is still a very underdeveloped prospect who will need time in the G League before he is ready to earn real NBA reps.
35. San Antonio Spurs – PG Tyler Kolek – Marquette
Tyler Kolek is a winning and really poised point guard. It was shocking to see him fall out of the first round due to heavy interest from the Bucks and Phoenix Suns. The Marquette guard can step in right away and help lead a team's backcourt, making him the obvious choice for the San Antonio Spurs in this spot. Kolek would join fourth overall pick Stephon Castle, creating a strong backcourt duo that would hardly turn the ball over. The fact that Kolek can knock down multiple shots from the perimeter gives him an advantage over other guards in this spot.
36. Indiana Pacers – C Adem Bona – UCLA
There may not be a tougher interior presence available in the second round than Adem Bona. Teams were very impressed with Bona's strength at the NBA Draft Combine in May, and that has translated to his pre-draft workouts as well. The only downside to Bona's game is that he can be foul-prone at times. Between his mobility and intensity in the paint, Bona would make for a great backup option behind Myles Turner.
37. Minnesota Timberwolves – SF Harrison Ingram – North Carolina
The Minnesota Timberwolves tend to have a knack for lengthy wing players who can shoot from deep. Harrison Ingram shot 38.5 percent from three-point range this past season for the Tar Heels, and he possesses a 7-foot wingspan. Best of all, Ingram is an avid rebounder, which will make him a candidate to potentially see minutes off the bench in Minnesota since Kyle Anderson is likely leaving in free agency.
38. New York Knicks – PF Jonathan Mogbo – San Francisco
Jonathan Mogbo would be a steal for the New York Knicks in this position. The San Francisco forward shot up draft boards over the last month because of his motor and natural defensive instincts to make the right play. He can almost operate as a point forward at times due to his understanding of the game. Although the Knicks don't have a need for more players in the second round of this year's draft, Mogbo could be a guy they draft and look to mold further in the G League. This would be a great landing spot for the senior.
39. Memphis Grizzlies – PG Jamal Shead – Houston
Toughness and grit are two words that come to mind when describing Jamal Shead. It makes perfect sense as to why the Memphis Grizzlies would want him with this pick. Shead was the leader of a strong Houston Cougars team this past season, and his defensive tenacity makes him an on-ball pest. The bottom line is that Shead is a winner and would fit the role of a backup point guard behind Ja Morant perfectly. If his three-point shot comes around, we will be looking back and asking why Shead wasn't a first round pick from this draft.
40. Portland Trail Blazers – SG/SF Justin Edwards – Kentucky
Once thought to be a potential lottery pick, Justin Edwards is now a prospect who will have to earn his stripes after falling to the middle of the second round. The good news is that the Portland Trail Blazers are rebuilding and can spend time really working with Edwards on his shot selection and shooting skills. When given the opportunity, Edwards showed flashes of his overall scoring potential at Kentucky. With the right pieces around him, he could be a rotational scoring weapon early on in his career.
41. Philadelphia 76ers – SG Cam Christie – Minnesota
The younger brother of Los Angeles Lakers wing Max Christie, Cam Christie is a shooter. Still just 18 with a 6'8″ wingspan, Christie is going to be a developmental project that spends a lot of time in the G League. The Philadelphia 76ers, who will likely look to trade this pick for future second-round picks, could use a younger shooter like Christie. Perhaps he will actually be ahead of schedule with a team like Philadelphia and could contribute as a catch-and-shoot threat right away.
42. Charlotte Hornets – PG Juan Nunez – Spain (Ratiopharm Ulm – Bundesliga)
Juan Nunez really thrives in pick-and-roll sets. The Spanish guard can create scoring opportunities for others, and he operates as a seasoned veteran with the ball in his hands. The Charlotte Hornets could utilize Nunez for his passing abilities as a key backup facilitator behind LaMelo Ball. After all, the Hornets like to run pick-and-roll sets with Mark Williams and Nick Richards, two players who would be key beneficiaries of a player like Nunez being next to them.
43. Miami Heat – SF/PF Keshad Johnson – Arizona
Keshad Johnson may just be the player to take Caleb Martin's spot with the Heat. The Arizona product brings defensive intensity and strong shooting instincts as a combo forward that would do well in Erik Spoelstra's developmental system. While he may not be the best shooter, Johnson is a competitor who can be relentless as a defender. Miami plays the type of system that Johnson would thrive in.
44. Houston Rockets – SG/SF Kevin McCullar Jr. – Kansas
Kevin McCullar has slipped to the second round due to a variety of teams being concerned with his medicals. While he has first-round talent, McCullar's knee injury, which ended his senior season at Kansas, has carried over to his ability to perform during the pre-draft process. Still, he is a poised and experienced wing that can provide depth for a team like the Houston Rockets, who are searching for experienced, two-way options on the wing.
45. Sacramento Kings – SG/SF Trentyn Flowers – USA (Adelaide 36ers – NBL)
There is a lot of momentum surrounding Trentyn Flowers right now, and there are various teams interested in taking a swing at him in the second round. He recently conducted workouts with the Sacramento Kings, Boston Celtics, Jazz, and Hornets. While he will need time to develop in the G League, Flowers is certainly the type of player who could work wonders on the wing for the Kings, given his athleticism and natural scoring abilities at the rim.
46. Los Angeles Clippers – SG Cam Spencer – UConn
After helping lead UConn to their second straight national championship, Cam Spencer would bring confidence and a winning mentality to the Los Angeles Clippers. His shooting skills from the perimeter also make Spencer a valuable guard for the Clippers to add. The only downside to selecting Spencer is that he isn't the most versatile defender and could be exploited against more athletic players at the NBA level. At the same time, his winning demeanor and need to get better make Spencer a valuable addition in this spot.
47. Orlando Magic – PG/SG Ajay Mitchell – UC Santa Barbara
Ajay Mitchell impressed scouts at the NBA Draft Combine in May with his vision and playmaking skills as a primary ball handler. Teams have been fascinated with the 6'4″ combo guard and envision him being the type of player that can be utilized in plug-and-play scenarios because of his two-way game. The Orlando Magic would definitely be able to utilize Mitchell right away as a backup option in their backcourt.
48. San Antonio Spurs – SG Melvin Ajinca – France (Saint-Quentin – LNB)
Melvin Ajinca has drawn the attention of scouts due to his three-point presence. Teams will view him as a 3-and-D prospect in the second round of the NBA Draft, making him a potential stash player for the Spurs on the wing. Better yet, he is another French player to pair with Victor Wembanyama.
49. Indiana Pacers – PF Enrique Freeman – Akron
Enrique Freeman has gone from a likely undrafted player to someone who should undoubtedly be a second-round pick after his combine performances. For a team like the Pacers, Freeman would provide immediate rebounding depth and toughness in the paint. At Akron, he was one of the best rebounders in the entire country. If he can develop a steady perimeter game and work on his shooting stroke, Freeman could become one of the best picks from the second round.
50. Indiana Pacers – PG Tristan Newton
Tristan Newton is a winner. The Pacers are one of the many teams Newton worked out for during the pre-draft process, and he would bring a level of confidence to their backcourt. Between his scoring and passing abilities as a point guard, Newton would do well learning more from Tyrese Haliburton and TJ McConnell.
51. New York Knicks – C Oso Ighodaro – Marquette
Oso Ighodaro is one of the best on-ball defenders at the center position in this draft. He could provide the Knicks with more frontcourt depth, seeing as they could move on from both Isaiah Hartenstein and Mitchell Robinson in the offseason. The Knicks acquired this pick from the Washington Wizards in a trade made during the first round.
52. Golden State Warriors – SG/SF Jaylen Wells – Washington State
There are quite a few teams showing interest in Jaylen Wells entering the second round. After shooting above 40 percent from three-point range at Washington State, Wells figures to be a rookie who teams will look to sign to a two-way contract whether or not he is drafted. The Golden State Warriors have one of the best developmental G League teams, which is why they would be willing to invest time and resources into making Wells their next young weapon.
53. Detroit Pistons – SG Antonio Reeves – Kentucky
While he will likely spend a lot of time in the G League during his rookie season, Antonio Reeves finds himself as one of the better scoring weapons available in the second round. The Pistons could use more scoring options on their bench, hence the fit for Reeves in this spot at the end of the draft, especially on a two-way contract.
54. Boston Celtics – SF Jalen Bridges – Baylor
At Baylor, Jalen Bridges shot 42 percent from three-point range while displaying toughness as a wing defender. Essentially, the Celtics could get a look at an experienced 3-and-D college player who understands what it takes to win. Maybe he wouldn't see time early on in his career, but to have a player like Bridges on their bench would certainly be a commodity in Boston.
55. Los Angeles Lakers – PG Bronny James – USC
Many NBA scouts feel as if Bronny James has a chance to make some sort of impact early on in his NBA career due to his defensive abilities. James has strong instincts for knowing where to be, and he plays well above his 6'2″ frame. The questions for Bronny lie with his shooting abilities and overall impact offense. He can make some shots, but James is still a very raw prospect who will need time to develop further in the G League. This is an obvious choice for the Lakers, as drafting Bronny has always been their plan in the second round.
56. Phoenix Suns – PG KJ Simpson – Colorado
KJ Simpson has drawn attention from teams all over the second round after his stellar performances at the NBA Draft Combine. This would be an absolute steal for the Suns at the end of the second round, as Simpson can be a confident backup point guard who spends time learning from stars like Devin Booker and Bradley Beal. The Suns acquired this pick from the Nuggets during the first round when Denver traded up for DaRon Holmes II.
57. Memphis Grizzlies – PF/C Ulrich Chomche – Cameroon (Basketball Africa League)
Standing 6'10” with a 7'4″ wingspan, Ulrich Chomche has the intangibles to be a terrific defensive big man in the NBA. Just 18 years old, he would be a young prospect the Grizzlies look to develop into their next long-term option in the frontcourt behind Jaren Jackson Jr. and 2024 first round pick Zach Edey. His length and potential to become an elite-level shot blocker make Chomche worth the pick here for the Grizzlies, as they can stash him away for the future.
58. Dallas Mavericks – SG Pelle Larsson – Arizona
In addition to being a strong shooter, Pelle Larsson can handle the ball in pick-and-roll sets. The Dallas Mavericks simply need more catch-and-shoot options on the perimeter, making Larsson one of the best value picks in this spot.
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