By Raphielle Johnson
With the move to a two-day draft, NBA teams will have more time to evaluate their options ahead of Thursday’s Round 2. And there is some value to be had, with three players projected by many to be first-round picks between them. still available. And two of those three received invitations to the Green Room, so it’s safe to say that none of them expected to still be on the board when they left the Barclays Center. Second-round picks don’t receive the same financial guarantee as first-round picks, but that can be offset by the ability of some agents to select the right option for their clients. Here’s a look at the top ten players on the draft board when the second round begins Thursday afternoon.
1. Boyfriend Johnny Furphy (Kansas)
Furphy entered the pre-draft process as a projected lottery pick, and many did not expect him to be on the board, passing Orlando for the 18th overall pick. The former Kansas wing not only remained available after that pick, but he fell out of the first round. Furphy’s offensive game is a bit limited, as most of his production came from his teammates setting him up instead of getting his stuff off the dribble. Furphy was a solid perimeter shooter and finisher around the basket, but his offensive game is not as dynamic as some players whose names were announced Wednesday. As disappointing as it was for Furphy not to hear his name called, it’s unlikely he’ll wait long to learn his fate on Thursday.
2. F/C Kyle Filipowski (Duke)
While he has the size of a center, Filipowski can also offer value as a power forward. The former Duke standout has a high floor, but the limited ceiling may have something to do with him not being selected during the first round. New York was seen as a possible destination, but the Knicks’ pre-draft activity (acquiring Mikal Bridges and re-signing OG Anunoby) likely put the team in a position where they would prefer to go with a player who could be hidden. abroad (Pacome Dadiet) for a while. Milwaukee would be worth watching at the 33rd pick, as Brook Lopez has been the subject of trade rumors, and the Bucks could need additional depth at the five even if they keep their starting center.
3. G Tyler Kolek (Marquette)
Kolek is a high-end point guard who is given a first-round projection due to his ability to help a team right away. The team most frequently connected with former Marquette standout Phoenix, made trades and ultimately ended up with Virginia wing Ryan Dunn at No. 28 overall (No. 22 pick DaRon Holmes II was traded to Denver). Only two point guards were selected in the second half of the first round, with Jared McCain (Philadelphia) going 16th overall and Isaiah Collier (Utah) going 29th. They may be perceived as having higher ceilings than Kolek, and a reconstruction team selected the latter. Would San Antonio consider him at No. 35, even with their selection of Stephon Castle with the fourth overall pick? He could slide further down the board, which would be shocking given pre-draft expectations.
4. F. Bobi Klintman (Cairns Taipans)
The end of the first round can be a game of chance, and with Klintman projected to leave at that point in the draft, it’s not surprising that he remains on the board. The 6-foot-9 Swedish forward moves well, but his finishing around the basket last season was disappointing. Klintman advanced as a perimeter shooter while in Cairns, but the overall offensive game needs polishing. He should hear his name called early in the second round, and Portland at No. 34 could be an attractive option, especially if the Blazers move Deandre Ayton or Robert Williams this offseason.
5. F Tyler Smith (G League Ignite)
Smith, 19, is a power forward who is at his best when allowed to attack the basket as the rolling man, and he was also solid as a three-point shooter. However, like Klintman, ending up in traffic was an issue during Smith’s season with G League Ignite. While several teams decided to roll the dice Wednesday on young players who were considered to have greater upside, that didn’t lead to Smith’s name being mentioned. He should hear his name called during the first half of the second round.
6.F Enrique Freeman (Akron)
After beginning his career as a walk-on, Freeman finished his college career as one of the most successful players in this draft class. That wasn’t enough to make him a first-round pick, but the general feeling was that Freeman would go in the second round. He will be a quality option for teams seeking a playoff berth or looking to strengthen their status as contenders. Considered undersized for an NBA power forward, Freeman’s basketball IQ will allow him to be successful wherever he lands.
7. G Cam Christie (Minnesota)
Christie, who won’t turn 19 until late July, is one of the youngest prospects in the class. Like his older brother Max, who spent the last two seasons with the Lakers, Cam shoots the ball well beyond the arc and offers solid length and athleticism for a wing. Like Freeman, the expectation was that he would be a second-round pick, likely coming off the board Thursday afternoon.
8. G Juan Núñez (Ratiopharm Ulm)
Nunez, a teammate of Knicks first-round pick Pacome Dadiet, has good size for a point guard (6-foot-4) and is considered a pass-first player. However, turnovers were sometimes a concern, as was his limited three-point shooting ability. Curiously, at the beginning of June it was reported that Núñez would move from Ratiopharm Ulm to FC Barcelonabut did not respond when asked about that alleged deal. Depending on the team that drafts him, Nunez could decide to stay in Europe for another season to get more reps in the game.
9. C Adem Bona (UCLA)
Despite being 6-foot-8, Bona is one of the best interior defenders in this draft class, thanks to his motor, athleticism and 7-foot-4 wingspan. Consistent production was an issue for him at UCLA last season, but you can’t ignore his physical tools. Teams looking for a defensive-minded big man may target Bona, especially if that team doesn’t need too much offensive production from him right away.
10. G Ajay Mitchell (UC Santa Barbara)
The 6-foot-3 point guard was an excellent playmaker at UCSB, but his perimeter shooting could be a concern for some. Mitchell shot 33.2% from three during his three-year college career, but hit 39.3% of his attempts (and also shot 85.8% from the foul line) when he was a junior. Mitchell showed the ability to improve as a shooter, so there are advantages to that. Mitchell is an efficient playmaker, but his shooting mechanics likely need some refinement.
