The 2024 NBA Draft is complete, with the second round delivering Bronny James to the Lakers, where he will join his father, LeBron James. What to do with each pick (and trade) on Day 2? Here are the full second-round scores from Yahoo Sports. (Also check out our first round notes.)
Grade A
This is a scout team win for Toronto, recognizing that their star player, Scottie Barnes, and Mogbo grew up together and trained together during the offseason. Bringing instant chemistry to slide alongside Barnes is a step in the right direction. Mogbo rose quickly during the pre-draft process with how well he played during the combine, his work outside of the pick-and-roll, and his great touch that extends off the block. He had a walking double-double last season, averaging 14.2 points and 10.1 rebounds in San Francisco.
Grade A-
Filipowski decided to return for his sophomore season after undergoing double hip surgery last spring and was projected to be a late lottery pick all season. But as teams dug deeper into his film, they noticed a lack of polish in his inside-out game and limited lateral quickness to prevent the shift. He’s still a versatile 7-foot center who plays smart and has a good work ethic. The fact that he fell to the Jazz in the second round is a gift. This gives Utah the freedom to play tall at times with multiple 7-footers on the court, or Filipowski can help anchor the frontcourt with the second unit.
Grade: B+
Smith improved significantly during his season with the Ignite and has great size with an inside-out game that translates to the NBA. He shot the 3-ball well all season and improved his engine. At just 19 years old, he is a somewhat inexperienced prospect but could flourish in the right situation. He can add size alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo and space the floor.
Grade A
The fact that Kolek fell in the first round with his work at Marquette is a concern. He led all college players in assists, averaging 7.7 per game, and is a solid floor general who the Knicks can count on on the second unit.
Serie B-
The Pacers likely took the best player available with this pick, but he’s a long way from contributing anytime soon. His potential as a consistent 3-point shooter is present in his high release and excellent form, but he struggles with his bounce and needs to add some weight to his frame.
36. San Antonio Spurs (via Pacers): Juan Nunez, G
Grade A-
The Spurs were thought to be targeting a playmaker in the second round and got a great passer with good game sense.
Serie B
Klintman spent his freshman year at Wake Forest before deciding to play a season in Australia’s National Basketball League. He shows promise as a perimeter threat and floor spacer, but has yet to put it all together in the two seasons leading up to the draft. The Pistons are banking on him as a long-term prospect.
Serie B
Mitchell battled injuries last season and will need to stay healthy to see starting minutes. Mitchell’s size, at 6-foot-10 at the guard position, and his scoring ability were probably what attracted GM Sam Presti and his staff. He averaged 19.8 points and 3.1 assists per game during his junior season at Santa Barbara.
Grade: B+
Wells transferred to Washington State from a Division II program and was the team’s best shooter, shooting 41 percent from 3. Even though he started a little late, he showed more confidence in Power Five competition and has the edge at age 20. .
Grade A
Ighodaro played alongside a dynamic point guard, Tyler Kolek, at Marquette and has excellent footwork in the pick-and-roll. During pre-draft workouts, teams were most impressed with his passing and how he holds the paint against stronger players in the post.
Grade A
Bona showed more promise as a pick-and-roll during 5-on-5 scrimmages at the Combine, but still needs to be a little more patient defensively. He could come in and play immediately alongside Jared McCain on the second unit, with his size and blocking strength combined with McCain’s outside shooting.
Grade: B+
Simpson is a speedy point guard who plays above his 6-foot height. He’s tough in the lane, he’s improved his 3-point jumper and he’s a guy who can step in right away and lead the second unit. He’s a little undersized and the Hornets have invested in a lot of point guards in the last two drafts, but he’s so tough and hard-working that he could be a backup point guard for LaMelo Ball.
43. Atlanta Hawks (via Heat): Nikola Djurisic, G
Serie B
Durisic tested the NBA waters last year during the pre-draft process and took feedback from NBA teams to heart, improving his shot selection and finishing at the rim. He’s still a bit turnover-prone (3.2 per game), but finds creative ways to score and has solid size at the guard position at 6-7.
Serie B
Larsson is a four-year college player who contributed at a high level offensively, averaging 20.1 points at Arizona. His passing rate isn’t great, yielding less than two assists per game, but his 6-6 size and shooting potential translate well for the Heat.
Grade A
Shead is one of the toughest guards in this recruiting class and was a floor general for four very successful years in Houston. He can occupy the entire court on defense and be a threat on ball screens, fighting against everything. At the draft combine, he was still not 100% healthy, coming back from an ankle injury, but he was still the best point guard on the court in 5-on-5 scrimmages. Shead has all the tools to have a long NBA career as a primary guard.
Grade: B+
Christie was getting late first-round buzz during the pre-draft process, but fell to the second round due to his inconsistency during the season and limitations as a playmaker. He shot 39% from 3 and has upside as a perimeter shooter, but will need some time to develop.
Grade A
Reeves is a go-getter and was the leader of a Kentucky team that was loaded with young talent. He is strong in high-pressure situations (averaging 45% from 3-point range) and even though he is 23 years old, Reeves has found ways to improve and increase his game every year.
Grade A-
Ingram was North Carolina’s go-to guy during his junior season and showed significant improvement in his first two seasons at Stanford. He can go out and knock down 3s or play inside during small-ball lineups. Spurs adding Ingram to the rebuild is huge for some supplemental size alongside Victor Wembanyama or an option on the wing.
Grade: B+
Newton is a winner and has had some great shooting streaks at UConn this year. He was the best guard on the court during the NCAA championship game against Purdue, and even though he’s a bit undersized, he makes up for it with his shot creation off the bounce and his moves that keep defenses guessing.
Serie B
One of the best stories in college basketball, Freeman went from assistant at Akron to starter. He was one of the best players at the Portsmouth Invitational, was invited to the G League Combine and then was called up to the NBA Draft Combine. His strength when he has the ball in the lane, as well as how well he gets off the ball, cutting, flashing and sliding off screens, make him an intriguing pick for the Pacers.
51. Dallas Mavericks (via Knicks): Melvin Ajinca, F
Serie B
Ajinca is a French draft and stash player, but showed promising upside during the LNP Pro A playoffs last month, averaging 11.5 points per game.
Grade A
The Thunder decided to add size to Chet Holmgren with the 7-foot center originally from Holland who played four years at Boston College. He runs the court well and is a great addition to play with or as a backup to Holmgren.
53. Memphis Grizzlies (from Timberwolves): Cam Spencer, G
Serie B-
Spencer wasn’t very good at the combine and was a little lost during 5-on-5 scrimmages, but his work at UConn speaks for itself. He’s an ultra-competitor who could eventually be that glue guy on a team or bring some age and experience from a winning culture to a second unit.
Serie B
The 23-year-old from Gonzaga has been a productive player at 6-foot-10 over five years. His physicality in the post improved last season and he averaged 14.5 points and 7.1 rebounds.
Grade: B+
As expected, Bronny James is heading to the Lakers to join his father, LeBron, as the first father-son duo to share the court in NBA history. LeBron has said countless times that he wants to finish his career playing alongside his son, and agent Rich Paul has done everything he can to stop any other team from signing him. Bronny is far from a finished product, but the skills he currently possesses translate to the NBA with his 6-foot-2 wingspan and how well he can contain on the perimeter.
56. New York Knicks (via Suns): Kevin McCullar Jr., G/F
Grade A
McCullar would have been an All-American his senior year if not for the knee injury. He was the No. 1 scoring option and part of a great center guard tandem alongside Hunter Dickinson in the high pick-and-roll. He recently had his knee examined, citing no structural damage, but being the oldest player in this draft, compounded by the injury, could be the reason he’s down.
57. Toronto Raptors (via Grizzlies): Ulrich Chomche, PF
Serie B-
Chomche will be a draft and stash player with how much development he needs. He has a tendency to spin when getting the ball off the block and will need to be a little more physical in the paint.
58. New York Knicks (via Mavericks): Ariel Hukporti, C
Serie B
The Knicks added additional size with the 6-foot-11 Hukporti with the last pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Originally from Germany, Hukporti averaged 8.1 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game for MHP Riesen.
