The 2025 NBA Draft has come and gone, and as teams look to improve their rosters, many eyes are on the talented players who slipped to the second round. The NBA has a storied history of players who were selected later in the draft making a significant impact in the league, including legends like Nikola Jokic, Draymond Green, and Khris Middleton. As such, the second round presents a unique opportunity for teams to find valuable contributors and potential future stars.
Draft analysts have taken a careful approach in grading the second-round selections, understanding the lower expectations compared to the first round. This gentler grading scale reflects the reality that missing on a second-round pick does not carry the same weight as a lottery miss. Here’s a breakdown of how each team fared in the second round of the 2025 NBA Draft.
**Boston Celtics: B-**
The Celtics focused on two intriguing prospects, selecting Amari Williams at 46 and acquiring Max Shulga at 57 through a trade with the Orlando Magic.
Standing at 6’11” and weighing 255 pounds, Williams boasts significant physical strength along with impressive passing skills from the high post. However, his lack of elite athleticism could be a hindrance, especially defensively, where he may struggle against quicker players.
Shulga, a 6’4″ guard from Ukraine, had an impressive shooting percentage, hitting 38.7% from beyond the arc last season. The Celtics will be keen to see if he can develop his defensive game enough to remain on an NBA roster, likely starting with a two-way contract.
**Charlotte Hornets: B+**
The Hornets landed two solid prospects in Sion James (33) and Ryan Kalkbrenner (34).
James, a 6’5″ guard who played pivotal roles at Tulane and Duquesne, excels defensively and shows promise on offense with improved shooting numbers.
Kalkbrenner, the 7’2″ center out of Creighton, showed great scoring ability last season, averaging 19.2 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks. His rim protection could fill gaps for the struggling Hornets’ frontcourt, but his mobility may be a concern in pick-and-roll situations.
**Chicago Bulls: C**
The Bulls traded with the Los Angeles Lakers to select Lachlan Olbrich at 55.
This 6’9″ center has experience in both Australian and U.S. college basketball but lacks the size and shooting range to comfortably play the center or power forward positions in the NBA. Olbrich’s high basketball IQ gives him a chance to develop in the NBL before hopefully making an impact stateside in the future.
**Cleveland Cavaliers: B+**
Cleveland opted for Tyrese Proctor (49) and Saliou Niang (58) in an effort to boost their roster with valuable prospects.
Proctor, a 6’4″ guard with a proficient shooting touch, tallied 40.5% from three-point range last season at Duke. While he may not possess the athleticism of a traditional NBA point guard, his shooting ability could translate nicely into a complementary role.
Niang is an Italian wing with promising physical attributes, but he will likely need to be stashed overseas to develop before joining the Cavaliers.
**Detroit Pistons: B+**
The Pistons selected Chaz Lanier at 37, fitting the need for more shooting.
Lanier, a 6’4″ guard from Tennessee, showcased his shooting ability with a 39.5% clip from three last season. While his defensive and playmaking skills require attention, his shooting is valuable for the rebuilding Pistons.
**Golden State Warriors: B**
The Warriors took a chance on a couple of prospects, selecting Alex Toohey (52) and Will Richard (56).
Toohey, a 6’8″ Australian wing, showed defensive potential in the NBL. However, his inconsistent shooting could hinder his opportunity for legitimate minutes in the NBA.
Richard, a versatile 6’3″ guard, possesses a variety of skills but lacks a standout ability, which makes his path to a roster spot more complicated.
**Indiana Pacers: B**
The Pacers secured Kam Jones (38) and Taelon Peter (54) as they seek to boost their young roster.
Jones is a 23-year-old who averaged 19.2 points at Marquette and could bring much-needed playmaking to the Pacers backcourt, but his shooting needs improvement after a dip last season.
Peter is a 6’4″ guard with solid shooting credentials, taken as a flier late in the second round to add depth to the Pacers’ backcourt as a potential rotational player.
**LA Clippers: B**
The Clippers drafted Kobe Sanders at 50, focusing on enhancing their wing depth.
At 6’7″, Sanders averaged 15.8 points at Nevada, showing promise as a scorer. However, his athleticism will determine his ability to fit in at the NBA level.
**Los Angeles Lakers: A-**
The Lakers capitalized on the moment by trading up to draft Adou Thiero (36).
This 6’6″ wing displays excellent athleticism and defensive capability, something Los Angeles is eager to add. Yet, his poor shooting last season (25.6%) remains a crucial factor for his future effectiveness in the league.
**Memphis Grizzlies: B**
The Grizzlies took a chance on two guards with Javon Small (48) and Jahmai Mashack (59).
Small, a 6’1″ playmaker from West Virginia, could find a role in the Grizzlies’ rotation despite his height disadvantage. His determination and skillset will enable him to compete.
Mashack, who was the final pick of the draft, has potential as a defensive specialist. Nevertheless, his offensive skills require development for him to stay relevant in the league.
**Milwaukee Bucks: B+**
The Bucks added Bogoljub Markovic (47), looking to enhance their frontcourt depth.
The Serbian big man averaged 13.9 points and showcased his facilitating skills last season. While he fits the mold of intriguing offensive prospects, defense will dictate his future minutes.
**Minnesota Timberwolves: B**
The Timberwolves selected Rocco Zikarsky at 45, focused on long-term potential.
At 7’3″, Zikarsky has intriguing size and skill, and the organization might allow him to develop further in Australia or the NBL before making the leap to the NBA.
**New Orleans Pelicans: B**
The Pelicans traded to draft Micah Peavy (40), adding a promising two-way player to their roster.
Peavy’s breakout season at Georgetown showcased his scoring ability, and if his offensive leap holds up, he could become a solid rotation player.
**New York Knicks: B-**
Selecting Mohamed Diawara (51), the Knicks are banking on a long-term development option.
Diawara, a 20-year-old wing with a notable wingspan, likely will be stashed overseas as he refines his game before making the jump to the NBA.
**Oklahoma City Thunder: B**
The Thunder drafted Brooks Barnhizer (44), known for his basketball IQ and defensive tenacity.
While his offensive game requires refinement, he fits OKC’s mold and could earn his way onto the roster via a two-way contract.
**Orlando Magic: A-**
The Magic swapped picks to take Noah Penda (32), emphasizing defensive versatility.
This 6’8″ forward played effectively in France and could thrive as a glue guy, making him a valuable asset as he develops further.
**Philadelphia 76ers: B**
The 76ers selected Johni Broome (35), hoping to add a talented big man to their rotation.
Broome had an impressive college career, yet concerns linger regarding how his game translates to the NBA level. He brings skills but lacks a standout ability.
**Phoenix Suns: A-**
The Suns traded to secure Rasheer Fleming at 31 and followed that up with Koby Brea (41).
Fleming showcases impressive athleticism and shooting ability, making him an attractive prospect for immediate minutes. Brea offers great shooting potential but has much to improve in multiple facets of his game.
**Sacramento Kings: B**
The Kings rounded out their second-round haul by drafting Maxime Raynaud (42).
Raynaud, a 7-foot center with skills from beyond the arc, represents a steal this late in the draft. If he can hold his own defensively, he may become a valuable backup in the NBA.
**Toronto Raptors: B**
The Raptors picked Alijah Martin (39), another defensive-minded player looking to make his mark in the league.
Despite being undersized, Martin’s defensive prowess could make him a valuable asset as a backup.
**Utah Jazz: B**
In a later selection, the Jazz drafted John Tonje (53), a senior who can score with confidence but needs to improve defensively.
At this stage of the draft, his experience and scoring potential make him an interesting gamble that the Jazz can explore further.
**Washington Wizards: B**
Finally, the Wizards made their selection of Jamir Watkins (43), a strong defensive player with potential offensive upside.
Watkins’ age means he may contribute right away, making him a smart pick for a franchise that could use immediate help.
Overall, the second-round selections of the 2025 NBA Draft indicate each team’s approach to development, with a mix of immediate need and long-term hope for their potential stars.
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