Sunday, December 22, 2024

NBA Mock Draft 2024 for Round 2: Bronny James, Jamal Shead find homes; Bucks land Kyle Filipowski | Sporting News

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The first round of the 2024 NBA Draft is behind us. For the first time, the second round will stand alone on its own day.

30 future NBA players saw their dreams come true on Wednesday and 28 more will fulfill theirs on Thursday. The second round will kick off at 4 p.m. ET on ESPN as teams try to find the hidden gems of this draft class.

All eyes will be on where USC guard Bronny James lands, but college stars like Duke’s Kyle Filipowski and Marquette’s Tyler Kolek are still on the board.

This is a good time to remind you that current and future Hall of Famers like Manu Ginobili, Nikola Jokic and Draymond Green were all second-round picks in their respective drafts. Even current NBA stars like Knicks guard Jalen Brunson didn’t come off the board until the first round was over.

How will the second round shake out in 2024? The Sporting News projects the rest of the draft below.

SN’S NBA DRAFT HQ: Live tracker | Pick-by-pick grades | Winners and losers

NBA Mock Draft 2024 for Round 2

31. Raptors (via DET): Tyler Kolek, G, Marquette

The Raptors need guard depth behind Immanuel Quickley and Kolek is a reliable floor general ready to fill that void. He is a patient playmaker and slashing scorer who would bring a stabilizing presence off Toronto’s bench.

32. Jazz (via WAS): Kevin McCullar, G, Kansas

McCullar was once a projected first-round pick before a season-ending knee injury disrupted his draft stock. The 6-6 guard can fill a variety of roles as an NBA-ready playmaker and versatile defender.

33. Bucks (via POR): Kyle Filipowski, F, Duke

It is shocking that Filipowski fell to the second round but the Bucks should capitalize. The 6-11 sophomore is a floor-stretching big man who can pick and pop, score with his back to the basket, handle and pass.

34. Trail Blazers (via CHA): Johnny Furphy, F, Kansas

Furphy was another projected first-rounder who fell to Day 2. He only shot 35.2 percent from 3 as a freshman but had hot streaks that teased his capabilities as a 6-8 sharpshooting forward.

35. Spurs: KJ Simpson, G, Colorado

Simpson is only listed at 6-1 but his playmaking skills are undeniable. The Colorado junior is a poised floor general who makes winning plays. He’d be a great fit for a Spurs team that needs guard depth.

MORE: Will Oakland star Jack Gohlke get drafted in 2024?

36. Pacers (via TOR): Tyler Smith, F, G League Ignite

Smith also received some first-round buzz but fell to Day 2 of the draft. Smith is a 6-11 floor-spacing forward who fits the mold of a big in today’s NBA.

37. Pistons (via MIN): Harrison Ingram, F, North Carolina

Every “win now” team with a second-round pick should have Ingram on their draft board. The North Carolina forward is a long and versatile defender, elite rebounder and shot an improved 38.5 percent from 3 this past season.

38. Knicks (via UTA): Oso Ighodaro, F, Marquette

Ighodaro reminds me of Warriors 2023 second-round success story Trayce Jackson-Davis. He can play the four or five as a mobile and athletic 6-9 big with long arms and a high defensive IQ.

39. Grizzlies (via BKN): Trey Alexander, G, Creighton

Alexander is somewhere between a wing and a combo guard, standing in a 6-3 with a 6-10 wingspan. He can shoot from 3 or the midrange, he made improvements as a passer and he’s a pesky on-ball defender.

40. Trail Blazers (via ATL): Bobi Klintman, F, Cairns Taipans (Australia)

Klintman is a long and athletic 6-8 forward. The 21-year-old has 3-and-D potential but only shot 33.7 percent from 3 in Australia’s NBL this past season.

41. 76ers (via CHI): Pelle Larsson, F, Arizona

Larsson is a great fit for any team that needs a shooter. The 6-5 wing shot 42.6 percent from 3 this past season and works hard on the defensive end.

42. Hornets (via HOU): Justin Edwards, F, Kentucky

Edwards was a top-five-ranked prospect in the country going into his freshman season at Kentucky. The 6-6 athletic lefty never found his footing in the NCAA but there is no denying there is still untapped potential here.

43. Heat: Nikola Djurisic, F, Mega Basket (Serbia)

Djurisic is an offensive-minded 6-7 wing scorer. He’s a confident shot creator but only knocked down 33 percent of his 3s this past season, leaving room for improvement.

44. Hawks (via HOU): Jonathan Mogbo, F, San Francisco

Mogbo is a beast with a chiseled 6-7, 217-pound frame. He’s a physical defender and downhill scorer with passing chops, but he is a non-shooter. Mogbo only attempted two 3-pointers in two Division-I college seasons.

45. Kings: PJ Hall, F, Clemson

Hall is a 6-10, physical floor-stretching forward who could play some small-ball five at the NBA level. He averaged 18.3 points and 6.4 rebounds at Clemson this past season.

MORE: Will NC State star DJ Burns Jr. get picked in 2024?

46. Clippers (via IND): Cam Spencer, F, UConn

Spencer was a key cog for UConn’s national championship team, playing a point forward role. His IQ, feel for the game and will to win will get him drafted somewhere in the second round.

47. Magic: Cam Christie, F, Minnesota

Christie is the younger brother of Lakers guard Max Christie, looking to take the same one-and-done path to the NBA. He is a high-upside sharpshooter who hit 39.1 percent of his 3s as a freshman at Minnesota.

48. Spurs (via LAL): Melvin Ajinca, F, Saint-Quentin (France)

Ajinca is an intriguing 20-year-old prospect from the same French league as No. 1 picks like Victor Wembanyama and Zaccharie Risacher. He is a 6-7 lefty with upside as a 3-and-D wing.

— 76ers forfeited second-round pick

49. Pacers (via CLE): Tristen Newton, F, UConn

Newton was the NCAA Tournament’s Most Outstanding Player after averaging 14.5 points, 7.2 assists and 4.0 rebounds en route to a national title. He is a versatile defender and playmaking forward who is willing to do the little things that contribute to winning.

50. Pacers (via NOP): Ajay Mitchell, G, UC Santa Barbara

Mitchell is a creative playmaker and scorer as a 6-3 combo guard. He could be a steal if he ends up in the right situation where backcourt minutes are available.

51. Knicks (via WAS): Jamal Shead, G, Houston

Shead would be a dream fit for Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau. The Houston star is a physical perimeter defender coming off a decorated season, winning Big 12 Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year.

52. Thunder (via GSW): Trentyn Flowers, F, Adelaide 36ers (Australia)

Flowers is a 6-7 wing with a promising offensive skill set. He will be a development project wherever he lands but there is untapped potential to be accessed.

53. Timberwolves (via DET): Jalen Bridges, F, Baylor

Bridges personifies a 3-and-D wing in today’s NBA, standing in at 6-7 with a 6-10 wingspan. Hitting a career-high 41.2 percent of his 3s helped his draft stock at Baylor this past season.

54. Celtics (via DAL): Keshad Johnson, F, Arizona

Johnson is a super athletic 6-6 forward. His offensive skill set needs to improve but he’s a dangerous slasher with the potential to be a versatile defender.

55. Lakers (via LAC): Bronny James, G, USC

All eyes will be on James on the second day of the NBA Draft. LeBron’s son reportedly has interest from a variety of teams in the second round but it seems most likely that others will be told to stand down so the Lakers can select him with this pick.

MORE: Mavericks, Raptors headline best non-Laker options for Bronny James

56. Suns (via DEN): Antonio Reeves, G, Kentucky

Reeves can flat-out shoot the ball. The Kentucky transfer shot 44.7 percent on 188 attempts from 3 and shot at least 39 percent from long range in each of his last three college seasons.

57. Grizzlies (via OKC): Adem Bona, C, UCLA

Bona is a big interior presence at 6-9, 243 lbs. He’s an athletic center who can protect the rim, attack the glass and pose a threat as a lob target rolling off of screens.

— Suns forfeited second-round pick

58. Mavericks (via BOS): Juan Nunez, G, Ulm (Germany)

Nunez is a 20-year-old Spanish point guard with cerebral passing skills. He is a pick-and-roll maestro who averaged an impressive 10.4 points and 5.8 assists per game for Ulm this season.

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