The NBA Draft has proven to be unpredictable, with some of the top prospects slipping out of the first round. Two out of the 24 players invited to the green room will have to wait until the second round to find out where they’ll be playing in the NBA. Duke center Kyle Filipowski and Kansas guard Johnny Furphy had to walk out of the Barclays Center in Brooklyn uncertain of their landing spot, after being projected in the first round heading into the draft.
Marquette guard Tyler Kolek is another player that fell out of the first round. Many thought he was a lock to the Phoenix Suns but after the trade to Denver, things change and he could be the first player off the board in the second round.
All eyes will be on Bronny James and where he’ll end up. The Lakers are favored to take him at No. 55 or possibly the Suns now at No. 57 after the Nuggets trade Wednesday night.
Here are eight players to watch in the second round on Thursday.
Age: 23 | Ht./Wt.: 6-3, 190 | Marquette
The senior has the best assist ratio out of any guard in the draft. He is a smart player who plays to his strengths, finishing on the left side of the rim every chance he can. Expect him to be off the board at 31 to Toronto, a steal for the first team picking in the second round. Kolek can come in right away and contribute with his passing ability and how crafty he is in the lane. He averaged 15.3 points and led all college players in assists with 7.7 per game.
Age: 19 | Ht./Wt.: 6-7, 180 | Kansas
Furphy elected to stay in this draft after reportedly turning down a lucrative NIL deal to return to Kansas, leading many to believe he left the combine with a promise in the first round. That wasn’t the case, but Furphy is an excellent option with how well he shoots and his added size on the perimeter. Scouts were impressed with his high release and quick twitch jumper but he’s a year removed from being impactful in the NBA and needs further development, which could be a reason why he fell to the second round.
Age: 20 | Ht./Wt.: 7-0, 248 | Duke
Filipowski elected to return for his sophomore season after undergoing double hip surgery last spring and was a projected late lottery pick all season. But as teams dug in on his film, they saw a lack of polish in his inside-out game and limited lateral quickness to guard off the switch. He’s still a 7-foot versatile center who plays smart and has a good work ethic. Expect him to be off the board at 32 to the Jazz.
Age: 18 | Ht./Wt.: 6-6, 190 | Minnesota
Christie was a late riser during the pre-draft process who had the potential to sneak into the back half of the first round with how well he was performing in team workouts. He averaged 11.3 points and shot 39% from 3-point range during his freshman year at Minnesota. He’s a bit of a late bloomer and that could have contributed to teams taking a more established guard like Terrence Shannon Jr. or Dillon Jones in the first round.
Age: 19 | Ht./Wt.: 6-11, 224 | G League Ignite
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 motor. He averaged 13.7 points and 5.1 rebounds in 22 minutes off the bench and teams might have chose players ahead of him that have a more natural feel for the game. Still just 19 years old, he’s a bit more of a raw prospect but can flourish in the right situation.
Age: 21 | Ht./Wt.: 6-10, 225 | Cairns Taipans (Australia)
Klintman spent his freshman year at Wake Forest before electing to play one season in Australia’s National Basketball League. He shows promise as a perimeter threat and floor spacer, but he hasn’t put it all together yet in his two seasons leading up to the draft. In the second round, a team could take a chance on him as a long-term prospect.
Age: 23 | Ht./Wt.: 6-7, 212 | Kansas
Prior to his knee injury, McCullar was the No. 1 scoring option for a very talented Kansas team. He recently got his knee scoped, citing no structural damage, but as an older player in this draft his upside was limited as a first-round pick. Expect the 6-7 senior guard to be off the board by pick 40.
Ht./Wt.: 6-3, 210 pounds | Class: Freshman | USC
He may not be one of the best available players, but James proved he belonged in this draft class as a prospect at the draft combine, where he shot the ball well and showed more scoring potential in the lane with his floater. He will be the reason many NBA fans tune in for the second round.