2024 NBA Mock Draft round 2: Where will Kyle Filipowski, Tyler Smith and others end up?
With the first round of the NBA draft in the books, here’s our attempt at a second-round mock draft. There’s still plenty of talent left on the board with surprise names like Kyle Filipowski and Tyler Smith falling to the second round.
As always, picks will be primarily predictions as to what will happen with a bit of my analysis baked in.
31. Toronto Raptors - Ulrich Chomche, C, NBA Academy Africa
Masai Ujuri loves high-upside athletes, so landing Chomche will be a win. He’s raw, but the athletic tools and feel for the game are enticing. Toronto took a guard in Ja’Kobe Walter in the first round, so it makes sense to pair him with a high-ceiling big who will also take some time to develop.
32. Utah Jazz - Kyle Filipowski, C/F, Duke
Most mock drafts predicted Filipowski clearly in the first round, so Utah will be thrilled to land another faller here. His versatile dribbling, playmaking and scoring skillset as a seven-footer is coveted in today's NBA.
33. Milwaukee Bucks - Jonathan Mogbo, C/F, San Francisco
After a somewhat shocking first round pick in AJ Johnson, the Bucks land an elite frontcourt athlete in Mogbo. Despite standing at 6’6 without a reliable jump shot, Mogbo’s incredible wingspan and athleticism, rebounding, passing and defensive ability all suggest he could find unique utility for an NBA team.
34. Portland Trailblazers - Johnny Furphy, F, Kansas
Furphy’s youth, three-point shooting and athleticism in the open court have enticed some scouts, possibly indicating some future three and D upside. Portland adds to their treasure chest of young players, hoping Furphy can develop alongside Scoot Henderson, Donovan Clingan and the rest of the core into a useful rotation piece as they get closer to playoff contention.
35. San Antonio Spurs - Melvin Ajinca, F, Saint Quentin
Ajinca gives the Spurs a potent wing shooter, as he excels sprinting around screens and firing off of the catch. He’ll help supplement Stephon Castle, who struggles from the outside. His familiarity with Victor Wembanyama makes this a likely landing spot for Ajinca as well.
36. Indiana Pacers - Harrison Ingram, F, North Carolina
The Pacers' great depth means most prospects they could pick here wouldn’t play much. Their need for wing depth might let Ingram see earlier minutes than most, as his well-rounded skillset would fit any team.
37. Minnesota Timberwolves - Ajay Mitchell, G, Santa Barbara
Minnesota shocked the NBA world with their trade-up for Rob Dillingham in the top 10. As the Wolves continue to upgrade their offense, they add a dynamic driver who lives at the rim in Mitchell. If Mitchell sticks in the league, the Wolves could turn to him as a long-term replacement for Mike Conley.
38. New York Knicks - Cam Christie, F, Minnesota
New York swings on another young shooting wing in Christie, hoping to add more floor spacing to a roster that lacks consistent shooters. Christie’s versatile shotmaking and handling flashes could help him develop into a solid role player.
39. Memphis Grizzlies - KJ Simpson, PG, Colorado
Simpson’s offense is as dynamic as anyone in the class despite his lack of height, scoring at all three levels and playmaking for others. Memphis could add another backcourt talent to hopefully take over the backup point guard spot long term.
40. Portland Trailblazers - Tyler Smith, F, Ignite
Smith profiles as a high-upside throwback stretch four, shooting the ball at an NBA level. He’s dynamic shooting off of the pop or off screens and can pull up off of the bounce from deep and from the mid-range. It’s surprising a player of his talent fell to the second round, so Portland scoops Smith up.
41. Philadelphia 76ers - Adem Bona, C, UCLA
Bona’s motor always runs hot and that plus his movement skills, length and stout frame allow him to be impactful defensively. He projects smoothly as a long-term backup and an occasional starter when the need is there, especially if the 76ers don’t retain Paul Reed.
42. Charlotte Hornets - Kevin McCullar, F, Kansas
After drafting a high-upside forward in Tidjane Salaun in the first round, the Sixers add a ready-made wing contributor in the second. McCullar’s well-rounded skillset and off-ball defensive capabilities should let him soak up minutes and impact winning early in his career.
43. Miami Heat - Nikola Djurisic, G/F, Mega Basket
Djurisic is an easy bet for Miami midway through the second, who rose in the eyes of scouts after a strong combine and late-season performance. Given the Heat’s need for more dynamic perimeter offensive players, a 6’8 wing who has flashed advanced shotmaking, playmaking and driving flashes makes sense here. He’s another high-upside bet who Miami can develop to hopefully contribute sooner rather than later.
44. Houston Rockets - Justin Edwards, F, Kentucky
The Rockets draft Edwards as they continue to fill out depth on the wing. The 6’6 lefty can nail open catch and shoot jumpers and defend the ball, which could get him on the floor in a bench role at the next level. He pairs with his Kentucky teammate Reed Sheppard, who Houston drafted in the top three.
45, Sacramento Kings - Keshad Johnson, F, Arizona
Sacramento fills a hole on the wing here, as Johnson’s stout frame, lateral quickness and long wingspan help him shut down other handlers at the point of attack. If he can develop a reliable three-point jumper, he projects as a solid two-way wing option off the bench for the Kings. After drafting a guard in the lottery, adding to the frontcourt should be a priority.
46. LA Clippers - Oso Ighodaro, C, Marquette
The Clippers' center position is a revolving door behind Ivica Zubac and Ighodaro’s connective offensive skillset makes sense with a star-heavy roster. He’s an excellent passer from the middle of the floor who could help set up LA’s shooters and scorers out on the perimeter.
47. Orlando Magic - Jaylen Wells, F, Washington State
The Magic continues to add shooting on the wing late in the second, as Wells showcased the ability to shoot from deep range off of the dribble and off of movement at Washington State. If his defense improves, Wells could slot into an NBA rotation sooner rather than later.
48. San Antonio Spurs - Tyler Kolek, G, Marquette
Kolek was one of the best point guards in college basketball, dominating teams in the pick-and-roll. The Spurs may want to add another high-octane playmaker to throw passes to Victor Wembanyama and the rest of the young core.
49. Indiana Pacers - Jamal Shead, G, Houston
Shead’s tenacious defense and playmaking skills are ready-made to fit on an NBA roster the moment he steps into the NBA. Though Shead’s size and shooting limitations may hurt him, NBA teams will love his motor and effort level that never dips no matter the game or situation.
50. Indiana Pacers - Isaiah Crawford, F, Louisiana Tech
The Pacers have a history of drafting talented players with major injury histories and Crawford fits that bill. He’s an elite defensive talent and a reliable floor spacer, but his history of ACL injuries may scare teams off. In the late second round, his talent is too great to miss.
51. New York Knicks (via WAS) - Judah Mintz, G, Syracuse
Mintz’s electric bucket getting should be attractive to a Knicks team that can struggle to generate efficient offense outside of Brunson and Randle. He’s a demon in the mid-range who improved as an outside shooter this past year, suggesting more offensive upside.
52. Golden State Warriors - Bronny James, G, USC
Golden State drafting Bronny James will spark discussion about LeBron’s potential move to the Dubs, but James is a worthy prospect on his own merit. If the shooting improves, James’ passing and defense are ideal in a complementary guard role.
53. Detroit Pistons - Cam Spencer, G, UConn
Spencer will be one of the older rookies in the class but he’s a bonafide elite shooter who knows how to play within the flow of offense. He’d fit well as an off-ball scorer next to Cade Cunningham, Ron Holland and the rest of the young core.
54. Boston Celtics - Juan Nunez, G, Ulm
Nunez might be the best pure passer in the draft, toying with defenders with passing manipulation and advanced vision out of the pick-and-roll. The Celtics would likely stash Nunez in Europe until he’s ready to potentially contribute in the NBA.
55. Los Angeles Lakers- Bobi Klintman, F, Cairns
NBA teams will be enticed by Bobi Klintman’s 6’9 frame, movement skills and open-court athleticism. In the second round, the Lakers will bet on their player development infrastructure to turn Klintman into a viable rotation wing.
56. Phoenix Suns (via DEN) - Tristen Newton, G, UConn
Newton captained the national title-winning Huskies this past season and his well-rounded skillset on both ends of the floor should translate to the NBA if given the opportunity.
57. Memphis Grizzlies - Trey Alexander, G, Creighton
Alexander’s long wingspan and quick feet help him hound the ball on defense, perfect for Memphis given their need for more guard defense. He projects as a useful three and D guard who will space the floor in an off-ball role while occasionally scoring in the mid-range.
58. Dallas Mavericks - Enrique Freeman, F, Akron
Dallas takes a flier on Freeman here, a late bloomer with a motor that never stops running. If Freeman can develop a reliable three-point shot, he could be a rotation player in the frontcourt for Dallas.
Final 2024 NBA mock draft for the second round