Mock NBA Draft: Second Round

Kee Min and Evan Hayes

NBA draft – where dreams come true. Sixty young men find out if they have what it takes to make to the Association and fulfill their childhood dream. Who will witness their dream become reality? Our own basketball experts look into their crystal ball. Second round is never full of superstar talent, but we are time and time again surprised by players who rise and above the expectation – most notably Manu Ginobli, Draymond Green, DeAndre Jordan, Kyle Korver, Paul Millsap, and Marc Gasol. Who can be this year’s biggest surprise?

  1. Minnesota Timberwolves – Rashad Vaughn, SG (UNLV, Fr.)

With aging Kevin Martin and Gary Neal holding down the 2-guard spot, lights-out shooter Rashad Vaughn is a nice fit, especially given that neither Rubio nor LaVine is a shooter. His ability to space the floor will give more room for the likes of Wiggins and their first-overall pick to operate while acting as Martin’s understudy to expand his offensive tools

  1. Houston Rockets – Aleksander Vezenkov, SF/PF (International, 19)

They lack depth behind Trevor Ariza and Corey Brewer is not a shooter. Taking a wing sniper who can also play 4 gives the Rockets a legitimate stretch-4 not named Josh Smith.

  1. Boston Celtics – Dakari Johnson C (Kentucky, So.)

The first-round talent dropping to second, Dakari Johnson gives the Celtics a much-needed rim protector, because let’s face it. He is an immediate defensive upgrade over any big man they have.

  1. Los Angeles Lakers – Cliff Alexander PF/C (Kansas, Fr.)

Another big body the Lakers can use. Both Ed Davis and Jordan Hill could depart, leaving their front court thinner than Kevin Durant. Cliff Alexander offers another big body in the mix.

  1. Philadelphia Sixers – Chris McCullough, PF (Syracuse, Fr.)

The classic Sixers-injured-big-man pick. McCullough tore his ACL this past season at Syracuse, and probably will not be available until December or January. But when he was playing earlier this year for the Orange, he showed good athleticism and a midrange jump shot.

  1. Minnesota Timberwolves – Terry Rozier PG (Louisville, So.)

This is a case of best player available. Rubio is limited offensively but a good passer, and Zach Levine is raw but big and athletic. Rozier would be a new look off the bench, as a limited playmaker but good scorer off the bounce.

  1. Philadelphia Sixers – Timothe Luwawu SG (International, 20)

The Sixers are searching for an answer at both guard spots, and Luwawu may be the answer at shooting guard next to Russell. Luwawu has great size for the position, standing 6’7” with long arms and great lateral quickness, which help him profile as a solid defender in the future. He has a quick first step and can get to the rim, and also has great compact, shooting mechanics that help suggest he’ll be a solid three point threat someday. At 37, he’s loaded with potential.

  1. Detroit Pistons – Mouhammadou Jaiteh C (International, 20)

Andre Drummond is fantastic, but the only center behind him is Joel Anthony. When Monroe leaves this offseason, the Pistons will lose their second option at center. Jaiteh is big and physical, an excellent profile for a backup center.

  1. Charlotte Hornets – Michael Frazier II SG (Florida, Jr.)

The Hornets were absolutely terrible from the land of three this year. Like Mark Jackson color commentary bad. Michael Frazier has proven he can be a knockdown shooter, which Charlotte needs.

  1. Miami Heat – Guillermo Hernangomez C (International, 20)

Hassan Whiteside was a godsend this season for the Heat, but they had serious frontcourt depth issues. Hernangomez could be a big body that offers more potential than Chris Anderson.

  1. Brooklyn Nets – J. P. Tokoto SF/SG (North Carolina, Jr.)

It’s all about youth, athleticism, and VALUE for the Nets. With the unguaranteed rookie contracts now applying from picks 41-60, Brooklyn can take Tokoto, a phenomenal athlete and defender who showed some improved shooting at the combine.

  1. Utah Jazz – Jarell Martin PF (LSU, So.)

Jarell Martin is a similar player to Orlando Magic Forward Tobias Harris, profiling as an athletic big man who rebounds nicely despite his 6’8” frame. He will go in the second round however due to his lack of three point shooting.

  1. Indiana Pacers – Michael Qualls SG (Arkansas, Jr.)

Indiana wants to play faster this offseason, and could use a dose of athleticism at the shooting guard. Qualls is one of the best athletes in the draft, and showed improved scoring ability this past season at Arkansas.

  1. Phoenix Suns – Richaun Holmes PF (Bowling Green, Sr.)

Woo! Bowling Green! Phoenix could use a dose of athleticism and shot blocking at the power forward position, and Holmes averaged 2.7 blocks per game this past year for the Falcons.

  1. Boston Celtics – Pat Connaughton SG/SF (Notre Dame, Sr.)

Make no mistake, Connaughton is 100% committed to an NBA career. A pitcher in the Cincinnati Reds organization, Connaughton showed off his athleticism by posting a 44 inch vertical jump at the combine, best in the class. His athleticism, coupled with his knockdown three point shooting ability, makes Connaughton a great value pick. He’s also a Danny Ainge carbon copy.

  1. Milwaukee Bucks – Norman Powell SG (UCLA, Sr.)

The Bucks may be thin at the shooting guard position, as they only have OJ Mayo if Khris Middleton walks in free agency. Norman Powell is an athletic prospect who falls here because of his lack of shooting, but has some potential this late in the draft.

  1. Philadelphia Sixers – Cedi Osman SF/SG (International, 20)

Osman’s shooting is ugly. UGLY. But he handles the ball great for his position, and his skill level could potentially translate to being a weapon off the bench for the Sixers in the future.

  1. Oklahoma City Thunder – Anthony Brown SF/SG (Stanford, Sr.)

Brown has decent size for a small forward at 6’7”, and isn’t a great on ball defender. But he can shoot the lights out, shooting 44.1% from three point range this year at Stanford. The Thunder, one of the worst three point shooting teams, could use his shooting.

  1. Washington Wizards – Olivier Hanlan SG/PG (Boston College, Jr.)

Unlike Garrett Temple or Martell Webster, Hanlan has variety of offensive tools. However, his lack of defensive effort and failure to create more chances for his teammates drops him into second round.

  1. Atlanta Hawks – Terran Petteway SF (Nebraska, Jr.)

This a fit pick. Terran Petteway brings intangibles. He hustles, plays hard, makes smart plays, and just a good kid. While he lacks athleticism, his physical tool and skill as a creator can force him into a rotation.

  1. Orlando Magic – Joseph Young SG (Oregon, Sr.)

Remember when Magic could shoot? Joseph Young can flat out launch it from the three point arc. While his ceiling is low and his small frame (6’ 2”, 185lb) limits him as a SG, he brings value as a shooter in the team in a desperate need of range in the backcourt.

  1. Dallas Mavericks – Aaron White PF (Iowa, Sr.)

Aaron White has shown off plenty of athleticism, especially in transition, and he has even expanded his game to the three point line. While he will never be a great defender as 6’ 9”, he has plenty to offer in offensive end.

  1. Cleveland Cavaliers – Tyler Harvey SG (Eastern Washington, So.)

If you haven’t figured it out already, the Cavaliers love shooters. With Joe Harris possibly leaving, Tyler Harvey provides insurance policy. However, he must get stronger and put more weight on his 6’ 4”, 181 pound body.

  1. Utah Jazz – Andrew Harrison PG/SG (Kentucky, So.)

Big combo guard, but seems like they peaked at high school. Their bad body language and attitude drops both the Harrison twins beyond recovery. His ability to finish near the basket and enjoy the spotlight could potentially make him NBA-worthy.

  1. San Antonio Spurs – Nikola Milutinov C (International, 20)

The Spurs had tons of success with European imports. Nikola Milutinov must get stronger, but he has improved his free throw shooting and could add more arsenals to his disposal.

  1. New Orleans Pelicans – Aaron Harrison SG/PG (Kentucky, So.)

See Harrison, Andrew. Pelicans can use some big guards next to Eric Gordon, Jimmer Fredette, and Toney Douglas. Harrison can bring size and shot creating ability.

  1. Denver Nuggets – Ryan Boatright PG (UConn, Sr.)

His lack of size and potential drops him down, but his leadership can bring the team that’s falling apart somewhat together. On the court, he has good enough ball handling and athleticism to contribute immediately, but don’t expect a star.

  1. Philadelphia Sixers – Marc Garcia SG (International, 19)

He has underwhelmed greatly last season and lacks strength to his 6’ 6” frame. However, the Sixers have luxury of patience as they can just stash him in Europe.

  1. Atlanta Hawks – Brandon Ashley PF (Arizona, So.)

Brandon Ashley gives size and power in somewhat undersized, weak frontcourt of the Hawks. Other than that, he has limited offense and offers decent defense.

  1. Philadelphia Sixers – Alan Williams C (UC Santa Barbara, Sr.)

The Sixers have been going after wing players the entire draft, so why not add some depth into the center position? Alan Williams’s 6, 8”, 261 lb physics reminds you of Chuck Hayes, and he is a very similar player to him. Like Hayes, Williams hustles and has a nose for a rebound, throwing his body around. His lack of athleticism and size will limit him, but he has a chance to stick around the league.