Round 1 of the 2024 NBA Draft is in the books and for the first time in league history, we have day 2 of draft action.
As is typically the case, there were a handful of players that surprised as first-round picks last night. This means that there is still round 1 talent on the board as we head into round 2 of the 2024 NBA Draft.
Our 5 best available prospects include:
Tyler Smith - Forward from G League Ignite
Kevin McCullar Jr. - Guard/Forward from Kansas
Melvin Ajinca - Guard/Forward from France
Nikola Djurisic - Guard/Forward from Serbia
Hunter Sallis - Guard from Wake Forest
Tyler Smith has a case to be a lottery talent. A 6’10 big man who shot 36% from 3 and 73% from the FT line? Sign me up. Smith is a modern Power Forward who can put the ball on the deck, execute pick and pops, and provide some impact defense when at his best.
He averaged 13.7 PPG on just 23 MPG for the Ignite this season and honestly looked better at some points of the season compared to Holland and Buzelis, both who play a similar position to Smith. Looking at how impactful Aaron Gordon, Josh Hart, and P.J. Washington have been this postseason, Smith is the type of energy forward that playoff teams are looking for in free agency and in the draft.
There’s something about Kevin McCullar that brings me good energy. An NBA-ready wing that has dealt with the injury bug this season but projects as a solid 3-point shooter that makes good decisions with the basketball. Most of all, McCullar can defend 1-3 and is a stock-getter (1.9 stocks per game last season).
The end of his Kansas career was less-than-ideal with some shots from Coach Self thrown his way after failing to return for the NCAA Tournament, but KMJ is a Christian Braun-type performer that needs just 15-20 minutes per contest to leave his mark on both ends of the floor.
The brother of an NBA assistant and constant contributor to France’s U19 teams, Ajinca is my dark horse 2nd round prospect who will end up as a top wing player in this class. In 7 games with France’s u19 squad in 2023, Ajinca outplayed Sarr and Risacher while putting up 19.3 PPG on 49% 3P shooting. A name to keep your eye on.
Nikola Djurisic is one of the best off-ball scorers in this class with the upside to become a late offensive bloomer in the NBA. Nikola shot 33% from 3 while scoring 14.4 PPG as a 20 year old overseas. While he’ll need a few seasons to develop on both ends of the floor, Nikola is a perfect selection in the late 1st or early 2nd round for a team that wants to stash prospects who are retooling.
Hunter Sallis hasn’t gained much attention this draft cycle, but we have moved him into the top 30 for good reason. Sallis was one of the most improved players in college basketball after transferring from Gonzaga to Wake where he gained more of an on-ball role. The 21 year old shot 40% from 3 while scoring 18 PPG in a pretty tough ACC conference last season while displaying this low-maintenance, high-energy play style I can see translating to the league.
If you are looking to put some money on some sleepers that could sneak into the bottom half of the second round, we've got you covered. Here are seven players who should hear their names called late in round 2:
F Jonathan Mogbo (San Francisco)
G KJ Simpson (Colorado)
G Jamal Shead (Houston)
W Pelle Larsson (Arizona)
G Tristen Newton (UConn)
G Antonio Reeves (Kentucky)
W Mantas Rubstavicius (Australia)