By Sunday 
Don’t Sleep on the Second Round
While the headlines from the 2025 NBA Draft focused heavily on Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper, and the chaos of the first round (looking at you, Portland), it’s the second round where real value may have quietly slipped under the radar.
Sure, the top-tier names got their spotlight — but ask any savvy front office exec, and they’ll tell you the same thing: the second round is where smart teams build sustainable success. And this year, that theory might prove truer than ever.
NIL Changed the Game
This year’s draft class was unusual in one major way — a mass exodus didn’t happen. Thanks to the golden lure of NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) money, several high-upside college players chose to return to school instead of risking a second-round selection. What this meant for teams? A slimmer talent pool at the top, but a second round stocked with overlooked vets, overseas upside, and NBA-ready specialists.
Celtics, Pacers, Hornets Make Smart Plays
Take the Boston Celtics. They scooped up Maxime Raynaud, a 7-footer from Stanford who averaged 20 and 10 and shot nearly 35% from deep. With Porzingis off to Atlanta and Al Horford aging out, that’s not just a solid pick — that’s potential rotation help right now.
The Indiana Pacers — already dealing with the uncertainty around Tyrese Haliburton’s Achilles injury — didn’t flinch, trading for pick #38 and grabbing Tyrese Proctor, a composed Duke guard with elite vision and a trustworthy jumper. It’s exactly the type of insurance a playoff team with big aspirations needs.
Meanwhile, the Hornets — a team not exactly known for draft-day brilliance — actually played it smart. They double-dipped early in round two with Ryan Kalkbrenner, a 7’1” rim protector who can shoot the three, and Noah Penda, a high-IQ French wing with defensive chops reminiscent of a young Batum.
Underrated, Overseas, and Ready
Another common second-round theme? Overseas talent getting proper recognition. Guys like Bogoljub Markovic (Serbia) and Alex Toohey (Australia) bring international polish, 3-point range, and the kind of two-way versatility that many first-rounders lack.
Even the Washington Wizards, a team knee-deep in a rebuild, made a quietly great move by grabbing 7’5” Rocco Zikarsky from the NBL. Yes, that wingspan is real — and yes, if he pans out next to Alex Sarr, the Wiz might have one of the most intimidating frontcourts in the East within two seasons.
Why Round 2 Might Define This Draft
The first round might get the glitz and cameras, but the second round is where the tape grinders feast. You’re not buying hype — you’re buying fit, skill, and potential at a discount.
With NBA contracts getting tighter, cap space being weaponized, and star players asking for trades every offseason, second-rounders like Johni Broome, Chaz Lanier, and RJ Luis Jr. offer teams one of the few remaining paths to roster depth without a luxury tax bill.
Final Take: The Smart Teams Got Smarter
Free agency opens in a few days, and teams will be throwing around max contracts like candy at a parade. But remember these names. Because sometime this season, a second-rounder will hit a game-winning three, shut down a star player, or snag a double-double in a playoff game — and you’ll hear a commentator say, “Can you believe he went 42nd overall?”
Believe it.