Inside the Lakers’ Bold Second-Round Gamble — Did They Just Snag the NBA’s Next Superstar?

Penda plays with a veteran’s mind and a winning mentality, offering connective playmaking, switchable defense, and high-level feel. It’s a bit of a risk for Orlando though since Penda needs to improve his jumper to shine in the long-term. But his unselfish game and defensive utility give him a strong foundation to build on.

Tyrese Haliburton will be out for all of next season, but Jones could help handle some of the shot-creation responsibilities. Jones offers crafty combo guard skills with advanced shot creation and a blossoming playmaking feel. But his so-so athleticism and streaky shooting paint him as just a cog rather than the rare star upperclassman set to enter the league.Fans who happen to root for both Duke and Charlotte know that James has role-player qualities that can fit next to the Hornets’ core pieces. James is a versatile defender who sets a tone with his hustle, and after years of laying bricks he worked hard to become a dead-eye, spot-up shooter. And he brings much more than shooting as a crafty playmaker who keeps the ball moving. But without the handle of a primary creator, it’s critical he sustains his newfound success as a shooter.

Grade: A-

A ton of teams were hoping Kalkbrenner would fall to them in the second round, but the Hornets land him here after trading away center Mark Williams during Day 1 of the draft. Kalkbrenner is a throwback 7-footer who owns the paint, swatting shots with his giant wingspan and dunking everything in sight. It’s a bit strange he isn’t a better rebounder. But as a super senior, he’s also developed some sneaky passing and shooting skills that hint at higher upside, which could allow him to help facilitate for Charlotte’s offensive engines.

Grade: C+

The Lakers made multiple aggressive trades to move up within the second round, and Thiero was the perfect target. He’s a slasher with a jacked frame and an explosive first step who last season logged 45 dunks and had six games with 10 or more free throws. He lives in the paint, and that’s despite his limitations as a shooter. If he’s able to figure out the shot then his length and defensive versatility could make him a key player on a contending Lakers team.

Grade: B

Could Broome be the best backup center of the Joel Embiid era? Perhaps so, because he brings a ready-made game as an interior finisher with a passing feel and tone-setting defense. Though his jumper hasn’t progressed as much as NBA teams would hope, Embiid’s ability to space the floor could make for intriguing two-big lineups this season. In Philadelphia, it’s more important that he progresses moving laterally on the perimeter.

Grade: A

Perfect pick for Detroit. Wanna know why? Just look at the comparison for Lanier: Malik Beasley. Much like Beasley, Lanier is a knockdown shooter with shot-making creativity. Without great size or playmaking at his age, he’s a second-rounder for good reason. But the Pistons needed more shooting and now they got it.

Grade: B+

Fleming is a hustler who drains spot-up jumpers and brings energy on defense, swatting shots and snagging boards. But he has some real warts as a ball-handler with a lack of experience against high-level competition. This matters less for the Suns, since he’ll play in a role in which he just needs to do the simple stuff as a floor spacer rather than worry about shot creation.

Grade: A

Martin is a hyper-athletic, high-energy guard who plays bigger than his size and impacts the game with his toughness, rebounding, and defensive grit. But his positional tweener status, streaky shooting, and limited creation ability made him a second-round talent. Still, Martin just knows how to ball. Much like Toronto’s first-round pick Collin Murray-Boyles does. Both of these guys are tone-setters, and it’s clear the Raptors are attempting to build a defensive identity that could allow them to rise quickly in the depleted East.

Grade: A+

Day two of the 2025 NBA Draft has rolled around, and just when you thought the excitement soaked up on Day 1 had run dry—oh no, it’s just heating up. While we’ve already doled out our grades for the first round’s creme de la creme, now comes the intriguing part: breaking down every second-round pick, peeling back the layers on their potential and pitfalls. This isn’t just about the big names—it’s about those hidden gems who could flip the ceiling on their teams or, well, leave us scratching our heads wondering what might have been. The 2025 class is packed with hustlers, sharpshooters, defensive stalwarts, and unpolished diamonds, each carving their own path to NBA relevance. So grab your scouting notebooks, because these grades don’t just evaluate—they tell stories of grit, skill, and promise that could define season after season. Want the full scoop on every draft prospect? Dive into the comprehensive 2025 NBA Draft Guide and catch all the nuances and scouting insights. LEARN MORE

Grade: B

It’s Day 2 of the 2025 NBA Draft. We graded the first round, now let’s hand out grades for every second-round pick.

Grade: A+

Peavy is a switchable wing stopper with NBA-ready defense, instincts, and passing feel. Pair him with Herb Jones and Trey Murphy, and the Pelicans could have quite the trio of gritty wing defenders. If his improved jumper proves as real as it seemed during his senior season, he’s a rotation-level player for a decade.