2025 NBA Draft grades: Second-round pick-by-pick analysis — Lakers make aggressive move to land perfect target

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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.

For scouting reports of every player, check out my 2025 NBA Draft Guide.

Grade: A-

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: C+

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.

Grade: B

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: 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

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: 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

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.

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.

40. New Orleans Pelicans: Micah Peavy, G/F, Georgetown

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.

Grade: A

Wow, maybe Brian Gregory and Mat Ishbia know how to draft! Khaman Maluach, Rasheer Fleming, and now Brea all received A grades. Brea drilled 43.4% of his 3s over five college seasons on 4.9 attempts per game; he projects as a shooting specialist who has a clear path to becoming a rotation player because of his highly sought after skill. In order to avoid being a weak link on defense, he’ll need to make improvements to his athleticism, but his shooting is enough to keep him on the floor.

Grade: A+

Raynaud leveled up every year at Stanford, turning into a player who pops 3s, slashes to the rim with a smooth handle, and makes eye-popping passes. He was ranked 15th on my board, making him a steal in my eyes here for the Kings. But he fell to this point because of his age and concerns about his defense. Still, if he can figure out that end of the floor there’s little reason to think the Frenchman won’t carve out an NBA role.

Grade: B+

It’s pretty clear what the Wizards are going for here with Tre Johnson, Will Riley, and now Watkins in the second round: Versatile pieces who can fill different roles offensively. Watkins can run the show, slash to the paint, and switch across positions on defense. In Washington, as long as he continues to set a tone on defense he could become a vital role player.

44. Oklahoma City Thunder: Brooks Barnhizer, G/F, Northwestern

Grade: B-

If Thunder assistant coach Chip Engelland can have as much success turning Barnhizer into a reliable shooter as he has with his past projects as a shot doctor, then the Thunder may have a second-round steal here. Barnhizer is a hustler on defense, keeps the ball moving on offense, and plays a selfless style that could fit perfectly with Oklahoma City. Just as long as he learns how to hit shots off the catch.

Grade: B

Joan Beringer in the first round, Rocco Zikarsky in the second round. What are the Timberwolves cooking up in the frontcourt behind Rudy Gobert? Or maybe … in place of Rudy Gobert? After Gobert was involved in trade discussions with the Suns for Kevin Durant, perhaps this is a signal that Minnesota is prepared to move on from the four-time Defensive Player of the Year. Zikarsky is a big Australian center who plays a traditional role as an interior finisher and rim protector. He doesn’t offer much else at this stage of his career though.

46. Boston Celtics: Amari Williams, C, Kentucky

Grade: B

Williams is a massive, smart-passing center with good instincts around the rim and legitimate size to defend the paint. These playmaking instincts make him a nice fit for Boston’s offensive system. But while he develops as a two-way player for Boston, he needs to add perimeter mobility to defend the modern game.

Grade: A+

Marković was a first-rounder on my personal big board, so I consider him a steal at this point of the draft. And he makes sense for the Bucks, regardless of what happens with Giannis Antetokounmpo since he’s a high upside stretch forward who also offers skill as a passer and post scorer. But to handle the rigors of the NBA and become a positive defender, he needs to add a ton of muscle, so he’d benefit from being draft-and-stashed for another year.

Grade: A-

Small is an undersized guard who plays bigger than his body thanks to his excellent athleticism and gritty nature. He’s a knockdown shooter off the catch and a solid lead guard, though his lack of size puts a natural cap on his upside. Consider Small a point guard who can play alongside Ja Morant, or help fill the gaps alongside Scotty Pippen Jr. if Morant misses time again.

Grade: B

Proctor might be Cleveland’s Ty Jerome replacement, since Jerome is an unrestricted free agent. Proctor is a tall combo guard with great passing vision that was expected to go one-and-done, but he took until his junior year to look ready for the NBA. He sharpened his jumper and became an even better defender, making him an appealing short-term piece for the Cavaliers.

50. LA Clippers: Kobe Sanders, G/F, Nevada

Grade: B

Sanders is a skilled, oversized wing initiator with excellent feel, so he can play the Ben Simmons role for the Clippers. But he actually has an ability to hit some shots off the dribble. He’s limited by a lack of athleticism, but his size, touch, and passing acumen give him a chance to stick in the NBA.

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51. New York Knicks: Mohamed Diawara, F, Cholet

Grade: C+

Diawara has physical dimensions that you can’t teach with a 7-foot-4 wingspan that highlights his massive frame. But he also hasn’t produced much in his overseas career, meaning the Knicks are just taking a big swing at this point of the draft rather than going with one of the players who projects more realistically as a role player.

Grade: B

Landing with the Warriors is probably a best-case scenario for Toohey since he’s a jack-of-all-trades forward who grinds on defense and loves to dish the ball around. Playing in Golden State’s motion could only amplify the Australian’s best talents. But his scoring comes and goes with his streaky jumper since he’s not someone who generates many of his own shots. Becoming a more reliable shooter will be the key for Toohey to carve out a consistent role for the Warriors.

Grade: B

The Jazz clearly have a thing for bucket-getters after taking Ace Bailey and Walter Clayton in the first round. And now Tonje, who will enter the NBA at age 24 with some readymade skills as an off-ball movement scorer and shooter. But his athletic ceiling and defense will determine if he’s more than just a backup.

54. Indiana Pacers: Taelon Peter, G, Liberty

Grade: A+

Peter is a true sleeper who played three seasons in Division II at Arkansas Tech before transferring to Liberty, where he led the NCAA in true shooting percentage. He’s a knockdown shooter from 3, and a crafty finisher around the rim. He wasn’t expected to get drafted after not receiving an invite to any pre-draft competitions, yet here he is going to the Pacers. Considering the surprise and the story, Peter gets an A+.

55. Chicago Bulls: Lachlan Olbrich, C, Illawarra

Grade: B

Olbrich is a high-motor Aussie big who projects as a screen-and-dive reserve and plays with a tone-setting level of toughness that could keep him in a rotation. Good for the Bulls to find another guy with these qualities after acquiring Noa Essengue with their lottery pick.

56. Golden State Warriors: Will Richard, G, Florida

Grade: B-

Richard was a key player in Florida’s run to the national championship behind his energetic defense and versatile shooting ability off the dribble. In the same way he shared creation responsibilities with Alijah Martin and Walter Clayton, he projects as a strong fit for the Warriors, provided he can find consistency shooting off the catch.

57. Boston Celtics: Max Shulga, G, VCU

Grade: B-

Shulga is a poised, versatile shooter with a passing feel. But he’s a jack of all trades with no great strengths and a below-average athlete with no clear NBA position. Boston’s positionless style could end up being a good thing for him since he’ll largely be asked to stroke 3s.

58. Cleveland Cavaliers: Saliou Niang

Grade: C

Niang is a high-energy wing with the athleticism to finish at the rim and make a versatile defensive impact. But he’s incredibly raw physically and needs to improve both his shooting and decision-making to ever become a key figure on the Cavaliers.

59. Memphis Grizzlies: Jahmai Mashack, Dolomiti Energia

Grade: B

Mashack is an excellent perimeter defender who does everything in his power to win games, plus he has the length to defend some wings. He’s not a primary creator and he needs to improve his jumper. But his hard-nosed defense is enough for him to receive countless chances for the new age Grit and Grind Grizzlies.

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