The second round of the NBA Draft was full of surprises.
Over half of the picks were traded, and history was made by the new NBA Academy in Africa. Let’s look at five key points from this eventful round.
Trades were a huge part of the second day. The decision to split the draft into two days seemed to encourage more trades. Starting with pick No. 34, when Tyler Kolek was traded by the Blazers to the Knicks, there were five consecutive trades. In total, 16 out of 28 picks changed hands, including some veterans like Davion Mitchell and Reggie Jackson.
The wildest trade involved pick No. 52, which went from Warriors to Thunder, then to Blazers , back to Warriors who finally picked Quinten Post from Boston College. Fans might think these transactions are mind-boggling!
Keeping It in the Family
For the Lakers, things couldn’t have gone better during these two days. They snagged Dalton Knecht at No. 17—a big three-point shooter who fits their needs perfectly on the perimeter and is old enough (23) to get LeBron’s jokes.
But what really stood out was picking Bronny James at No. 55. Despite not being a top prospect due to his recent health scare and modest college stats (4.8 points), Bronny is known for his hard work and smart play. This move ensures LeBron stays put in Los Angeles.
Spurs Banking on History
San Antonio looked back at its successful past by drafting Spanish point guard Juan Nunez at No. 36—a potential future star like Tony Parker or Manu Ginobili but likely staying in Europe for now.
They also picked Harrison Ingram from North Carolina—a mid-second-round wing similar to Danny Green but slower like Kyle “Slow Mo” Anderson—keeping roster spots open for long-term development.
Indiana’s Smart Moves
Indiana followed their successful strategy by adding standout players from top colleges: Tristan Newton from UConn (No. 49) and Enrique Freeman from Akron—both bringing impressive resumes.
They also traded up for Johnny Murphy from Kansas—another quality college player fitting their mold perfectly as they manage big contracts for stars like Pascal Siakam and Tyrese Haliburton while maintaining depth through college talent pipelines.
Knicks’ Clever Picks
New York focused on saving money for free agents by trading down but still made smart moves in the second round without hurting their budget for players like Isaiah Hartenstein or Precious Achiuwa.
First up was Marquette’s Tyler Kolek—a reliable ball handler despite being short—and later Kevin McCullar Jr., whose injuries caused him to slide down but brings relentless defense fitting Tom Thibodeau’s style perfectly.
It was a savvy bit of business on Day Two for a team with limited spending power!
What do you think about these draft moves?
