2024 NBA Draft: Live Grades for Every Round 2 Pick

0 of 28

The 2024 NBA draft is finished. Its second round won't soon be forgotten.

That's where the Los Angeles Lakers made history by spending the No. 55 pick on Bronny James, the firstborn of GOAT-debate-member LeBron James. Prior to the pick, the league had never before seen a father and son in its ranks at the same time.

That's a big deal and an incredible moment for the James family.

It's also only one of the 28 picks that teams made on Thursday, all of which we analyzed and graded here in real time.

*Check out every 2024 NBA Draft grade from Round 1 here and hit the comments to share grades from your favorite (and least favorite) picks.

1 of 28

The Raptors spent the first pick of the second round on one of the draft's most productive players. His 2023-24 season at San Francisco yielded a series of overstuffed stat sheets, culminating in per-contest averages of 14.2 points, 10.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 2.4 combined steals and blocks.

A late-bloomer who arose from the junior college ranks, Mogbo pairs athleticism with plenty of interior activity. Plus, he can handle and distribute, making him a potential asset when teams blitz the primary ball-handler and allow him to attack four-on-three situations.

However, Mogbo is only 6'6" and 217 pounds and offers zero spacing. Finding the right fit will be crucial for his development, and a frontcourt featuring him and Scottie Barnes will feel awfully congested until at least one of them finds an outside shot.

Grade: B-

2 of 28

There were portions of mock-draft season in which Kyle Filipowski found himself inside the top 20 and brushing against the lottery. This is excellent value in this spot for the Jazz, who have an all-purpose offensive big man to fill the void left behind by the 2024 trade-deadline subtraction of Kelly Olynyk.

Filipowski didn't test well at the combine, but he's still a 6'11" player who can post up, pass, handle and shoot. When the ball isn't in his hands, he'll keep active as a screen-setter and rebounder.

His limited athleticism and relative lack of length (6'11" wingspan) could become bigger issues in the NBA, particularly on defense. Does he have the length to lock down the paint? Or the mobility to handle switching from the 4 spot?

Those are questions that perhaps pushed him out of the first round, but they are easily stomached at this stage of the draft.

Grade: A

3 of 28

With the Bucks needing a replacement for Brook Lopez sooner than later, they were linked to Tyler Smith in some mock drafts, oftentimes 10 spots earlier (where they wound up taking AJ Johnson). Getting Smith here instead only increases the value of this sharpshooting big man with interesting upside on defense.

With the right kind of leap ahead of him, Smith could be a real find. He pairs a potent perimeter shot with athletic finishing around the basket, and he has the physical foundation to become both a paint protector and a versatile perimeter switcher.

Smith just needs more polish, both physically and skill-wise. He isn't powerful enough to man the 5, but he lacks the skill to play the 4.

Smith is a project, but he could absolutely be one worth undertaking for Milwaukee.

Grade: A-

4 of 28

After paying a premium (and then some) for Mikal Bridges and then signing OG Anunoby to a new megadeal, the Knicks clearly signaled that they plan on contending right now and for the foreseeable future. In Tyler Kolek, they just found an incoming freshman who can contribute to that effort right away.

Kolek looks like a plug-and-play backup point guard. There are some concerns about whether he'll grow into anything more than that, but at the 34th pick, it might be more beneficial to fill a role than to chase long-shot upside.

Kolek is a great-feel floor general who can weaponize all of the players around him and spin the scoreboard by himself as both a long-range shooter and a crafty close-range finisher. He'll be targeted early and often on defense, but he can do enough offensively to win his minutes.

Grade: B+

5 of 28

The Pacers coughed up their first-round pick in the Pascal Siakam trade, but they wound up getting a first-round talent anyway in Johnny Furphy, who was often mocked to go inside the top 20.

Furphy is a big shooter (6'8") with the athleticism and motor to be an asset in transition. He flies around the floor off the ball and is a good enough shooting threat to demand defensive attention while he moves—or punish teams who lose track of him. He's also ready and willing to fill a complementary role and do what is asked of him.

Furphy has plenty of potential on defense, but it's all a hope right now. He can struggle to stay in front of ball-handlers or gets stuck on screeners, though awareness and development could iron out some of his issues on that end.

The hope is that the same will be true of his ball-handling, though he has even longer to go on that front. That's less of a concern in Indiana than it would've been in situations where he didn't have as many shot-creators around him.

Grade: A-

6 of 28

The Spurs forced Victor Wembanyama to spend an inordinate amount of his electric rookie season without a true playmaker on the floor. They won't make that mistake again, having now doubled up on point guards with Juan Núñez following their earlier selection of Stephon Castle at No. 4.

Núñez has a realistic claim as being the best passer in this class. He pairs creativity with strong instincts to form a highlight-friendly arsenal of table-setting maneuvers. He thinks the game at a super advanced level and offers some scoring threat with soft touch around the basket.

Núñez isn't a shooter, though, nor a great—or even good—athlete. He could squeeze his own offense's spacing, and he'll be a popular target on the defensive end.

If he consistently creates clean looks for Wembanyama, though, the Spurs should be satisfied.

Grade: B

7 of 28

Bobi Klintman's high-end range of outcomes is fascinating. Use some imagination, and you can picture him becoming a fluid, 6'9" big wing who dribbles, defends, distributes and shoots from distance.

If the Pistons ace all of their developmental projects, they could have a roster littered with size, athleticism and multifaceted skill sets. Klintman doesn't have a go-to skill, though, and he'll need to get bigger and stronger to help compensate for his lack of elite explosion.

Still, this is the type of swing the Pistons should be making, since their roster has been a mess over these past few years. And Klintman can actually shoot, which should help him stand out in Detroit.

Grade: B+

8 of 28

There were times during the postseason when the Thunder looked light on playmakers and shot-creators. They just took another step toward attacking that weakness by selecting Ajay Mitchell at No. 38.

Mitchell understands how to run an offense. He is also very comfortable if the game calls for him to lead said offense by carrying the heaviest scoring burden.

Mitchell has a bevy of under-the-rim finishes and mid-range moves to put points on the board. He's also a willing and mostly capable passer, especially out of ball screens.

He hasn't been much of a long-range shooter to this point, though, and there isn't much explosion to his game. Mitchell could have trouble turning the corner against NBA defenders.

Grade: B

9 of 28

With one of the NBA's most dynamic downhill attackers in Ja Morant, the Grizzlies should be perpetually focused on finding spacers. That's exactly what they just found in Jaylen Wells, whose work ethic fueled his rise from Division II to the NBA draft.

Wells is a 6'7" shooter who can shred nets off the catch or off the bounce. Memphis is clearly targeting his three-ball here, but it will also appreciate that he can slip around overzealous closeouts for mid-range jumpers or probe deeper toward the basket and into floater range.

Expecting more from him might be a stretch, though. He isn't super long or a great athlete, which limits his defensive impact. And if he finds a path all the way to the basket, he struggles finishing there due to those same physical limitations.

Still, given the Grizzlies' proximity to the championship race—assuming Morant stays healthy—it's fine to target a specialist here.

Grade: C+

10 of 28

Perched over the second apron, the Suns have limited resources with which to build their roster around Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal. They are doing what they can in this draft, though.

In the first round, they snagged a defensive stopper in the first round (Ryan Dunn) with the No. 28 overall pick. At No. 40, they're now injecting passing, athleticism and defensive versatility into their center rotation with Oso Ighodaro.

The big man is a tricky evaluation with some unique skills and some worrying weaknesses.

On the plus side, Ighodaro is an instinctual passer as an athletic 6'10" big, and he is mobile enough to handle defensive switches. On the other hand, he isn't a shooter or a great paint protector, so he could be tough to plug into many lineups.

Grade: C+

11 of 28

The 76ers are building their blank-slate roster around Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, and it looks like they found a fit here in Adem Bona.

As long as they don't ask Bona to do anything on the perimeter, they should be pleased with this investment. He isn't huge (6'8", 243 lbs), but he is long (7'4"), bouncy and energetic. He makes use of those traits as a rebounder, lob-finisher and shot-blocker.

Bona plays hard, empties the tank on defense and finishes around the rim. He should soak up minutes with reserve units next season.

Grade: B+

12 of 28

There is quickness to everything in KJ Simpson's game, whether that's his pace and tight handles or his blink-and-he's-by-you drives and shot release. He can isolate, create out of pick-and-rolls, shine in transition and make simple, quick reads as a passer.

But he's small (6'0", 187 lbs) and not super athletic, so he'll have a defensive target on him as soon as he hits the NBA hardwood.

His physical challenges are real, and they are substantial. Nevertheless, the Hornets could be smart for betting on Simpson's competitiveness, creativity and confidence.

Grade: C

13 of 28

David Grau/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images

Nikola Djurisic intrigues as a 6'7" creator. He floors the pedal as soon as he spots an opening, and he has shown flashes of three-level scoring and creative passing.

For an Atlanta team that could be on the verge of parting with one or both of its primary creators (Trae Young and Dejounte Murray), Djurisic is a flier worth taking.

He also hasn't fully developed a consistent outside shot, which could make it tricky for him to add off-ball value. There are also questions of just how valuable he'll be on the ball, since his handle isn't the most advanced and his decision-making can be unreliable.

Still, it seems like the Hawks could veer into a future-focused rebuild at any time, so they should stay patient with Djurisic's development.

Grade: B

14 of 28

The marriage between Pelle Larsson and Miami's developmental staff could be a fruitful one. He has plenty of positives to provide a competitive club, and Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra has a rich track record of bringing the best out of his players.

This pick could look more favorable with hindsight. There are a lot of elements in Larsson's game that could pop at the next level, and if enough of them do, he could be remembered as one of the draft's better bargains.

Shooting will be a big swing skill for him. He can hit threes (39.7 percent in college), but upping his perimeter volume (career 2.6 attempts per game) would help open up the rest of his game. And that could be massive, because while he is a capable passer, handler and finisher, he isn't a standout in any of those areas.

Grade: A-

15 of 28

This is tricky, because Jamal Shead is interesting as a competitor and leader. As an NBA prospect, though, he faces some big hurdles that he'll have to overcome.

Shead is a two-way tone-setter. He plays fast and physical on both ends, and he has natural leadership ability. If he can score with any kind of consistency, he could carve out a long career as a reserve point guard.

That's a big if, though. Shead is an undersized point guard (6'0") without a reliable jump shot (career 29.6 percent from three). The track record for that archetype isn't great.

Grade: C-

16 of 28

The Clippers had to choose between chasing upside or going with a theoretically safer selection here. It's tough to say what direction they picked with Cam Christie. He sort of projects as a three-and-D wing, but he's too slight (at 190 lbs) to hold his own on that end any time soon.

Christie is a 6'5" shooter. That should help him stick in the NBA, especially if he keeps expanding his off-the-dribble arsenal. However, his defense is greatly hindered by his lack of strength.

That same issue paired with non-elite athleticism has also plagued his finishing around the rim. He could be borderline unplayable until he bulks up.

Christie's shooting is legitimate, and he could fill a complementary role if he bulks up and brings his defense around. He was worth a swing here, but the worry is that the Clippers' win-now demands might get in the way of the patience Christie will require.

The value is good, but the fit may not be ideal.

Grade: B

17 of 28

With Brandon Ingram on the trade block, CJ McCollum perhaps heading there at some point and Jonas Valančiūnas entering free agency (and seemingly unlikely to return), the Pelicans might need plenty of scoring help around Zion Williamson. Antonio Reeves could provide that right away.

Reeves is—as the cool kids maybe still say—a bucket. He is a shooting threat above all else, but he is nearly just as potent when zipping inside the arc for pull-ups, floaters and close-range finishes.

Reeves is a better off-the-dribble shooter than off-the-catch, though, and he might top out as a neutral defender (if he gets that far). It's a little tricky to project more than a microwave role for him, as his skill set needs plenty of expansion to plug him into something like a complementary three-and-D role.

Still, that's a solid role to fill in the back half of the second round.

Grade: B+

18 of 28

If he pans out, Harrison Ingram is the kind of prospect who could do some of the little things that make good teams better. The Spurs have towering upside thanks to the presence of Victor Wembanyama, so Ingram could have a chance to make those subtle but significant contributions in San Antonio.

Ingram isn't an explosive athlete, and he can struggle to create separation given his lack of burst. Still, it's possible to envision him thriving as a two-way connector, especially if his three-point shot holds up.

His perimeter shot came alive at North Carolina (1.8 makes per outing, 38.5 percent splash rate), but it was a non-factor in his previous two seasons at Stanford (1.1 threes, 31.6 percent clip). He also shot a disastrous 62.4 percent at the stripe across those three campaigns.

If he is an adequate shooter, the rest of his game should shine. If he isn't, he could be a nonfactor on offense.

Grade: C-

19 of 28

Tristen Newton comes to Indiana with the kind of versatility and willingness to play a role that should help him find a fit. That could be key, since it's unclear exactly what the Pacers, who aren't lacking good guard play, will want from Newton and when.

The Huskies can trace a good chunk of their consecutive championship runs to Newton's glue-guy game. He aces all of the intangibles and exemplifies what you want in an on-court leader.

He might also find it challenging to score in the NBA. He needs to clean up his three-point mechanics, and his lack of vertical pop could plague his point-blank finishing.

Grade: C+

20 of 28

Enrique Freeman, a former walk-on, became a double-double machine with the Zips and even flashed some outside shooting late in his career. He plays as hard as you'd expect someone with his against-all-odds story.

However, Freeman projects as a small-ball 5 who might be too small for the gig (6'7", 212 lbs). His perimeter skills need to come alive for him to find an NBA fit.

Given his work ethic, though, betting against him seems like a bad idea.

Grade: C

21 of 28

Melvin Ajinça has the makings of a quality, athletic three-and-D wing. There aren't a lot of avenues for him to grow out of that role, but that's fine at the 51st pick, especially when that archetype is exactly what Dallas wants to put around Kyrie Irving and Luka Dončić.

Ajinça needs to be impactful in these specific areas, then. While it looks like his movement shooting will translate to the NBA, the outlook on his defense isn't as clear. He does his job on the ball, but he hasn't sparked a lot of disruption.

Grade: B+

22 of 28

Pair the word "skilled" with "7-footer" and NBA teams are likely to take an interest. That's what happened here with Golden State and Quinten Post, who measured 7'0" at the combine and offers everything from perimeter shooting and passing to soft-touch hooks and playmaking out of the post.

He is a stretch center who is comfortable handling the ball. He is also a limited athlete with major question marks on the defensive end.

This is a reasonable gamble on size and skill, but Post's defense may never reach the required level for him to stick in the league long term.

Grade: C

23 of 28

Cam Spencer transferred from Rutgers to Connecticut and immediately paced the champs in three-point shooting (2.5 makes, 44.0 percent) while averaging their second-most points (14.3) and minutes (33.0) per game. He has a lights-out long-range shot, but he can also zip around closeouts to find floaters, layups or kickouts to open teammates.

He plays hard and smart. He just doesn't have much size (6'3") or athleticism. If the size, speed and strength of this league doesn't get the better of him, he'll be a longtime NBA contributor.

This is a smart pick by the Grizzlies, who have now nabbed two long-range shooters in the second round.

Grade: A-

24 of 28

Jay LaPrete/NCAA Photos/NCAA Photos via Getty Images

The Celtics need reliable frontcourt options behind Al Horford and Kristaps Porziņģis. They might have found a Horford clone in Anton Watson.

That's an optimistic take on the 54th pick, but Watson shares similarities with his defensive versatility, soft shooting touch and willingness to make smart, simple passes.

Watson needs to keep bringing his three-point shot along to give the Horford comparison any credence. But if you squint, you can see the foundation.

Grade: B-

25 of 28

Bronny James is a direct descendent of NBA royalty as the firstborn son of LeBron James.

He's also now a teammate of his father–or he will be as soon as LeBron picks up his player option or re-signs with the Lakers this summer.

The significance of this selection is enormous. The league has never seen a simultaneous father-son tandem before. Now, this historic pairing comes together in the Hollywood spotlight. It's an incredible story.

Bronny is less than incredible as a prospect, but he's decent. That depends on how you view his outlook as a shooter and scorer in general, though.

He defends with strength, energy and sound instincts, and he has the right blend of shot-making and court vision to potentially fill a complementary role at some point. He just needs plenty of polish to fill a support role one day. Bronny has some theoretical three-and-D appeal, but the list of 6'2" three-and-D NBA players is not a long one.

The Lakers probably needed to select Bronny to feel good about their future with LeBron, and it's impossible not to factor that into the evaluation of this pick. The fact that Bronny has some interesting attributes helps, though.

Grade: B

26 of 28

Kevin McCullar Jr. looks ready to fill a supporting role in the NBA—provided he brings any kind of consistency with his outside shot.

If opponents have to respect McCullar's three-ball, that will open up his half-court game, which features everything from downhill driving and on-target diming to contact finishing and tough shotmaking.

As long as he can keep defenses honest, McCullar has a chance to fill a fairly significant reserve role right away. The Knicks, whose championship window is wide open, did a great job of potentially plucking a plug-and-play contributor with the third-to-last pick of the draft.

Grade: A

27 of 28

Ulrich Chomche is the youngest player in this draft—he won't turn 19 until late December—and his youth shows in his lack of polish. That should be fine for the Raptors, who clearly have an interest in what he might become and should feel no rush to compete.

Chomche's tools are tremendous. He is big, mobile and bouncy. If he bulks up, he could be an asset in paint protection, and he already appears nimble enough to hang with perimeter players on switches. On offense, he shows a willingness to play a dirty-work role.

Chomche's game predictably lacks seasoning, but his range of possible outcomes intrigues.

Grade: B+

28 of 28

Ariel Hukporti has good size and a great motor for the center spot. He is all force and physicality, but he is powerful enough to rumble his way to the rim and finish. On defense, he can protect the paint and tussle with opponents in the low post.

His interior play is relentless, but his perimeter value is nonexistent. His shooting touch doesn't reach beyond the restricted area, he isn't a good passer and he doesn't move well enough to hang with perimeter switches.

He could see reserve minutes as a change-of-pace center at some point, but that is far from guaranteed.

Grade: C