2025 NBA Draft: Second round sleepers
A quick breakdown of some second round prospects I have my eyes on.
The first round of the 2025 NBA Draft came and went. I’ll break that down shortly.
First, let’s dive into some second-rounders I’m tracking.
Prospects that I have first round grades on who remain available: Adou Thiero (14), Rasheer Fleming (21), Ryan Kalkbrenner (24), Maxime Raynaud (27).
Javon Small (West Virginia)
BIG BOARD: No. 40
NBA SKILL: Dribble/pass/shoot decision-making
Basically, I think that Javon Small is a steady enough scorer and passer in the pick-and-roll while maintaining a decent all-around baseline of production to return early second round value.
I’d be interested in seeing Small on teams who either value quick decisions (Toronto Raptors at No. 39, Golden State Warriors at No. 41?) or who need veteran production from a guard that can play on- and off-ball (Charlotte Hornets at Nos. 33 or 34, Memphis Grizzlies at No. 48, Phoenix Suns at Nos. 52 or 59?).
I previously highlighted the West Virginia guard following the NBA Draft Combine:
Chaz Lanier (Tennessee)
BIG BOARD: No. 42
NBA SKILL: Movement shooting
Chaz Lanier is my favorite movement shooting prospect in this draft class.
The Tennessee prospect drilled 40.5% of his catch-and-shoots (98/242) this season on incredibly high volume. As a whole, he attempted 16.2 threes per 100 possessions. Lanier’s NBA is clearly his off-ball, three-point shooting.
Going forward, he needs to keep working on leveraging his scoring gravity to make decisions off the catch. At this point, Lanier barely passes, although he doesn’t turn the ball over either. His at-rim finishing has to improve, as well. Lanier is not much of a defender, but his size is fine, and that’s not his calling card anyway.
The 23-year-old should be a target for teams who need shooting. Maybe the Orlando Magic (Nos. 46 and 57) or New Orleans Pelicans (No. 40) could be interested, but I think that Lanier’s pitch is pretty straightforward for most organizations.
Amari Williams (Kentucky)
BIG BOARD: No. 44
NBA SKILL: Positional passing
Amari Williams’ NBA skill is his passing. The British big likes to get the ball above the break or on the blocks to scan the floor, find his cutters, usually over the top, or get into the paint through post-ups.
Kentucky played through Williams a lot this season, and he was a genuine playmaker for his position. He operates out of handoffs and dribble hand-offs, but he can also keep and drive. The former Drexel prospect can also make some passes in transition.
Offensively, Williams’ challenge will be going from posting up to finishing plays. Right now, he operates with his back to the basket way too often.
The second round of the NBA Draft is getting older, and Williams is an example of this. He’s 23, but the Kentucky center has a very good chance of hearing his name called in the second round.
I think that this should happen in the 30s or early 40s. The Brooklyn Nets (No. 36), in my opinion, should be interested. He could also be a continuation of the Oso Ighodaro mold for the Suns at Nos. 52 and 59. Maybe the Los Angeles Lakers are in for him after trading for No. 45.
Alijah Martin (Florida)
BIG BOARD: No. 49
NBA SKILL: Rim/paint pressure
Alijah Martin is a heady and stubborn slasher who is constantly putting pressure on the paint. The Florida guard is an excellent vertical athlete relative to his size.
There’s no doubt that he plays bigger than he truly is. However, there are still size limitations given that Martin is under 6-foot-2 and largely profiles as an off-ball guard or a tiny wing.
Really, he does not need the ball in his hands. In the NBA, the Florida guard would probably attack the rim out of closeouts or off the catch. Martin would need to do this quickly, and he would need to keep making his threes. Martin shot 35 3P% this season, and averaged 36 3P% for his college career.
On defense, Martin plays tough and, again, larger than he is. But like with his offense, his size ultimately constrains him in certain situations or against attackers who are flat-out bigger.
Martin would be interesting in Oklahoma City as a similar prospect to Lu Dort, Milwaukee playing off the ball, or Chicago in their high-tempo offense.
Dylan Cardwell (Auburn)
BIG BOARD: N/R
NBA SKILL: Dunking
Dylan Cardwell is this draft class’ dunker extraordinaire. The Auburn big lives almost exclusively at the basket. He dunks everything.
Cardwell averaged 5 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game (4.2/3.9/1.0 for his career) — which is tiny — but I’m more focused on his role than his numbers. Admittedly, this stacks the odds against him.
Cardwell is basically strictly a play finisher, and he did this on incredibly low 13.5 USG%. Still, he was very efficient, and he was also productive on defense. Cardwell averaged 1.4 blocks per game, which just about lines up with his career average. That went alongside a 7.4 BLK%.
I consider the 23-year-old a priority undrafted free agent. I’d love to see Cardwell play in a fast, dynamic offense like the Indiana Pacers.
Other second rounders I’m interested in (with their NBA Skill, Possible Teams, Relevant Stats, and Elevator Pitch):
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