My favorite second round picks in the 2025 NBA Draft

Hidden gems are always found in round 2.

Detroit continues to make the right moves (Credit: @detroitpistons on Instagram)

The second round of the draft is where championship teams are built and where hidden gems are found. I know, really cliche, but just ask the Oklahoma City Thunder how important second round picks like Aaron Wiggins and Isaiah Hartenstein were to their championship run. Or the Indiana Pacers with Andrew Nembhard. Or the more flashy ones like Nikola Jokic, Jalen Brunson, Manu Ginobli and others.

This year’s class was loaded, so some first round talent fell to round two. Here are my five favorite second round picks from this year’s draft.

Phoenix Suns: F Rasheer Fleming (Pick 31)

The Suns continued to nail their draft with the selection of Fleming to begin round 2. I had a first round grade on the Saint Joseph’s forward (not because he’s a New Jersey native, the best state on the east coast), and Phoenix got him in the second round.

Fleming is an all-around forward. He was one of the only players in college basketball last season with 40 or more dunks and 50 or more made threes. He can guard multiple positions and is a strong rim protector. He can play the three, four, and can be a small ball five in today’s NBA. New Suns head coach Jordan Ott specialized in player development with the Cavaliers, responsible for the leap Evan Mobley had.

Now with Khaman Maluach and Fleming in the fold, Ott can put them on a similar development path, giving the Suns’ their future frontcourt duo.

Detroit Pistons: G/F Chaz Lanier (Pick 37)

Lanier was a big reason why Tennessee went all the way to the Elite Eight this season. He was one of the best shooters in college basketball, as he knocked down almost 40 percent of his three-point tries and averaged 18 points per game.

Lanier can shoot off the dribble and off the catch and should have a bevy of open looks playing next to Cade Cunningham. Just ask Malik Beasley, who is about to get a bag in free agency, how easy his life was last season.

Lanier also has a level of toughness that head coach J.B. Bickerstaff has to like and that trait fits in with Detroit’s culture. The Pistons gave themselves some Beasley insurance in case he gets expensive on the market, but even then, Lanier will contribute from day one.

Charlotte Hornets: G Sion James (pick 33)

The Hornets nailed their draft. Nailed. It. James is the kind of defender that they were sorely lacking. James has a filled out frame at 6’5”, 185 and has a high defensive motor. Think Lu Dort lite.

He is a rugged on-ball defender and is physical at the point of attack. He can guard multiple positions and rarely gets screened. James has also grown as a shooter, as he knocked down 41 percent of his threes at Duke this past season and also showed flashes as a playmaker.

He won’t be on the ball a lot in Charlotte with LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, and even Kon Knueppel, but the Hornets drafted him for his heart and tenacity on the defensive end. James will carve out a nice role for himself in Charlotte and a nice NBA career overall because of that.

Cleveland Cavaliers: G Tyrese Proctor (pick 49)

Yeah, I already know what you guys are going to say: of course Izzy plugged his favorite team into this article. I am going to try my best to not sound like a homer, but Proctor was the perfect pick for the Cavs. He reminds me a lot of Nembhard.

Standing at 6’5”, he can play either guard spot thanks to his composed handle and his strong jump shot (41 percent from three). He has shown flashes as a playmaker and is a smart passer who is never rushed, especially in pick and roll sets, but is best as a secondary handler. Defensively, he is great at playing passing lanes and holds up against more physical guards and wings and is willing to rise to the challenge on that end.

Proctor was projected to go a little earlier than pick 49, so the Cavs got a bargain here. He will also help ease the potential loss of either Ty Jerome or Sam Merrill in free agency, thanks to his positional versatility.

Boston Celtics: C Amari Williams (Pick 46)

Williams was definitely one of the more intriguing center prospects in the draft. He had a lot of freedom at Kentucky this past season and showed a lot of potential as a playmaker.

The dude was going coast to coast with a surprisingly nice handle and finding cutters at ease. He has a willingness to make the extra pass and can be trusted with the ball in halfcourt sets. He is also a strong defender and at 6’11” with a 7’5” wingspan, he projects to be a strong paint presence at the next level. He does a good job of contesting without fouling and has great verticality in the post.

Boston was a great spot for Williams to land in because of their need in the frontcourt. He needs to develop a consistent outside shot, but has all the tools to be a nice bench piece on a playoff-caliber team.