The NBA Draft, held last Thursday, witnessed a big trade between Chicago and Minnesota, and it featured the Sacramento Kings’ collection of high-profile players with great variances between best- and worst-case scenarios. The second round of a draft never gets the headlines of the first round, especially the lottery, but after the Golden State Warriors hit on Draymond Green in the second round a few years ago, every team wants to be able to hit on that lower pick which offers a huge return on the investment. It’s also important for NBA fantasy purposes. Here are the picks from this year’s second round which offer hope for optimism… though not necessarily an expectation of being the next Draymond.
Jordan Bell, Golden State Warriors
No one should think this is another Draymond, but Golden State very possibly found the kind of player it does need: a long and active defensive big man who can protect the rim and rebound. The Warriors are set in terms of offense, ball-handling, shooting, perimeter play, and passing. They need help on defense, they need help on the interior, and they need help on the glass. Bell can give them those things. If he does, he will be viewed as a success. The Warriors don’t need complete two-way players. If Bell ripens into a strong defensive specialist, the Warriors can still put three or four great offensive players around him… and if he can rebound the misses, he will be doing his part. This is a good fit for what Golden State wants to do with its roster as long as Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson, and Draymond are still around.
Semi Ojeleye, Boston Celtics
With Marcus Smart and other Celtics having unreliable jump shots, Ojeleye is a player who can be depended upon to hit a 17-foot jumper. That will space the floor for Isaiah Thomas and enable the Celtics to get a lot more one-on-one situations at the offensive end. That’s very important for them. Ojeleye is also a very solid rebounder, and he is thick and muscled. He will not get overpowered by other small forwards in the NBA. He offers a lot of tools the Celtics can work with right away. This was a very enlightened pick.
Dillon Brooks, Memphis Grizzlies
The high flier from Oregon has an NBA body – long, strong, powerful, able to leap over other defenders and play over the top in an above-the-rim context. Brooks has a decent jump shot, a reasonably good handle, and a great transition game. Memphis is an old and slow team. Brooks offers an infusion of a lot of the things the team lacks. This is a good pick with an eye toward the future. In terms of the now, the Grizzlies do need help on the wings but this isn’t the type of move that makes Memphis a contender in the Western Conference. NBA fantasy general managers should keep their eye out, though, as Brooks could have an impact – especially if Tony Allen leaves in free agency.
Sindarius Thornwell, Los Angeles Clippers
The nation did not get to see Thornwell at his best in the Final Four when South Carolina played Gonzaga. Thornwell was sick that day, so he didn’t play with his usual energy, which was a shame. If people did pay attention before the Final Four, however, they saw what Thornwell is capable of. He scored as a face-up shooter but also with his back to the basket in the low post. He is tough and resilient, he plays above-average defense, and he doesn’t get outclassed athletically. He will be able to stand up to elite NBA scorers as a defender, and his offensive versatility will enable him to survive in the pros for many years.
The Clippers could have a lot of scoring to soak up after the Chris Paul departure and possibly the Blake Griffin exit. If Griffin does in fact exit, it would signal a complete rebuild for this team, which means they’ll employ the youth movement. Thornwell should get an extended look in NBA fantasy if that’s the case.
The 2017 NBA futures are out. It’s been a wild offseason already, but keep an eye on the betting lines as they move around at Diamond Sportsbook! Get the latest NBA betting lines right here.
