Four NBA second-round picks who could prove to be steals
Tyler Kolek.
Over the last decade or so, the second round of the NBA Draft has produced some truly exceptional talents, with none greater than three-time MVP Nikola Jokic, the 41st overall pick in 2014.
While this year's draft was considered to be weaker than in years past, there will surely be some second-rounders who will exceed expectations
With that in mind, here are four players selected in Thursday's second round who could end up being steals.
Tyler Kolek, New York Knicks
The 6-foot-3 point guard might not be a Villanova Wildcat, but another former Big East star is heading to New York. The Knicks sent three future second-round picks to the Portland Trail Blazers for the draft rights to Kolek, the 34th overall pick.
Kolek was one of the best floor generals in college basketball last season, averaging 15.3 points and 7.7 assists, the most in Division-I, while shooting 49.6% from the field and 38.8% from beyond the arc.
New York needed a true backup point guard to lead their deep bench unit. While it's unclear whether Kolek will assume that role as a rookie, the fact that he stepped up in several crucial moments during his collegiate career should give the Knicks confidence that he can be a reliable contributor.
The pressure of playing in New York shouldn't faze Kolek, either, considering he was named Most Outstanding Player of the 2023 Big East Tournament, which was held at his new home arena, Madison Square Garden.
Bobi Klintman, Detroit Pistons
After selecting forward Ron Holland II with the fifth overall pick on Wednesday, the Pistons continued to chase upside during Thursday's second round, trading up to select Klintman at Pick 37.
Detroit needed to add shooters this offseason to complement star point guard Cade Cunningham's skill set. Klintman, who ESPN ranked as the No. 29 prospect in this year's draft, provides a solution to that issue.
Although the 6-foot-9 forward only averaged 9.7 points for the NBL's Cairns Taipans last season, he showcased his potential as a spot-up shooter while flashing versatility on defense.
He's still one of the bigger projects in this draft class, but with the playing time Klintman should receive out of the gate, he could quickly solidify himself as Detroit's most impactful reserve.
Adem Bona, Philadelphia 76ers
Due to Joel Embiid's extensive injury history and the team's inability to rebound when the 2023 MVP wasn't on the floor last season, the Sixers were in desperate need of acquiring a new backup center this offseason. It's a bit surprising that GM Daryl Morey didn't address this hole in free agency, but he managed to pick up an intriguing, athletic big man in Bona with the 41st overall pick.
Bona won't stretch the floor like a modern-day NBA center, but he's a versatile defender who can be an effective finisher in pick-and-roll situations. The 6-foot-10, 245-pounder averaged 12.4 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game for the UCLA Bruins last season en route to earning Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year honors.
It's possible that Bona could see significant playing time for Philadelphia immediately, as his selection opens the door for the team to trade Paul Reed. The 25-year-old Reed struggled mightily during the postseason, averaging 1.5 points and 2.7 rebounds in six games.
Additionally, Reed has a similar style of play as Bona but is undersized and not as polished on defense, so the rookie could fill his role rather seamlessly.
Jamal Shead, Toronto Raptors
The Raptors landed a defensive-minded point guard in Davion Mitchell through a Thursday trade with the Sacramento Kings. However, that didn't stop them from adding another during the draft, with the team selecting Shead, the reigning Naismith Defensive Player of the Year and Big 12 Player of the Year.
While he isn't the most talented or athletic player, the 6-foot point guard is a leader and winner, which will be extremely beneficial to a young Toronto team during its rebuilding years.
Shead finished his collegiate career with a 120-18 record and is coming off a season in which he led Houston to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament while averaging 12.9 points, 6.3 assists and 2.2 steals per game.
Toronto's defense took a massive hit following last December's trade that sent OG Anunoby to New York, with the team ranking 29th in defensive rating (121.5) since the deal was made.
Shead and Mitchell would form an extremely undersized backcourt duo, but the pairing would undoubtedly elevate the team's shaky perimeter defense if they were featured in the same lineup.
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