RADIO
While many pundits have pointed to this year's NBA Draft as one of the weakest overall classes in recent memory, that doesn't mean that some of the talented young players drafted in rounds one or two won't be able to carve out roles with their new teams or add value immediately.
If anything, NBA teams have begun to take younger, toolsy players (especially from overseas) earlier in the draft and 2024 was no exception as we saw three European teenagers (all French) taken in the first six picks. Some of these players are less "NBA-ready" than others in the draft but are viewed as having higher ceilings in the long run.
The reality for a lot of the players picked in last Thursday's second round of the NBA Draft is that they will have an uphill battle to make the roster for their teams this season with many of them ending up in the G-league. But a handful of players could make an immediate impact or have the opportunity to earn a meaningful role in their teams' rotations, thus having some fantasy value in deep redraft formats. Let's take a look at who some of those players might be!
Kyle Filipowski - PF/C, Utah Jazz
32nd Overall, Duke
Filipowski came back to Duke for his sophomore season instead of entering the draft last year and improved his three-point shooting and defense. The 7-footer shot 35% from behind the arc and blocked 1.5 shots per game while averaging 16-8-3, yet his draft stock tumbled for some reason (and it's being speculated that it may have had something to do with his much older girlfriend and his lack of a relationship with his family).
As far as being NBA-ready, Filipkowski fits the mold of the modern big man who can stretch the floor with shooting while also being a solid rebounder and rim protector. While Utah has a number of big men already with Walker Kessler, John Collins, Lauri Markannen, and Taylor Hendricks - they have shown a willingness to play big with Lauri at the three and two other big men on the floor.
The final 2024 #NBA Draft Prospect of the Day is Duke power forward and future first round pick Kyle Filipowski.
✅ Versatile stretch big man
📊 Projected first round pick
⬆️ 7’0, 248-pound forwardhttps://t.co/cgaA2XspGr pic.twitter.com/t5GccUqOyy— Chas Post (@chas_post23) June 26, 2024
Utah also played some deep rotations last season until eventually shutting down their best players for the final few weeks. This is a franchise focused on acquiring and developing young players right now, so don't be surprised if they play a lot of guys and aren't too much about winning in the short term.
Tyler Kolek - PG/SG, New York Knicks
34th Overall, Marquette
The Knicks moved up several spots in the second round to snag Kolek, who like Filipkowski was regarded by many as a late first-rounder going into the draft.
The Marquette point guard averaged over seven assists in both his junior and senior seasons and raised his scoring average to 15 points per game last year. At six-foot-three, he has some nice size for a point guard and he shot an impressive 49.6% from the field in his senior season.
New York NBA skills coach Chris Brickley on IG: “I love the Knicks 34th pick Tyler Kolek. He can really play!” pic.twitter.com/ztsrqm3RFK
— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) June 28, 2024
The Knicks really don't have another true point guard on their roster after Jalen Brunson, and Kolek could have the opportunity to run the second unit with a strong showing in Summer League and camp. While Coach Thibs is notorious for running short rotations, this Knicks team might be the deepest that he's ever had as they added Mikal Bridges already and locked up OG Anunoby to an extension. Rest the starters more, Thibs - you finally have some very capable backups!
Harrison Ingram - SF, San Antonio Spurs
48th Overall, North Carolina
Anyone being drafted by the Spurs is going to have perhaps an easier time getting on the court than if they were taken by most other teams. The Spurs already have the top young player in the game in Wemby and snagged UCONN standout Stephon Castle in the first round. But they're not ready to contend yet and are still going to be focused on developing their young players and seeing who they want to use to build around Wemby.
Ingram is a prototypical NBA three-man who can play small-ball four, too. He stands six-foot-seven but has a seven-foot wingspan and was a superb rebounder at UNC last year, pulling down 8.8 boards per game.
Harrison Ingram might be in the best physical shape of anyone on the #Spurs roster right now. He’s chiseled. pic.twitter.com/eu0CLEPqxa
— Nate Ryan (@nateryansports) June 28, 2024
He can stretch the floor in an NBA-style offense as he knocked down 38.5% of his three-pointers last season. He's been praised for his effort and hustle by former teammates and coaches. He might be able to earn a spot in the rotation for Coach Pop with his gritty play and we know that Pop had no problem playing a lot of different players last year in a deep rotation.
Honorable Mentions
Adem Bona - C, Philadelphia 76ers
The Sixers landed a high-energy rebounder and defender here at pick 41. Bona was the PAC-10 rookie of the year in his freshman season and defensive player of the year in his sophomore campaign. He should compete to be Joel Embiid's primary backup and we know that Embiid is going to take some nights off during the season for maintenance as well, leaving a lot of minutes for Philly backup bigs.
Johnny Furphy - SF, Indiana Pacers
The Aussie out of Kansas was projected to go in the first round but fell to Indiana at pick number 35. He's still pretty raw but has an NBA body at six-foot-nine and the versatility to play the three or the four.
Cam Christie - PG/SG, L.A. Clippers
He needed only one season at Minnesota to impress NBA scouts who are excited about his size (six-foot-six) and athleticism. He's the younger brother of Max Christie of the Lakers. Depending on what happens in free agency, the Clippers could be thin in the backcourt - stay tuned!
Cam Spencer - PG/SG, Detroit Pistons
If you watched UCONN's run to the title this year, you had to come away impressed with Spencer's game. He doesn't look flashy, but shot an incredible 44% from deep while making smart play after play on both offense and defense. His basketball IQ could help him force his way into minutes for Detroit, even in a crowded backcourt.
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