Everyone is focused on the top picks from the 2023 NBA Draft but these second-round picks could have a big impact, playing meaningful minutes as rookies.
Several of the league's top athletes were selected in the second round of the draft. For example, Nikola Jokic was a second-rounder. He was selected with the No. 41 overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft. He was literally drafted during a Taco Bell commercial. Not bad for the reigning NBA champion and a two-time MVP.
With the NBA Draft and Summer League officially behind us, it's officially time for basketball fans to slowly lose their minds more and more every day. That is until late September rolls around and training camp officially starts. So, to prepare for the start of the 2023-24 NBA season, here are some second-rounders poised to make a major impact on their teams.
NBA second-round picks who could play big minutes: 3. Sidy Cissoko, Spurs
The Spurs took Sidy Cissoko with the No. 44 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. As a member of the G League Ignite, Sidy Cissoko averaged 12.8 points, 3.5 assists, 2.8 rebounds, 1.2 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game.
Sidy Cissoko is a 6-foot-8 wing that defends both guards and forwards equally. His ability to guard positions 1-4 puts him in elite company among NBA defenders and is what initially piqued plenty of teams' interest. However, Cissoko is much more than just a defender.
As we witnessed during this Summer League, Cissoko's athleticism makes him a menace in transition. With natural passing instincts and vision, he's not a primary scorer, but he will impact the offense by making the right reads as he is very comfortable with the ball in his hands.
With all the focus geared toward Wembenyama, it's likely Cissoko's game sneaks up and surprise a bunch of teams. For San Antonio, Cissoko will be a valuable depth piece.
Second-round pick who could play big minutes: 2. Maxwell Lewis, Lakers
The Denver Nuggets took Lewis with the No. 40 pick in the NBA Draft, but, his draft rights were traded to the Lakers. Due to his smooth jumpsuit and ability to create space, Lewis' skillset has been compared to his newest teammates', Cam Reddish.
Last season, Lewis averaged 17.1 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game, shooting 46.9 percent from the field and 35.1 percent from deep. He shoots the ball effectively from beyond the arc. Last year, he had three games where he sunk in four or more triples.
Although Lewis did not have the most productive time at Summer League, there will be plenty of other opportunities for him to prove what he can do. Even though there are concerns about Lewis' frame, being only 6-foot-7-inches and just 195 pounds, if the crafty forward can add some size while retaining his outside shooting mechanics, a spot on the court should open up for him.
Second-rounder who could play big minutes: 1. Trayce Jackson-Davis, Warriors
On draft night, Shams reported that the Warriors acquired the No. 57 pick from Washington, that being Trayce Jackson-Davis. This forward/center out of Indiana is known for stuffing the stat sheet and recorded a whopping 50 double-doubles during his four years at Bloomington.
Jackson-Davis joins a Warriors team where the only other bigs are Draymond, Kevon Looney, and Dario Saric. Given the varying skillsets his veteran bigs possess, Jackson-Davis could benefit greatly from being a sponge and stands to learn a lot in his rookie season.
In his final summer league game, TJD finished with 18 points and 10 rebounds, shooting 8-for-12 from the field. He also recorded 2 blocks, 2 steals, and 2 assists. If that serves as any hint, it's safe to assume that Trayce Jackson-Davis' upside at Golden State is enormous.