Keypoints Summary

• NBA Draft Round 2 opens with big trades and surprises
• Lakers trade twice to land Adou Thiero at pick 36
• Hornets stack up size by taking Kalkbrenner at 34
• Sixers grab versatile forward Johni Broome at 35
• Timberwolves start the round with athletic Rasheer Fleming
• Phoenix, Boston, and Detroit add key rotation pieces
• Rocco Zikarsky brings buzz as massive international project
• Trade flurry shows urgency from contenders and rebuilders

NBA Draft Round 2: Lakers Shock with Bold Trade Moves

The NBA Draft Round 2 was anything but quiet. It opened with chaos, saw surprising trades, and ended with several teams walking away with high-upside gems. The Los Angeles Lakers made the loudest statement, pulling off back-to-back trades to grab a rising star. This wasn’t just about filling rosters—it was about shaping the future.

From unexpected picks to aggressive team moves, Round 2 turned into a battlefield of ambition. Every front office came with a plan. Some struck gold. Others left fans scratching their heads.

Lakers Make Their Move and Get Their Guy

The Lakers weren’t interested in waiting. They entered the night with pick 55. That wasn’t good enough. So they got to work.

First, they traded pick 55 and cash to the Bulls for pick 45. That wasn’t good enough either. So they flipped pick 45 and more cash to the Timberwolves for pick 36.

Why? To get Adou Thiero, a powerful and versatile wing from Arkansas.

Thiero averaged 15.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, and locked up defenders across the SEC. He’s 6-foot-6 with a 7-foot wingspan and an elite motor. The Lakers believe he can contribute immediately—and grow into a starter next to their stars.

His reaction said it all.

“It feels good. Dream come true. Playing for the Lakers—man, that’s just something you dream about,” Thiero told reporters.

This wasn’t just a draft pick. This was a signal. The Lakers are betting on youth and athleticism in a deep Western Conference. NBA Draft Round 2 delivered their moment.

Early Picks Set the Tone for Hustle and Defense

The round kicked off with movement. The Timberwolves’ pick 31 went to Phoenix, who selected Rasheer Fleming. At 6-foot-9 with a 7-foot-5 wingspan, Fleming offers switchable defense and rim presence. Scouts love his energy. Coaches love his upside.

At 32, Boston added Noah Penda from France. The Celtics love length and defensive versatility. Penda fits that mold perfectly. He brings strong perimeter defense and fast-twitch reactions that could make him a useful piece in playoff rotations.

Charlotte followed with Sion James at 33 and Ryan Kalkbrenner at 34. The Creighton big man brings elite shot-blocking and rebounding. He’s not flashy—but he’s ready to anchor a second unit.

These weren’t flashy names, but they were smart, gritty picks. NBA Draft Round 2 was about effort and potential more than stardom.

Steady Value Picks Carry Round’s Middle

The 76ers struck with purpose. They drafted Johni Broome at 35, a rugged 6-foot-10 forward out of Auburn. He’s strong, mobile, and plays with nonstop effort. Philly fans loved it.

Detroit followed with Chaz Lanier, a sharp-shooting guard from North Texas who hit over 40% from deep. He’s 22 and ready to play now.

The Nets went international again, grabbing Serbia’s Luka Vukovic—a stretch four with pro experience. Smart teams hunted fit and maturity. Brooklyn’s pick shows faith in the European pipeline.

As the round continued, more win-now pieces came off the board. Veterans from strong programs. International guys with seasoning. These players might not start now—but they’ll make rotations better.

International Players Add Intrigue

NBA Draft Round 2 always includes international mystery men—and this year delivered.

The Timberwolves took Rocco Zikarsky, a towering 7-foot-4 center from Australia. He’s raw, but his mobility and touch are undeniable. Minnesota plans to develop him slowly on a two-way deal.

Spain’s Carlos Claver went later to the Raptors, a rangy forward with ball skills and strong pick-and-roll vision. He played pro minutes in Liga ACB—widely seen as the second-best league in the world.

These prospects won’t headline opening night. But they could headline the next wave of NBA development.

Trades Reveal Team Mindsets

Aggression was the theme.

The Lakers made two trades to move nearly 20 spots for one guy. That’s belief.

The Suns moved up for Rasheer Fleming—another high-motor prospect they view as a defensive weapon off the bench.

Boston scooped up French talent and moved pieces to keep control of their cap while adding youth.

Meanwhile, Charlotte doubled down on size. Adding Kalkbrenner plus James shows a clear goal: protect the rim and dominate the boards.

Every trade tells a story. These teams want immediate impact—and they’re not afraid to pay for it.

Underrated Steals That Could Shine

Every year, a few names taken in Round 2 turn into regular starters. Sometimes, even stars.

Rasheer Fleming at 31 has the motor and wingspan to become a serious contributor.

Thiero, taken by the Lakers at 36, may go down as the most impactful second-round pick of the year.

Chaz Lanier could end up starting games in Detroit as a shooter next to Jaden Ivey and Cade Cunningham.

And don’t sleep on Johni Broome. He’s got the build and attitude to make an impact right away in Philadelphia.

These guys weren’t first-round picks—but they don’t need to be. The NBA is about roles. If they play theirs, they’ll shine.

NBA Draft Round 2 Delivers Big

NBA Draft Round 2 is never about hype. It’s about smart front offices doing real work.

This year, that work paid off.

The Lakers stole headlines with a bold, double trade. Teams like the Hornets and Suns made sure they got their guys. The Celtics and Sixers found fits that help right now. And a few international players landed in the perfect situations.

Now it’s time to watch who sticks.

These second-rounders will battle in Summer League. They’ll earn contracts in training camp. Some will surprise you. Some will vanish.

But a few of them? They’ll be household names in three years.