2021 Second Round Picks Who Will Make an Impact in 2021-22

The NBA draft is over and 60 players heard their names called. But not all draft picks are created equal. A first-round pick is pretty much guaranteed to play in the NBA, a 2nd rounder however has a much more difficult task ahead of them.

But many second-round picks make the league, and not only do they make it many have become stars. Here are ten of the 2021 second-rounders who will likely make an impact this season.

Jeremiah Robinson-Earl
The 32nd pick in the draft and the second overall selection in the 2nd round, Robinson Early was drafted by the New York Knicks but traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Thunder have a young roster with a lot of opportunities for a player. The Thunder lack size and the six-foot-nine-inch Robinson-Earl will give that to them. He will not likely be a starter and he is most likely to have his biggest impact on the defensive end.

JT Thor
Thor was the 37th pick by the Detroit Pistons but was traded to the Charlotte Hornets. Thor may be a project but his rebounding and defense should help him get minutes for the Thunder. The Hornets lack toughness under the hoop and the Thor should give that to them

Ayo Dosunmu
Taken one pick after Thor, Dosunmu was drafted by his hometown Chicago Bulls. He is just the 2nd Chicago native in the last 30 years to be draft by the Bulls, the other being Derrick Rose. The Bulls lack a tough guard with scoring ability, which is something Dosunmu will deliver in droves. He fell in the draft because some teams worried about his shooting. If he can continue to improve upon his shot he will be seen as one of the best picks in this draft.

Neemias Queta
The Kings need size and Queta gives them that. He was one of the best shot blockers in the draft. The Kings frontcourt has been bad and they have spent most of their draft capital on guards, so Queta should have an opportunity to compete for minutes immediately.

Jared Butler
A heart issue caused Butler to fall down the draft board to #40. But unlike the previously mentioned players, Butler will be going to a title contender in the Utah Jazz. But the Jazz lack big guards who can shoot and can defend. Butler will help them here and he should see minutes behind both Mike Conley and Donovan Mitchell.

Greg Brown
The Blazers may think of Brown as a project, but his skill set should translate well enough to allow him to earn some minutes. He is a big young forward who can shoot and can rebound, which is something the Blazers need.

Sharife Cooper
Cooper is another player that fell on draft night, many draft boards had him as a first-round pick. The Hawks may have found a gem with him though. His biggest issue is the “what-if” factor. He was injured much of his college career but was spectacular in the few games he did play.

BJ Boston
Like Butler, Boston is going to a title contender in the Los Angeles Clippers. With Kawhi Leonard being out for the year this should open up an opportunity for Boston. Experience is going to be a problem for Boston, but the Clippers have a good coaching staff who will be able to help him develop.

Luka Garza
Garza is going to be a hit-or-miss player depending on if he can figure out the transition to the pro-game. He was one of the best college players but his type of game usually does not translate to the NBA very well. But if he can figure out the NBA game, he will be a steal for the Pistons

Charles Bassey
The Nigerian big man probably had one of the hardest falls on draft night. Bassey was seen as a late first-round pick, and the Sixers even considered taking him at 28, instead, they got him at 53. Bassey can be a solid backup to Joel Embiid, offer many of the same skills but at a much-reduced ability.

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