Don't Sleep—These Second-Round Picks Will Shock EVERYONE

Joel Piton
Jul 8
5 min read

The 2025 NBA Draft might go down as one of the most talent-rich classes in recent memory. From surefire lottery picks to high-ceiling wings and polished big men, this year's crop of rookies has scouts and fans buzzing. But with the 2025–26 season already shaping up to be riddled with injuries across the league, these rookies won’t have the luxury of easing into the spotlight—they’ll be expected to deliver from day one.

But here’s the twist: this draft class is so deep, so stacked, that some legit game-changers slipped into the second round. Yes, second-round picks who have the tools, mentality, and opportunity to not just stay in the league—but star in it. Here are seven second-round sleepers who are ready to silence the GMs, outperform their draft position, and shake up the NBA faster than anyone expected.

Johni Broome (Philadelphia) Round 2, Pick 5

PF — 6'10" — 18.6 PPG — 10.8 RPG — 2.9 APG — 2.1 BPG — 51.0 FG %

Johni Broome made it clear during March Madness: he belongs on the biggest stage. The 6'10" Auburn senior, and 2024–25 Karl Malone Award winner, stacked up with the best power forwards in the draft—including those taken in the first round. A defensive anchor and elite shot-blocker, Broome also brings a reliable midrange jumper, polished post footwork, and the ability to finish above the rim. What really turned heads late in his college campaign was his growth as a passer, showcasing a more complete offensive game. At 240 pounds, Broome moves with surprising fluidity and has all the tools to contribute right away. Philly should be celebrating—they may have just landed a first-round talent in the second.

Micah Peavy (New Orleans) Round 2, Pick 10

SG — 6'8" — 17.2 PPG — 5.8 RPG — 3.6 APG — 2.3 SPG — 48.1 FG %

Standing at 6'8", Micah Peavy is an oversized guard with serious two-way potential, drawing comparisons to the likes of Tracy McGrady, Brandon Ingram, and Khris Middleton. His length and defensive instincts made him a nightmare for smaller guards in the Big East, where he led Georgetown in steals and established himself as one of the conference's premier two-way threats. Offensively, Peavy thrives in the midrange, with a smooth stop-and-pop game reminiscent of DeMar DeRozan. He’s a crafty finisher around the rim and more than capable of absorbing contact inside. With Jordan Poole joining the Pelicans, Peavy’s defensive versatility and midrange scoring could make him an ideal spark off the bench for a team that needs wing production on both ends of the floor.

Chaz Lanier (Detroit) Round 2, Pick 7

SG — 6'5" — 18.0 PPG — 3.9 RPG — 1.1 APG — 43.1 FG %

Widely regarded by scouts as the best pure shooter in the draft, Chaz Lanier lit it up at Tennessee with near 50-40-90 efficiency—a shooting profile that’s practically NBA-ready. With Marcus Sasser struggling to provide consistent offense off Detroit’s bench, Lanier offers instant scoring upside the Pistons desperately need. But he’s more than just a shooter. Lanier is a surprisingly skilled rebounder for his size, showing a willingness to mix it up and impact the game beyond the arc. While he’s not quite Nique Clifford on the boards, his all-around mentality is what helped push him up draft boards late. With the right coaching, this could turn out to be a steal for Detroit.

Maxime Raynaud (Sacramento) Round 2, Pick 12

PF — 7'1" — 20.2 PPG — 10.6 RPG — 1.7 APG — 1.4 BPG — 46.7 FG %

Unfortunately, my Celtics couldn’t snag him—but Sacramento walks away with a 7'1" sharpshooting big man in Maxime Raynaud, who can knock down midrange jumpers and stretch the floor from deep with ease. Pairing him alongside Domantas Sabonis creates an intriguing offensive duo. And if Raynaud can even begin to mirror Sabonis’ interior finishing and post game, the Kings might have landed a second-round steal with first-round talent. The big question mark? Defense. Raynaud has a 7'2" wingspan but has yet to prove he can consistently protect the rim or anchor an NBA defense. If he’s willing to embrace that side of the game, this pick could turn into a major win for Sacramento. Only time will tell.

Javon Small (Memphis) Round 2, Pick 18

PG — 6'3" — 18.6 PPG — 4.1 RPG — 5.6 APG — 41.8 FG %

The Grizzlies might’ve just found Ja Morant 2.0. At 6'2", Javon Small is relentless in his attack—living at the rim and finishing through contact with elite craft. His performance at the combine turned heads, solidifying him as one of the most skilled finishers in the entire class. But Small’s game doesn’t stop there. He’s a physical defender, a crafty shot-creator who doesn’t rely on chucking threes, and a polished playmaker who averaged 5.6 assists per game in his senior year at West Virginia. After proving himself at three different college programs, Small showed he can adapt, lead, and produce anywhere. Athletic, fearless, and ready to run, this is a perfect fit for a Grizzlies squad starving for backcourt depth.

John Tonje (Utah) Round 2, Pick 23

SG — 6'5" — 19.6 PPG — 5.3 RPG — 1.8 APG — 46.5 FG %

One of the older prospects in the draft, John Tonje brings maturity and experience to a Utah Jazz team banking heavily on 18-year-old Ace Bailey. Tonje has played for three different collegiate programs, and in his lone season at Wisconsin, he made a major impact—scoring at all three levels and matching the starting 7-footer in rebounds per game. Known for his scoring versatility, Tonje can shoot it from deep, attack the rim with power, and uses his strong frame to play disruptive on-ball defense. He’s not the most athletic guard in the class, but what he lacks in flash, he makes up for in effort, grit, and buckets—with multiple 30- and 40-point games under his belt to prove it.

Playmaking is still a concern—he’ll need to become more of a willing passer—but if he buys in, Tonje has all the tools to be a reliable glue guy on a young, evolving Utah roster.

Max Shulga (Boston) Round 2, Pick 27

PG — 6'5" — 15.0 PPG — 5.9 RPG — 4.0 APG — 1.8 SPG — 43.5 FG %

In a draft class flooded with 6'5–6'6 guards who can dribble, pass, and shoot, Max Shulga stands out not just for what he does—but for what he’s willing to not do. A selfless playmaker and cerebral floor-spacer, Shulga is the kind of player who makes his teammates better without needing the ball in his hands. He’s a deadeye shooter off the catch, drilling 43.4% of his catch-and-shoot threes—many from well beyond NBA range. Whether he's spotting up, running off screens, or relocating with purpose, Shulga's made it apparent his bag is deep: pump fakes, jab steps and more. Add in his mid-range, and you're looking at a developing three-level scorer. He picks up full-court, fights through screens, and makes smart team rotations. Simply put—he plays winning basketball. If Boston utilizes him right, Shulga could quietly become one of the most complete and valuable second-rounders in the entire class.

While these second-rounders may have slipped past the first-round glory, make no mistake—just hearing their name called in this year’s draft was no small feat. The 2025 class is loaded, and competition was fierce from top to bottom. With NBA Summer League tipping off July 10th, it won’t be long before these sleepers get their shot to prove they belong—and maybe even steal the show.

Hoops aren’t slowing down anytime soon, and neither are we. Stick with FOSN all summer long for nonstop NBA coverage, breakdowns, and all the latest sports buzz.