These 2nd Round Picks Have Been LETHAL...

Joel Piton
5 days ago
7 min read

The 2025 rookie class came in with plenty of hype at the top, but there's been a lot more unfolding quietly in the margins. While several first-rounders are still finding their footing and trying to prove their draft stock was warranted, a group of late first rounders, second-round picks and undrafted hopefuls have wasted no time proving they belong. These weren’t the prospects you heard being argued over all summer long. Yet, some of these guys are paying dividends for playoff teams, earning the trust of coaches who had no intention of leaning on them this early.

What’s become clear over the first quarter of the season is that the 2025 draft might be deeper—and more unpredictable—than anyone projected.

So today, we’re giving flowers where they’re due. Here are the second-round rookies who’ve been quietly putting the league on notice.

Will Richard — Golden State Warriors (SG)

2025-26 Stats:

8.0 PPG - 2.7 RPG - 1.1 APG

53.3 FG%

The Warriors’ draft luck just refuses to quit. High-energy sharpshooter Will Richard has wasted no time proving he belonged far earlier than the 56th pick. An NCAA champion with a reputation for toughness and timely shot-making, Richard slipped on draft night for reasons that never fully added up. Playing in a loaded Florida frontcourt may have masked some of his scoring versatility, but the efficiency was always there for anyone willing to look closely.

Teams may have been hesitant because of his size at the two-guard spot, but Richard has already shown he can more than hold his own. He moves without the ball, defends with effort despite being 6'3", and knocks down shots at a clip that keeps him firmly in the All-Rookie conversation. For Golden State, he’s become exactly the kind of bench scorer they’ve struggled to develop in recent years—reliable, confident, and ready the moment his number is called.

Maxime Raynaud — Sacramento Kings (PF)

2025-26 Stats:

8.1 PPG - 4.4 RPG - 1.0 APG

52.5 FG%

A 7'1" stretch four/five with a reputation as a finesse shooter, Maxime Raynaud entered the league drawing lofty comparisons to Kristaps Porziņģis, Mehmet Okur, and even Dirk Nowitzki for his soft touch. But the early surprise of his rookie season has been how effective he’s been inside the arc. The Stanford standout has emerged as a reliable interior scorer and rebounder, carving out paint touches by using his size to finish through traffic. The three-point range that made him a standout prospect hasn’t fully translated yet, but the process looks solid and the attempts will keep coming.

What’s stood out even more is Raynaud’s defense. Projected as a below-average defender, he’s been noticeably better than advertised, rotating on time, contesting without fouling, and holding his own in space far more often than scouts predicted.

With Domantas Sabonis now on the trade block, Raynaud’s number may be called even sooner than expected. And based on what he’s shown so far, the Kings might be more ready for that transition than anyone thought.

Ryan Kalkbrenner — Charlotte Hornets (C)

2025-26 Stats:

9.0 PPG - 6.7 RPG - 0.5 APG

79.8 FG%

At nearly 7'2" force with an elite interior game, Ryan Kalkbrenner wasted no time making his presence felt. Through his first 10 games, the rookie posted a record-breaking 81% from the field—a staggering mark that immediately puts him on pace for one of the most efficient shooting seasons in league history. His touch around the rim, combined with his ability to seal off defenders and finish through contact, has given Charlotte an interior anchor they’ve desperately lacked.

With the Hornets thin at the center position, Kalkbrenner was thrust into meaningful minutes earlier than expected, and his impact has been undeniable. He scores within the flow of a young offense, protects the rim without fouling, and gives the Hornets a level of stability in the paint they haven't seen in years. If there’s one area for growth, it’s on the glass—with his height, he has room to become a more consistent rebounder. But based on what he’s shown already, Kalkbrenner looks like one of the steals of the draft and a long-term fixture in Charlotte’s frontcourt.

Caleb Love — Portland Trail Blazers (PG/SG)

2025-26 Stats:

8.0 PPG - 2.8 RPG - 1.9 APG

32.6 FG%

Caleb Love is a name that’s been circulating since 2019, and the former five-star recruit is already showing why. After standout collegiate runs at North Carolina and Arizona, Love entered the league with a reputation as a pure bucket-getter—a guard who can generate offense from anywhere on the floor. The lingering concern has always been efficiency, but Portland hasn’t shied away from letting him work.

As a combo guard capable of toggling between the one and the two, Love attacks with a quick first step, a deep scoring bag, and a crafty layup package that translates immediately at the NBA level. He’s streaky, he’s aggressive, and when he gets rolling, he looks like one of the better natural scorers in this rookie class. The Blazers are giving him freedom off the bench, and Love is rewarding that trust by providing immediate offense that many first-rounders haven’t been able to deliver. If he can tighten up the shot selection, his impact could grow even faster.

Ryan Nembhard — Dallas Mavericks (PG)

2025-26 Stats:

8.9 PPG - 1.6 RPG - 4.8 APG

56.3 FG%

Anyone who watched Ryan Nembhard during Summer League knew he had something special, and he’s backed that up from day one. The undrafted rookie has stepped into the Mavericks’ system with consistency, with a strong shot IQ well beyond his age and maintaining an impressive 56% from the field. Nembhard rarely forces looks—he picks his spots, plays at his own tempo, and makes the extra pass that keeps the offense flowing.

As Dallas searches for stability in its second unit, Nemby is quickly making a case to be the primary point guard off the bench. He’s not on his brother level just yet, but the gap doesn’t look nearly as wide as draft night suggested. Considering he went undrafted despite standout stints at two elite NCAA programs, Nembhard is making every team that passed on him think twice. If this early trajectory holds, the Mavericks may have landed one of the biggest steals of the season—without even using a pick.

Sion James — Charlotte Hornets (SG)

2025-26 Stats:

6.6 PPG - 3.3 RPG - 1.5 APG

41.2 FG%

Former Duke star Sion James likely slipped to the second round because of his age, but his game is proving he should’ve gone much earlier. The stocky, physical shooting guard is one of the most gifted defenders in the entire draft class—a true lockdown who can make virtually any matchup uncomfortable and force ball handlers out of their rhythm.

Offensively, James has been just as dependable. A plug-and-play shooter who thrives off the ball, he’s knocking down threes at a strong 37% clip, ranking fifth among all rookies in three-point percentage. Add in his ability to cut, relocate, and finish through contact, and it’s clear he’s much more than just a defensive specialist. What’s most impressive is the trust Charlotte has already placed in him. James is averaging a massive 26 minutes per game on a Hornets roster loaded with young talent—a workload that’s significant for any player, let alone a second-round rookie. It’s obvious the organization believes in him, and he’s rewarding that faith with consistent, winning play on both ends.

Kobe Sanders — Los Angeles Clippers (SG/PG)

2025-26 Stats:

6.9 PPG - 2.0 RPG - 1.3 APG

41.4 FG%

At 6'8", Kobe Sanders is as positionless as they come, and the Clippers have wasted no time exploring that versatility. He’s already logged minutes at point guard, shooting guard, and small forward, giving L.A. a uniquely flexible piece in their rotation. Sanders excels as a catch-and-shoot weapon and a multipositional defender, but it’s his ball-handling and basketball IQ that truly separate him from most second-round rookies. He plays with composure and rarely turns the ball over—all while maintaining decent efficiency from the field.

Despite being a second-rounder, Sanders is playing heavy, meaningful minutes and earning the trust of a veteran-heavy roster. The one area you want to see him grow is on the glass; at his size, he has room to be more assertive as a rebounder, though spending much of his time at the two naturally limits those opportunities.

Once he fully settles into the NBA, Sanders has the tools and temperament to become a long-term, versatile wing the Clippers will absolutely want to keep around.

Micah Peavy — New Orleans Pelicans (SG/SF)

2025-26 Stats:

4.9 PPG - 2.4 RPG - 1.1 APG

39.4 FG%

At 6'8", Micah Peavy brings old-school flavor to the wing position. His game stands out for its smooth midrange pull-ups, soft high floaters, and an explosive first step that gives him shades of Khris Middleton, Paul George, and even a young Tracy McGrady. Peavy has been scoring efficiently in limited minutes, picking his spots and shooting with a confidence you don’t often see from second-round rookies.

A 40% shooter from deep during his time at Georgetown, the long-range touch is still developing at the NBA level, but the mechanics and confidence are there. As he continues to refine his release and adjust to NBA spacing, the Pelicans may very well want him taking more threes, not fewer. For now, Peavy is carving out a role as a versatile, high-motor scorer who can create his own offense and stay engaged on both ends. If the shooting scales up to his collegiate levels, New Orleans might have quietly landed one of the most dynamic wings in the class.

As the season continues to unfold, these second-round standouts have surpassed expectations—and they’re only scratching the surface. Whether they grow into rotational players or something even bigger, their early impact has made a mark.

The 2025 draft class feels poised to deliver more than its share of surprises. If this is just the opening chapter, the rest of these players' careers could be fascinating to watch. For now, all we can do is sit back, enjoy the rise, and see how far these young players can take it.