On Facebook
On Flipboard
On Twitter
The greatest second-round picks in NBA history
More times than not, the stars in the NBA were drafted in the first round, but that's not always the case. As the likes of Manu Ginobili, Marc Gasol and Draymond Green show in today's NBA, there are diamonds in the rough to be had later on in the second round.
Here we chronicle the greatest second-round picks in NBA history. Even though every team passed on these players early, the teams that ultimately selected them in the second round struck gold.
More must-reads:
Breaking News
Trending News
Customize Your Newsletter
+
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!
TODAY'S BEST
Celtics Rumors: Insider Provides Massive Update on Potential $100 Million Trade
The Boston Celtics have been very busy this offseason with the moves that they have made. They have already traded two starters to other teams in an effort to get under the second apron of the luxury tax. Brad Stevens made it clear that it was his number-one goal this offseason. It's not a goal he has achieved yet, as they are still around $20 million over the second apron. Because of that, it seems they have been trying to reroute Anfernee Simons after getting him back in the trade for Jrue Holiday. It doesn't look like that is imminent, though. More news: Former Celtics Forward Claps Back at NBA All-Star on Social Media After Random Troll Boston is still trying to find a new home for him, but they aren't in any rush to do so. According to Heavy Sports, the Celtics are keeping their eyes open for a trade partner, but aren't going to accept a bad deal just to part ways with him. “You never know, but the team they have now is probably the team they’ll start the year with,” one GM said. “They could get themselves involved in some blockbuster. But they’re not in a hurry to make that move (on Simons).” Simons is a good player and a good fit for the Celtics when it comes to on-court production. He is a great 3-point shooter who can get hot any night from beyond the arc. For a team that launches more 3-pointers than any other team in the NBA, Simons would be a perfect fit. He is someone who doesn't need the ball in his hands to score. More news: Celtics Front Office Slammed for ‘Gap Year’ Planning Boston is hoping to shed Simons' salary, even though it is an expiring deal. If they can't, they'll have to find some other players to part ways with in order to get under the second apron. Simons would certainly help the Celtics stay as contenders in the 2026-27 season, if he's still on the roster. Stevens will make that decision within the next couple of weeks. This past season with the Trail Blazers, Simons averaged 19.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game. He shot 42.6 percent from the field and 36.3 percent from beyond the 3-point line. More news: Former Celtics Champ Laps Kyrie Irving, Chris Bosh in Latest NBA Top 100 List For more news and notes on the Boston Celtics, visit Boston Celtics on SI.
Jalon Walker’s Mysterious Injury Sparks Unease Among Atlanta Falcons Fans
Training camp is supposed to be a time of optimism for NFL teams, a moment to gauge the potential stars of tomorrow and fine-tune rosters for the regular season. For the Atlanta Falcons, however, the 2025 training camp has come with an air of apprehension. Rookie edge rusher Jalon Walker—widely regarded as one of their most promising young talents—has been mysteriously absent from team drills, leaving fans concerned about the severity of his injury and its potential impact on the season. On one hand, head coach Raheem Morris has reassured reporters that the issue is “not serious.” On the other hand, the team’s lack of transparency and Walker’s conspicuous absence have stoked fears that there may be more to worry about than the coaching staff is letting on. Here’s a closer look at why this situation has Falcons fans nervous, and why Walker’s absence is so significant given Atlanta’s high stakes this season. Jalon Walker’s Potential: A Key For The Atlanta Falcons The Atlanta Falcons drafted Jalon Walker in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, betting big on his ability to energize their pass rush. Coming out of the University of Georgia, Walker was praised for his athleticism, explosiveness, and versatility. While he split time between positions in college, Atlanta planned to focus his talents at edge rusher—a role they desperately needed to solidify after struggling to pressure opposing quarterbacks in recent seasons. Walker was touted as a player who could contribute immediately. His blend of size, speed, and raw power made him a natural fit for the Falcons’ defensive scheme. Pairing him with fellow first-round selection James Pearce Jr. and veterans along the defensive line seemed like a recipe for rebuilding a unit that had long been Atlanta’s Achilles’ heel. Simply put, the Falcons need Walker to bridge the gap between potential and production. For a franchise that has invested heavily in improving its front seven, the stakes are high. And that’s precisely why his current absence is causing so much unease. The Injury Mystery Jalon Walker’s training camp has been, at best, stop-and-start. He was seen participating in earlier sessions but has now missed two consecutive practices, relegated to a side field for conditioning work alongside injured linebacker Troy Andersen. The team has offered little in the way of an explanation. Reports have confirmed that Walker isn’t dealing with a major setback, but the lack of specifics has left fans speculating about the long-term implications. Raheem Morris attempted to reassure the fanbase, stating, “It’s not a serious issue.” However, those familiar with NFL injury narratives know better than to take those words at face value. Teams often downplay early injuries only for them to linger into the regular season—or worse, snowball into something that sidelines a player indefinitely. Adding to the anxiety are comments from outside linebackers coach Jacquies Smith, who acknowledged the importance of Walker getting back on the field sooner rather than later. “Obviously, we would love for him to get the reps. I’m not a doctor, but he needs the reps,” Smith admitted. It’s a candid reminder that no amount of athletic ability can compensate for a lack of practice when it comes to transitioning from college ball to life in the NFL. Why Walker’s Absence is Significant The timing and nature of Walker’s absence are particularly concerning when considering Atlanta’s broader goals for the season. The Falcons didn’t just use their first-round pick on Walker—they restructured their defensive ambitions around improving the edge rush. After years of ranking near the bottom of the league in sacks and quarterback pressures, the 2025 offseason was all about reversing that trend. Walker is a linchpin in that strategy. A Critical Role in the Pass Rush Without consistent pressure from their edge defenders, the Falcons have often left their secondary exposed, resulting in a cascade of defensive breakdowns. Walker’s role isn’t just one of potential—he’s expected to actively anchor the pass rush alongside Pearce. The duo was billed as the future of Atlanta’s defensive front, tasked with turning around a unit that has long struggled to impose its will on opposing offenses. Missed practices mean missed opportunities to fine-tune his technique and build chemistry with teammates, two things critical for a rookie. The coaches can offer classroom sessions and film study, but on-field reps provide invaluable lessons in timing, angles, and adaptability that can’t be replicated off the gridiron. The Cost of Draft Capital Atlanta’s commitment to boosting its defensive line wasn’t cheap. By trading up in the draft and focusing on edge rushers in early rounds, the Falcons showed they were all-in on reshaping their front seven. Walker embodies this investment. If he isn’t available or fails to develop as planned, the ripple effects could undermine the entire defensive overhaul. A Lesson in Hope and Worry It’s important to note that panic might be premature. Training camp is a long process, and early injuries are sometimes no more than a bump in the road. Walker has shown himself to be a resilient competitor, and the coaching staff has maintained that this is a minor ailment. But the Falcons’ handling of this situation will be critical in easing tensions among the fanbase. Transparency can go a long way in restoring trust. For Jalon Walker, the immediate focus should be on returning to practice without rushing his recovery. The Atlanta Falcons need him to be ready for Week 1 against the division-rival Carolina Panthers, a game that will set the tone for the season. The Road Ahead While it’s too early to press the panic button, the situation serves as a reminder of the fine line NFL team-building walks. The Atlanta Falcons have a golden opportunity to turn the tide defensively this year. Their investments in young, athletic talent like Jalon Walker signal a bright future, but for that future to materialize, player development must align with health and availability. Fans, meanwhile, will continue to hold their breath until Walker is spotted in full pads, explosive as always. And when that moment comes, the nervous energy surrounding his mysterious injury might well transform into optimism.
Oilers to Acquire a Top-Tier Goalie. An Official Trade Offer Is on the Table in a Blockbuster Deal
Pitcher bizarrely faces old team on same day of trade
Seranthony Dominguez certainly had an eventful day on Tuesday. The veteran MLB reliever began the day on the Baltimore Orioles and was with his teammates in the dugout during the first leg of a doubleheader against the Toronto Blue Jays. The O's went on to win, 16-4, at Oriole Park in Baltimore, though Dominguez did not pitch during the game. But the day took a bizarre turn when the two teams agreed to a deal in the middle of the doubleheader. The Orioles traded Dominguez to the Blue Jays in exchange for minor league pitcher Juaron Watts-Brown. That led to a strange scene where Dominguez switched clubhouses after being traded, walking across the hallway to get to the Toronto side. Things got even weirder during the second leg of the doubleheader. Dominguez got the call to pitch for the Blue Jays against his former team. He had to walk past his ex-Baltimore teammates to get to the Toronto bullpen, and then entered the game in the seventh inning to pitch. Here is the unusual spectacle that saw Dominguez pitch against the guys that he began the day as teammates with. The whole thing was so bizarre that it even looked like Dominguez received a hastily-made Blue Jays jersey with the “8” in his No. 48 apparently stuck on backwards. Dominguez, a 30-year-old in his seventh MLB season, ended up striking out two in a scoreless frame against his former team. We have certainly seen instances of MLB players getting traded in the middle of games before, but that had to be the first instance of a player starting the first half of a doubleheader on one team and then pitching in the second half for the other team.
Packers Promising Playmaker Limps off Practice Field
Second-year Green Bay Packers running back Marshawn Lloyd can’t seem to catch a break. Chosen by the Packers with the No. 88 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Lloyd dealt with hamstring injuries throughout training camp last summer before suffering a season-ending ankle injury just one week into his rookie season. Marshawn Lloyd Knocked from Packers Practice As the intensity ratchets up at Packers training camp, Lloyd’s second season may have already gotten off on the wrong foot, during Green Bay’s first practice in full pads this summer. According to ESPN’s Rob Demovsky, Lloyd stayed out on the field but didn’t continue to practice, instead watching from behind the huddle without a helmet. Demovsky points out that Lloyd was slow to get up but then did not return to practice the rest of the day. The Packers are likely hoping for big things from Lloyd, who is likely to compete with Emmanuel Wilson for the lion’s share of carries behind Wilson. It remains to be seen how serious Lloyd’s injury is, but if the 24-year-old is forced to miss any significant time, general manager Brian Gutekunst and the Packers may be wise to go shopping for some quality running back help in the days and weeks ahead.
PRIVACY POLICY EDITORIAL POLICY CONTACT US
ABOUT YARDBARKER TERMS OF SERVICE
Use of this website (including any and all parts and
components) constitutes your acceptance of these
Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
This site is for entertainment purposes only.
There is no gambling offered on this site.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
