50th pick: Pacers- Xavier Tillman Sr.
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Indiana goes with the best player available and stocks up at center. Tillman has the talent to step in and immediately back up Myles Turner. He’s a skilled rim-runner and a heady defender. While not the most exciting talent, Tillman can score efficiently, better his teammates, and play within a structured system. This is a great value pick.
51st pick: Thunder-Luka Garza
Geib-
Luka Garza has been noncommittal on his decision to enter the NBA draft or return to Iowa for his senior season. It is most likely based on where he feels he will be drafted, and I would imagine he would return to school if he felt he would fall to 51.
However, should he remain in the draft, any team in the second round would benefit greatly by drafting Garza. He was a Wooden Award Finalist this past year and won the Big Ten Player of the Year while averaging around 24 points and 10 rebounds per game.
52nd pick: Hawks- Corey Kispert
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The Hawks grab a special shooter in Kispert. In the second round, it helps to have a readily apparent NBA skill, and Kispert certainly does. He will need to round out his skill set, but the Hawks would be wise to surround Young, Hayes, and John Collins with as much shooting as possible.
53rd pick: Kings- Chris Smith
Gilbert-
The Kings are a team loaded with talented young big men, which is exactly the reason I have chosen to draft a group of talented combo guards. Chris Smith out of UCLA is the icing on the cake to an incredibly talented draft class. He is a shooter and scorer with a long frame and a patient athleticism. Smith makes smart decisions with the basketball and should continue developing into a nice 3-and-D player for Sacramento.
He was particularly lethal against the zone catching the ball at the high post and either pulling up for a mid-range jump shot or taking one dribble and driving to the rim. His high basketball IQ will likely accelerate his development as a player, making him ready to contribute as soon as his rookie season.