After analyzing the Dynasty Winners and Losers from last Wednesday's first round, it's time to shift our focus to Thursday's second round, where several late picks could provide exceptional dynasty returns.
Recent second-round gems like Jaylen Wells (2024), GG Jackson and Toumani Camara (2023), and Andrew Nembhard (2022) prove that elite long-term value can be found deep in the draft. For patient managers willing to look beyond the lottery, here are the top five NBA Draft Hidden Dynasty Gems from the second round. (Statistics as of July 1, 2025)
1. Alex Toohey
(SF, Golden State Warriors)
2024-25 stats: 11.4 PPG, 3.8 RPG
1.3 APG, 1.4 SPG, 0.8 BPG
46.5 FG%, 34.0 3P%, 73.8 FT%
Despite what Alex Toohey himself described as one of his worst pre-draft workouts, the Warriors traded their 41st overall selection, Koby Brea, to acquire the Australian forward. At 6’8 and 21 years old, Toohey spent the past two seasons with the Sydney Kings, where he picked up the NBL Next Generation Award, given to the top player league-wide under 25.
A versatile off-ball wing, Toohey could land immediate opportunities with Golden State, who may be freeing up playtime with little progress made on a deal for restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga and minimal small forward depth behind Jimmy Butler.
Toohey was regarded as an intelligent, mature prospect who could fit in seamlessly in Steve Kerr’s system. He thrives both in transition and half-court situations, but his upside truly depends on his three-point shooting, which has shown considerable improvement. From 2023-24 to 2024-25, Toohey’s three-point attempts and efficiency both increased, with the latter taking a significant leap from 27.3% to 34.0%.
Improvements as a creator could elevate his potential, and there is work to be done defensively, although he has shown some intriguing versatility on that end. Still, Toohey is an advanced wing prospect who fits well in Golden State and can immediately deliver value that far exceeds his draft slot.
2. Maxime Raynaud
(C, Sacramento Kings)
2024-25 stats: 20.2 PPG, 10.6 RPG
1.7 APG, 0.9 SPG, 1.4 BPG
46.7 FG%, 34.7 3P%, 77.0 FT%
Maxime Raynaud was a three-year starter at Stanford whose strong NBA combine performance elevated him to a first-round value in the eyes of many. Raynaud fell to Sacramento at 42nd overall, where he now gets the opportunity to learn from a pair of highly skilled veteran centers in Domantas Sabonis and Dario Saric.
A seven-footer, Raynaud's three-point attempts more than tripled as a senior with promising results. He converted nearly two per game on 34.7%, averaging 20.2 PPG while leading the ACC in RPG at 10.6.
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Raynaud showed steady growth as a passer, slasher, and shooter over his four collegiate seasons and held his own defensively in a tough conference. His overall efficiency did decline in a more challenging conference as a senior, but this can be at least partially attributed to his increased reliance on the deep ball.
Sacramento offers Raynaud a low-pressure environment to fine-tune more advanced skills like his post touch and transition handle under the tutelage of Sabonis and Saric. While he may struggle to get immediate playtime behind those veterans, Raynaud’s demonstrated growth and potential make him an ideal stash pick.
3. Micah Peavy
(SG, New Orleans Pelicans)
2024-25 stats: 17.2 PPG, 5.8 RPG
3.6 APG, 2.3 SPG, 0.5 BPG
48.1 FG%, 40.0 3P%, 65.9 FT%
Pre-draft, we described Micah Peavy as an underrated, prototypical NBA prospect who can demonstrate first-round value in the right situation despite his age. While not a franchise known for winning, New Orleans presents an ideal circumstance for Peavy, who turns 24 later this month, to showcase his ball-handling and elite defense.
Peavy transferred to Georgetown for his fifth collegiate season, where his three-point percentage shot up to 40.0% and he led the Big East with 2.3 steals per game. Peavy was perhaps the best two-way player in the conference, displaying a quick first step and high-IQ movement on offense while guarding multiple positions on defense.
Beyond Herbert Jones, the Pelicans are sorely lacking in wing defense, recording the second-lowest defensive rating in the NBA last season. Peavy can provide an immediate boost in that area while contributing both on and off the ball offensively.
New Orleans selected a point guard in Jeremiah Fears seventh overall, but Dejounte Murray is still recovering from a ruptured Achilles. As such, the Pelicans may ask Peavy to shoulder some ball-handling duties, something he showed comfort doing in college. This landing spot provides Peavy with the chance to immediately put his best tools to use.
4. Chaz Lanier
(SG, Detroit Pistons)
2024-25 stats: 18.0 PPG, 3.9 RPG
1.1 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.1 BPG
43.1 FG%, 39.5 3P%, 75.8 FT%
Malik Beasley finished second in the league in three-pointers last season and was set to command around a three-year, $42 million deal to return to the Pistons, before facing an ongoing federal investigation for gambling allegations. While certainly a disappointing development for a Detroit team on the rise, the organization may have found a replacement for Beasley’s three-point production in the second round.
At 37th overall, the Pistons selected Chaz Lanier, who led the SEC in three-pointers with 123 on 39.5% his senior year. Lanier was a late bloomer in college, who quickly became known as a dangerous volume shooter with a quick release and excellent movement over his last two collegiate seasons at North Florida and Tennessee.
Lanier has minimal versatility on both ends, and his feel for the game has come into question, but shooting is highly valued for a reason. Floor-spacing around Cade Cunningham is a must for Detroit, especially with a sub-20% career three-point shooter in Ausar Thompson starting at small forward.
The Pistons addressed their outside shooting with free agent additions of Caris LeVert and Duncan Robinson, but Lanier offers an intriguing bench option whose minutes will grow if his shooting success continues at the professional level.
5. Ryan Kalkbrenner
(C, Charlotte Hornets)
2024-25 stats: 19.2 PPG, 8.7 RPG
1.5 APG, 0.5 SPG, 2.7 BPG
65.3 FG%, 34.4 3P%, 68.1 FT%
We labelled Ryan Kalkbrenner an underrated dynasty selection pre-draft, and he landed on a Charlotte depth chart that offers immediate opportunity after offloading centers Mark Williams and Jusuf Nurkic early in free agency. Kalkbrenner earns the final spot among our NBA Draft Hidden Dynasty Gems as an elite collegiate rim protector who also led the Big East in rebounding last season and field goal percentage over the past four seasons.
Defensively, Kalkbrenner’s 7’6 wingspan and four straight Big East Defensive Player of the Year wins speak for themselves, but his rebounding was underwhelming at times, and he’s not the strongest or most gifted athlete. On the offensive end, Kalkbrenner easily led the nation in dunks, while demonstrating flashes as a floor-spacer with 21 threes last season on 34.4%.
The Hornets signed veteran center Mason Plumlee to a one-year deal, and Moussa Diabate showed positive flashes at the five-spot for them last season, but Kalkbrenner offers the most compelling overall skill set of the three. As an established paint protector with great offensive feel, efficiency, and room to grow, Kalkbrenner should get minutes early and often in Charlotte.