NBA Draft Results: 6 Second-Round Picks Who Landed in Perfect Situations
It is rare when a team's second pick has a golden opportunity. This draft had a few second picks that gained those opportunities.
Not only does the great opportunity benefit the player, it can benefit the team much more. Teams can use their second picks as key pieces to move them closer to contending. Here are the secondary selections that landed in the right spots.
5. Kyle O'Quinn—Orlando Magic, Round 2, Pick 19
1 of 5Norfolk State's workhorse Kyle O'Quinn was selected by the Magic in the second round. This is a steal for Orlando.
O'Quinn may be a little undersized for a center at 6'10", but he has a similar game to another Magic player, Glen "Big Baby" Davis. O'Quinn will be able to learn from Davis, who is an undersized workhorse player himself.
He will be able to come in and backup whoever the center in Orlando will be this season, and he'll play good minutes. Whether the center is Dwight Howard or Andrew Bynum, it will not hurt to be a backup to either All-Star. O'Quinn will learn how to dominate at the center position from either player.
4: Royce White—Houston Rockets, Round 1, Pick 16
2 of 5Royce White will be a high-energy player for the Houston Rockets. He will have his time to develop and get good minutes for them in the future.
He was a team leader at Iowa State and is a solid hybrid forward, which is a new trend of big men in the league now a days. White will have the chance to make a big impact as a role player for the Rockets.
3. Festus Ezeli—Golden State Warriors, Round 1, Pick 30
3 of 5The enforcer Festus Ezeli found himself a good home in Golden State. Ezeli is a solid paint protector who went to a team whose biggest weakness is defense.
The other centers on the Warriors roster, Andrew Bogut and Andris Biedrins, are toss-ups because they seem to have many health problems. Ezeli can find himself in the rotation early in the season to help bring energy and defense off the bench.
2: Fab Melo—Boston Celtics, Round 1, Pick 22
4 of 5Fab Melo will be wearing the jersey of a team that is fitting for his play, Celtic green. The Celtics pride themselves on defense and toughness, and Melo exudes both.
He is a presence in the paint at seven feet tall. Offense will not be expected of him, but he will deliver on the defensive end. Melo will have the opportunity to learn from one of the game's greatest enforcers and intimidating players in Kevin Garnett.
The Celtics' only other center on the roster is Garnett, so expect to see Melo getting heavy minutes in the rotation.
1: Austin Rivers—New Orleans Hornets, Round 1, Pick 10
5 of 5The Hornets made the second-biggest move in the draft behind snagging Anthony Davis, selecting Austin Rivers. Rivers himself knew that this was the best situation for him; it was evident it in his facial expression when other teams skipped over him.
He will be an immediate starter and make a difference for the new-look Hornets. Rivers will have a chance to be a star at the point guard position. Him being a Hornet was a benefit for both him and New Orleans.
