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5 Second-Round Picks Who Look Like Steals from the 2015 NBA Draft Class

Jonathan WassermanJul 22, 2015

With the completion of NBA Summer League, we now have a clearer picture of where each prospect stands in terms of his transition from college to the pros. 

And as always, it looks like a handful of second-round picks went overlooked in the draft. 

Though summer league isn't always a great indicator of future NBA failure or success, it's just tough to ignore the following players' performances and overall success. 

These second-rounders didn't just put up strong numbers—they gave off the impression that they all belong in NBA rotations. One of them is the only rookie named to the All-NBA Summer League Team.

They might not receive minutes right away, but we pegged five second-round picks as clear-cut steals after their first real action.

Montrezl Harrell, Houston Rockets, PF

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Montrezl Harrell slipped right into the Houston Rockets' lap at No. 32 overall. The likely cause for the fall: 6'8" size for an interior-oriented player who hasn't developed post skills or shooting touch. 

However, despite his offensive limitations, Harrell averaged 16.5 points in summer league, where his power, athleticism and energy consistently translated to dunks, layups and putbacks through contact. 

To his credit, he even knocked down a few jumpers and executed a couple of moves with his back to the basket. 

Still, it's Harrell's activity level off the ball that will hold the most NBA value. His explosiveness and motor should work well in a role that asks him to run, rebound and finish. 

And though energizers like Harrell aren't typically known for their upside, to get a good one in the second round could be robbery. 

Jordan Mickey, Boston Celtics, PF

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After a strong showing in summer league, the Boston Celtics decided to make Jordan Mickey the highest-paid second-round rookie in history, according to Yahoo Sports' Ben Rohrbach.

Mickey already looks the part of an NBA power forward, from his physical tools (235-pound frame, 7'3" wingspan) and athleticism (37 ½" max vertical) to his inside-out offensive skill set.

Through eight games this July, Mickey flashed encouraging mid-range shooting touch, as well as impressive footwork in the post while averaging 12.2 points on 52.6 percent. 

And after leading the country in shot-blocking at LSU, Mickey was at it again in summer league, where he swatted 2.4 shots in 28.1 minutes per game. 

He projects as both a pick-and-pop and pick-and-roll threat, and given his instincts around the rim, length and leaping ability, we should be talking about an asset under the boards and in rim protection.

Mickey simply excels in too many areas to fall flat. He just might have been the Celtics' best pick of the four they made on draft night.

“He’s going to be so good, he’ll make people forget about the guys they [Celtics] took in the first round," one scout told the Boston Herald's Steve Bulpett. "We talked about taking Mickey in the first round, and then we tried to buy a pick early in the second round to get him. But I don’t know about Boston’s first-round guys.”

Joseph Young, Indiana Pacers, SG

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It didn't take long for the Indiana Pacers to sign Joseph Young, whose reputation as an offensive microwave held true in Orlando Summer League.

He led all players in scoring with 22.5 points per game on a strong 50.8 percent. 

But there was no mystery as to why Young wasn't viewed as a first-round talent in the draft. At 23 years old, he's a 6'2" shoot-first, shoot-second combo guard.

However, Young is an undeniably advanced shot-creator. And if he can make enough of the tough pull-ups, step-backs and runners, his game should hold value in a spark-plug role. 

The good news: Young can shoot without question. He made 288 threes at a solid 39 percent clip through four years in college, and he just hit 9-of-20 from deep in summer league. 

Though shot selection will be a talking point throughout Young's development, he's flashed Lou Williams-like potential. Look for the Pacers to use him for instant offense off the bench.

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Josh Richardson, Miami Heat, SG

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Credit the Miami Heat for seeking out Josh Richardson, who didn't even receive an invite to the NBA combine.

He had some awfully impressive minutes during summer league, which he capped off by going for 23 points against the Sacramento Kings.

Richardson easily passes the eye test with 6'6" size and adequate athleticism. And after having his best year as a shooter at Tennessee, he was able to carry that touch into Orlando and Las Vegas, where he combined to make 38.6 percent of his threes and a number of mid-range jumpers. 

Richardson flashed the ability to create off the dribble and score one-on-one with step-backs and pull-ups. And just as he did last season, Richardson also looked comfortable initiating his team's offense. 

"Josh Richardson doing a lot of the ball-handling for Heat," tweeted Bleacher Report's Ethan J. Skolnick. "I can't recall franchise being this excited about a second-rounder since [Mario] Chalmers."

He was also a strong presence defensively, both on the ball and in passing lanes, having averaged 1.7 steals per game. 

Given Miami's depth at the 2 and 3 positions, it's unclear as to whether Richardson will end up playing this year in the U.S. or spending the season abroad. Either way, Miami may have found a sneaky asset to store up its sleeve and slowly develop.

Norman Powell, Toronto Raptors, SG

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Norman Powell slipped into the 40s of the 2015 NBA draft, with his size (6'4"), age (22) and shooting percentage to blame for his previously cloudy outlook.

But after averaging 18.2 points and making the All-NBA Summer League First Team, the initial cons tied to Powell no longer look particularly concerning. 

He makes up for an inch or two in height with a 40 ½" max vertical and 6'11" wingspan. 

Powell had everything working in Las Vegas, where he showcased his spectacular athleticism that translated to easy buckets in transition and the secondary break. Meanwhile, his mid-range scoring arsenal, consisting of pull-ups and step-backs, also came to life throughout the tournament. 

He even made 4-of-9 threes, having flashed promising form and mechanics in terms of his elevation and release. 

Powell also brought his signature defensive quickness and intensity, something the Raptors should value and immediately inject into their lineup.

He struggled at times with efficiency last season as UCLA's top offensive gun. However, in a supporting role playing to his strengths at a faster NBA pace, the transition from college to the pros may actually work to Powell's benefit.

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