5 Second Round Picks Who Could Make an Immediate Impact

Everybody pays attention to the NBA Draft Lottery and even most of the first round.  There are many people, however, who do not watch or pay attention to the draft's second round. 

Players in the second round, while not as highly touted as their first round counterparts, can sometimes contribute in solid players such as Trevor Ariza, Mo Williams, Marc Gasol, Mehmet Okur, and Luis Scola.  There is also an occasional star in the second round such as Michael Redd, Rashard Lewis, Gilbert Arenas (well, former stars), Carlos Boozer, Manu Ginobili, and my personal favorite Monta Ellis. 

I'm not  promising anything, but these are a few players that I think could contribute right away.

Justin Harper, F, Orlando Magic

Harper, standing at 6'10" is an excellent shooter who could come in and be a stretch power forward who opens things up for Dwight Howard inside. He is athletic enough to guard the three or the four, quick enough to go past the slower fours, and is tall enough to shoot over most small forwards. 

He brings a very good spot up three-point shot and is similar to Hedo Turkoglu in his style of play.  I expect Harper to work his way into the rotation and become a solid bench contributor in his rookie year.

Jordan Williams, F-C, New Jersey Nets

At 6'10" 260 (apparently down to 250 around draft workouts?), Jordan Williams is a big body in the paint.  He also knows how to use this body, averaging a double-double at Maryland in the ACC as only a sophomore. 

What Williams can provide to the Nets is an interior force who can provide some rebounding and muscle at the center position to compliment Brook Lopez's...lack...of rebounding at the position.  I think that Williams can slide in for either Kris Humphries or Lopez and provide minutes, rebounds, defense, and some points off the bench.

Andrew Goudelock/Darius Morris, Guards, L.A. Lakers

Both Andrew Goudelock and Darius Morris offer something to the Lakers, and that is youth in the backcourt, particularly at point guard.  They both offer different things for L.A., which makes the combination of them intriguing. 

Goudelock is a small school star in the Stephen Curry mold, which means he is a lights-out shooter, a solid ball handler and a good passer. At 6'3", he is tall enough to play the point in the NBA but is better served as a spot up shooter as opposed to a traditional point guard due to questions about his lateral quickness.  Goudelock is the more polished of the two but has less potential. 

Morris, who is 6'5", is the more promising of the two.  He shines in his ability to get to the rim and finish, as well as his drive and dish capabilities.  While not possessing ideal quickness, his size and strength make up for that on the defensive end. 

The biggest glaring weakness in his game is the three ball, but I think that is where Goudelock comes in.  I think that Morris has an outside chance to start over Derek Fisher this year (or start period if the Lakers get rid of him), and Goudelock can sub in for him and just spot up and shoot.  Morris is a better point guard due to his passing, ability to attack the basket, and size.

Tyler Honeycutt, F, Sacramento Kings

Tyler Honeycutt is an extremely athletic wing at 6'8" who is unpolished offensively but extremely talented.  While his offense needs work, there is one area where I think that Honeycutt can immediately make an impact.  That area is defense, where his length and quickness combined with his 37" vertical leap allow him to stay in front of almost any player on the wing and be an elite shot blocker on the outside. 

He averaged two blocks a game in college playing guard.  I think that with the limited depth on the wing in Sacramento, he will be part of the rotation from the get-go and will be able to defend right away.  I see him as a more athletic version of Tayshaun Prince due to his frame, athleticism, and defensive ability.

Kyle Singler, F, Detroit Pistons.

Kyle Singler, a small forward from Duke, does everything well. He is the kind of player that you hate to play against because of his hustle and hard work on the court. 

Singler is a good but not great defender, ball handler, shooter, and rebounder.  Standing 6'8", he has the size to be an NBA small forward. One area of his game that really shines is his ability to get to the foul line, where he is an excellent shooter. 

The one area of his game that needs work is his outside shot and his ability to hit it more consistency.  He is considered a streaky shooter, but when he is on, watch out.  He also needs to add some muscle to his frame to defend the bigger three's more effectively. 

I think that his fundamentally sound skill set makes him more polished then a lot of players in this draft class and puts him in a position to earn minutes right away.  That added to the fact that Tayshaun Prince may be on the way out in Detroit makes it even more likely that Singler will see a solid amount of minutes in his rookie season.