The second round of the 2024 NBA Draft kicks off Thursday at 1 p.m. PT on ESPN in New York. WSU’s Jaylen Wells and Isaac Jones, along with Gonzaga’s Anton Watson, remain among the available prospects.
Jaylen Wells
During his offseason, Jaylen Wells has been actively participating in workouts with multiple NBA teams. Standing at 6-foot-7, he has demonstrated significant progress over the past year, leading to a rise in his draft stock.
Following the completion of round one, Wells is currently ranked as the 18th best player available on ESPN’s big board. Predictions for his draft placement vary: Bleacher Report forecasts him being selected at No. 46 overall by the Los Angeles Clippers, ESPN places him at No. 39 overall to the Memphis Grizzlies, and CBS Sports projects him going at No. 44 overall to the Houston Rockets.
Before joining WSU, Wells achieved Division II All-American status at Sonoma State and was a standout player in the CCAA. During his one season at Pullman, he earned All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention honors by averaging 12.6 points per game, ranking third among the Cougars’ leading scorers last season. Additionally, he contributed 4.6 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.5 steals, and 0.2 blocks per game while shooting 43.6% from the field and an impressive 41.7% from beyond the arc.
Isaac Jones
Jones has had a packed offseason, engaging in workouts with various NBA teams and navigating the rigorous pre-draft process. Most recently, he participated in a pre-draft interview with the Indiana Pacers, which you can listen to in full [here](link).
Ranked as the 29th best player available on ESPN’s ‘best players available’ list, Jones has garnered attention for his potential in the upcoming draft.
While ESPN does not project Jones being selected, Bleacher Report predicts him going to the Memphis Grizzlies with the No. 57 pick, and CBS Sports places him with the Boston Celtics at No. 54 overall.
About Jones: Standing at 6-foot-8, he began his college career at the junior college level at Wenatchee Valley, where he earned the Northwest Athletic Conference Player of the Year award. He later transferred to the University of Idaho, where he was recognized as the Big Sky Conference Newcomer of the Year. Jones concluded his collegiate journey at Washington State, receiving First Team All-Pac-12 honors. Known for his defensive prowess, he was also a crucial offensive contributor for the Cougars last season, leading the team with averages of 15.3 points and 7.6 rebounds per game. Additionally, he recorded 1.5 assists, 1.1 blocks, and 0.5 steals per game while shooting an impressive 57.5% from the field and 71.2% from the free-throw line.
Anton Watson
Watson, the former Gonzaga standout, is notably absent from all NBA Mock Drafts and is currently ranked as the 45th best player available according to ESPN.
Despite the current projections, there remains a possibility that Watson could surprise as a late second-round pick.
Hearing Gonzaga’s Anton Watson is a legit name that can sneak into the second-round. Had over 15+ workouts and teams are valuing his defensive versatility and his positional size. Teams appreciate his time at Gonzaga as well.
Will find his way on an NBA roster.
— Jake (@jakeweingarten) June 26, 2024
Watson concluded his collegiate career with the Gonzaga Bulldogs this past season. The Spokane native posted a career-high average of 14.5 points per game in his final season, shooting 41% from beyond the arc. Over the course of his college career, Watson played in 151 games and amassed 1,447 points, 780 rebounds, 299 assists, 215 steals (the second-highest total in Gonzaga history, behind only John Stockton), and 87 blocks.
What’s next if they don’t get drafted?
If players go undrafted in the NBA Draft, they still have opportunities to reach the NBA through two types of undrafted free agent contracts: a two-way contract or an Exhibit 10 deal.
A two-way contract permits players to compete for an NBA team’s G League affiliate while also being eligible for up to 50 NBA regular-season games. Each NBA franchise can have a maximum of three two-way contracts active at any given time.
On the other hand, an Exhibit 10 contract is a one-year agreement offering a minimum salary without additional bonuses. NBA teams have the option to convert an Exhibit 10 contract into a two-way deal before the regular season begins.