Second-round draft picks usually get ignored. They are treated like footnotes or roster filler while all the cameras focus on the top lottery selections. But if you watch how smart front offices build sustainable depth, the second round is where real value hides. The Los Angeles Clippers just proved they understand this by stocking up on high-upside prospects during Wednesday night's second round.
LA walked away with Cincinnati forward Baba Miller at No. 36 and Northwestern scoring forward Nick Martinelli at No. 55. They also grabbed French forward Narcisse Ngoy at No. 57, a developmental stash who is committed to Auburn. After grabbing Illinois guard Keaton Wagler with the fifth overall pick on Tuesday, Lawrence Frank and the front office shifted focus entirely toward positional size and unique skill sets.
If you think these later picks are just G-League bodies, you aren't looking closely enough at what the modern NBA requires.
The Untapped Potential of Baba Miller
Baba Miller is a fascinating evaluation. At 6-foot-11 with a massive wingspan and genuine guard instincts from his early development days in Spain, he represents the ultimate modern flyer. He didn't post eye-popping scoring numbers at Florida State or Cincinnati, but focusing entirely on box scores completely misses the point here.
The Clippers grabbed him at No. 36 via a trade route winding through Memphis, Atlanta, and Utah. What are they actually getting? A versatile defender who can switch across multiple positions, handle the rock in transition, and blow up passing lanes. Look at his performance in the Big 12 tournament against Cincinnati, where he grabbed 12 rebounds and dished out 4 assists. He impacts the game without needing a massive usage rate.
Most teams pass on guys like Miller because he's still a project offensively. His shot needs consistency, and he needs to add functional strength to deal with NBA frontcourts. But for a team like LA, which desperately needs athletic length on the wings to preserve their veterans, Miller is exactly the type of gamble worth making.
Nick Martinelli is Modern Wing Depth Hidden in Plain Sight
If Miller is the toolsy, defensive project, Nick Martinelli is the polished, hyper-efficient bucket-getter. Selected at No. 55 through a trade path involving the Knicks and Rockets, the Northwestern senior is someone draft analysts have slept on for months.
Let's look at the actual numbers because they don't lie. During the 2025–26 college season, Martinelli was absolute money for the Wildcats. He averaged a massive 23 points and 6.18 rebounds per game. He did this while shooting 51% from the field and an outstanding 41.7% from beyond the arc. In a high-stakes Big Ten tournament game against Purdue, he dropped 25 points in 39 minutes. He's a competitive engine who rarely turns the ball over, averaging just 1.42 giveaways despite carrying a heavy offensive load.
The knock on Martinelli from skeptics usually centers on his athletic ceiling. He isn't flying over rims. But his work ethic is legendary, and his footwork inside the arc is incredibly crafty. He makes up for a lack of elite vertical pop with elite basketball IQ. Getting a 23-point-per-game scorer from a major conference at pick 55 is a massive steal.
The Big Picture for Los Angeles
The Western Conference is a bloodbath. Relying solely on highly-paid starters is an easy recipe for an early exit or a regular-season burnout. The addition of Miller and Martinelli gives the coaching staff two distinctly different tools to deploy over the next few seasons.
The front office clearly prioritized guys who have high basketball intelligence and clear foundational skills. Miller provides the length and defensive versatility. Martinelli provides the scoring punch, elite shooting efficiency, and floor-spacing capabilities.
Next Steps for the New Additions
Don't expect these guys to start on opening night, but watch their trajectory closely. Your best move as a fan is to monitor their development through the upcoming NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. That will be the first true test of how Miller's physical tools hold up against professional athletes and how quickly Martinelli can adapt his craftiness to the faster pace of the pro game. If either one hits their developmental ceiling, the Clippers just found incredibly cheap, highly valuable roster depth for years to come.
