Arizona forwards Pelle Larsson and Keshad Johnson were not taken as expected in the NBA Draft's first round Wednesday, though they remain solid prospects to be picked up Thursday in the second round.
The NBA Draft has previously held both rounds on the same evening but opted this year to push the second round to Thursday. It will start at 1 p.m and be carried on ESPN.
In the major mock NBA Drafts, Larsson has been projected to be taken between 40-48, solidly in the middle of the second round, while Johnson was expected to range between 43 and undrafted. Both players appeared to have improved their NBA Draft stock while playing for Arizona last season, and Larsson worked out with teams holding picks as high as No. 18.
Regardless of where or if they are drafted, both Larsson and Johnson are at least candidates to sign a two-way contract between the NBA and G League. Many NBA teams opt to give a high second-round selections some guaranteed pay but only players picked in the first round must be given a fully guaranteed two-year deal starting at $4.2 million.
Four players from France were taken in the first round Thursday, including Zaccharie Risacher at No. 1 to Atlanta.
