NBA Mock Draft 2015: Latest 1st-Round Projections and Top Prospects' Stock Watch

The NBA playoffs may be underway, but it's tough to ignore the 2015 NBA draft when it may be one of the most interesting in recent memory.

Thank the top five teams for such intrigue. Both the Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks are legendary franchises on the mend looking to add one special piece before splurging in free agency next offseason.

Everyone wants to see what in the world the Philadelphia 76ers are planning, too. The Minnesota Timberwolves and Orlando Magic already boast two of the most promising young rosters.

Of course, none of this matters without top-tier prospects. The stock market is alight with movement with the NCAA tournament over and pro teams hard at work. Below, let's take a look at a mock based on team need and value before highlighting stock changes of note.

2015 NBA 1st-Round Mock Draft

Pick	Team	Player
1	Minnesota Timberwolves	Jahlil Okafor, C, Duke
2	New York Knicks	Karl-Anthony Towns, PF, Kentucky
3	Philadelphia 76ers	Emmanuel Mudiay, PG, China
4	Los Angeles Lakers	D'Angelo Russell, SG, Ohio State
5	Orlando Magic	Justise Winslow, SF, Duke
6	Sacramento Kings	Willie Cauley-Stein, C, Kentucky
7	Denver Nuggets	Stanley Johnson, SF, Arizona
8	Detroit Pistons	Mario Hezonja, SG/SF, Croatia
9	Charlotte Hornets	Kelly Oubre, SG, Kansas
10	Miami Heat	Kristaps Porzingis, PF, Latvia
11	Indiana Pacers	Frank Kaminsky, PF, Wisconsin
12	Utah Jazz	Sam Dekker, SF, Wisconsin
13	Phoenix Suns	Myles Turner, C/PF, Texas
14	Oklahoma City Thunder	Devin Booker, SG, Kentucky
15	Atlanta Hawks (from Brooklyn Nets)	Jakob Poeltl, C/PF, Utah
16	Boston Celtics	Trey Lyles, PF, Kentucky
17	Milwaukee Bucks	Montrezl Harrell, PF, Louisville
18	Houston Rockets (from New Orleans Pelicans)	Jerian Grant, PG, Notre Dame
19	Washington Wizards	Kevon Looney, PF, UCLA
20	Toronto Raptors	Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, SF, Arizona
21	Dallas Mavericks	Kris Dunn, PG, Providence
22	Chicago Bulls	Tyus Jones, PG, Duke
23	Portland Trail Blazers	Caris LeVert, SG, Michigan
24	Cleveland Cavaliers	Bobby Portis, PF, Arkansas
25	Memphis Grizzlies	Dakari Johnson, C, Kentucky
26	San Antonio Spurs	Delon Wright, PG, Utah
27	Los Angeles Lakers (from Houston Rockets)	R.J. Hunter, SG, Georgia State
28	Boston Celtics (from Los Angeles Clippers)	Justin Anderson, SF, Virginia
29	Brooklyn Nets (from Atlanta Hawks)	Robert Upshaw, C, Washington
30	Golden State Warriors	Jarell Martin, PF, LSU

Order via NBA.com.

Top Prospects' Stock Watch

Stock Up: Tyus Jones, PG, Duke

Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

There was a delay, but Duke's Tyus Jones will be a member of the 2015 draft class.

The delay makes sense. Jones is a promising player, but he lacks the elite athleticism found in most top-tier NBA point guards. His size at 6'1" and 170 pounds might give some pro teams pause. 

Those seem the only negatives, though. Jones averaged 11.8 points, 3.5 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game as a freshman this past season and then exploded for 10 or more points in four of his six tournament games, with a whopping 23 to down Wisconsin and win the national title.

David Gardner of Sports Illustrated put it best:

"

Tyus Jones has officially declared for the NBA draft. That's the right move for him — his stock will never be higher than it is right now.

— David Gardner (@byDavidGardner) April 15, 2015"

Right now is the peak for a prospect like Jones, even if he and his representatives didn't expect it to come so early.

Jones won't be able to top a national title elite performance going forward. He's front and center in the minds of the pros right now and touts a promising skill set which absolutely has a home in today's NBA.

Stock Down: Myles Turner, C, Texas

All year the world wrestled with Myles Turner's stock and whether his erratic play was due to usage or performance issues.

Myles did average 10.1 points and 6.5 boards per game last season, but it's tough to figure out where those numbers will land if he sees the hardwood more than just 22.2 minutes on average.

The tournament didn't help things. Texas' staff played Turner just 16 minutes in a 56-48 loss to Butler. He crashed the boards for 10 rebounds but scored just two points.

ESPN's Chad Ford revealed another issue holding back Turner's stock:

"

Turner, like Looney, remains mired in the potential-versus-production debate but with one interesting twist: A number of scouts and GMs are still convinced that the awkward way he runs is either masking a hidden injury or will lead to one. Until their doctors get a great look at Turner at the draft combine, it's a little tough to peg his draft stock.

"

As Ford goes on to note, Turner's length and size at 7'0" and 240 pounds is as pro-ready as it gets and his consistent ability to hit shots outside of the paint adds another wrinkle to his impressive resume.

But as they did all season, questions linger around Turner's stock.

Stock Up: Frank Kaminsky, F/C, Wisconsin

Frank Kaminsky was a bit lost in the NCAA tournament this year thanks to the surprising outbursts of his teammate Sam Dekker.

Perhaps the world is just accustomed to Kaminsky taking care of business, though, as he scored 20 or more points in four of Wisconsin's six tournament games, including the final three, He had 21 points with 12 boards in the loss to Duke.

Again, par for the course for Kaminsky, whose last two years with more than 20 minutes per game have proven quite productive:

SEASON	FG%	3P%	REB	AST	BLK	STL	PTS
2014-15	.547	.416	8.2	2.6	1.5	0.8	18.8
2013-14	.528	.378	6.3	1.3	1.7	0.7	13.9

Pair Kaminsky's productivity with a frame coming in at 7'0" and 234 pounds, and it's easy to see why his stock is on the rise.

While far from an elite athlete, Kaminsky is the type of player who will excel for quite a long time in the pros if the scheme fit is right. As the table shows, his ability to knock down shots with consistency and from range, which opens the paint for others, are two traits allowing him to stand out among his peers.

Few knocks remain on Kaminsky, whose stock is also as high as it will ever be.

 All stats and info via ESPN.com unless otherwise specified.