NBA Draft 2015: Mock Draft and Fringe 1st-Round Prospects to Watch

If the general consensus tells the story, the only solid NBA prospects teams can find rest in the top five picks.

This narrative remains alive and strong ahead of the 2015 NBA draft—just look at the explosion of naysayers when the New York Knicks landed at No. 4 instead of higher in the order.

The reality is simple: There are quality prospects throughout the first round. It's just a matter of finding them and having the confidence to pull the trigger. Just ask the Chicago Bulls, a team that landed Jimmy Butler at No. 30 in the 2011 NBA draft.

Below, let's examine some noteworthy late-round prospects worth a look after an opening-round mock reflecting the latest stock buzz and team wants and needs.

2015 NBA 1st-Round Mock Draft  

Pick	Team	Selection
1	Minnesota Timberwolves	Jahlil Okafor, C, Duke
2	Los Angeles Lakers	Karl-Anthony Towns, PF, Kentucky
3	Philadelphia 76ers	Emmanuel Mudiay, PG, China
4	New York Knicks	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	Kristaps Porzingis, PF, Latvia
9	Charlotte Hornets	Kelly Oubre, SG, Kansas
10	Miami Heat	Mario Hezonja, SG/SF, Croatia
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	Cameron Payne, SG, Murray State
15	Atlanta Hawks (from Brooklyn Nets)	Kevon Looney, PF, UCLA
16	Boston Celtics	Trey Lyles, PF, Kentucky
17	Milwaukee Bucks	Montrezl Harrell, PF, Louisville
18	Houston Rockets (from New Orleans Pelicans)	Devin Booker, SG, Kentucky
19	Washington Wizards	Dakari Johnson, C, Kentucky
20	Toronto Raptors	Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, SF, Arizona
21	Dallas Mavericks	Tyus Jones, PG, Duke
22	Chicago Bulls	Terry Rozier, PG, Louisville
23	Portland Trail Blazers	Jerian Grant, PG, Notre Dame
24	Cleveland Cavaliers	Bobby Portis, PF, Arkansas
25	Memphis Grizzlies	Robert Upshaw, C, Washington
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)	Rakeem Christmas, PF, Syracuse
30	Golden State Warriors	Christian Wood, PF, UNLV

Fringe 1st-Round Prospects to Watch

Justin Anderson, SF, Virginia

Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

In a league defined by shooting right now thanks to the likes of Stephen Curry, it seems scouts continue to have a tough time with Virginia's Justin Anderson.

SEASON	FG%	3P%	PTS
2014-15	.466	.452	12.2
2013-14	.407	.294	7.8
2012-13	.420	.303	7.6

In short, he shot an impressive clip from the field and deep last year as a junior, as the numbers show. The problem is those numbers took a massive dive upon his return from a wrist injury, which leaves the NBA wondering if he can ever return to the pre-injury form.

The great shooting streak was odd in the first place, because Anderson never fell back to the mean, so there's reason for scouts to remain skeptical. 

Even if he never shoots so lights-out again, though, Anderson comes in at 6'6" and 231 pounds with few pure weaknesses, the most staggering the ability to create his own shot. But he's a wow-worthy athlete who can lock down others on defense, and there's clear upside in his ability as a shooter on the other end of the court.

Look for a team wanting a sure thing to scoop Anderson up late in the first round, as, at the least, he can be a situational defender and shooter while the coaches groom him.

Jarell Martin, PF, LSU

Jared Wickerham/Getty Images

Anderson is the safest thing around compared to a guy like LSU's Jarell Martin, who defines the word "tweener" thanks to his size and abilities.

At 6'9" and 239 pounds, Martin is too small and lacks the strength to play power forward. He might be able to play small forward, but last year's averages of 16.9 points and 9.2 rebounds on 51 percent shooting are deceptive, as most of his looks came from close range.

CBSSports.com's Sam Vecenie offers one line of thought on Martin:

Martin perhaps needed another year of development, but it's hard to suggest he would receive the time he needs with another year in college thanks to the recruiting hauls the Tigers continue to land.

Remember, it takes just one team to fall in love. Martin touts a moldable set of skills a team can work with, whether it is putting on weight to bang down low or practicing endless jumpers to play small forward.

This year's class is quite deep underneath the basket, but a team with patience willing to pull the trigger could wind up with one of the best a few years down the road.

Michael Frazier II, SG, Florida

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

When it comes to shooters, much of this year's attention goes to Kentucky's Devin Booker and guys like Murray State's Cameron Payne.

This top-heavy approach to the skill leaves one lucky late-round team with a shot at Florida's Michael Frazier II, who some could argue with good reinforcements is the best shooter in the class.

The Gators star averaged 12.1 points as a junior, shooting 42 percent from the field and 38 percent from deep. As ESPN.com's Chard Ford breaks down, Frazier continued the offensive onslaught at the NBA Draft Combine:

"

In a league that emphasizes shooting ability, Frazier is one of the most accomplished shooters in the draft. He ended up going 4-for-9 from 3 in two games, and averaged 15.5 PPG at the combine. His measurements (roughly 6-5 in shoes with a 6-8 wingspan) were solid for the position and if you've been following Kevin Pelton all year, you know Frazier tests out as a top-20 pick from an analytics point of view. He definitely earned himself some buzz with his play in Chicago and made a case for consideration in the late first round.

"

While some view Frazier as too small at 6'5" and 199 pounds, he's happy with the work he put in during his stay in Chicago.

Jason Lieser of the Palm Beach Post captures his thoughts on the matter:

Near the end of the first round, teams might want something resembling a sure thing in at least one area, which Frazier provides in the shooting department.

It's not as if his current skill set will never evolve, either, so a combination of something to offer now and upside for the future makes Frazier one of the most surprising fringe prospects to watch on draft day.

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