NBA Mock Draft 2015: 1st-Round Predictions and Safest Prospects in Class

It's not an exaggeration to call the 2015 NBA draft one of the most exciting in years.

The class itself boasts immense talent, but what draws more excitement than anything else this year is the fact that teams continue to stick to new(ish) rebuilding plans.

Maybe the Philadelphia 76ers are a bad example (it's a little early to tell), but even a team like the Los Angeles Lakers seems to love the idea of top draft selections to lure big-name free agents as opposed to just focusing on the open market.

Below, let's take a look at how the teams in the first round might act based on need and the prospect stock market, then dial in on some safe prospects teams can nab to ensure a successful class.

2015 NBA First-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	Cameron Payne, SG, Murray State
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	Kelly Oubre, SG, Kansas
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	Richaun Holmes, PF, Bowling Green
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

Safest Prospects in Class

Willie Cauley-Stein, C, Kentucky

Look, there are droves of safe Kentucky prospects, and it would be a little silly to talk about how Karl-Anthony Towns deserves the honor.

What about Willie Cauley-Stein?

Cauley-Stein doesn't receive a ton of attention due to his Wildcats peers and defensive-centric game, but that's just what makes him so safe. Standing at 7'1" and 242 pounds, he averaged 8.9 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.7 blocks last season.

"He could be the best defender the league someday. He has abilities, both physically and the way he reads the defense, that I've never seen in a prospect," an NBA general manager told ESPN.com's Chad Ford. 

Such praise doesn't come around often, with the caveat being offensive NBA coaches could still bring out the best Cauley-Stein has to offer a team. Out of the gates, though, there's little doubt he's a pro-ready defender ready to make an impact, and even if it's all he ever becomes, there's nothing wrong with such a player on the right roster.

Frank Kaminsky, C, Wisconsin

Remember Frank Kaminsky, the dancing sensation who captured the minds of the globe with his play in the Big Dance?

It just so happens the Wisconsin product is one of the safest calls an NBA general manager could make this offseason. He won't ever be a franchise player or a superstar in the league, but what he can do is be a key rotation guy in a championship roster.

Kaminsky offers good size at 7'1" and 231 pounds, but pro teams will love the averages more than anything—as a senior, he posted 18.8 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.5 blocks while showing an ability to stretch the floor, shooting 55 percent from the field and 42 percent from deep.

As CBS Sports' Jon Rothstein points out, the improvement is impossible to miss:

There may be a belief that Kaminsky's at his peak, which is fine. Even if he is, a massive forward who can stretch the court and play smart defense isn't such an easy commodity to find these days.

For a team knowing just what it wants on draft day, Kaminsky is the perfect pick, a guarantee to produce now and long down the road.

Bobby Portis, PF, Arkansas

Randy Belice/Getty Images

In comparison to the names above, Bobby Portis might as well be a complete unknown.

It's a shame, too, because NBA teams know all about the SEC Player of the Year who averaged 17.5 points, 8.9 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.4 blocks and 1.1 steals last season.

Prospects like Portis just don't come around often, and while 6'11" and 246 pounds won't blow anyone away, his pro-ready game on both ends of the court grabs the attention and refuses to let go.

Ford put it best after the NBA Draft Combine: "Portis' draft stock remains as steady as anyone not in the top four or five. He measured well, interviewed well and while his athletic numbers were disappointing (he topped out at 31 inches max vertical), I couldn't find a scout who didn't like him. Not one."

For Portis, he seems to understand what he can bring to the table, as Alex Kennedy of BasketballInsiders.com captures:

A player who can do everything well with great size is just what an NBA team needs.

For those front offices afraid to whiff on a pick and start from scratch again next year when it comes to bringing on young talent, all they have to do is search for Portis.

It's a long line, though, and cutting to the front won't be so easy for one of the draft's safest commodities.

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