Finding Diamonds in the Rough Among Dark-Horse 2015 NBA Draft Prospects

The NBA draft is all about finding value. The best general managers are able to turn late-round picks into serviceable contributors and potentially long-term cornerstones. 

Outside of the high-profile and flashy names at the top of draft boards, there is widespread parity in this year's projected field. NBA decision-makers will be sifting through it to locate the ones most likely to blossom. 

Each of the following players has either taken that next step in his development or added something new to his game. These five dark-horse prospects aren't expected to get selected in the lottery, but we're counting on them to stick and eventually emerge as rotational assets.

R.J. Hunter, Georgia State, 6'6", SG, Junior

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R.J. Hunter doesn't get much national love playing over in the Sun Belt Conference. Though, by hitting just 30.4 percent of his threes after nailing 100 triples in 2013-14, the hype he built as a shooter last year has naturally started to fade. 

But maybe it shouldn't have. 

He's still knocking down 2.3 threes per game, a tribute to his range and shot-making ability. And he's actually become a more complete all-around player in 2014-15.

More of just a perimeter scorer a season ago, Hunter has improved his playmaking skills, and it's added some versatility to his game.

Hunter dished out a total of 114 assists as a freshman and sophomore combined. He already has 118 alone this season, the most on the team. 

He's also taken 34 more free throws than he did all last year. 

ESPN analytics guru Kevin Pelton even ranked Hunter No. 6 overall among top prospects on his statistical big board that measures WARP (wins above replacement player over next five years).

Teams would ultimately be foolish to write off Hunter following his drop in outside accuracy. He may actually have a better chance at relocating it as the No. 5 option on a pro team, as opposed to the top gun and focal point of every defense he's facing now. 

Norman Powell, UCLA, 6'4", SG, Senior

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As a 6'4" senior 2-guard without that standout offensive upside, Norman Powell probably isn't going overly high in the 2015 draft. 

And that means he'll be offering terrific value somewhere late. 

Powell projects as a defensive specialist—a ball-stopper on the perimeter and one of the most explosive guards in the country. 

From a scouting perspective, his monster (for a guard) 6'11" wingspan and solid 215-pound frame help make up for the inch or two he lacks in height. He actually measures closely to Tony Allen, a strong pro player comparison.

"Ever since I've been [at UCLA]. I've been a lock down defender. The guy who guards the best player," Powell told CBS Sports' Sam Vecenie. "I always have a chip on my shoulder no matter who is in front of me. To lock them down and take them out of what they want to do. I take a lot of pride in my defense."

As good as Powell has the potential to be defensively, his offense, though still a work in progress, has made strides. 

He's averaging 16.3 points and 2.0 assists, and though we're still waiting on his jumper to come around, Powell has made 35 threes though 31 games. 

As UCLA's top offensive gun, his field-goal percentage has unsurprisingly fallen this year. But he'll be in more of a position to play to his strengths in the NBA. 

Christian Wood, UNLV, 6'11", PF/C, Sophomore

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Christian Wood's development has been fun to watch, and it makes you wonder just how far it will continue to go. 

After playing only 13 minutes a game as a freshman, Wood is getting 32.4 as a sophomore, having converted that 6'11" size and above-the-rim athleticism into averages of 10.1 rebounds and 2.8 blocks.

That's just off raw ability. It's the skills he's added to the repertoire that could make him a steal—if they continue to sharpen. 

He's flashed some special inside-out versatility for a big man. Wood has a strong comfort level on the perimeter, where he can face up and attack like a wing and finish with floaters or fallaways off the dribble. 

And though his 28.4 percent three-point mark isn't overly impressive, he has hit 23 three-pointers and 74.6 percent of his free throws. 

He ultimately has the potential to become one tough cover after setting a screen. Wood already had the size and bounce to threaten defenses in the pick-and-roll game. He's now become a pick-and-pop threat as well. 

It may take a few years before the team that drafts Wood sees results. He'll have to add strength and bulk, as well as polish up the jumper and post game.

But I've bought into his progression and the promise it fuels. For a prospect not frequently mentioned in the lottery conversation, Wood has a compellingly high ceiling.

Kris Dunn, Providence, 6'3", PG, Sophomore

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If this were Kris Dunn's first year and not his third with Providence, you'd have to wonder if he'd be named alongside the top prospects in the country.

Shoulder surgeries cut short each of his first two seasons in college. But not this one. Dunn is putting up one of the best stat lines in America, and he's carried Providence to an AP Top 25 national ranking. 

With 6'3", 205-pound size and electric athleticism, Dunn easily passes the NBA point guard eye test. The fact that he leads the country in assist percentage, per sports-reference.com, is a reflection of his vision, passing and mindset. Dunn is putting up 15.2 points a game yet still manages to get his teammates involved more than practically every facilitator out there.

What makes Dunn's case even stronger is his ability to affect games at the defensive end. With a 6'8" wingspan and active hands, he's No. 5 in the country in steal percentage, having shown terrific instincts and quickness on the ball and in passing lanes. 

The two big knocks on Dunn: shooting and turnovers. But he carries a giant load at Providence (27.4 percent usage, per sports-reference.com), and his mid-range jumper has actually looked sharp (42.1 percent on two-point jumpers, per Hoop-Math.com).

Though tweaks and improvements must be made, he's offering starting-point guard potential, and he probably won't get drafted in the lottery. I'd take my chances on Dunn, who's clearly a next-level talent on the rise. 

Buddy Hield, Oklahoma, 6'4", SG, Junior

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Buddy Hield's numbers are fairly similar to the ones he put up last year, which is likely to keep the hype and buzz in check. 

But his core strengths are pretty convincing with regard to their NBA value and ability to translate. 

Though a tad undersized at 6'4", Hield has a 2-guard body and athleticism, along with an advanced perimeter repertoire consisting of pull-ups, step-backs and spot-ups. He's silky smooth from outside, making 2.7 three-pointers per game (for the second straight season) at a 38.3 percent clip. 

Hield is also a potent weapon in transition, where he's flashed the "Eurostep" and body control to finish while avoiding contact. He's also hit 35 threes within the first 10 seconds of an Oklahoma possession, per Hoop-Math.com. 

Hield would ultimately be a great fit for a team that prefers to run and gun. 

Though he's not particularly efficient as a one-on-one scorer or attacker, it's Hield's shooting, decision-making and defensive capability that should allow him to excel in a complementary role.