2015 NBA Mock Draft: Predictions for Intriguing Prospects Pre-NCAA Championship
The 2015 NBA draft is going to feature more depth than high-end star power. There are a couple truly top-tier prospects in Jahlil Okafor and Karl-Anthony Towns. They are more of the exception than the rule based on how this year's class sets up, though.
That's good news for teams drafting outside the top 10. While they won't get a chance to select one of the biggest names, most should be able to find an impact performer—somebody capable of stepping into the rotation right away with the hope their development turns them into a starter down the road.
With that in mind, let's check out how the first round is shaping up at this stage of the process. There's still plenty of time for movement before draft day arrives.
Round 1 Mock Draft
| 1 | New York Knicks | Jahlil Okafor, C, Duke |
| 2 | Minnesota Timberwolves | Karl-Anthony Towns, C, Kentucky |
| 3 | Philadelphia 76ers | D'Angelo Russell, G, Ohio State |
| 4 | Los Angeles Lakers | Emmanuel Mudiay, PG, Congo |
| 5 | Orlando Magic | Myles Turner, PF, Texas |
| 6 | Sacramento Kings | Willie Cauley-Stein, C, Kentucky |
| 7 | Detroit Pistons | Justise Winslow, SF, Duke |
| 8 | Denver Nuggets | Mario Hezonja, SF, Croatia |
| 9 | Atlanta Hawks (from Nets) | Sam Dekker, SF, Wisconsin |
| 10 | Boston Celtics | Kevon Looney, PF, UCLA |
| 11 | Utah Jazz | Stanley Johnson, SF, Arizona |
| 12 | Philadelphia 76ers (from Heat) | Bobby Portis, PF, Arkansas |
| 13 | Phoenix Suns | Cliff Alexander, PF, Kansas |
| 14 | Houston Rockets (from Pelicans) | Frank Kaminsky, PF, Wisconsin |
| 15 | Charlotte Hornets | Kelly Oubre, SF, Kansas |
| 16 | Indiana Pacers | Kristaps Porzingis, PF, Latvia |
| 17 | Milwaukee Bucks | Trey Lyles, PF, Kentucky |
| 18 | Oklahoma City Thunder | Devin Booker, SG, Kentucky |
| 19 | Washington Wizards | Montrezl Harrell, PF, Louisville |
| 20 | Chicago Bulls | Tyus Jones, PG, Duke |
| 21 | Toronto Raptors | Christian Wood, PF, UNLV |
| 22 | San Antonio Spurs | Jakob Poeltl, C, Utah |
| 23 | Cleveland Cavaliers | Damian Jones, C, Vanderbilt |
| 24 | Dallas Mavericks | Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, SF, Arizona |
| 25 | Boston Celtics (from Clippers) | Isaiah Taylor, PG, Texas |
| 26 | Los Angeles Lakers (from Rockets) | Jerian Grant, PG, Notre Dame |
| 27 | Portland Trail Blazers | Robert Upshaw, C, Washington |
| 28 | Cleveland Cavaliers (from Grizzlies) | Terry Rozier, PG, Louisville |
| 29 | Brooklyn Nets (from Hawks) | Troy Williams, SF, Indiana |
| 30 | Golden State Warriors | Justin Anderson, SF, Virginia |
As mentioned, there's a limited number of marquee prospects in this class. Along with Okafor and Towns, perhaps D'Angelo Russell could fit in the category. Some lesser-known options like Emmanuel Mudiay and Mario Hezonja may also end up there.
Those players will generate no shortage of hype in the months ahead. So let's drop down a little further and take a closer look at some other prospects—those currently projected to go somewhere in the middle of Round 1 but still carry plenty of intrigue.
Most Intriguing Mid-Round Prospects
14. Houston Rockets (from Pelicans): Frank Kaminsky, PF, Wisconsin
Kaminsky is probably going to become one of the most polarizing prospects in the draft. His shooting ability should ensure he finds his way into a rotation somewhere. The question is whether his defense will prevent him from becoming anything more than an offensive spark plug off the bench.
The Wisconsin product made the right decision to return to school for another year. He looked more comfortable in terms of rebounding and matching up with opposing post players this season. He told Tom Oates of the Wisconsin State Journal in early March it wasn't a tough call:
"It was the best decision I've ever made in my life. It wasn't even much of a decision. It wasn't hard. I knew I wanted to come back to school here. It's days like that that reassure that decision. It's been an unbelievable journey. From where I was to where I am now, it's great. And accomplishing it with people like Josh and Nigel (Hayes) and the rest of our team has been so great.
"
Despite the progress, the jump from college to the NBA is a big one. He still needs to add more power to his frame if he's going to play solid enough defense to warrant big minutes at the next level. Without adding strength, it will be an uphill battle. The NCAA tournament has shown his offensive skill, though.
The Rockets would be an ideal fit. They have Dwight Howard in the middle, a terrific defender and rebounder who could provide some cover for Kaminsky. Without a player like that to provide help on that end of the floor, the risk of picking him will be higher. But his offense is definitely NBA-ready.
18. Oklahoma City Thunder: Devin Booker, SG, Kentucky
It's always difficult to get a read on a player like Booker. His natural talent is obvious, but he's played more of a secondary role for the star-studded Wildcats. That caused him to run hot and cold throughout his freshman campaign.
There were times when he looked like a potential top-10 pick. Yet, he didn't always play with the same level of aggression and settled for jump shots. That's all part of the development process, though. He's still a raw talent.
That said, he showcased enough positive signs to warrant going in the first round if he decides to make the NBA jump. Teams won't be able to ignore his upside. He earned the respect from coaches around the SEC, as noted by Creg Stephenson of AL.com:
The Thunder have their two building blocks in Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. The process of building the roster around them is still a work in progress, though. They can afford to take Booker and bring him along slowly.
20. Chicago Bulls: Tyus Jones, PG, Duke
Playing on a team with Jahlil Okafor meant Jones didn't get the type of attention he deserved. He stepped in alongside Quinn Cook, showcased a high basketball IQ and improved as the year went on. It was a tough role and he handled it well en route to the title game.
His success didn't go completely unnoticed outside of Durham, though. Dick Vitale of ESPN had a discussion about the best freshman point guards over the past decade and placed Jones in some pretty select company:
Like Kaminsky and Booker, Jones is not a surefire prospect. He's still got a lot of work to do before he becomes somebody coaches feel comfortable running out there for 35 minutes a night. But this deep in the round, he's worth taking a chance on.
The Bulls are obviously in a situation where they need as much insurance as possible for the injury-prone Derrick Rose. Jones would stand to learn a lot from him. It would represent a nice long-view move by Chicago.
