2015 NBA Mock Draft: Predictions for Top Prospects as NCAA Tournament Continues
Some of the top 2015 NBA draft prospects have been putting their talents on display during the season of March Madness and the NCAA tournament, which means mock drafts are coming more and more into focus.
That said, plenty of time remains for things to shake up—and shake up they inevitably will. The draft is exactly three months away with June 25 the destination date, and events like the NBA Draft Combine and private workouts will loom as large as anything that took place during the college basketball season or internationally.
And with teams like Duke, Kentucky and Arizona very much alive in the Big Dance, many of the draft's best prospects are still dancing their way up mock draft boards.
With all that in mind, let's take a look at where things currently stand with the latest mock draft.
| 1 | New York Knicks | Jahlil Okafor, C, Duke |
| 2 | Minnesota Timberwolves | Karl-Anthony Towns, C, Kentucky |
| 3 | Philadelphia 76ers | Emmanuel Mudiay, PG, Congo |
| 4 | Los Angeles Lakers | D'Angelo Russell, SG, Ohio State |
| 5 | Orlando Magic | Stanley Johnson, SF, Arizona |
| 6 | Sacramento Kings | Mario Hezonja, SG/SF, Croatia |
| 7 | Detroit Pistons | Justise Winslow, SF, Duke |
| 8 | Denver Nuggets | Willie Cauley-Stein, C, Kentucky |
| 9 | Atlanta Hawks (via Brooklyn) | Bobby Portis, PF, Arkansas |
| 10 | Indiana Pacers | Kelly Oubre, SF, Kansas |
| 11 | Boston Celtics | Myles Turner, PF/C, Texas |
| 12 | Utah Jazz | Kristaps Porzingis, PF, Latvia |
| 13 | Phoenix Suns | Frank Kaminsky, C, Wisconsin |
| 14 | Houston Rockets (via New Orleans) | Trey Lyles, PF, Kentucky |
| 15 | Charlotte Hornets | Kevon Looney, SF/PF, UCLA |
| 16 | Philadelphia 76ers (via Miami) | Terry Rozier, PG, Louisville |
| 17 | Milwaukee Bucks | Montrezl Harrell, PF, Louisville |
| 18 | Oklahoma City Thunder | Devon Booker, SG, Kentucky |
| 19 | Washington Wizards | Justin Anderson, SG, Virginia |
| 20 | Chicago Bulls | Jerian Grant, PG, Notre Dame |
| 21 | Toronto Raptors | Sam Dekker, SF, Wisconsin |
| 22 | San Antonio Spurs | Damian Jones, C, Vanderbilt |
| 23 | Dallas Mavericks | Delon Wright, PG/SG, Utah |
| 24 | Cleveland Cavaliers | Tyus Jones, PG, Duke |
| 25 | Boston Celtics (via LA Clippers) | Caris LeVert, SF, Michigan |
| 26 | Los Angeles Lakers (via Houston) | Kris Dunn, PG, Providence |
| 27 | Portland Trail Blazers | Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, SF, Arizona |
| 28 | Memphis Grizzlies | R.J. Hunter, SG, Georgia State |
| 29 | Brooklyn Nets (via Atlanta) | Brice Johnson, PF, North Carolina |
| 30 | Golden State Warriors | Terran Petteway, SF, Nebraska |
Top Overall Picks
1. New York Knicks: Jahlil Okafor, C, Duke
An emergence by Kentucky's Karl-Anthony Towns has put the No. 1 overall pick up for debate, but Duke freshman Jahlil Okafor has done nothing to put himself up for questioning. After becoming the first freshman to ever win ACC Player of the Year, Okafor has kept his roll going in NCAA tournament play. And as ESPN Stats and Info noted after Duke's comfortable round of 32 win over San Diego State, that bodes well for his status in the June draft:
While perhaps not an elite athlete, Okafor possesses the skill set capable of taking advantage of opponents with sheer size, strength and fundamentals. His offensive arsenal isn't as versatile as Towns', but Okafor is much more polished in terms of being a go-to scorer—which is what any team, including the Knicks, atop the draft will be looking for.
2. Minnesota Timberwolves: Karl-Anthony Towns, C, Kentucky
In the same vein as last year when Andrew Wiggins was followed up by Jabari Parker, there's no shame in coming in second place in this draft. As hard as it's been for a single star to shine apart from the rest in Kentucky, freshman center Karl-Anthony Towns has done just that with an impressive array of offensive skills and defensive tenacity.
The physical transition to the NBA can be the toughest, but Pat Forde of Yahoo Sports' analysis of the freshman left no such reservations:
It's scary to think about the Minnesota Timberwolves in a year or two should they land a player like Towns. With Wiggins immersing himself as a future star and Zach LaVine trying to follow suit, Towns would fit quite well in a young nucleus. Nikola Pekovic currently mans the 5 spot, but Towns has already shown the ability to play alongside a fellow big at Kentucky with Willie Cauley-Stein.
3. Philadelphia 76ers: Emmanuel Mudiay, PG, Congo
The best guard in the draft didn't even play college basketball this season. Point guard Emmanuel Mudiay had an injury doom him from playing much this season in China, but he dazzled throughout his high school days with an innate ability to lead an offense, distribute the ball effectively and, most importantly, be the best athlete on the floor every time he plays.
A spectacular freshman season from Ohio State freshman D'Angelo Russell has raised questions as to who the better guard pick atop the draft is, but Mike Schmitz of DraftExpress.com isn't questioning anything:
A midseason trade of Michael Carter-Williams proved what was becoming apparent when the 76ers drafted Joel Embiid—Philadelphia isn't anywhere close to finishing its rebuild. Mudiay still has a few years of developing to do before scratching the surface of his potential, which makes him an ideal fit for what both the coaching staff and front office are working toward in Philadelphia.
4. Los Angeles Lakers: D'Angelo Russell, SG, Ohio State
D'Angelo Russell may be—OK, he is—the most dangerous overall scorer in this draft class, and he's only validated that throughout an insane freshman season at Ohio State. A pure shooter with the ability to drive and find opponents, Russell figures to be a Day 1 impact maker.
Mudiay may be the better all-around guard, but Russell fits much better in Laker Land. Without Kobe Bryant in the fold, Los Angeles has desperately needed an efficient scorer in the backcourt as the five-time NBA champion's days in the Association are quickly fleeting.
5. Orlando Magic: Stanley Johnson, SF, Arizona
Orlando's 2014 lottery pick—well, one of two—in Arizona's Aaron Gordon hasn't exactly flourished in his rookie season, but the Magic can get more of what they were looking for at the forward position in another Arizona freshman. Stanley Johnson is arguably the best athlete available in the entire draft, and a developing perimeter game means the sky is the limit for him at the next level.
Elfrid Payton and Victor Oladipo are wreaking havoc in the backcourt, but an effective swingman is needed to take the next step in Orlando. Johnson could be that guy.
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