NBA Mock Draft 2015: 1st-Round Picks for Every Team and Players to Watch

Lost in the excitement of the daunting Western Conference playoff race and LeBron James' efforts to establish the Cleveland Cavaliers as the dominant Eastern Conference team this season was the fact that plenty of teams seemed perfectly fine losing in an effort to better their draft positions before getting their crack at a talented 2015 class.

There are elite prospects at every position available in this year’s draft, which means teams can satisfy a need or simply go after the best player available.

Here is a look at a complete first-round mock draft as well as some prospects to watch who can make an immediate impact next season.

*The order of the picks is courtesy of DraftExpress as of Thursday, April 30.

Pick	Team	Selection
1	Minnesota Timberwolves	Karl-Anthony Towns, F/C, Kentucky
2	New York Knicks	Jahlil Okafor, C, Duke
3	Philadelphia 76ers	Emmanuel Mudiay, PG, China
4	Los Angeles Lakers	D'Angelo Russell, G, Ohio State
5	Orlando Magic	Justise Winslow, SF, Duke
6	Sacramento Kings	Willie Cauley-Stein, C, Kentucky
7	Denver Nuggets	Mario Hezonja, G, Croatia
8	Detroit Pistons	Stanley Johnson, F, Arizona
9	Charlotte Hornets	Kristaps Porzingis, PF, Latvia
10	Miami Heat	Frank Kaminsky, C, Wisconsin
11	Indiana Pacers	Myles Turner, C, Texas
12	Utah Jazz	Kevon Looney, PF, UCLA
13	Phoenix Suns	Trey Lyles, PF, Kentucky
14	Oklahoma City Thunder	Jerian Grant, PG, Notre Dame
15	Atlanta Hawks (via Brooklyn Nets)	Devin Booker, SG, Kentucky
16	Boston Celtics	Bobby Portis, PF, Arkansas
17	Milwaukee Bucks	Montrezl Harrell, PF-C, Louisville
18	Houston Rockets (via New Orleans Pelicans)	Sam Dekker, SF, Wisconsin
19	Washington Wizards	Kelly Oubre Jr., SF, Kansas
20	Toronto Raptors	Christian Wood, PF, UNLV
21	Dallas Mavericks	Cameron Payne, PG, Murray State
22	Chicago Bulls	Tyus Jones, PG, Duke
23	Portland Trail Blazers	Jarell Martin, PF, LSU
24	Cleveland Cavaliers	Delon Wright, PG, Utah
25	Memphis Grizzlies	Justin Anderson, SF, Virginia
26	San Antonio Spurs	Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, SF, Arizona
27	Los Angeles Lakers (via Houston Rockets)	Robert Upshaw, C, Washington
28	Boston Celtics (via Los Angeles Clippers)	R.J. Hunter, SG, Georgia State
29	Brooklyn Nets (via Atlanta Hawks)	Terry Rozier, PG, Louisville
30	Golden State Warriors	Cliff Alexander, PF, Kansas

Prospects to Watch

Jahlil Okafor, C, Duke

You know the question by now: Will Jahlil Okafor or Karl-Anthony Towns be the first pick in the NBA draft?

While the thought here is that Towns’ defense and ceiling will ultimately earn him the nod, Okafor is still one of the most intriguing prospects in this draft. For one, he is already an offensive machine and only played a single season in college. The fact that he is so polished before even hitting his stride development-wise should make scouts incredibly happy.

The combination of low-post moves, impressive footwork and power on the blocks makes him one of the most difficult players in the country to stop, and he can hit open teammates with relative ease if defenses throw double-teams his way. He even has a developing face-up game when needed.

His head coach at Duke, Mike Krzyzewski, certainly seemed to think Okafor was ready for the draft when he declared, per Creg Stephenson of AL.com: “What a great decision. This is a tremendous opportunity for Jahlil and he has earned it. Obviously, he has done an incredible job here at Duke, and he will always be a part of our Duke basketball family. We could not be happier for he and his family."

Okafor’s offensive brilliance outweighs the concerns that come with his defense, but they are real concerns. 

He is not a viable rim protector at the next level and often found himself lost in pick-and-roll scenarios. His quickness was also lacking, and it is impossible to envision him as a defensive stopper in the NBA. That will ultimately cost him the chance to be the No. 1 pick.

Emmanuel Mudiay, PG, China

College basketball fans may not be familiar with Emmanuel Mudiay since he elected to play overseas in China instead of at SMU, but his overwhelming talent makes him a potential top-five selection. The air of mystery surrounding him also makes him one of the draft’s most intriguing storylines.

College or not, 6’5” points guards who have explosive speed in the open floor, the physicality to deal with larger defenders near the rim, the ability to hit teammates with crisp passes in transition or in the half-court set and a solid shooting stroke that is gradually developing don’t come around every draft.

Think John Wall potential, only younger. Mudiay is that good, and an NBA team is going to be pleased it took a chance on him early.

That speed, length and athleticism also help him on defense, whether it is staying in front of shifty ball-handlers, getting into passing lanes or bothering shooters. Throw in his versatility and ability to play either guard position, and Mudiay has the chance to be the entire package. 

Teams should not be scared off by Mudiay if they already have a point guard either because that versatility allows him to play either backcourt position. Mudiay’s ceiling will ultimately be too enticing to pass up after Towns and Okafor are off the board.

Willie Cauley-Stein, C, Kentucky

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

Willie Cauley-Stein is almost the complete opposite of Okafor because the Kentucky product is a defensive wizard but something of a project on offense.

That defense and athleticism alone will be enough for a team in the lottery to take Cauley-Stein with the hopes that he develops on the offensive end throughout a long NBA career. 

Cauley-Stein defends a number of different positions, which makes him an incredible asset on that end of the floor. Opponents will not be able to create many mismatches with pick-and-rolls or switch plays because he can keep up with guards if necessary or serve as the final line of defense in front of the rim.

Adi Joseph of Sporting News suggested as much: “Perhaps the best defender in the draft, Cauley-Stein fits the mold of many modern NBA centers. He’s skilled enough to be trusted with the ball but not much of a scorer. Mostly, he’ll be a factor as a rim protector and pick-and-roll defender.”

There are differences in their respective games (Cauley-Stein has more touch on his shot), but DeAndre Jordan has made quite a living by shutting down the paint on defense and hauling in every rebound in sight despite offensive limitations. Those are things Cauley-Stein can replicate right away at the NBA level, which should catch the eye of any team that needs depth down low.