NBA Mock Draft: How Kentucky's Stars Shape the 1st Round
The 2015 NBA draft is still two months away, but the introduction of seven Kentucky players has (predictably) caused seismic shifts on the big board.
The Wildcats’ top seven scorers—Karl-Anthony Towns, Willie Cauley-Stein, Devin Booker, Trey Lyles, Dakari Johnson, Andrew Harrison and Aaron Harrison—have all declared, and a number of them have reshaped first-round draft projections from top to bottom.
The Wildcats aren’t the only story in the top 30, though, as a number of other players have also improved their stock over the year and at the NCAA tournament.
Where did Duke’s top players—Jahlil Okafor, Justise Winslow and Tyus Jones—end up after their tournament triumph? Did Wisconsin big men Frank Kaminsky and Sam Dekker do enough against Kentucky to earn a spot in the top 20?
Here’s a look at the likely first-round draft picks—and their likely destinations—in the 2015 NBA draft.
No. 30: R.J. Hunter, Georgia State
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Position: Shooting Guard
Height: 6’5”
Weight: 185 lbs
Drafting Team: Golden State Warriors
R.J. Hunter can shoot the lights out, and the Golden State Warriors offense knows a thing or two about how to get the best from pure shooters. The Georgia State junior had a noticeable dip in field-goal percentage this season, but he still has NBA scouts mesmerized by his performances at the LeBron James Skills Academy last summer. Hunter will start as an injection of life from the bench (of course), but he should take to the team’s tactics quickly and become an effective contributor in his limited minutes.
No. 29: Dakari Johnson, Kentucky
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Position: Center
Height: 7’0”
Weight: 255 lbs
Drafting Team: Brooklyn Nets
The last of four Kentucky players to go in the first round will be Dakari Johnson. The sophomore was a top prospect from high school ball (this is obvious, since he was recruited by the Wildcats, but it should still be noted for emphasis). He only averaged 16.3 minutes per game for Big Blue Nation, but at 7 feet and 255 pounds, he has too much potential not to tempt an NBA front office.
No. 28: Jarell Martin, LSU
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Position: Power Forward
Height: 6’10”
Weight: 242 lbs
Drafting Team: Boston Celtics
Boston needs size, so Jarell Martin would be a welcome addition. The sophomore from LSU is another example of “athletic but not yet fully developed.” At this point in the draft, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. His strength and work rate on the floor will be easy to work with, and his 16.9 points and 9.2 rebounds per game show great promise at both ends of the floor. Martin is also a step quicker than many players his size.
No. 27: Cliff Alexander, Kansas
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Position: Power Forward
Height: 6’9”
Weight: 255 lbs
Drafting Team: Memphis Grizzlies
Cliff Alexander did not have a spectacular season, so he just creeps into the first round. He deserves to creep in, though, because of the absurd athletic potential that made him one of the most sought-after recruits coming out of high school.
He may be one of the least experienced players in the first round, but as NBA.com’s Scott Howard-Cooper argued: “Alexander can sell how far he has come in a relatively brief time and that his obvious passion on the court is a sign of his determination to get better.” The Grizzlies already have a talented squad, so they could take a risk on Alexander and hope for a home run asset to push them up to the next level in the next couple of years.
No. 26: Delon Wright, Utah
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Position: Point Guard
Height: 6’5”
Weight: 190 lbs
Drafting Team: L.A. Lakers
The Lakers need depth at point guard. They started Ronnie Price 20 times this season and are preparing for the departure of Jeremy Lin. Delon Wright will add depth and defensive steel from Day 1, and his vision is no too shabby either.
The senior from Utah also brings experience and size to the position that will smooth his transition to the professional level. He’s arguably one of the best point guards in the whole draft, but the position needs of other teams (and the fact that a few others edge him in the position) mean he’ll likely go in the mid-20s.
No. 25: Christian Wood, UNLV
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Position: Power Forward
Height: 6’11”
Weight: 220 lbs
Drafting Team: San Antonio Spurs
Christian Wood is another big man with great ball-handling for his size, which makes him a dream prospect for any organization able to invest a little time in bringing him along. The UNLV sophomore needs to put on some muscle, but his agile rebounding and shot blocking prove he’s worth the investment. Wood could be a strong future asset, especially on offense, and the Spurs would be happy to add to their big-man depth.
No. 24: Justin Anderson, Virginia
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Position: Strong Forward/Shooting Guard
Height: 6’6”
Weight: 225 lbs
Drafting Team: Portland Trail Blazers
Justin Anderson to Portland is an ideal marriage of assets and needs. The junior from Virginia averaged 12.2 points this season, shooting 46.6 percent from the field and 45.2 percent from beyond the arc. Adding that long ball definitely boosted his stock this year, and pairing it with a season of solid defensive play was icing on the cake. He’s a wing with potential that the Trail Blazers can develop on the side next year. If Anderson’s shooting continues its upward trend, he’ll look like a steal in the late first round.
No. 23: Tyus Jones, Duke
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Position: Point Guard
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 185 lbs
Drafting Team: Cleveland Cavaliers
The freshman point guard from Duke would be a perfect fit for Cleveland’s plans. Matthew Dellavedova is not the strongest point guard off the bench, so Tyus Jones would be a real rotational asset over the 82-game regular season.
Jones lacks the size and athletic ability to force his way into the top 20, but his vision and distribution keep him from falling any farther. He was a leader for Duke throughout the Blue Devils’ tournament run, and with a little tutelage at the highest level, Jones will add valuable depth at a crucial position for the Cavs.
No. 22: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Arizona
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Position: Strong Forward
Height: 6’7”
Weight: 215 lbs
Drafting Team: Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls have continued to hope that one day Derrick Rose will be 100 percent healthy and stay that way for a decade or so. So why would they draft a point guard like Tyus Jones when they could add to their interior depth?
Enter Rondae Hollis-Jefferson. The Arizona sophomore has a 7’1” wingspan and an athletic ceiling worthy of your awe. His rebounding and blocking have been exceptional for a wing, but the absence of a realistic jump shot will hold him back. Still, the upside is there on defense, and that’s always been a source of pride for Tom Thibodeau’s team.
No. 21: Jakob Poeltl, Utah
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Position: Center
Height: 7’0”
Weight: 235 lbs
Drafting Team: Dallas Mavericks
The 2015-16 Dallas Mavericks roster will be Dirk Nowitzki and Co., although who that “and Co.” continues to be a little vague. It would be hard to go wrong with a sizable center who is both agile and skilled on the defensive end. The Utah freshman averaged 6.8 rebounds and 9.1 points per game while shooting just a shade over 68 percent from the field.
Considering he only had one year of college experience (and not in the most demanding conference), Poeltl has a lot to learn before he can become a force in the NBA. However, signing on with next year’s Mavericks roster may be just the opportunity to accelerate his learning curve and earn early dividends.
No. 20: Kevon Looney, UCLA
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Position: Power Forward/Strong Forward
Height: 6’9”
Weight: 220 lbs
Drafting Team: Toronto Raptors
The UCLA freshman could step up in place of Amir Johnson or Tyler Hansbrough in the near future. Looney is a frontcourt force and has been a double-double threat all year long. In addition to having a smooth-as-silk jumper, he also boasts a 7’3” wingspan.
Looney isn’t necessarily as explosive or eye-catching as the higher-rated prospects in this year’s draft, but his consistency promises solid play from the start and a long career down the road. He still needs to put on some muscle, but there’s time.
No. 19: Bobby Portis, Arkansas
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Position: Power Forward
Height: 6’11”
Weight: 230 lbs
Drafting Team: Washington Wizards
The Washington Wizards need more bodies in the paint, and the SEC Player of the Year will be the answer to their prayers. Bobby Portis could step in for Nene as the veteran’s time winds down in the capital and give Washington some defensive luster. He’ll also team up well with John Wall on offense when the superstar decides to look inside.
There’s something to be said for being named player of the year in the same conference as Kentucky’s seven draft entrants. While some of those Wildcats understandably will go ahead of him in the first round, Portis has more than earned a spot in the top 20—and the Wizards will be glad they get a shot with the Arkansas power forward.
No. 18: Jerian Grant, Notre Dame
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Position: Point Guard
Height: 6’5”
Weight: 205 lbs
Drafting Team: Oklahoma City Thunder
Jerian Grant is arguably the best point guard coming out of the college game this year. The senior from Notre Dame has the size, vision and experience to help spur his transition into the big time quicker than most. He’s not a blank check for athletic ability like some of the players (hint: Kentucky players) farther down this list, but it’s difficult to find much to dislike about this player.
OK, his three-point shooting (31.6 percent) leaves something to be desired, but his 6.7 assists and 16.5 points per game should count greatly in his favor. Grant could also fit in well alongside Russell Westbrook in OKC’s dynamic point guard system, so there’s that too.
No. 17: Montrezl Harrell, Louisville
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Position: Power Forward
Height: 6’8”
Weight: 230 lbs
Drafting Team: Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks will like almost everything they see when they look back on a ferocious season from Montrezl Harrell. We say “almost” because the Louisville junior was not a stranger to ill discipline earlier in the season, but he improved his attitude as the year went on (which is a good sign for a soon-to-be young professional player). Harrell’s pure athleticism and hunger on the court, however, will have Milwaukee scouts imagining the good kind of explosive performances from the power forward. The Bucks, who are never afraid to draft powerful players, will see more far more positives than negatives here.
No. 16: Devin Booker, Kentucky
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Position: Shooting Guard
Height: 6’6”
Weight: 205 lbs
Drafting Team: Atlanta Hawks
The freshman from Kentucky averaged 10 points per game on a stacked roster with perpetual turnover from John Calipari’s platoon-style subbing system. All season long, Devin Booker got in, got his points and got ready to go at it again.
He was a consistent contributor among future superstars, which should speak volumes to any NBA team that is looking for the next one. He also shot 41 percent from behind the arc, which would give Atlanta a nice complement to Kyle Korver on the wings. The Hawks will be looking to add to their strengths next season after finishing No. 1 in the Eastern Conference, and Booker could be just the player to help maintain that level of competitiveness.
No. 15: Sam Dekker, Wisconsin
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Position: Strong Forward
Height: 6’9”
Weight: 230 lbs
Drafting Team: Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics need size on defense—badly. Sam Dekker is big but not the biggest. So, what does the junior from Wisconsin bring to the table to offset that minor physical shortcoming and make his case? He was easily one of the top players of the NCAA tournament—were it not for Kaminsky, we’d all be talking about Dekker with the Badgers—and he showed up big against the size and length of Kentucky.
Scouts will have to take a closer look at his shooting after that poor final against Duke (6-of-15 from the field), but only to confirm it was more of a fluke than a negative trend. He would likely become a role player on many other squads, but in Boston he can have a bigger impact earlier on.
No. 14: Trey Lyles, Kentucky
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Position: Power Forward
Height: 6’10”
Weight: 250 lbs
Drafting Team: Houston Rockets
Trey Liles was one of Kentucky’s best players in the NCAA tournament, regardless of whether or not the numbers give that impression (stats from John Calipari’s platoon system can sometimes be misleading). He may have had to share the spotlight with his teammates, but that did not stunt his potential. As a traditional power forward, he can space the floor on offense and be a general terror from mid-range. Lyles is a big man with surprisingly skillful hands who can keep his mark off balance all game long.
No. 13: Kris Dunn, Providence
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Position: Point Guard
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 205 lbs
Drafting Team: Phoenix Suns
The Suns lack depth at point guard, and Kris Dunn’s speed alone is enough to designate him a game-changer from his first introduction. The sophomore from Providence has come up through the black-and-blue Big East Conference, so you know he’s tough. Though he could stand to take better care of the basketball, Dunn is another payer with a high ceiling who can make plays at both ends of the court with his speed and aggression.
There are still questions surrounding Brandon Knight’s restricted free agency, but having a high-potential point guard like Dunn would be a safe move in either case.
No. 12: Kelly Oubre, Kansas
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Position: Strong Forward
Height: 6’6”
Weight: 205 lbs
Drafting Team: Utah Jazz
The Jazz could do worse than sign the breakout Kansas star with a knack for defending away from the basket. Oubre has the speed to get a step on his man and the scoring ability to make him pay. He is by no means a finished product—or even approaching that status—but his future All-Star status may be determined by whichever coach chooses to take on the role of mentor.
The freshman was slow to get out of the gates at Kansas, but the effort he put in down the stretch speaks to his appetite for becoming one of the best. He also lacks the dexterity of a true ball-handler (especially on his weaker right side), but that will come with time.
No. 11: Frank Kaminsky, Wisconsin
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Position: Power Forward
Height: 6’11”
Weight: 245 lbs
Drafting Team: Indiana Pacers
Frank Kaminsky is one of only two first-round draft picks who can say he was instrumental in helping his team beat Kentucky this season. In addition to leading Wisconsin past “that team with seven players declaring for the draft in the same year,” he also boasts a greater level of maturity and experience than many of the other entrants.
The Pacers need to think of the future after a spending 2015 on the playoff fringe, and signing Kaminsky with an eye on eventually replacing elder statesmen David West and Luis Scola is a great way to be proactive. The Wisconsin senior’s stellar tournament play, coupled with his basketball IQ and readiness to learn, will make him an easy choice for Indiana.
No. 10: Myles Turner, Texas
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Position: Power Forward/Center
Height: 6’11”
Weight: 240 lbs
Drafting Team: Miami Heat
With Miami’s current lineup set to contend for an NBA title next season, the team doesn’t exactly need a player who can lace up and save the ship from Day 1. Cue Myles Turner. The Texas center can protect the rim and develop into an expert shot-blocker with a little time and guidance from the veterans.
He can also use his size and dexterous wingspan control to drop down low on offense or just settle for nailing a mid-range jumper. Turner is not there yet, but with some hard work he could become a fearsome foe for any would-be inside scorers.
No. 9: Kristaps Porzingis, Latvia
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Position: Power Forward
Height: 7’0”
Weight: 220 lbs
Drafting Team: Charlotte Hornets
The second European-based player to secure a place in the states will be Kristaps Porzingis. He made a mature decision last year to play another season of professional ball in Europe before opting for the NBA draft, and it shows. The 7-footer would be a great asset for any team that is looking to spread the floor, given his mid-range shooting. He still needs to add a few pounds before he can hold his own on defense against the veterans, but his solid hands and intelligent transition play will give the Hornets a lot to be happy about.
No. 8: Justise Winslow, Duke
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Position: Small Forward
Height: 6’7”
Weight: 230 lbs
Drafting Team: Detroit Pistons
Justise Winslow may have not had the most consistent season, but he came on strong during the NCAA tournament and ultimately took home the title. The tournament isn’t the whole story by any means, but impressive rebounding and point production (especially from three, where he was 7-of-12) demonstrated he can step up against a team with some NBA size in Frank Kaminsky and Sam Dekker.
Winslow is one of the top overall athletes in the 2015 draft, and he’s also significantly improved his shooting and ball-handling over the course of the season. Pair the Duke small forward with Victor Oladipo and there will be fireworks on offense.
No. 7: Mario Hezonja, Croatia
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Position: Shooting Guard
Height: 6’8”
Weight: 215 lbs
Drafting Team: Denver Nuggets
Mario Hezonja will be the first European-based player to be drafted this year—and with good reason. And the 20-year-old will head to a team in Denver that hasn’t shied away from non-college products in recent years. Hezonja has steeled himself by facing top European competition with Barcelona, and there’s every indication he is ready to make the jump to the NBA. Add athleticism and good shooting to that experience, and the Nuggets will have an all-around player who is eager to reward their confidence.
No. 6: Willie Cauley-Stein, Kentucky
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Position: Center
Height: 7’0”
Weight: 245 lbs
Drafting Team: Sacramento Kings
The second draft pick to come out of this storied Kentucky class will be junior Willie Cauley-Stein. The Sacramento Kings could do worse than give DeMarcus Cousins a little help on defense. Thanks to having fleet feet for his size, Cauley-Stein can defend the three-ball as well as the rim. He can also get down the court if the Kings want to open things up and press the advantage in transition. At either end of the court he’s a threat, but having defensive solidarity with Cousins will give credit to the old adage: The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
No. 5: Stanley Johnson, Arizona
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Position: Strong Forward
Height: 6’7”
Weight: 245 lbs
Drafting Team: Orlando Magic
Stanley Johnson has the physicality and skills to compete at both ends of the floor from the get-go. He averaged just less than 14 points per game for Arizona and hit 37 percent from beyond the arc, so he has dimensions. Johnson could play as a small forward, either bodying up down low with his 245-pound frame or using his speed to slice between defenders. On defense, he can put in solid shifts against some of the league’s lesser strong forwards if opponents choose to go small. Orlando will have a lot of talent to work with here.
No. 4: D’Angelo Russell, Ohio State
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Position: Shooting Guard
Height: 6’5”
Weight: 175 lbs
Drafting Team: L.A. Lakers
The timing is perfect for a changing of the guard. With D’Angelo Russell coming in and Kobe Bryant heading out, it could be the (re)start of something big for the listless Lakers. Russell is an ideal jump-shooter with the ability to manipulate the pace of any game to expose defensive lapses and create scoring opportunities for himself from distance or at the rim. He may not make the NBA All-Defensive team, but that deficiency won’t cast much of a shadow over his top-five offensive production.
No. 3: Emmanuel Mudiay, China
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Position: Point Guard
Height: 6’5”
Weight: 190 lbs
Drafting Team: Philadelphia 76ers
What don’t the 76ers need? Regardless of your answer to that question, Emmanuel Mudiay will provide a heaping hand of help in that department. OK, maybe not as much in shooting, but the skills he brings to other facets of the game will be enough of a boon in their own right.
His size and physicality at point guard will fit right in at the NBA level, and his pure athletic potential is practically a blank check for the near future. Injury may have kept Mudiay out of competitive action in China for three months, but he returned to action in the playoff semifinals to register 24 points, eight rebounds, four assists and two steals, per Grantland’s Danny Chau. Read into that what you will, but there’s really no risk here for the 76ers.
No. 2: Jahlil Okafor, Duke
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Position: Center
Height: 6’11”
Weight: 270 lbs
Drafting Team: New York Knicks
In this list, his No. 1 pick status was usurped by a certain Kentucky freshman, but the distinction between one and two is almost too close to call. As far as New York is concerned, the Knicks want an intelligent player who can step up immediately to make things happen on offense—and they want him yesterday.
It all depends how things shake out as we near the draft, but as of right now the Knicks would be smart to stick with Okafor for his passing accuracy and noticeable edge when it comes to refining his game for the next level. The fans in the Big Apple are going to want to see a big change in their team’s fortunes right from the opening tip, and Okafor is the rookie to give them just that.
No. 1: Karl-Anthony Towns, Kentucky
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Position: Center
Height: 7’0”
Weight: 250 lbs
Drafting Team: Minnesota Timberwolves
The Timberwolves will be ecstatic to grab Karl-Anthony Towns right out of the gate and complete a fearsome threesome in the form of Towns, Andrew Wiggins and Ricky Rubio. The Kentucky freshman will fill Minnesota’s need to create space on the floor with his length and physical presence.
He’s not the most developed player in the draft, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. The Timberwolves can emphasize the dimensions most important to them and shape him into the impact player they need from Day 1, even though he may be a little rough around the edges at first.
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