NBA Mock Draft 2015: First-Round Projections and Stock Watch for Top Prospects
As the residual effects of the NCAA tournament still impact draft boards around the nation, the arrival of the NBA playoffs means many teams will kick into high gear in preparation for the draft.
Those teams just missing out on the postseason, like bubble teams invited to lesser tournaments, are far from done.
Next season is now on the menu for said teams. The path to the draft is the focal point for all prospects now, as some look to keep their stock high while others hope to recover after shaky finishes.
Regardless, business is about to pick up in all areas.
2015 NBA 1st-Round Mock Draft
| 1 | Minnesota Timberwolves | Jahlil Okafor, C, Duke |
| 2 | New York Knicks | Karl-Anthony Towns, PF, Kentucky |
| 3 | Philadelphia 76ers | Emmanuel Mudiay, PG, China |
| 4 | Los Angeles Lakers | D'Angelo Russell, SG, Ohio State |
| 5 | Orlando Magic | Justise Winslow, SF, Duke |
| 6 | Sacramento Kings | Willie Cauley-Stein, C, Kentucky |
| 7 | Denver Nuggets | Stanley Johnson, SF, Arizona |
| 8 | Detroit Pistons | Mario Hezonja, SG/SF, Croatia |
| 9 | Charlotte Hornets | Kelly Oubre, SG, Kansas |
| 10 | Miami Heat | Kristaps Porzingis, PF, Latvia |
| 11 | Atlanta Hawks (from Brooklyn Nets) | Jakob Poeltl, C/PF, Utah |
| 12 | Utah Jazz | Sam Dekker, SF, Wisconsin |
| 13 | Phoenix Suns | Myles Turner, C/PF, Texas |
| 14 | Oklahoma City Thunder | Devin Booker, SG, Kentucky |
| 15 | Indiana Pacers | Frank Kaminsky, PF, Wisconsin |
| 16 | Boston Celtics | Trey Lyles, PF, Kentucky |
| 17 | Milwaukee Bucks | Montrezl Harrell, PF, Louisville |
| 18 | Houston Rockets (from New Orleans Pelicans) | Jerian Grant, PG, Notre Dame |
| 19 | Washington Wizards | Kevon Looney, PF, UCLA |
| 20 | Toronto Raptors | Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, SF, Arizona |
| 21 | Dallas Mavericks | Kris Dunn, PG, Providence |
| 22 | Chicago Bulls | Tyus Jones, PG, Duke |
| 23 | Portland Trail Blazers | Caris LeVert, SG, Michigan |
| 24 | Cleveland Cavaliers | Bobby Portis, PF, Arkansas |
| 25 | Memphis Grizzlies | Dakari Johnson, C, Kentucky |
| 26 | Los Angeles Lakers (from Houston Rockets) | R.J. Hunter, SG, Georgia State |
| 27 | San Antonio Spurs | Delon Wright, PG, Utah |
| 28 | Boston Celtics (from Los Angeles Clippers) | Justin Anderson, SF, Virginia |
| 29 | Brooklyn Nets (from Atlanta Hawks) | Robert Upshaw, C, Washington |
| 30 | Golden State Warriors | Jarell Martin, PF, LSU |
Stock Risers and Fallers
Stock Up: Sam Dekker, PF, Wisconsin
One can't mention stock risers without Wisconsin's Sam Dekker.
A modest player in the shadow of Frank Kaminsky before the tournament, Dekker exploded for three 20-point outbursts, shooting well from range and taking care of business on the low block.
As CBS Sports' Jon Rothstein reported, Dekker decided to forgo his senior season:
It is the perfect decision by Dekker given his performance in the tournament. His stock wouldn't be higher than right now even if returned to college and went on to win a national title.
Dekker looks like one of the best players in the class when he's shooting well with confidence. His ability to do so during the Big Dance speaks volumes about his pro-ready status.
After a season in which the 6'9", 230-pound forward shot 53 percent from the floor and 33 percent from deep, Dekker has everything a potential lottery team will look for in that draft range.
Stock Down: Bobby Portis, PF, Arkansas
Of course, Dekker's rise means someone must fall at the same position.
Based on recent tournament play it has to be Arkansas forward Bobby Portis, who took to Twitter to announce his decision to go pro:
Portis isn't a household name, but he should be. The Razorbacks aren't a massive basketball powerhouse, which makes it all the more impressive that he carried the team to the Big Dance and won the SEC Player of the Year award in the process.
The problem is Portis bowed out of the tournament after two games. He posted double-doubles in each contest, but an inability to put the team on his back is something scouts may highlight.
As a total package, Portis boasts much of what teams look for in a collegiate big man. He has good size at 6'11" and 231 pounds. As a sophomore, he shot 54 percent from the floor and 47 percent from deep.
But Portis is in a rough class. When others such as Dekker are putting on strong performances, Portis' lack of success—whether or not that's a fair assessment—diminishes his stock. Questions about his upside may throw his decision to declare early into the spotlight down the road.
Stock Up: Jakob Poeltl, C, Utah
Few players helped themselves at the tournament as much as Austria native Jakob Poeltl.
The Utah Utes big man put on a show over the course of three games, scoring in double figures in each outing and grabbing eight boards in two of the contests. Perhaps most impressive of all, Poeltl showcased his defensive acumen against Duke's Jahlil Okafor.
ESPN's Chad Ford explains:
"Poeltl benefited greatly from his strong play in the NCAA tournament, especially his defense against Okafor. For scouts who said Poeltl was too weak and would get pushed around, he more than held his own against arguably the strongest, most offensively polished big man in the country. However, he needs to add strength and improve his offensive game. But if Poeltl declares, he'll likely go in the Nos. 13-to-20 range.
"
Poeltl hasn't declared for the draft, but there is reason to believe his stock may never be higher.
The 2015 class is weak at center after the top few selections, and there's a pro-ready element to the freshman's game that is difficult to ignore. Not only is he 7'0", 235 pounds and a defensive stalwart, he averaged 9.1 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game on 68 percent shooting.
An ability to bang down on the low block with room to grow is hard to ignore. Should Poeltl declare, he'll be a lottery pick.
All stats and info via ESPN.com unless otherwise specified.
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