NBA 1st-Round Mock Draft: Breaking Down the Draft at Season's End
While 16 teams have turned their attention to the playoffs, 14 others have locked their eyes on the 2015 NBA draft.
Although the actual order will be based on the draft lottery, the following breakdown is based on each team's regular-season finish.
The lottery will take place on May 20. For full lottery odds, check ESPN.
1. Minnesota Timberwolves: Karl-Anthony Towns, Kentucky
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Karl-Anthony Towns emerged as the No. 1 pick ahead of Jahlil Okafor for his versatility.
The 6’11”, 250-pound big man averaged 2.2 blocks per game while shooting 56 percent from the field this season—not to mention he’s also superior on the boards.
If the Timberwolves get the luck of the draw, Towns will be their top target. The team needs a big, and it certainly won't pass up on one with proven rim protection.
2. New York Knicks: Jahlil Okafor, Duke
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Jahlil Okafor has long been regarded as one of top prospects in the 2015 draft. The 6’11”, 275-pound center poses an intimidating offensive threat. He's also not afraid to back down defenders.
The New York Knicks have needs at every position, and if the lottery shakes out in their favor, they’ll end up with the best available prospect at No. 2: Okafor.
3. Philadelphia 76ers: Emmanuel Mudiay
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Emmanuel Mudiay was once considered a possible No. 1 draft pick—that was, until he opted out of his commitment to SMU and headed overseas to play in China.
Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman described the point guard as "lightning-quick and awfully shifty off the dribble, where he can change direction and creating scoring opportunities at will." He also likened him to John Wall.
The Sixers have a need at point guard, and Mudiay's quickness would fit the team’s style of play.
4. Los Angeles Lakers: D’Angelo Russell, Ohio State
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The Los Angeles Lakers have needs across the board, so it's likely the team will take the best player available despite position. That might end up being D’Angelo Russell.
The 6’5” guard is known for his elite ball skills, and he can play both backcourt positions. This versatility should make him even more attractive to the Lakers.
5. Orlando Magic: Justise Winslow, Duke
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Bleacher Report's Daniel O’Brien highlighted the Orlando Magic’s need for a swingman. Justise Winslow fits that need perfectly.
The 6’6”, 225-pound freshman out of Duke can play comfortably in the small forward and shooting guard positions. He’s a versatile shooter who isn’t afraid to drive, but he can also get his shot off from downtown with a 41 percent average from beyond the arc this season.
6. Sacramento Kings: Willie Cauley-Stein, Kentucky
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The athletic 7-footer will be hard to pass up for the Sacramento Kings.
Cauley-Stein profiles as a center more than the power forward the Kings need. However, there aren't any power forward prospects who would justify passing on Cauley-Stein. He can be a defensive complement to DeMarcus Cousins' offensive game.
7. Denver Nuggets: Stanley Johnson, Arizona
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Stanley Johnson can be the offensive threat that the Denver Nuggets need to add. Johnson developed a solid offensive game at Arizona to complement his elite defense. He’ll fit in well with the Nuggets' culture, which could make him a more enticing pick for Denver.
8. Detroit Pistons: Kristaps Porzingis, Latvia
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Kristaps Porzingis fits well with the Detroit Pistons, who need a stretch 4. Porzingis has a 7-foot frame, but he plays more like a small forward since he's thin. Still, as a small forward, he would be in a role where he can take shots from all over the court.
9. Charlotte Hornets: Mario Hezonja, Croatia
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Mario Hezonja fits the Charlotte Hornets' need for a versatile small forward. While the Croatian plays more as a guard, he can swing between the positions easily at 6'8". He’s a smooth offensive prospect who can shoot from anywhere and play well in transition.
10. Miami Heat: Kris Dunn, Providence
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The Miami Heat appear stacked at the point guard position after acquiring Goran Dragic. But the Providence product Kris Dunn has enough upside as a potential pick that the Heat could be tempted to take him. Dunn has NBA size and athletic ability—he's also an excellent ball distributor.
11. Utah Jazz: Myles Turner, Texas
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Myles Turner has the shooting ability to complement Gordon Hayward as a swingman for the Utah Jazz. He also has the ability to play inside with plenty of athleticism at 6’11” and almost 250 pounds.
Turner has the upside across the board to contribute immediately for the Jazz.
12. Indiana Pacers: Kelly Oubre, Kansas
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Kelly Oubre has the build and athleticism to become a wing player in the NBA. The 6'7" small forward can contribute through all facets of the game—defensively, on the boards and scoring.
13. Phoenix Suns: Frank Kaminsky, Wisconsin
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Frank Kaminsky is a four-year player who took time to develop at Wisconsin. The heart of the team's back-to-back Final Four runs, Kaminsky is not overly athletic, but he possesses a jump shot and a refined offensive game which would benefit the Phoenix Suns.
14. Oklahoma City Thunder: Kevon Looney, UCLA
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With Kendrick Perkins gone to the Cleveland Cavaliers and Nick Collison becoming a free agent after the year, the Oklahoma City Thunder need help in the paint.
Kevon Looney is tough down low, using his size and tenacity to pull down boards, which is exactly what the Thunder need.
15. Atlanta Hawks (from Brooklyn Nets): Bobby Portis, Arkansas
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Bobby Portis has the competitive drive to hit the glass hard for the Atlanta Hawks and complement Al Horford down low. Additionally, he has the offensive game to provide some scoring and continue to develop that aspect of his game early in his career.
16. Boston Celtics: Jakob Poeltl, Utah
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Jakob Poeltl is an athletic 7-footer from Austria who played collegiately at Utah. He has the ability to serve as a rim protector who can guard both power forwards and centers.
It’s a role that the Boston Celtics currently don’t have filled with Kelly Olynyk in the post. That role would allow Poeltl to develop his game on the offensive end while not needing to be productive.
17. Milwaukee Bucks: Sam Dekker, Wisconsin
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Sam Dekker has been shooting up draft boards since he used the NCAA tournament as a coming-out party.
The 6'9" small forward is athletic with a scoring knack and has the confidence to make it in the NBA. The Bucks need a small forward with scoring ability, which would make this a perfect match.
18. Houston Rockets (from New Orleans): Jerian Grant, Notre Dame
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The Houston Rockets need someone to run the point. Jerian Grant can fill that role.
The 6'5" guard can play both backcourt positions, making him a versatile option for the Rockets. He can also score, which could take a load off of Dwight Howard and James Harden.
19. Washington Wizards: Christian Wood, UNLV
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While the Washington Wizards have serviceable Nene Hilario and Kris Humphries in the power forward position, they need to fill the role long-term. Luckily, Christian Wood has the upside to fill that role.
The UNLV product is an athletic 6’11” and can contribute on both ends of the floor.
20. Toronto Raptors: Devin Booker, Kentucky
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Devin Booker can add needed backcourt depth to the Toronto Raptors. He’s a sharpshooter who can take some of the scoring pressure off of DeMar DeRozan and Terrence Ross, who aren’t efficient enough to exclusively carry the team on their scoring.
21. Chicago Bulls: Tyus Jones, Duke
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The Chicago Bulls need another guard in the backcourt with oft-injured Derrick Rose.
Tyus Jones fits the point guard role perfectly with creative passing and strong decision-making. Bottom line: Jones can be a playmaker for the Bulls in the backcourt, something the team has been lacking.
22. Dallas Mavericks: Trey Lyles, Kentucky
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Trey Lyles has been up and down draft boards as if no one is really sure what to do with him.
The 6'10" power forward is solid across the board, but he's not exceptional. The Dallas Mavericks have enough current talent at the position to use the pick to draft-and-stash Lyles, which would allow him time to continue to develop.
23. Portland Trail Blazers: Montrezl Harrell, Louisville
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Montrezl Harrell has the athletic ability and wingspan to play bigger than his 6'8" frame. While he isn’t a center whom the Portland Trail Blazers need, he is still a big man who can shore up the post for Rip City.
Harrell is still raw as a prospect, largely relying on his athleticism to get by.
24. Cleveland Cavaliers: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Arizona
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The Cleveland Cavaliers are in need of a backup at the small forward position, and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson can fit that bill.
Hollis-Jefferson is not shy about getting to the rim and drawing fouls. Between his 6'7" size and athleticism, he'll be able to match up with wing players.
25. Memphis Grizzlies: Caris LeVert, Michigan
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The Memphis Grizzlies need backcourt help. As Bleacher Report's Daniel O’Brien put it, the Grizzles will "look closely for [a facilitator] who can connect from three-land."
Enter Caris LeVert. The 6’7” guard is versatile in the backcourt, able to play either position. As a shooter, he hit 40.1 percent of his three-pointers in 18 games this past season.
26. San Antonio Spurs: R.J. Hunter, Georgia State
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Georgia State’s R.J. Hunter has gained some recognition following his shot to send No. 3-seeded Baylor packing in the first round of the NCAA tournament.
The San Antonio Spurs could use another shooter to fit into their highly effective system. Hunter didn’t have a great year shooting the basketball this last season—just 40 percent overall and 31 percent from beyond the arc—but he was better his sophomore year and will have time to grow and work on his role with the Spurs.
27. Los Angeles Lakers: Cliff Alexander, Kansas
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The Los Angeles Lakers' depleted roster needs help at every position on the floor. Cliff Alexander would be a worthwhile selection.
Alexander went to Kansas as one of the nation's top prospects with promising talent. While he didn’t quite live up to the hype, he still possesses the talent which made him a top high school prospect—namely his athleticism and basketball IQ.
Although he’s undersized at 6'8" for the way he plays, he’s strong at 250 pounds and can create on the floor.
28. Boston Celtics (from Los Angles Clippers): Chris McCullough, Syracuse
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As previously mentioned, the Boston Celtics need help in the post. Chris McCullough is a better scorer than Jakob Poeltl, and a little competition would be good for both players as they develop their games.
29. Brooklyn Nets (from Atlanta): Jarell Martin, LSU
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The Brooklyn Nets are thin at power forward, and LSU’s Jarell Martin has shown improvement throughout his career in Baton Rouge.
Martin has the offensive talent to be effective at the NBA level. He's strong in the face-up game, and he’s comfortable shooting the ball.
30. Golden State Warriors: Robert Upshaw, Washington
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For all of the scoring talent that Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry bring to the Golden State Warriors backcourt, their frontcourt is lacking.
Robert Upshaw is a 7-footer with the physical tools to compete at the NBA level.
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