NBA Mock Draft 2015: Projections for Elite Prospects Post-Regular-Season Finale

The NBA season has officially concluded, and the playoff teams have been revealed. That brings us one step closer to knowing the order of the impending draft, but we're not there just yet.

While picks 15-30 are set, this year's lottery will likely shake things up once again. Of the 14 lottery teams, the Minnesota Timberwolves have the best chance (64.3 percent) to claim the top overall pick, according to Matt Moore of CBSSports.com. Although, there's no guarantee they'll get it.

Until the lottery finally reveals the draft's actual order, we can simply use the final NBA standings as a guideline for mock drafts. Keep in mind, team needs will alter during the summer's free-agency period, so expect prospect projections to continue to change as a result.

As things stand right now, here's a look at the draft's first-round order and the prospects likely to be selected within the top 30 picks.

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

Analyzing the Top 5 Picks

There is generally at least one prospect who separates himself from the pack prior to the draft each year. It just so happens we have five such prospects in 2015. Jahlil Okafor, Karl-Anthony Towns, Emmanuel Mudiay, D'Angelo Russell and Justise Winslow are the Big Five this year, and it will be interesting to see in which order they are selected.

Here's an early look at their projected order and some analysis for each.

1. Minnesota Timberwolves: Jahlil Okafor, C, Duke

It's no secret the Timberwolves could use an upgrade in their frontcourt, and in this instance, Okafor beats out Towns as the top pick. At 6'11" and 270 pounds, Okafor is highly athletic for his size and is a nightmare on the offensive end of the court. He struggles defensively at times, but with a little coaching, he could easily become the centerpiece of this team.

2. New York Knicks: Karl-Anthony Towns, C, Kentucky

The Knicks get Towns here, and he's one tremendous consolation prize. While Towns is certainly a force at 6'11" and 250 pounds, he isn't as dominant on the offensive end of the court as Okafor is. However, his ability to shoot at range and solid passing makes him a nice fit in the triangle. Factor in Towns' solid defending, and the Knicks get a great prospect at No. 2 overall.

3. Philadelphia 76ers: Emmanuel Mudiay, PG, China

Mudiay opted to play in China for a season rather than attend SMU, and that experience further bolstered the stock of the nation's No. 1 point guard. With good size for a guard at 6'5" and 190 pounds, Mudiay possesses good athleticism and agility, allowing him to flourish in transition. While he's a good scorer, his decision-making must improve as a facilitator.

4. Los Angeles Lakers: D'Angelo Russell, PG, Ohio State

At 6'5" and 180 pounds, Russell has solid size for an NBA guard. He also possesses a well-rounded skill set and was the catalyst for a very good 2014-15 Ohio State squad. With the ability to score from distance, the athleticism to drive inside, the vision to facilitate and good ball skills, he has the upside to become the point guard the Lakers have desperately needed.

5. Orlando Magic: Justise Winslow, SF, Duke

Winslow isn't the biggest swingman at 6'6" and 225 pounds, but he has a natural scoring ability that will make him an instant threat in the NBA. His ability to shoot from range like a guard but rack up rebounds like a forward will make him a coveted prospect for a team that needs a playmaker on both ends of the court. His addition would give the Magic a very athletic rotation.