2015 NBA Mock Draft: 1st-Round Predictions for Nation's Top Prospects
The NBA draft is the shining beacon of hope in an otherwise depressing time for fanbases of teams not in the playoffs. All that tanking will finally pay off when the league’s future superstars grace Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks jerseys.
This year’s draft class may not feature any surefire locks who will one day challenge LeBron James, Stephen Curry, James Harden and Russell Westbrook for future MVP awards, but there is plenty of talent available.
Here is a look at an entire first-round mock draft, as well as some intriguing prospects to watch as their rookie seasons approach.
*The order of the picks is courtesy of DraftExpress as of Sunday, May 3.
| 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
Montrezl Harrell, Forward, Louisville
Montrezl Harrell came into the college basketball season for Louisville with plenty of hype and put up impressive numbers at 15.7 points, 9.2 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game. However, he never really took over critical games against Kentucky or in the NCAA tournament like many expected he would when he came back to school.
Harrell could have been a lottery pick last season but elected to return to Louisville. He is still talented enough to be a first-rounder, and the thought here is that the Milwaukee Bucks take him at No. 17.
Harrell responded to any criticism he received for returning to the college ranks, per Jeff Greer of The Courier-Journal: "I don't have any regrets coming back…I felt like I only got better coming back with my college career. I've improved in so many different areas that I wasn't able to do last year. My progression throughout the season has been exactly where I want it to be."
His head coach, Rick Pitino, backed up what Harrell said, per Greer: "He has improved his passing dramatically, his ball handling dramatically. He has always been a warrior with the way he has played. He plays every possession as if it's his last on earth. … But he improved dramatically at other phases of the game, which I think is necessary going into the NBA level."
Harrell led Louisville in minutes (35.1) and is a source of durability, energy, rebounding and impressive defense. The Bucks will look to Harrell as something of a youth movement down low next to Jabari Parker. Harrell will slide into a significant role right away in Milwaukee and provide immediate defense and grab every rebound in sight.
The Bucks need more depth down low because Parker, Khris Middleton and Giannis Antetokounmpo are all stretch forwards, and Michael Carter-Williams is a guard. Adding another young piece who can rebound and provide rim protection is worth a late-first-round pick.
Devin Booker, Shooting Guard, Kentucky
Devin Booker was the overlooked part of Kentucky’s roster this season, as Karl-Anthony Towns, Willie Cauley-Stein and the Harrison brothers made most of the headlines. However, Booker was third on the team in scoring at 10 points per game and shot 41.1 percent from three-point range.
Based on his shooting alone, Booker will have a role in the spacing offense that the Atlanta Hawks run. Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress broke down just how effective Booker is from beyond the arc:
"Nearly half of Booker's field goal attempts on the season came from beyond the arc, and for good reason, as he is one of the best shooters in this draft class. He has gorgeous shooting mechanics, a quick, compact and repeatable motion complete with an effortless release and textbook follow-through. His size, high release point and ability to create separation off the dribble makes him a very capable off the dribble shooter.
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Shooting translates to any level, and Booker is one of the best sharpshooters in this draft. The Hawks are an ideal fit for his game, and he could challenge for the rookie scoring title if he shoots better than 40 percent from deep in his first season.
It is not that difficult to envision defenses collapsing on Kyle Korver in one corner or Paul Millsap and Al Horford on the elbow and Booker taking advantage with his smooth stroke.
The Hawks could get a steal in the middle of the first round with Booker.
Myles Turner, Center, Texas
Based on pure athleticism and potential ceiling alone, Myles Turner is one of the most intriguing picks in the upcoming NBA draft.
He put up solid numbers at 10.1 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game in only 22.2 minutes a night at Texas, but his skill set will help him post even better numbers at the NBA level within a couple of seasons.
Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated suggested as much:
"Turner is a tantalizing talent. He’s long, blocks shots and has three-point potential. He’s a stretch five prospect. He’s also a superior defender with excellent timing, scouts say. Teams will dig deeper into his awkward gait at the draft combine, but if they can live with his immobility, there is a quality center prospect there to be developed.
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Turner checks in at 6’11” and is an elite rim protector, but he can also get out in transition, hit from mid-range and dominate on the glass.
The Indiana Pacers need more depth down low because David West will be 35 years old at start of the 2015-16 season, and Roy Hibbert can opt out of his contract and become a free agent this offseason. They will respond by taking Turner in the first round.
What’s more, Indiana is built on defense, and Turner will use his overwhelming athleticism to be the team’s next rim protector if Hibbert leaves. There is a chance that Turner will be an NBA Defensive Player of the Year candidate at some point in his career if he lives up to his sky-high potential.
The Pacers will make sure that happens in Indiana.
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