2015 NBA Mock Draft: Bold Predictions for Low-Profile Prospects
Most of the pre-draft attention falls on the biggest names in college basketball, or the top international prospects. Many of them will be the future stars of the NBA.
The other side of the draft scene has some lesser-known college players who often have what it takes to become excellent role players, or even stars on the next level.
This mock draft will focus on three low-profile prospects. A breakdown of their skills and projected impact is just below the table. The spotlighted players' names will be highlighted in the table.
| 1 | Minnesota Timberwolves | Jahlil Okafor, C, Duke |
| 2 | New York Knicks | D'Angelo Russell, G, Ohio State |
| 3 | Philadelphia 76ers | Emmanuel Mudiay, PG, China |
| 4 | Los Angeles Lakers | Karl-Anthony Towns, PF, Kentucky |
| 5 | Orlando Magic | Justise Winslow, SF, Duke |
| 6 | Sacramento Kings | Stanley Johnson, SF, Arizona |
| 7 | Denver Nuggets | Willie Cauley-Stein, C, Kentucky |
| 8 | Detroit Pistons | Mario Hezonja, SG/SF, Croatia |
| 9 | Charlotte Hornets | Kelly Oubre, SG, Kansas |
| 10 | Miami Heat | Kristaps Porzingis, PF, Latvia |
| 11 | Indiana Pacers | Sam Dekker, SF, Wisconsin |
| 12 | Utah Jazz | Frank Kaminsky, PF/C, Wisconsin |
| 13 | Phoenix Suns | Myles Turner, C/PF, Texas |
| 14 | Oklahoma City Thunder | Devin Booker, SG, Kentucky |
| 15 | Atlanta Hawks (from Brooklyn Nets) | Trey Lyles, PF, Kentucky |
| 16 | Boston Celtics | Bobby Portis, PF, Arkansas |
| 17 | Milwaukee Bucks | Kevon Looney, PF, UCLA |
| 18 | Houston Rockets (from New Orleans Pelicans) | Jerian Grant, PG, Notre Dame |
| 19 | Washington Wizards | Montrezl Harrell, PF, Louisville |
| 20 | Toronto Raptors | Kris Dunn, PG, Providence |
| 21 | Dallas Mavericks | Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, SF, Arizona |
| 22 | Chicago Bulls | Delon Wright, PG, Utah |
| 23 | Portland Trail Blazers | R.J. Hunter, SG, Georgia State |
| 24 | Cleveland Cavaliers | Christian Wood, PF, UNLV |
| 25 | San Antonio Spurs | George Lucas, SG, Brazil |
| 26 | Memphis Grizzlies | Jarell Martin, PF, LSU |
| 27 | Los Angeles Lakers (from Houston Rockets) | Justin Anderson, SF, Virginia |
| 28 | Boston Celtics (from Los Angeles Clippers) | Robert Upshaw, C, Washington |
| 29 | Brooklyn Nets (from Atlanta Hawks) | Tyus Jones, PG, Duke |
| 30 | Golden State Warriors | Cliff Alexander, PF, Kansas |
R.J. Hunter
Don't be fooled by the decrease in his three-point percentage as a junior. The Georgia State Panthers' R.J. Hunter can flat-out shoot it from long range. His 30-percent three-point accuracy might cause concern, considering Hunter projects as a three-and-D player in the NBA.
He made 36 percent as a freshman and 39 percent from long range as a sophomore. Hunter had to make the adjustment to two new teammates last season. The Panthers welcomed in transfers Ryan Harrow and Kevin Ware, and that seemed to disturb Hunter's individual rhythm, although the team was better with the additions.
Hunter also played more minutes and took more shots than he had in his previous two seasons.
Perhaps the best thing about Hunter's game is that while he is definitely a shooter, he can do a little more than just bomb away from the outside.
Per Hoop-Math.com, Hunter made 73.3 percent of his shots at the rim. Only 16.8 percent of his shots came that close to the basket, but it's good to know he converts when given the opportunity.
Hunter also averaged 2.1 steals and a blocked shot per game. He will dig in to defend, and that will allow him to stay on the floor in the NBA even if his shot isn't falling.
Assuming the Portland Trail Blazers can retain LaMarcus Aldridge, Hunter would be an excellent addition. Both Arron Afflalo and Wesley Matthews are headed for unrestricted free agency. The team still has Allen Crabbe, but Hunter's upside is higher.
Because of his effort on defense and basketball I.Q., Hunter could be an All-Rookie team performer were he to land in Portland or a similar situation. He has a skill set that translates well to the NBA.
Christian Wood
A lack of lower-body strength and an inconsistent jump shot is all that's keeping the UNLV Running Rebels' Christian Wood from being a lottery pick.
At 6'11" with a 7'2" wingspan, Wood has the length to play power forward in the NBA. He also possesses the ability to get his own shot off the dribble. That, combined with his length, could create matchup issues for opposing teams. The lumbering power forwards won't be able to keep Wood in front of them. A smaller, quicker power forward might be susceptible to Wood's length.
Wood does weigh just 220 pounds, and his legs are very thin. He's easily moved off his base under the basket, which drastically hinders his post game and can hurt him on the glass.
Because he is a scoring power forward, his long-distance shot needs some work to create a more complete attack. He made just 28.4 percent of his threes and 44.8 percent of his two-point jump shots.
On defense, he makes his mark as a tremendous shot-blocker. Wood rejected 2.7 shots per contest last season, and that defensive presence could make him attractive to a team like the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Kevin Love is an unrestricted free agent after the season. There's been some concern he might bolt Cleveland. Even if he stays, backup power forward Tristan Thompson is a restricted free agent who figures to get some nice offers, considering his excellence on the offensive glass.
It seems hard to imagine the Cavs would be able to retain Love and match a potential lucrative offer to Thompson and/or fellow pending restricted free agent Iman Shumpert. If the Cavs drafted Wood, his length and defensive prowess could make him a valuable reserve with good upside.
His shot-blocking could to get the Cavs into transition, and his ability to attack the basket could be a boon for the second unit.
Robert Upshaw
Former Washington Huskies' center Robert Upshaw is a scary dude—literally and figuratively. He's a legit 7-footer with a 7'4" wingspan, and he weighs a solid 264 pounds. He might frighten NBA general managers away with his potential character concerns.
Upshaw has been dismissed from two different college basketball programs, most recently at Washington for unspecified violations of team rules. When Upshaw was dismissed, Huskies' head coach Lorenzo Romar released this statement on the matter, per Jeff Eisenberg of Yahoo Sports:
“We wish Rob well as he moves forward in his life. We will do our best to support him in the future."
Questions about his maturity are founded, but there's no questioning his talent and potential.
In the 19 games he played before being dismissed by Washington, Upshaw averaged 10.9 points, 8.2 rebounds and 4.5 blocked shots per game. As interior defensive presences go in this year's draft, Upshaw is an even better rim protector than the Kentucky Wildcats' Willie Cauley-Stein.
Because of his size, ability and maturity issues, it's easy to draw some comparisons between Upshaw and the Miami Heat's Hassan Whiteside. The latter underwent a massive uptick in professionalism and it led to a breakout season.
Whiteside averaged 11.8 points, 10 rebounds and blocked 2.6 shots per game this past season. This is the type of production Upshaw is capable of if he can focus on developing his craft.
Upshaw is just 21 years old, so he has time to grow. No one is a finished product at that age.
The Boston Celtics could certainly use a player with his skill set. The C's were dead last in the NBA in blocked shots this season. If the Celtics draft Upshaw, and he can stay on the straight-and-narrow path, he could be one of the biggest surprises in the NBA next season.
Boston head coach Brad Stevens has already shown he has the ability to pull the best out of his young roster. Upshaw could become his biggest and most rewarding project yet.
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