2015 NBA Mock Draft: 1st-Round Predictions and Look at Top Defensive Prospects
While fans love to watch players who can light up the scoreboard, those who can defend are just as valuable in basketball. This is why you will see a number of NBA draft picks this season who excel on the defensive end of the court.
Although those who look at box scores each game rarely see much about defense other than blocks or steals, there are a number of players who stand out thanks to the ability to take their opponent out of the game. These men have the athleticism and talent necessary to continue being shutdown performers at the next level.
Here is a full look at the latest mock draft with a breakdown of some of the top defensive players in the class.
| 1 | Minnesota Timberwolves | Karl-Anthony Towns, C, Kentucky |
| 2 | New York Knicks | Jahlil Okafor, C, Duke |
| 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 | Kristaps Porzingis, PF, Latvia |
| 7 | Denver Nuggets | Willie Cauley-Stein, C, Kentucky |
| 8 | Detroit Pistons | Mario Hezonja, SG, Croatia |
| 9 | Charlotte Hornets | Stanley Johnson, SF, Arizona |
| 10 | Miami Heat | Kelly Oubre, SF, Kansas |
| 11 | Indiana Pacers | Frank Kaminsky, C, Wisconsin |
| 12 | Utah Jazz | Trey Lyles, PF, Kentucky |
| 13 | Phoenix Suns | Jerian Grant, PG, Notre Dame |
| 14 | Oklahoma City Thunder | Devin Booker, SG, Kentucky |
| 15 | Atlanta Hawks (via Nets) | Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, SF, Arizona |
| 16 | Boston Celtics | Myles Turner, C, Texas |
| 17 | Milwaukee Bucks | Kevon Looney, PF, UCLA |
| 18 | Houston Rockets (via Pelicans) | Kris Dunn, PG, Providence |
| 19 | Washington Wizards | Sam Dekker, SF, Wisconsin |
| 20 | Toronto Raptors | Bobby Portis, PF, Arkansas |
| 21 | Dallas Mavericks | Tyus Jones, PG, Duke |
| 22 | Chicago Bulls | Cameron Payne, PG, Murray State |
| 23 | Portland Trail Blazers | Montrezl Harrell, PF, Louisville |
| 24 | Cleveland Cavaliers | R.J. Hunter, SG, Georgia State |
| 25 | Memphis Grizzlies | Terry Rozier, PG, Louisville |
| 26 | San Antonio Spurs | Christian Wood, PF, UNLV |
| 27 | Los Angeles Lakers (via Rockets) | Justin Anderson, SF, Virginia |
| 28 | Boston Celtics (via Clippers) | Buddy Hield, SG, Oklahoma |
| 29 | Brooklyn Nets (via Hawks) | Delon Wright, PG, Utah |
| 30 | Golden State Warriors | Dakari Johnson, C, Kentucky |
Justise Winslow, SF, Duke
Although he might not be the best all-around player in the class, Justise Winslow might end up being the safest. He does a little bit of everything to help his team win, and that includes playing fantastic defense.
Mike Schmitz of Draft Express gave high praise for the Duke star:
After an up-and-down season, Winslow was truly the best player in the Blue Devils' run to a national championship. In six tournament games, he averaged 14.3 points, 9.3 rebounds and 2.5 assists. He also added nine steals and 10 blocks in that stretch, including three blocks in the national title game win over Wisconsin.
He was truly all over the court, and his ability to turn defense into offense by leading a fast break was a big difference this postseason.
Still, the one skill you can be certain will translate to the NBA is his defense. He has the length and athleticism to defend the perimeter and should remain well above average in this area going forward.
Willie Cauley-Stein, C, Kentucky
Karl-Anthony Towns and Jahlil Okafor have the most upside at center, while Frank Kaminsky will also likely have a long career, but one team will want to take Willie Cauley-Stein early in this draft.
Although he doesn't have a polished back-to-the-basket game like others on the list, he is clearly the best interior defender in the class. He has the rare ability at 7'0" to rack up both blocks and steals at a high rate while guarding players at any position 1 through 5.
According to Sports-Reference, he led the nation in defensive win shares this season and trailed only his teammate Towns in defensive rating.
Most importantly, his lateral quickness will allow him to succeed even more in the NBA. ESPN's Fran Fraschilla broke down what he can do:
"In an NBA game, much of Cauley-Stein's athleticism will manifest itself in defending screen-and-roll situations. Most NBA teams rely on multiple defensive coverages depending on the skills of the ball handler and the screener. … He will be able to switch to smaller players, especially at the end of the shot clock, "hedge hard" and prevent the ball handler from attacking the basket, or he can "hedge flat or soft," keeping himself closer to the basket. This will make his team's defense more versatile with him on the floor.
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He might never be a big-time scorer, but his defensive ability should ensure he gets taken within the first few picks.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, SF, Arizona
The No. 15 pick is higher than most would expect from Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, who is a below-average shooter from the wing. However, his work on the defensive end makes him a much better prospect than many are giving credit.
Arguably the Arizona player's most impressive task was his work defending D'Angelo Russell, who many agree will be a top-five pick in the upcoming draft. Seth Davis of CBS Sports was impressed with the work in the round of 32 battle:
Russell ended up scoring just nine points on 3-of-19 shooting, easily his worst game of the year.
Meanwhile, Hollis-Jefferson showed off his versatility throughout the season while taking on assignments from quicker point guards to bigger centers. Even with tougher opponents in the NBA, the 6'7" forward should be up to the challenge.
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