NBA Draft 2015: Latest Mock Draft for the Best Prospects Atop Round 1
The 2015 NBA playoffs have only just begun, but the draft has been fresh on many folks' minds for quite some time.
Tank-happy teams like the New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers—yes, the Knicks and Lakers—have had their sights set on the top of Round 1 since long before the All-Star break but won't know for sure where they will pick until the lottery on May 19. Meanwhile, the Boston Celtics fooled everyone by stockpiling two first-round picks yet still making the postseason.
It's not commonplace for Nos. 31-60 in the second round to pan out, but every Round 1 selection comes with the promise and expectation of producing—whether following a few years of development or earning big minutes from the jump.
Here's a look into the latest mock draft.
2015 NBA Mock Draft for Round 1
| 1 | Minnesota Timberwolves | Karl-Anthony Towns, C, Kentucky |
| 2 | New York Knicks | Jahlil Okafor, C, Duke |
| 3 | Philadelphia 76ers | Emmanuel Mudiay, PG, Congo |
| 4 | Los Angeles Lakers | D'Angelo Russell, SG, 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 | Stanley Johnson, SF, Arizona |
| 9 | Charlotte Hornets | Mario Hezonja, SG, Croatia |
| 10 | Miami Heat | Kelly Oubre, SF, Kansas |
| 11 | Indiana Pacers | Myles Turner, PF, Texas |
| 12 | Utah Jazz | Sam Dekker, SF, Wisconsin |
| 13 | Phoenix Suns | Cameron Payne, PG, Murray State |
| 14 | Oklahoma City Thunder | Devon Booker, SG, Kentucky |
| 15 | Atlanta Hawks (via Brooklyn) | Bobby Portis, PF, Arkansas |
| 16 | Boston Celtics | Trey Lyles, PF, Kentucky |
| 17 | Milwaukee Bucks | Montrezl Harrell, PF, Louisville |
| 18 | Houston Rockets (via New Orleans) | Tyus Jones, PG, Duke |
| 19 | Washington Wizards | Frank Kaminsky, C, Wisconsin |
| 20 | Toronto Raptors | Kevon Looney, PF, UCLA |
| 21 | Chicago Bulls | Jerian Grant, PG, Notre Dame |
| 22 | Dallas Mavericks | Christian Wood, PF, UNLV |
| 23 | Portland Trail Blazers | R.J. Hunter, SG, Georgia State |
| 24 | Cleveland Cavaliers | Damian Jones, C, Vanderbilt |
| 25 | Memphis Grizzlies | Caris LeVert, SF, Michigan |
| 26 | San Antonio Spurs | Cliff Alexander, PF, Kansas |
| 27 | Boston Celtics (via LA Clippers) | Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, SF, Arizona |
| 28 | Los Angeles Lakers (via Houston) | Kris Dunn, PG, Providence |
| 29 | Brooklyn Nets (via Atlanta) | Terrence Petteway, SG, Nebraska |
| 30 | Golden State Warriors | Jarell Martin, PF, LSU |
Most Intriguing Picks
6. Sacramento Kings: C Willie Cauley-Stein, Kentucky
We came dangerously close to getting an all-Kentucky frontcourt two years ago when New Orleans drafted Nerlens Noel to pair alongside Anthony Davis—only to deal Noel to Philadelphia right after. It's coming closer to fruition in Sacramento.
DeMarcus Cousins has made every stride possible in asserting himself as one of the league's most dominant bigs, but he's virtually alone in Sacramento. That would change in an instant if Cousins can match his physical, big-bodied play with Cauley-Stein's rim protection and verticality.
After staying at Kentucky for three seasons, Cauley-Stein has assembled his share of critics, including Chris Webber—who told ESPN's Mike & Mike via SportsNation that "he will not start in the league." Don't think Cauley-Stein is backing off, as Kentucky Sports Radio's Matt Jones uncovered:
He showed more worrisome signs than not in his first few years with the Wildcats but was one of the focal points of a 38-1 team for a reason. Cauley-Stein has developed into an immediate-impact big at the next level and will only be further aided by playing alongside Cousins.
11. Indiana Pacers: PF Myles Turner, Texas
Even despite the injury to Paul George and exodus of Lance Stephenson, it was hard to imagine the Indiana Pacers missing the playoffs in the ghastly East. But here they are, and you can bet Larry Bird is going to make the most of a favorable position in the draft.
The first priority was dealing with some in-house issues, specifically with center Roy Hibbert—who can opt in for another year with the Pacers. But it's becoming clearer and clearer that the team isn't keen on going down that road, and Bird wasn't too subtle when hinting at Hibbert's diminished role:
The Pacers are right outside of the area where they could nab a potential franchise talent for the frontcourt, but they could do no wrong with budding power forward Myles Turner out of Texas.
The 6'11" standout plays a rough and tough post game with a burly 242-pound frame and is a more-than-capable rim protector with the ability to shut down drives in the post. That sort of impact will be much-needed with Hibbert either off the team or riding the bench.
With a high motor and a defensive mentality, Turner would fit perfectly with what the Pacers are trying to do.
23. Portland Trail Blazers: SG R.J. Hunter, Georgia State
Few people in the world reach the apex of winning a NCAA tournament game with their father coaching them, but that's only the beginning of the R.J. Hunter story. He's now heading to the NBA and has scouts looking him over.
While his Georgia State team shocked the nation by defeating Baylor as a No. 14 seed, Hunter is no one-hit wonder. At 6'5" and 180 pounds, he has the length and shooting stroke to develop nicely into an effective spot-up shooter and deep-stroke guy.
The Trail Blazers could use a dose of that right now, much less next season. Portland has two All-Stars in Damian Lillard and LaMarcus Aldridge but has struggled to find consistency from new trade acquisition Arron Afflalo when Wesley Mathews went down for the season.
In any event, Portland is in need of an impact swingman. And with players like Nicolas Batum, Mathews and Afflalo already on the roster, Hunter can settle into his role.
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