NBA Mock Draft 2015: Latest 1st-Round Projections for Underrated Prospects

The NBA playoffs are deep into the opening round, but for the teams watching from home, the real focus is the upcoming 2015 NBA draft.

The teams on the outside now have a chance to take a leg up going into next season. While not of the same importance as, say, the NFL draft, there are critical franchise cornerstones available, and teams can pair them with proven veterans.

There are also underrated players available. Folks like to throw around the word "crapshoot" when it comes to the draft, but the good teams find the good prospects offering both a pro foundation to build on and a scheme fit.

Some of the best underrated prospects are below after a full first-round mock draft based on team need, value and prospect stock.

2015 NBA 1st-Round Mock Draft 

Pick	Team	Player
1	Minnesota Timberwolves	Jahlil Okafor, C, Duke
2	New York Knicks	Karl-Anthony Towns, PF, Kentucky
3	Philadelphia 76ers	Emmanuel Mudiay, PG, China
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	Stanley Johnson, SF, Arizona
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	Frank Kaminsky, PF, Wisconsin
12	Utah Jazz	Sam Dekker, SF, Wisconsin
13	Phoenix Suns	Myles Turner, C/PF, Texas
14	Oklahoma City Thunder	Devin Booker, SG, Kentucky
15	Atlanta Hawks (from Brooklyn Nets)	Dakari Johnson, C, Kentucky
16	Boston Celtics	Trey Lyles, PF, Kentucky
17	Milwaukee Bucks	Montrezl Harrell, PF, Louisville
18	Houston Rockets (from New Orleans Pelicans)	Jerian Grant, PG, Notre Dame
19	Washington Wizards	Kevon Looney, PF, UCLA
20	Toronto Raptors	Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, SF, Arizona
21	Dallas Mavericks	Tyus Jones, PG, Duke
22	Chicago Bulls	Terry Rozier, PG, Louisville
23	Portland Trail Blazers	Cameron Payne, SG, Murray State
24	Cleveland Cavaliers	Bobby Portis, PF, Arkansas
25	Memphis Grizzlies	Robert Upshaw, C, Washington
26	San Antonio Spurs	Delon Wright, PG, Utah
27	Los Angeles Lakers (from Houston Rockets)	R.J. Hunter, SG, Georgia State
28	Boston Celtics (from Los Angeles Clippers)	Justin Anderson, SF, Virginia
29	Brooklyn Nets (from Atlanta Hawks)	Guillermo Hernangomez, C, Spain
30	Golden State Warriors	Jarell Martin, PF, LSU

Underrated Prospects

Jarell Martin, PF, LSU

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

Teams with bosses who would rather not sell the farm to trade up for a Frank Kaminsky or a Myles Turner are sure to consider LSU's Jarell Martin.

Martin is a workhorse beneath the basket who spent two years with the Tigers. Both years were productive too:

SEASON	FG%	REB	AST	BLK	STL	PTS
2014-15	.509	9.2	1.8	0.7	1.2	16.9
2013-14	.471	4.6	0.9	0.7	0.8	10.3

Not everyone agrees with Martin's decision to turn pro, though. One of those individuals is Shaquille O'Neal, per Geaux247:

It's hard to find fault with Martin's decision, though. At 6'9" and 235 pounds, he's not going to be more pro ready than he is now, unless he hits on another growth spurt. Also, Ben Simmons is on his way to LSU, so Martin's playing time might have taken a dive, hurting his stock.

Martin won't take the NBA by storm upon arrival. What he will do, though, is provide a solid rotational player with a huge ceiling so long as he continues to work on his shot. The foundation is there, it will just take a deep team willing to work with him, such as the Golden State Warriors, to bring out his best.

Prediction: Golden State selects Martin at No. 30.

Cameron Payne, PG, Murray State

David Crenshaw/Associated Press

Most don't know the name Cameron Payne, but they will quite soon. 

The folks in charge of filling out the NCAA bracket robbed Payne of his Big Dance dreams and his chance at becoming a household name, but better late than never, right?

Some may knock Payne for playing at a smaller school like Murray State, but averages of 20.2 points, 3.7 rebounds and 6.0 assists per game as a sophomore are tough to ignore. So is his solid size at 6'2" and 180 pounds.

As ESPN.com's Chard Ford points out, Payne compares quite well with Duke point guard Tyus Jones:

"

Payne was the hottest point guard in the draft until Tyus Jones won Duke a title on Monday. Payne and Jones have a lot of similarities as pass-first floor generals who play the game with a high basketball IQ but still can put the ball in the basket. The difference is that Payne is taller and a better athlete than Jones, two major sticking points with NBA scouts.

"

An ability to come off of the bench at the pro level and act as a facilitator won't be something NBA teams can ignore, no matter how deep the current roster is.

Perhaps the best point guard in the draft from a pro-outlook perspective, a team such as the Portland Trail Blazers won't be able to ignore his talents.

Prediction: Portland selects Payne at No. 23.

Delon Wright, PG, Utah

Point guard seems to be the position with the most depth and value this year. 

Look at Utah's Delon Wright. He's just 22 years old, but a 6'5", 179-pound frame and averages of 14.5 points, 4.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists are impossible to ignore.

Wright already has one major accomplishment under his belt too, as NCAA March Madness captured:

A mix of efficient scoring, great floor management and obvious upside make Wright one of the most underrated picks in the entire draft. It seems he will only continue to improve as well after showing a major upswing from deep last year, shooting 36 percent from behind the arc.

Look at a team late in the first round, such as the San Antonio Spurs. Cory Joseph and Patty Mills are around, but it seems foolish to pass on such a young player with a tremendous ceiling.

In a few years, it wouldn't be a shock to realize Wright was the best point guard in the class, so long as he lands in the right place capable of molding his skills. San Antonio fits the bill.

Prediction: San Antonio selects Wright at No. 26. 

 All stats and info via ESPN.com unless otherwise specified.