NBA Mock Draft 2015: 1st-Round Projections for Top Prospects and Stock Movement
The attention of the globe focuses on another type of draft this week, but the movement on the stock market surrounding the 2015 NBA draft will continue nonetheless.
Out of the spotlight, experts and scouts around the league continue to complete loads of homework on the draft's top prospects. Surprising declarations and players returning to school only complicate the process.
It's a process worth keeping an eye on so dramatic movement doesn't blindside observers once it's time to brush up on things and pay attention.
Below, let's take a look at a fresh mock draft based on the latest stock movements before going in depth on some of the rises and the falls.
2015 NBA 1st-Round Mock Draft
| 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 | Jerian Grant, PG, Notre Dame |
| 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) | Devin Booker, SG, Kentucky |
| 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 |
Latest Stock Movement
Stock Up: Kristaps Porzingis, PF, Latvia
Deja vu, anyone?
Those who follow the NBA draft each year know all about Kristaps Porzingis, the Latvia native who shocked the world by declaring for last year's draft, sending scouts scrambling overseas to see him play.
Then, he pulled out of the draft, a decision he seems at home with to this day, per HoopsHype:
Nail, meet head.
Porzingis' stock couldn't be higher. He comes in at a smooth 6'11" and 220 pounds with elite all-around skills, making him a pro-ready contributor with immense upside.
ESPN.com's Chad Ford noted Porzingis' rising stock in a recent update: "It looks like it was a good move. Porzingis has been ranked in the top five all year on our 2015 Big Board and should be drafted in the three-to-six range in June, according to multiple NBA general managers and scouts."
Porzingis is a mismatch nightmare upon arrival in the NBA thanks to his ability to knock down shots from distance. As his stock stands now, don't expect him to last long on draft day.
Stock Down: Devin Booker, SG, Kentucky
Close examination and surprise entries in the draft, such as Murray State's Cameron Payne, aren't doing Devin Booker any favors.
There's no question the Kentucky product is an elite shooter. As a freshman, he averaged 10 points per contest and knocked down 41 percent of his shots from deep.
The thing is, the more scouts watch Booker, the more he seems to fall. He needs better size at 6'6" and 195 pounds, and he doesn't tout the quick-twitch athleticism necessary to drive to the basket. In fact, on film, he rarely scores once he puts the ball on the hardwood.
Granted, Booker's numbers should translate well enough to the pros given his high basketball IQ, but teams high in the first round may want a more dynamic prospect who can create for others and himself rather than just catching and shooting.
Even still, Ford writes, "His lack of elite athleticism and just average size for his position limit his upside some, but scouts think he'll get drafted in the 13 to 20 range."
Make no mistake, Booker seems sure to have a productive pro career, but additions to the draft class aren't helping his standing.
Stock Up: Sam Dekker, SF, Wisconsin
Just how high can Sam Dekker climb?
The hero for Wisconsin who leaped out of Frank Kaminsky's shadow during the Big Dance continues to receive praise and move up boards.
ESPN.com's Jeff Goodman is the latest to sing Dekker's praises after he decided to declare:
"This was a no-brainer, especially after Dekker showed what NBA folks wanted to see, namely whether he had the mental makeup to take over down the stretch. The 6-foot-9 Dekker has the length and athleticism and showed he could make shots from deep under extreme pressure. Most NBA guys feel Dekker will be taken somewhere in the 10-15 range, so he made the easy call to leave after his junior campaign.
"
Dekker looks like a glue guy at the next level who can space the floor (he never shot worse than 33 percent from deep in college) and create for others.
Still, his stock exceeds the projection thanks to his performance in the NCAA tournament, where he exploded for 20 or more points in half of the Badgers' contests.
Teams in search of a sure thing should look no further than Dekker. He's a superb scorer when aggressive and confident, and further consistency from a shooting standpoint will help him have a lengthy career in the pros.
All stats and info via ESPN.com unless otherwise specified.
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