NBA Mock Draft 2015: Projections for Most Surprising Early-Entrant Prospects
The early entries of players like the Duke Blue Devils' Jahlil Okafor and the Kentucky Wildcats' Karl-Anthony Towns were no surprise. Their inclusion in the 2015 NBA draft was expected. Not every prospect who is projected to go in the first round is as ready for the NBA as Towns and Okafor.
In previous mock drafts, I've had Towns going fourth to the Los Angeles Lakers—which I still believe makes sense strategically—but there isn't any buzz yet that suggests the New York Knicks would pass on him or Okafor at No. 2.
With that said, let's take a look at my slightly revamped mock that concentrates on a few prospects who probably needed another year of school.
| 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, G, Ohio State |
| 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 | Sam Dekker, SF, Wisconsin |
| 10 | Miami Heat | Kristaps Porzingis, PF, Latvia |
| 11 | Indiana Pacers | Kelly Oubre, SG, Kansas |
| 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 | Christian Wood, PF, UNLV |
| 21 | Dallas Mavericks | Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, SF, Arizona |
| 22 | Chicago Bulls | Cameron Payne, PG, Murray State |
| 23 | Portland Trail Blazers | R.J. Hunter, SG, Georgia State |
| 24 | Cleveland Cavaliers | Jarell Martin, PF, LSU |
| 25 | San Antonio Spurs | George Lucas, SG, Brazil |
| 26 | Memphis Grizzlies | Delon Wright, PG, Utah |
| 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 |
Kelly Oubre Jr.
There's no disputing Kelly Oubre Jr.'s physical talent. The left-hander is 6'7" with a 7'1 ½" wingspan and has a smooth stroke on his jump shot and good leaping ability. What's not to like about his game?
Throughout his freshman season for the Kansas Jayhawks, Oubre was inconsistent. He averaged just 9.3 points per game. Oubre knocked down 35.8 percent of his threes and pulled down five rebounds per contest, but his impact still lacked that of a potential lottery selection.
His motor could also be criticized at different points during the season. In some games, namely the first meeting with the Texas Longhorns on Jan. 24, Oubre looked mentally disengaged. He finished with just eight points in that game.
Because of his frame, athleticism and the fluidity of his jump shot, Oubre's upside is significant. DraftExpress agrees. In its first official mock draft, it has him landing with the Phoenix Suns.
It writes, "Oubre should be able to develop into a strong defender at either wing position with the added ability to make three-pointers, which would fit in well with the Suns' philosophy. He's got nice upside to grow into, which could make him a solid piece as part of Phoenix's long-term outlook."
I can see Oubre struggling to get on the floor as a rookie. He still has a lot to learn and could possibly find himself in the NBA D-League as a rookie—depending on the team that drafts him.
Devin Booker
If you're looking for a player who might be in for a reality check in the NBA, it could be Kentucky's Devin Booker.
He is very good shooter from long range. His 41.7 percent three-point shooting is proof of that. However, Booker is not especially quick, and he doesn't possess great handles. Thus there's a question as to how well he'll be able to put the ball on the floor and create off the dribble.
Defending quicker guards could also be an issue for Booker.
This profile sounds a little like the predraft take on the Golden State Warriors' Klay Thompson in 2011. That turned out pretty well. The team that drafts Booker can only hope it strikes gold in a similar fashion.
As it stands, Booker figures to a floor-spacing, long-distance shooter who will find it difficult to get open looks in the NBA. If he lands with a team that has a strong penetrator or solid low-post threat, he can have success. If not, he may also struggle to find minutes early on.
He does have a good feel for the game, so that will help him find a niche earlier.
Cliff Alexander
Extenuating circumstances likely led Jayhawks big man Cliff Alexander to enter the draft after his freshman season. Before heading to Kansas, 247Sports considered Alexander one of the best prospects in the nation.
Like his teammate Oubre, Alexander was also erratic as a freshman.
On-court inconsistencies were just one of the issues Alexander had to endure. Kansas suspended the 19-year-old Chicago native while the NCAA investigated a potential rules violation.
He missed Kansas' last eight games, including both NCAA tournament contests.
Before the suspension, Alexander struggled to find a consistent spot in head coach Bill Self's rotation. He's at his best as an active body around the basket. Alexander is yet to develop a dependable post game or mid-range jump shot.
His aggressive nature may help him earn some time as a reserve, but he needs to add facets to his game before he can become a regular contributor in the NBA.
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