2015 NBA Mock Draft: 1st-Round Predictions for Most Talented Prospects in Class
As the NBA playoffs continue and more teams see their respective seasons come to an end, anticipation builds for the 2015 NBA draft, as it appears to be one of the deepest classes in recent memory.
Not only will organizations have an opportunity to land likely franchise-changing players like Karl-Anthony Towns and Jahlil Okafor, but there should also be plenty of intriguing prospects available in the latter part of the lottery. While not all of them will pan out, some of them have the potential to become All-Star contributors.
As the draft continues to come into focus, here is a full, first-round mock draft as well as a closer look at some of the underrated prospects who could outperform their projected draft position.
| 1 | Minnesota Timberwolves | Karl-Anthony Towns, PF, Kentucky |
| 2 | New York Knicks | Jahlil Okafor, C, Duke |
| 3 | Philadelphia 76ers | D'Angelo Russell, PG, Ohio State |
| 4 | Los Angeles Lakers | Emmanuel Mudiay, PG, China |
| 5 | Orlando Magic | Justise Winslow, SF, Duke |
| 6 | Sacramento Kings | Willie Cauley-Stein, C, Kentucky |
| 7 | Denver Nuggets | Mario Hezonja, SG, Croatia |
| 8 | Detroit Pistons | Stanley Johnson, SF, Arizona |
| 9 | Charlotte Hornets | Kristaps Porzingis, PF, Latvia |
| 10 | Miami Heat | Kelly Oubre, SF, Kansas |
| 11 | Indiana Pacers | Devin Booker, SG, Kentucky |
| 12 | Utah Jazz | Frank Kaminsky, C, Wisconsin |
| 13 | Phoenix Suns | Sam Dekker, SF, Wisconsin |
| 14 | Oklahoma City Thunder | Kevon Looney, PF, UCLA |
| 15 | Atlanta Hawks (from BKN) | Trey Lyles, PF, Kentucky |
| 16 | Boston Celtics | Bobby Portis, PF, Arkansas |
| 17 | Milwaukee Bucks | Myles Turner, C, Texas |
| 18 | Houston Rockets (from NO) | Tyus Jones, PG, Duke |
| 19 | Washington Wizards | Bobby Portis, PF, Arkansas |
| 20 | Toronto Raptors | Montrezl Harrell, PF, Louisville |
| 21 | Dallas Mavericks | R.J. Hunter, SG, Georgia State |
| 22 | Chicago Bulls | Justin Anderson, SF, Virginia |
| 23 | Portland Trail Blazers | Jerian Grant, PG, Notre Dame |
| 24 | Cleveland Cavaliers | Buddy Hield, SG, Oklahoma |
| 25 | Memphis Grizzlies | Delon Wright, G, Utah |
| 26 | San Antonio Spurs | Cameron Payne, PG, Murray State |
| 27 | Los Angeles Lakers (from HOU) | Christian Wood, PF, UNLV |
| 28 | Boston Celtics (from LAC) | Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, SF, Arizona |
| 29 | Brooklyn Nets (from ATL) | Jarell Martin, PF, LSU |
| 30 | Golden State Warriors | Robert Upshaw, C, Washington |
Breaking Down Under-the-Radar Stars
Stanley Johnson
The University of Arizona had one of the deepest and most talented teams in college basketball this season, but if there was one player who stood out above the rest more often than not, it was do-it-all forward Stanley Johnson.
As a freshman in 2014-15, the Fullerton, California, native made an instant impact. He led the Wildcats with nearly 14 points per game while adding over six rebounds and nearly two assists per contest as well. He was named the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year, and there is no question that he earned it as arguably the best player on one of the nation's best teams.
It wasn't particularly shocking to see Johnson develop into an alpha male from the onset of his collegiate career, as he's been that type of player since his high school days, according to Joe Davidson of The Sacramento Bee:
He may not be a go-to guy right away in the NBA depending upon where he ultimately lands, but it is clear that he has the talent needed to become a star in the very near future.
ESPN announcer Dave Pasch is among those who see big things ahead for Johnson at the NBA level:
The 6'7" forward isn't receiving as much hype as Towns and Okafor or even guys like D'Angelo Russell and Willie Cauley-Stein, which means a team that isn't that far off from playoff contention could end up with him in the latter portion of the top 10.
If that is the case, then Johnson is the type of player who can put it over the top and push it into the postseason in short order.
Kelly Oubre Jr.
He may not have been dominant during his freshman campaign at Kansas, but 6'7" swingman Kelly Oubre Jr. still decided to enter the 2015 NBA draft since his unique blend of skills is likely to make him a lottery selection.
Oubre averaged over nine points and five rebounds per game, which are statistics that certainly don't jump off the page, but his length and athleticism were apparent each and every time he stepped on the floor.
He has the makings of a project who may not get things to click immediately in the NBA, and Rob Zerwekh of Fox4KC.com is among those who believe he would have benefited from another year with the Jayhawks:
From Oubre's perspective, though, he was ready to make the leap. According to Gary Bedore of KUSports.com, his father, Kelly Oubre Sr., revealed that his son didn't want to wait any longer to fulfill his dream:
"He knew he was ready. I could tell he was ready. He wasn't tired. He wasn't anxious. He was just ready because he wants to fulfill his dream. Kelly never wanted to leave this university unless it was time. It was time.
"
Pundits will continue to debate whether Oubre made the right decision, and while it may initially look like he didn't if he doesn't make a major impact as a rookie, it can be argued that his development would have been stifled to some degree at Kansas.
He was never really unleashed despite his versatile skill set, so his production doesn't tell the entire story. Oubre has the type of game that translates well to the NBA, and that is why a lottery team is likely to take a chance on him.
Kevon Looney
A number of freshman forwards decided to declare as early entrants in the 2015 NBA draft, and UCLA's Kevon Looney compares quite favorably to them.
The Milwaukee native was excellent this past season with the Bruins, as he put up over 11 points and nine rebounds per game while helping the team make a surprising run to the Sweet 16. He was a big part of that due largely to his rebounding prowess, and that should serve him well at the next level.
Looney is arguably a more complete player than the aforementioned Johnson and Oubre, which may be why Pasch has such high hopes for him:
Despite his strong collegiate production and excellence in multiple facets, though, not everyone is convinced that Looney is prepared for the NBA.
According to Michael DeCourcy of Sporting News, Looney may have determined a long time ago that he was going to declare after his freshman campaign:
That may be the case, but it isn't as if Looney fell flat in his first and only collegiate season. He proved himself to be one of the best freshman forwards in the nation, and he certainly did enough to warrant lottery consideration.
At worst, it is tough to envision Looney falling outside the top 20. Provided he lands anywhere from the late lottery on down, he is the type of high-upside player who could outperform his stock a few years down the line.
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