NBA Mock Draft 2015: 1st-Round Projections and Safest Prospects in Class
The NBA draft is usually loaded with risk as teams try to find the most upside possible. However, there are a few safer options available in this class to help organizations feel more confident on draft day.
It's obviously impossible to predict the future, and any player can surprise you in good or bad ways. Still, there are a few prospects with skills that directly translate to the next level, giving them a good chance of sticking around for a long time.
These players won't necessarily be the top picks in the draft, but the teams that draft them will be satisfied with their selections.
Here is a complete look at first-round projections for the NBA draft and a breakdown of some of the safer options in the class.
| 1 | Minnesota Timberwolves | Karl-Anthony Towns, C, Kentucky |
| 2 | New York Knicks | Jahlil Okafor, C, Duke |
| 3 | Philadelphia 76ers | Emmanuel Mudiay, PG, China |
| 4 | Los Angeles Lakers | D'Angelo Russell, PG, Ohio State |
| 5 | Orlando Magic | Justise Winslow, SF, Duke |
| 6 | Sacramento Kings | Kristaps Porzingis, PF, Latvia |
| 7 | Denver Nuggets | Willie Cauley-Stein, C, Kentucky |
| 8 | Detroit Pistons | Mario Hezonja, SG, Croatia |
| 9 | Charlotte Hornets | Stanley Johnson, SF, Arizona |
| 10 | Miami Heat | Kelly Oubre, SF, Kansas |
| 11 | Indiana Pacers | Frank Kaminsky, C, Wisconsin |
| 12 | Utah Jazz | Trey Lyles, PF, Kentucky |
| 13 | Phoenix Suns | Jerian Grant, PG, Notre Dame |
| 14 | Oklahoma City Thunder | Devin Booker, SG, Kentucky |
| 15 | Atlanta Hawks (via Nets) | Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, SF, Arizona |
| 16 | Boston Celtics | Myles Turner, C, Texas |
| 17 | Milwaukee Bucks | Kevon Looney, PF, UCLA |
| 18 | Houston Rockets (via Pelicans) | Sam Dekker, SF, Wisconsin |
| 19 | Washington Wizards | Bobby Portis, PF, Arkansas |
| 20 | Toronto Raptors | Montrezl Harrell, PF, Louisville |
| 21 | Dallas Mavericks | Tyus Jones, PG, Duke |
| 22 | Chicago Bulls | Cameron Payne, PG, Murray State |
| 23 | Portland Trail Blazers | Christian Wood, PF, UNLV |
| 24 | Cleveland Cavaliers | R.J. Hunter, SG, Georgia State |
| 25 | Memphis Grizzlies | Terry Rozier, PG, Louisville |
| 26 | San Antonio Spurs | Jarell Martin, PF, LSU |
| 27 | Los Angeles Lakers (via Rockets) | Robert Upshaw, C, Washington |
| 28 | Boston Celtics (via Clippers) | Justin Anderson, SF, Virginia |
| 29 | Brooklyn Nets (via Hawks) | Delon Wright, PG, Utah |
| 30 | Golden State Warriors | Dakari Johnson, C, Kentucky |
Jahlil Okafor, C, Duke
While Jahlil Okafor could move behind Karl-Anthony Towns on draft boards (he already has on this one), this is mainly due to upside. Towns will likely end up as the better defensive player while also showing signs of developing a quality outside shot.
This shouldn't take anything away from Okafor, though. The Duke star was dominant offensively this past season and provided plenty of reason to think this will continue in the NBA.
ESPN's Chad Ford had high praise for the young center on Mike and Mike:
This polish is what separates him from others in the class and in past years. Okafor has a wide variety of post moves to score with his back to the basket or facing up. This will only be more effective at the next level once he faces fewer double-teams.
Even if he doesn't turn out to be a great defender or learn to hit free throws, which are his two biggest negatives at this point, he can still be an effective starter in the NBA who provides interior scoring just about every time out.
Willie Cauley-Stein, C, Kentucky
Although Willie "Trill" Cauley-Stein plays the same position as Okafor, he is a completely different prospect heading into the draft. He lacks much of a post game, but he is arguably the best defender in the class at any position.
Seth Davis of CBS Sports went beyond this when describing the player after the Elite Eight:
Cauley-Stein ranked first in the nation in defensive win shares last season and trailed only teammate Karl-Anthony Towns in defensive rating, according to Sports-Reference.
He not only can be a quality rim protector in the NBA, but he also has the lateral quickness to guard players on the perimeter as well. This makes him perfectly suited to defend pick-and-rolls, which are much more common in the NBA.
His ability to run the floor and finish well above the rim will allow him to contribute on the offensive end of the floor as well.
It's unlikely he turns into Wilt Chamberlain, but he can have a long career in the NBA as a defensive stopper with the upside of Joakim Noah.
Jerian Grant, PG, Notre Dame
Many of the top picks in each draft are out of the league within a few years after struggling to play at a high level, but Jerian Grant is the type of player who should at least be in a team's rotation for a long time.
Organizations will back away due to his age at 22 years old, but Grant has all the tools you want in a point guard from size (6'5", 202 lbs) to the ability to drive and create for either himself or his teammates. ESPN's Fran Fraschilla provided a breakdown of what he could bring a team:
"He proved to be terrific with the ball in his hands in the Irish's high-powered offense this season. He is an excellent passer with great vision and, at 6-foot-5, has the size to see over defensive schemes. Few college guards can drive it into a defensive coverage and find an open teammate on the opposite side of the court. Plus, he has the size to create his own shot effectively in the mid-range game.
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Additionally, he can surprise people with his athleticism as he did on this play, via Rob Dauster of NBC Sports:
If he gets a chance, Grant could definitely become a starter at point guard. At the very worst, he will be one of the top backups in the league at the position.
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