NBA Draft 2015: Latest Mock Draft and Stock Watch for Top Prospects
It's never wise to allow tunnel vision to creep in during the NBA playoffs with the 2015 NBA draft lurking in the background.
In fact, the teams still in the bracket are the minority, with most of the league focusing on how to upgrade rosters with draft selections. Meanwhile, prospects hold workouts and interviews in an attempt to elbow their way up draft boards.
There are plenty of stock changes to keep up with, especially with these workouts, countless hours of film study by analysts and teams and players still declaring shaping the class.
Below, let's take a look at a mock based on team need and current value before highlighting some of the notable stock shifts.
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) | Cliff Alexander, PF, Kansas |
| 30 | Golden State Warriors | Christian Ford, PF, UNLV |
Analyzing Biggest Stock-Movers
Delon Wright, PG, Utah
The more scouts look at Delon Wright, it seems the more they continue to see a player their teams can't afford to pass on in the mid-first round.
Wright is a tad old compared to other prospects, coming in at 23, but it's perhaps the lone knock on a 6'5", 178-pound senior who averaged 14.5 points, 4.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists last year and bumped his percentage from deep to a career-high 36 percent.
One general manager told ESPN.com's Chad Ford what makes Wright so attractive to pro teams:
"Of the point guards in this draft. He's the most likely to come in and play solid minutes off the bench for a good team. I love the way he handles himself on the floor. I don't see a superstar or anything, but as far as backup point guards go he has size, athleticism he doesn't turn the ball over and he can get to the basket and hit shots. He's going to be a very good get in the late first round.
"
It helps Wright improved from deep last year. Add it to a well-rounded package including a great first step to get around defenders, a high IQ allowing him to create for others and an uncanny knack for rebounding the ball.
There is a role for Wright in the pros right out of the gates, and as the general manager hints, some contending team seems set to get quite the steal later in the opening round.
Cameron Payne, PG, Murray State
Cameron Payne is another name who continues to rise at a noticeable clip, especially as those around him continue to fall out of the draft.
Ford explains how a notable draft decision affects Payne:
"With Kris Dunn deciding to return to Providence for his junior season, Payne quickly moved into the role of "intriguing young point guard" who might be better than everyone thinks. This draft doesn't have a lot of elite point guard prospects after Mudiay and Russell go off the board, and the more scouts watch footage of Payne and get familiar with his game, the more they keep talking themselves into liking him.
"
As ESPN's Jay Bilas captures, it seems Payne continues to inch closer to lottery status:
Why not?
Payne comes in at 6'2" and 180 pounds and last season alone averaged 20.2 points, 3.7 rebounds and 6.0 assists. While Payne didn't get to steal the show in the Big Dance with his elite scoring ways, he's doing so now with folks scouring his film.
A pass-first leader who can put the onus of scoring on his back if necessary, it would be safe to assume Payne's rise isn't complete.
Christian Wood, PF, UNLV
Surprise time—Christian Wood will enter the draft.
For those who don't know Wood, he's a 6'11", 220-pound enforcer underneath the basket who makes a living gobbling up boards and swatting away attempts.
Wood is a surprise because he's just a sophomore with one full season of starter experience under his belt, but it's hard to scoff at an average of 15.7 points and 10.0 rebounds per game. Add in 1.3 assists and 2.7 blocks for good measure, too.
There's a reason Ford already has Wood in his top 30. He's one of many, including CBS Sports' Jon Rothstein, who see Wood as a top selection despite his youth:
The name of the game with Wood is upside. His biggest flaw is shot selection, and he shot just 28 percent from the deep last year, but NBA teams have to see the upside if they work on this area.
Right from the jump, Wood can provide an impact with his ability on the defensive end of the court. As he's groomed on the offensive end, he might develop into a well-rounded player with a lengthy pro career.
There's a risk with Wood, but the reward outweighs it in the always-unpredictable draft, so look for Wood, along with the other two, to come off the board earlier than most would expect.
All stats and info via ESPN.com unless otherwise specified.
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