NBA Mock Draft 2015: Projections for 1st-Round Prospects as Combine Continues

Lucky are the few top 2015 NBA draft prospects who don't have to worry about attending the NBA Draft Combine. 

So it goes for the Karl-Anthony Towns, Jahlil Okafors and Emmanuel Mudiays of the world. Dominance at the NCAA level or overseas does such a thing for a prospect, but for others, draft time is an ever-changing whirlwind until their names are called at the podium.

As the combine charges ever forward in Chicago this week, it's worth taking a look at a mock draft based on the present market and team needs to get an idea as to how each name stands among the crowd.

After, let's take a look at some prospects with the most on the line.

2015 NBA 1st-Round Mock Draft 

Pick	Team	Player
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)	Kevin Looney, PF, UCLA
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	Dakari Johnson, C, Kentucky
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

Prospects With Most at Stake During Pre-Draft Process 

Trey Lyles, PF, Kentucky

It's not easy for a power forward this year, not with major names such as Frank Kaminsky, Myles Turner, Kristaps Porzingis and others hogging the spotlight.

The fact Trey Lyles attended Kentucky doesn't mean much of anything, either.

In fact, it might hurt him, as ESPN.com's Chad Ford wrote:

"

Lyles is the subject of significant debate among scouts. Some still believe that had he played for a school with less talent he would've put up a much more impressive freshman season and would be a lottery pick. Others think that his lack of elite athleticism or size for his position means he's closer to a solid rotation player in the NBA than a star. We split the difference here on Lyles. Showing more athletic ability in the combine could help his stock.

"

What a strange process this is, right?

Lyles stands at 6'10" and 235 pounds and can be a liability on the defensive end of the court against bigger opponents. On the offensive end, it's hard to ignore his 49 percent shooting from the field with averages of 8.7 points and 1.1 assists, decent enough numbers in a star-studded lineup.

It seems like this is a case of "right prospect, wrong time" for Lyles, as in a normal year there isn't anything wrong with a pro outlook suggesting role-player status. There's still time for him to change it, though, if he can test well and prove he has added strength and agility.

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, SF, Arizona

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

How much does offense matter in this year's class?

That's the question surrounding the stock of Arizona product Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, an elite defender who can keep up with guards on the perimeter or bang down low with big men but struggles on the other end of the court.

RHJ averaged 11.2 points and 6.8 rebounds last season, but his inability to strike fear from deep (21 percent conversion rate from three) hurts his all-around game.

For some, it's not a major issue, especially when they flip on the film and watch his defensive performances against major names.

Greg Hansen of the Arizona Daily Star put it best:

There's a role for RHJ right out of the gates as a defender, but the question is stock.

With his jump shot still developing, set drills at the combine or workouts with teams may not do him any favors. It only takes one coach to fall in love with his defensive skill set and take him earlier than most would expect, but it sure wouldn't hurt if RHJ shows a marked improvement on the path to the draft.

Devin Booker, SG, Kentucky

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

Call Devin Booker the opposite of RHJ.

Booker might rank as the best shooter in the class. He is one year removed from averaging 10.0 points on 47 percent shooting from the floor and 41 percent from behind the arc with the Wildcats.

At 6'6" and 195 pounds, Booker will knock down shots all day after catching a pass and firing it up, but it's his limited upside when it comes to taking defenders with him to the hole that is capable of hurting his stock.

Ford notes what the NBA wants to see from Booker: "The question is whether he does anything else to make him worthy of a top-20 pick. He has a high basketball IQ, but scouts will want to see him defend and create his own shot in workouts."

There won't be any issues for Booker when it comes to set drills, but the NBA needs to see more from an all-around standpoint. He can contribute in a rotational capacity as he is, but if he plans to climb the ladder, he'll need the ability to maneuver around NBA defenders.

Be on the lookout, as Booker's stock could swing dramatically either way in the coming weeks. 

All stats and info via ESPN.com unless otherwise specified.