NBA Draft 2015: 1st-Round Mock Draft, Prospects' Pre-Lottery Landing Spots
The 2015 NBA draft should feature a lot of entertainment value. Although most of the focus will be on the top handful of prospects, it's a deep class that ensures a lot of interesting stories about where certain players fall, even outside of the lottery.
It's a draft that's going to satisfy a lot of teams—those picking early and looking for a cornerstone as well as contenders simply looking to round out their rotation. It's not the most star-studded prospect group you will see, but there are plenty of impact players.
Let's check out how things are shaping up at this stage of the process ahead of the lottery with a mock draft of the opening round.
1st-Round Mock Draft
| 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, Congo |
| 5 | Orlando Magic | Justise Winslow, SF, Duke |
| 6 | Sacramento Kings | Willie Cauley-Stein, C, Kentucky |
| 7 | Denver Nuggets | Kristaps Porzingis, PF, Latvia |
| 8 | Detroit Pistons | Stanley Johnson, SF, Arizona |
| 9 | Charlotte Hornets | Trey Lyles, PF, Kentucky |
| 10 | Miami Heat | Mario Hezonja, SF, Croatia |
| 11 | Indiana Pacers | Frank Kaminsky, PF, Wisconsin |
| 12 | Utah Jazz | Myles Turner, PF, Texas |
| 13 | Phoenix Suns | Kelly Oubre, SF, Kansas |
| 14 | Oklahoma City Thunder | Sam Dekker, SF, Wisconsin |
| 15 | Atlanta Hawks (via Nets) | Devin Booker, SG, Kentucky |
| 16 | Boston Celtics | Bobby Portis, PF, Arkansas |
| 17 | Milwaukee Bucks | Kevon Looney, PF, UCLA |
| 18 | Houston Rockets (via Pelicans) | Tyus Jones, PG, Duke |
| 19 | Washington Wizards | Montrezl Harrell, PF, Louisville |
| 20 | Toronto Raptors | R.J. Hunter, SG, Georgia State |
| 21 | Dallas Mavericks | Christian Wood, PF, UNLV |
| 22 | Chicago Bulls | Jerian Grant, PG, Notre Dame |
| 23 | Portland Trail Blazers | Justin Anderson, SG, Virginia |
| 24 | Cleveland Cavaliers | Cameron Payne, PG, Murray State |
| 25 | Memphis Grizzlies | Terry Rozier, PG, Louisville |
| 26 | San Antonio Spurs | Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, SF, Arizona |
| 27 | Los Angeles Lakers (via Rockets) | Cliff Alexander, PF, Kansas |
| 28 | Boston Celtics (via Clippers) | Travis Trice, PG, Michigan State |
| 29 | Brooklyn Nets (via Hawks) | Jarell Martin, PF, LSU |
| 30 | Golden State Warriors | Dakari Johnson, C, Kentucky |
The board could look noticeably different by the time draft day arrives June 25. That's mostly because the lottery may shake up the top of the draft, especially if a team in dire need of guard help picks inside the top two. That would have a trickle-down effect on the round.
Time also remains for players to improve their draft stock. Since the class gets really bunched up outside the top eight or so prospects, there's room for movement. Those who seize the opportunity can make a pretty sizable jump over the next month.
So let's examine a trio of players still dealing with a pretty wide range of potential landing spots.
Prospects With Uncertain Stocks
11. Indiana Pacers: Frank Kaminsky, PF, Wisconsin
Kaminsky sports a well-rounded offensive game. He features a nice array of post moves, excels in the mid-range game and has steadily improved his outside shot (42 percent as a senior). Based on those skills, he should at least carve out a niche for himself off the bench.
The question is whether his defense will prevent him from becoming a key asset. His length is fine, but he lacks the strength and athleticism he'll see from opponents at the next level. And it's tough to lean heavily on him if he's consistently exposed at the defensive end.
He can work to add more power to his 7'1", 234-pound frame, and coaching can help in terms of positioning. Whether it can all come together to make him a more reliable defender is a mystery. That said, he told Jeff Arnold of the New York Times that he's used to overcoming uncertainties.
"I love the way I've had to work through all my problems and my struggles to come out better than I was before," Kaminsky said. "I view it in a way that maybe not everyone else views it."
Kaminsky was a little-used freshman at Wisconsin before becoming the nation's top player as a senior. He may start his NBA career with limited minutes too. A team confident in his defensive potential could get a steal outside the top 10 and perhaps even outside the lottery.
15. Atlanta Hawks: Devin Booker, SG, Kentucky
Booker (6'6", 206 lbs) made noticeable strides during his only season at Kentucky. He could have probably used another college season to further develop his skill set. But that's often a tough choice to make when there's a mass exodus of talent, as was the case with the Wildcats.
He's a good shooter with ideal size for the shooting guard position. Beyond that, it's unclear what he'll bring to the table. His defense was merely average, his distribution needs work and he wasn't forced to battle for rebounds with Kentucky's amazing frontcourt.
That doesn't mean he can't improve in those areas. It's simply going to take more development time for him to become a more polished player. Doug Gottlieb of CBS Sports does believe he has some intriguing long-term potential, though:
"Didn't have time yesterday, but Devin Booker is Klay Thompson- underrated recruit,silent assassin,great genetics,not extra motion on Jumper
— Doug Gottlieb (@GottliebShow) March 8, 2015"
Booker can serve as an offensive spark plug right away. Then he'll have to prove himself in other areas before he starts logging big minutes. Where he'll fall in Round 1 is up in the air, but all it takes is one team to fall in love with his upside, and he could sneak into the top 10.
20. Toronto Raptors: R.J. Hunter, SG, Georgia State
Regardless of what happens at the next level, Hunter will always have at least one highlight-reel moment that lives on forever. When his go-ahead three dropped against Baylor and Ron Hunter, his coach and father, fell off his chair, it was an instant-classic March Madness moment.
The shooting guard was already on the NBA radar before that. He's a natural scorer capable of getting extraordinarily hot from the field, as he did in the second half of that tournament game against the Bears. He scored 12 of the team's last 13 points in that upset win.
Like Booker, his defense is not where it needs to be. But once you get to the latter portion of the round, the risk drops off. Chad Ford of ESPN isn't convinced his stock will remain at this level once draft day arrives, however:
He's another player who could be limited to an offensive role at the outset. But you can't teach his natural feel for the game. With the right effort level, he should improve enough in the other areas of his game to become a starter in the NBA.
