NBA Mock Draft 2015: Latest 1st-Round Projections for Best Prospects
The 2015 NBA draft lottery will go a long way in determining where the top prospects wind up landing in the first round.
That happens approximately 24 hours from now. Just before the random ball-bouncing determines the fortunes of the Association's struggling squads, it's worth revisiting an overview of who the top players are and providing some inferences as to where they'll be drafted.
Below is a new mock draft for the first 30 picks, featuring analysis thereafter about the teams near the top with the most at stake.
| 1 | Minnesota Timberwolves | Karl-Anthony Towns, C/PF, Kentucky |
| 2 | New York Knicks | Jahlil Okafor, C, Duke |
| 3 | Philadelphia 76ers | D'Angelo Russell, PG/SG, Ohio State |
| 4 | Los Angeles Lakers | Justise Winslow, SF, Duke |
| 5 | Orlando Magic | Kristaps Porzingis, PF, Latvia |
| 6 | Sacramento Kings | Emmanuel Mudiay, PG, China |
| 7 | Denver Nuggets | Stanley Johnson, SF, Arizona |
| 8 | Detroit Pistons | Mario Hezonja, SG/SF, Croatia |
| 9 | Charlotte Hornets | Sam Dekker, SF, Wisconsin |
| 10 | Miami Heat | Trey Lyles, PF, Kentucky |
| 11 | Indiana Pacers* | Willie Cauley-Stein, C, Kentucky |
| 12 | Utah Jazz* | Devin Booker, SG, Kentucky |
| 13 | Phoenix Suns | Myles Turner, PF/C, Texas |
| 14 | Oklahoma City Thunder | Jerian Grant, PG, Notre Dame |
| 15 | Atlanta Hawks (via Brooklyn Nets) | Frank Kaminsky, F/C, Wisconsin |
| 16 | Boston Celtics | Cameron Payne, PG, Murray State |
| 17 | Milwaukee Bucks | Christian Wood, PF, UNLV |
| 18 | Houston Rockets (via New Orleans Pelicans) | Tyus Jones, PG, Duke |
| 19 | Washington Wizards | Kevon Looney, PF, UCLA |
| 20 | Toronto Raptors | R.J. Hunter, SG, Georgia State |
| 21 | Chicago Bulls* | Terry Rozier, PG, Louisville |
| 22 | Dallas Mavericks* | Bobby Portis, PF, Arkansas |
| 23 | Portland Trail Blazers | Montrezl Harrell, PF, Louisville |
| 24 | Cleveland Cavaliers | Delon Wright, PG/SG, Utah |
| 25 | Memphis Grizzlies* | Caris LeVert, SG, Michigan |
| 26 | San Antonio Spurs* | Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, SF, Arizona |
| 27 | Boston Celtics (via Los Angeles Clippers)* | Jarell Martin, PF, LSU |
| 28 | Los Angeles Lakers (via Houston Rockets)* | Chris McCullough, PF, Syracuse |
| 29 | Brooklyn Nets (via Atlanta Hawks) | Justin Anderson, SG/SF, Virginia |
| 30 | Golden State Warriors | Guillermo Hernangomez, C, Spain |
Teams with Most at Stake in 2015 NBA Draft
Philadelphia 76ers
What exactly is Sixers general manager Sam Hinkie planning? The team has been tanking for multiple seasons and traded away former Rookie of the Year point guard Michael Carter-Williams at this year's deadline.
Neither of Philadelphia's two 2014 first-round picks in Joel Embiid and Dario Saric played last year. The latter is still likely one full season away from coming stateside to make his NBA debut. Few promising pieces exist on the current roster beyond Embiid and Nerlens Noel.
ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith has been among those who have called for actual results, per SportsCenter:
The new logo has been the biggest news from the Sixers of late, and the hope is the new look leads to a drastic change with the on-court product sooner rather than later. At some point, progress has to be made.
It's hard to say how much leeway Hinkie has, considering the team has won 37 games in the two seasons since he took his position. Whatever roster Hinkie is trying to build, he has to make sure he finds a blue-chip star near the top of this year's draft to fit into his master scheme.
Ohio State star guard D'Angelo Russell has been rumored to be Philly's target, per the Philadelphia Inquirer's Keith Pompey. Russell is a great combo guard who could start at either the 2 or running the point right away. If he isn't there or is in fact chosen by the team and doesn't live up to the hype, the Sixers may be in serious trouble.
New York Knicks
Expectations are bound to be high in the Big Apple—especially when Phil Jackson is team president. The Zen Master is trying to breathe life back into Knicks basketball. Nothing has happened yet.
Jackson insists better days are on the horizon:
A premium draft asset is coming New York's way, hopefully providing an All-Star to pair with Carmelo Anthony and the sizable salary his contract takes up. Most importantly, the player must fit the triangle offense the Knicks are trying to install.
Derek Fisher hadn't had coaching experience before taking over the New York bench this last season. Based on the team's record, it showed, though the lack of talent at his disposal did him few favors. The savvy longtime NBA point guard should only grow and learn from the experience.
One great fit would be Duke center Jahlil Okafor.
Sam Vecenie of CBSSports.com alludes to one factor—nothing to do with basketball—that could thwart such a development, yet he does acknowledge Okafor would jell best in New York:
"Now moving Towns to No. 1 if the Knicks get pick. RT @JonRothstein: Karl-Anthony Towns has signed with CAA's Leon Rose and Richie Felder.
— Sam Vecenie (@Sam_Vecenie) May 10, 2015"
"I’ve had Towns No. 1 for most other teams anyway, but thought Okafor would be a better fit for the Knicks. That goes out the window now.
— Sam Vecenie (@Sam_Vecenie) May 10, 2015"
A precocious arsenal of post moves and precise passing ability from down low make Okafor a physically imposing threat capable of making an instant impact and facilitating the Knicks' system well.
The problem with Okafor is his motor tends to be a bit inconsistent. One would think going to an organization with two winners like Jackson and Fisher in place would help, not to mention the momentum Okafor can carry off his dominant finish to Duke's national title game triumph.
Attracting free agents will be paramount in the coming offseasons for the Knicks. To do that, they must come away with a strong 2015 draft headed by someone like Okafor to help them out of the basement of the weaker Eastern Conference.
Los Angeles Lakers
Few may know the young man in the photo above, but that's Jordan Clarkson, a 2014 second-round pick who flashed nicely as a rookie and could be a tremendous backcourt bargain for L.A.
Armed with two potential first-round picks in the 2015 draft, it's imperative for the Lakers to nail both their selections and get their storied franchise back on the course for respectability.
If the lottery goes awry and bumps the Lakers down out of the top five, they lose their protected pick to Philadelphia, so there's a ton at stake for L.A. even before it goes on the clock.
Derek Bodner of USA Today explains the situation:
Legendary Lakers guard Kobe Bryant's exorbitant contract and inability to stay healthy of late has hindered what L.A. has been able to do in building the team. Although it's possible the big-market organization could lure an All-Star in free agency, the draft is where the Lakers need to really nail it.
Bryant is a tremendous leader and fiery competitor who's willed his team to numerous championships. Now that he's reaching the end of his career, he'll need capable contributors to flank him if L.A. can even fathom a playoff trip in the loaded Western Conference.
The return of last year's first-rounder, Julius Randle, will help the cause. With the chance to get at least one elite prospect at the top, though, the Lakers must identify the best fit for their team and ensure they land a cornerstone. Otherwise, the transition into the post-Bryant era will be even rockier than it already appears.
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