2015 NBA Mock Draft: 1st-Round Picks, Projecting Prospects with Top Measurables
A player's value goes far beyond his measurements at the NBA Scouting Combine, but the measurements are an opportunity for myths to be proven fact or fiction.
All in all, it's one of the final pieces to the puzzle NBA general managers must construct as they prepare to invest in the next group of NBA hopefuls. After Wednesday's measurements, there are three major standouts. The text below this mock draft will focus on those players.
| 1 | Minnesota Timberwolves | Jahlil Okafor, C, Duke |
| 2 | New York Knicks | D'Angelo Russell, G, Ohio State |
| 3 | Philadelphia 76ers | Emmanuel Mudiay, PG, China |
| 4 | Los Angeles Lakers | Karl-Anthony Towns, PF, Kentucky |
| 5 | Orlando Magic | Justise Winslow, SF, Duke |
| 6 | Sacramento Kings | Willie Trill Cauley-Stein, C, Kentucky |
| 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 | Kristaps Porzingis, PF, Latvia |
| 11 | Indiana Pacers | Kelly Oubre, SG, Kansas |
| 12 | Utah Jazz | Frank Kaminsky, PF/C, Wisconsin |
| 13 | Phoenix Suns | Myles Turner, C/PF, Texas |
| 14 | Oklahoma City Thunder | Devin Booker, SG, Kentucky |
| 15 | Atlanta Hawks (from Brooklyn Nets) | Trey Lyles, PF, Kentucky |
| 16 | Boston Celtics | Bobby Portis, PF, Arkansas |
| 17 | Milwaukee Bucks | Kevon Looney, PF, UCLA |
| 18 | Houston Rockets (from New Orleans Pelicans) | Jerian Grant, PG, Notre Dame |
| 19 | Washington Wizards | Montrezl Harrell, PF, Louisville |
| 20 | Toronto Raptors | Christian Wood, PF, UNLV |
| 21 | Dallas Mavericks | Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, SF, Arizona |
| 22 | Chicago Bulls | Cameron Payne, PG, Murray State |
| 23 | Portland Trail Blazers | R.J. Hunter, SG, Georgia State |
| 24 | Cleveland Cavaliers | Jarell Martin, PF, LSU |
| 25 | San Antonio Spurs | George Lucas, SG, Brazil |
| 26 | Memphis Grizzlies | Justin Anderson, SF, Virginia |
| 27 | Los Angeles Lakers (from Houston Rockets) | Tyler Harvey, SG, Eastern Washington |
| 28 | Boston Celtics (from Los Angeles Clippers) | Delon Wright, PG, Utah |
| 29 | Brooklyn Nets (from Atlanta Hawks) | Tyus Jones, PG, Duke |
| 30 | Golden State Warriors | Robert Upshaw, C, Washington |
D'Angelo Russell, Ohio State, PG/SG
Coming into the combine, D'Angelo Russell was already one of the top players in the 2015 NBA draft. After his measurements in Chicago, teams have to be strongly considering him as the top prospect overall.
Size always seems to win out if there are comparable talents atop a team's draft board. There are certainly two top-notch bigs available in the Kentucky Wildcats' Karl-Anthony Towns and the Duke Blue Devils' Jahlil Okafor, but every time we get a closer look at Russell, he looks more and more like a future NBA star.
His ability to score and create for teammates coupled with a smooth shooting stroke from downtown will make Russell an elite offensive player as a rookie.
At 6'5" in shoes with a wingspan of 6'9.75", Russell has the size to play either shooting guard or point guard. That's invaluable because it allows him to play alongside any kind of guard. If a team needs a point guard, Russell can play that role. If it needs a shooting guard, he can definitely do that as well.
If a prospective team has a smallish guard who is more of a shooter than a dribble-drive player, Russell can play the lead guard spot while matching up defensively with the opposing team's 2-guard.
Perhaps more important than any measurement is Russell's confidence. He plays the game with a swagger that only the stars possess. Barring an injury of some sort, Russell is going to be a special player.
Robert Upshaw, Washington, C
Russell is one of the safest picks in this year's draft; Robert Upshaw is the exact opposite. His measurements clearly aren't the problem, as you can see from these tweets from the NBA draft's official Twitter account:
Here's what DraftExpress' Jonathan Givony had to say about Upshaw on Wednesday:
"The ex-Washington center helped himself in a big way measuring 6'10.75 without shoes with a 7'5.5 wingspan, 9'5 standing reach, and a 258.2 pound frame. Finishing as the 3rd tallest and heaviest prospect in attendance, Upshaw also posted the longest wingspan, highest standing reach, and biggest hands in terms of both length and width of any player measured here. His measurements compare favorably to Nene who measured 6'9.25 without shoes with a 7'4.5 wingspan and 253-pound frame coming out of Brazil in 2002. Upshaw's standing reach is right on par with players like Shaquille O'Neal, Brook Lopez, and DeMarcus Cousins as one of the top-25 in our database all-time.
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The issue with Upshaw is his off-the-court decision-making. He's been dismissed from two college programs, and there's a serious concern with how he'll handle the NBA lifestyle.
Were it not for these character questions, Upshaw would likely be a mid-to-late lottery pick. He still may hear his name called within the first 14 picks if a team falls in love with his talent and is convinced it can keep him on the straight and narrow.
Upshaw averaged 4.5 blocked shots and 8.2 rebounds per game before being dismissed by the Washington Huskies last season. If he stays focused, he could have an impact similar to that of the Miami Heat's Hassan Whiteside.
George Lucas, Brazil, PG
No, we're not talking about the Star Wars creator. This George Lucas is an incredibly long point guard prospect from Brazil. In fact, as Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders tweets, the combine has never seen a point guard with Lucas' length:
Most have never heard of Lucas, but you can bet that with these measurements, the 18-year-old—who doesn't turn 19 until May 24—will be getting a lot of attention in the next few weeks.
Lucas played sparingly for Pinheiros/Sky this past season, but his potential is high. Because he's so young, it'll likely take him a while to become a serious contributor. However, there's clearly a nice foundation of physical talent to build on.
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