2015 NBA Mock Draft: 1st-Round Predictions and Stock Changes for Top Prospects
The NBA stock market is alight with changes ahead of the 2015 NBA draft.
Thank the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago.
There, every team in the Association is hard at work, scouting the top names set to enter the draft and change the league hierarchy for years to come. Rebuilding powerhouses such as the New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers have tough decisions to make, as do reloading contenders such as the Indiana Pacers.
Below, let's take a look at an updated mock draft based on team needs and the latest prospect stocks before diving a bit deeper into some of the biggest risers thanks to combine performances.
2015 NBA First-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) | 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) | Rakeem Christmas, PF, Syracuse |
| 30 | Golden State Warriors | Christian Ford, PF, UNLV |
Stock Changes for Top Prospects
Andrew Harrison, G, Kentucky
While he might not have first-round stock just yet, it sure appears Kentucky's Andrew Harrison continues to trend in the direction.
It helps that big names such as Providence's Kris Dunn decided to return to school, but Harrison is doing himself plenty of favors in the Windy City. As Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman details, Harrison continues to steal the show at the combine:
A projected lottery pick before fading a tad with the Wildcats, Harrison seems to be back on track for the first round as he stands out among his peers at the combine.
It's no secret that players can get lost on deep teams just as easily as they can get lost at smaller programs. Harrison's objective in Chicago is to re-emerge, as he told Sports Illustrated's Chris Mannix:
So far, so good.
Harrison bumped his field-goal percentage to 38 percent last year and his conversion rate from deep to 39 percent. Now the improvements seem to be shining through on the court ahead of the draft, which makes him one of the biggest winners of all late in the process.
Rakeem Christmas, F, Syracuse
Despite posting career highs of 17.5 points and 9.1 rebounds per game last year after finally getting a full shot in his fourth and final year at Syracuse, Rakeem Christmas isn't the biggest name in the class.
He might be one of the top names soon, though.
ESPN.com's Chad Ford explains the dominant performance Christmas put on in Chicago:
"Not only were his measurements terrific -- 6-foot-9¾ in shoes, with a crazy 7-5¼ wingspan and 9-2½ standing reach (enough to project as an NBA center) -- but he also came out and dominated in the 5-on-5, scoring 20 points on 7-for-10 shooting, grabbing 6 rebounds and blocking a shot.
"
Impressive, right? Perhaps the opinion one NBA scout offered Ford is the most telling of all: "He had an advantage [over his combine competition] as a four-year senior. But that wasn't what set him apart. I felt he showed that he could disrupt shots, attack the rim and play bigger than I felt he did at Syracuse."
It is hard to find better praise for a big man who, to this point, hasn't experienced much hype in a class deep at his position.
There's no question that Christmas touts the size and experience to contribute at the NBA level right away. Now NBA scouts see he can physically match up with his peers and NBA talent, too, which has his stock at an all-time high.
He might not be at the peak yet, either.
Myles Turner, F, Texas
"Better late than never" is a cliche Myles Turner should be comfortable with at this point.
Turner's stock took a major hit at Texas. Instead of matching the hype and taking the Longhorns deep into the Big Dance, the coaching staff hit Turner with just 22.2 minutes per game, which he turned into averages of 10.1 points and 6.5 rebounds.
To make matters worse, scouts also noticed his awkward running style (yes, that's a thing in these wild draft days), which awoke some concern over his medical future.
Consider the issue squashed, though, thanks to a battery of tests at the combine.
CBS Sports' Sam Vecenie offers a deep dive into the issue:
"Five things to know from Thursday’s Draft Combine. Includes Myles Turner on his health. http://t.co/qkg4IgpzpO pic.twitter.com/abbOu3H4ax
— Sam Vecenie (@Sam_Vecenie) May 15, 2015"
One could argue that Turner's stock has never been higher.
Free of the odd situation at Texas and every bit the impressive physical monster beneath the hoop NBA scouts think he can be—and with a clean bill of health—it seems Turner is, at the least, a lottery pick.
How high Turner comes off the board remains in the air, but it's been nothing but good news as of late for the high-upside talent.
All stats and info via ESPN.com unless otherwise specified.
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