2015 NBA Mock Draft: Predictions for Top Wing Prospects
Any time you evaluate an NBA wing prospect these days, it's almost inevitable, you're going to imagine how that player would match up against LeBron James or some of the other elite swingmen in the league. Obviously, James is a different animal. He could effectively play four positions—five in certain situations. Chances are, no team is going to find another player like him.
There definitely isn't a prospect close to his level in this year's draft. However, there are a few strong specialists who will develop into valuable role players and starters. The text below the mock focuses on these prospects.
| 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 | Jordan Mickey, PF, LSU |
| 25 | San Antonio Spurs | George Lucas de Paula, SG, Brazil |
| 26 | Memphis Grizzlies | Justin Anderson, SF, Virginia |
| 27 | Los Angeles Lakers (from Houston Rockets) | J.P. Tokoto, SG, North Carolina |
| 28 | Boston Celtics (from Los Angeles Clippers) | Delon Wright, PG, Utah |
| 29 | Brooklyn Nets (from Atlanta Hawks) | Rakeem Christmas, PF, Syracuse |
| 30 | Golden State Warriors | Robert Upshaw, C, Washington |
Justise Winslow
You've heard the term NBA body before, right? If you've never seen a guy with one, just take a look at Justise Winslow. He measured 6'6 1/2" at the combine and weighed in at a solid 222 pounds. He also sports an impressive 6'10 1/4" wingspan.
Winslow puts that frame to good use as a terrific on-ball defender and an effective finisher in the lane. According to Hoop-Math.com, Winslow made 66.7 percent of his field goals attempted at the rim. While he's judicious with his long-range attempts, he did make 41 percent of his threes as a freshman for the Duke Blue Devils.
We don't know who the Orlando Magic's next coach will be, but if they are somehow capable of prying Chicago Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau away from the Windy City, Thibs might see some similarities between Winslow and his old shooting guard Jimmy Butler.
Winslow would fit in nicely with Elfrid Payton and Victor Oladipo as potential lock-down perimeter defenders.
Stanley Johnson
Another physically imposing wing prospect set to be selected in the NBA draft lottery is Stanley Johnson from the Arizona Wildcats. At 6'6 1/2", 242 pounds with a 6'11 1/2" wingspan, Johnson is even bigger and longer than Winslow.
That doesn't mean he's less athletic.
Throughout his freshman season, Johnson showed the ability to rise off the floor and finish above the rim. Like Winslow, Johnson is a lock-down defender on the perimeter whose skill set and frame are reminiscent of Metta World Peace.
The Denver Nuggets could find a glue guy for their rebuilding effort by drafting Johnson.
Mario Hezonja
The Croatian-born Mario Hezonja can't guard as many positions as Winslow and Johnson, but he's more of a natural scorer than both of them. At 6'8", Hezonja has ideal height for a swingman. His 38 percent shooting from three-point range on 3.5 attempts per game in the EuroCup proves he's a long-range gunner.
To assume he's just that would be selling the rest of his offensive game short. Hezonja can get to the rim and finish with slams or with acrobatic layups. He's also an 83 percent free-throw shooter. The only player in the draft who figures to be a more dangerous offensive prospect is D'Angelo Russell.
A scorer like Hezonja is just what the Detroit Pistons need to take their offense to the next level.
Measurements per DraftExpress unless otherwise noted.
Follow Brian Mazique on Twitter
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
