NBA Draft Lottery 2015: Official Order and Latest Rumors on Top Prospects

So begins the wild ride of the NBA rumor mill with the order of the 2015 NBA draft set. 

The Minnesota Timberwolves were the big winners at No. 1 although the Los Angeles Lakers weren't far behind with No. 2 and won't have to make a tough decision between top prospects at the same position.

Some might label the New York Knicks losers at No. 4, but there are two things to remember: Any pick in the top five is great in such a deep class, and President Phil Jackson knows what he's doing.

Alas, let the debate continue. Here's a look at the order and some of the most notable nuggets making the rounds.

Latest Rumors on Top Prospects

Devin Booker 

Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

What's that? Kentucky's Devin Booker isn't a top prospect? 

It seems the NBA would disagree, as Sports Illustrated's Chris Mannix has it on good authority Booker is quite the shocker candidate: "A bit of a surprise: Multiple executives told me they believe Kentucky's Devin Booker will go in the top 10."

It's a shocking development for some, as Booker only averaged 10.0 points and 2.0 rebounds per game as a freshman last year with the Wildcats and struggled to create his own shot off the dribble.

ESPN.com's Chad Ford's late-April breakdown says it all:

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Booker's appeal comes primarily because of his shooting. Many GMs believe he's the best pure shooter in the draft. The question is whether he does anything else to make him worthy of a top-20 pick. He has a high basketball IQ but scouts will want to see him defend and create his own shot in workouts.

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Pure shooters have a role in the NBA, but it's interesting to hear a team may consider such a player so high in what many consider a deep class.

It's something to keep an eye on, as Booker might be the surprise pick this year.

Willie Cauley-Stein

Perhaps no prospect in the class is more interesting than Willie Cauley-Stein.

By most accounts, the Kentucky big man rests behind Karl-Anthony Towns and Jahlil Okafor on big boards, but then there are notes like this, per IndyStar Sports:

Either way, keep an eye on the Boston Celtics when it comes to the 7'0", 240-pound enforcer.

According to CSNNE.com's A. Sherrod Blakely, indications are the Celtics would like to move up in the draft, with plans that perhaps include Cauley-Stein:

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Two league sources told CSNNE.com Friday that the Boston Celtics are "very open" to moving up in next month's NBA draft.

And while the sources did not indicate which player Boston was targeting, there are growing signs that they have their sights set on trying to draft Kentucky big man Willie Cauley-Stein.

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Coaches can't teach the size Cauley-Stein brings to the table, but they can help him put on muscle mass and teach him the more technical side of offensive basketball, both weaknesses limiting him from a status as an elite all-around prospect.

For the Celtics, Cauley-Stein represents a prospect who can grow with a young core. Other teams may have a say in the matter, but the rumblings make sense.

Karl-Anthony Towns and Jahlil Okafor

The main question surrounding the draft seems to center on Towns and Okafor.

A growing consensus seems to feature Towns as the No. 1 pick, which would mean he joins the Timberwolves. This notion came to light before the lottery, though, because the Kentucky product is more pro-ready and can make a difference on both ends of the court whereas Okafor struggles on the defensive end but is the much better offensive prospect.

Now, it seems time to take the lottery into account. Doing so, it seems the general notion might be archaic, as Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress notes:

The debate seems to come down to preference at No. 1. With a solid scoring core already featuring Ricky Rubio, Zach LaVine and Andrew Wiggins, it's easy to think Towns would be the pick for the boost he can bring on the defensive end.

Then again, coach Flip Saunders may want Okafor because he's better on the offensive end with room to grow on the opposite. If the rumblings are true, the Duke prospect seems the likeliest choice, but keep in mind this is just the beginning of what will feel like quite a long march to draft day.

All stats and info via ESPN.com unless otherwise specified.