2015 NBA Mock Draft: Top Prospects and 1st-Round Predictions Following Lottery
Only after the NBA draft lottery can teams truly start to focus on which players they want to select in June.
For the first time since 2004, the team with the worst record in the league will pick first after the Minnesota Timberwolves won the No. 1 pick in the lottery. The Los Angeles Lakers were the other big winner, moving up to No. 2 from the fourth spot based on the standings, while the New York Knicks dropped from No. 2 to No. 4.
With the draft order now set, we can take a look at whom each team should select with its first-round pick.
| 1 | Minnesota Timberwolves | Karl-Anthony Towns, C, Kentucky |
| 2 | Los Angeles Lakers | Jahlil Okafor, C, Duke |
| 3 | Philadelphia 76ers | D'Angelo Russell, PG, Ohio State |
| 4 | New York Knicks | Emmanuel Mudiay, PG, China |
| 5 | Orlando Magic | Justise Winslow, SF, Duke |
| 6 | Sacramento Kings | Willie Cauley-Stein, C, Kentucky |
| 7 | Denver Nuggets | Kristaps Porzingis, PF, Latvia |
| 8 | Detroit Pistons | Stanley Johnson, SF, Arizona |
| 9 | Charlotte Hornets | Mario Hezonja, SG, Croatia |
| 10 | Miami Heat | Kelly Oubre, SF, Kansas |
| 11 | Indiana Pacers | Myles Turner, C, Texas |
| 12 | Utah Jazz | Frank Kaminsky, C, Wisconsin |
| 13 | Phoenix Suns | Jerian Grant, PG, Notre Dame |
| 14 | Oklahoma City Thunder | Devin Booker, SG, Kentucky |
| 15 | Atlanta Hawks (via Nets) | Trey Lyles, PF, Kentucky |
| 16 | Boston Celtics | Sam Dekker, SF, Wisconsin |
| 17 | Milwaukee Bucks | Kevon Looney, PF, UCLA |
| 18 | Houston Rockets (via Pelicans) | Tyus Jones, PG, Duke |
| 19 | Washington Wizards | Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, SF, Arizona |
| 20 | Toronto Raptors | Bobby Portis, PF, Arkansas |
| 21 | Dallas Mavericks | Cameron Payne, PG, Murray State |
| 22 | Chicago Bulls | Terry Rozier, PG, Louisville |
| 23 | Portland Trail Blazers | Montrezl Harrell, PF, Louisville |
| 24 | Cleveland Cavaliers | R.J. Hunter, SG, Georgia State |
| 25 | Memphis Grizzlies | Rashad Vaughn, SG, UNLV |
| 26 | San Antonio Spurs | Christian Wood, PF, UNLV |
| 27 | Los Angeles Lakers (via Rockets) | Justin Anderson, SF, Virginia |
| 28 | Boston Celtics (via Clippers) | Robert Upshaw, C, Washington |
| 29 | Brooklyn Nets (via Hawks) | Delon Wright, PG, Utah |
| 30 | Golden State Warriors | J.P. Tokoto, SG, North Carolina |
Top Picks
Minnesota Timberwolves: Karl-Anthony Towns, C, Kentucky
This decision will likely come down to choosing between one of the two centers in Karl-Anthony Towns and Jahlil Okafor. While each has his strengths and weaknesses, Towns simply has a better chance of becoming more of a complete player in the NBA.
As good as Okafor is at scoring inside, he isn't as good defensively as Towns and doesn't have much of a jump shot. Meanwhile, ESPN's Chad Ford broke down another key difference:
Towns has the versatility to contribute in a lot of ways, including a move to the 4 if needed. He also is more likely to succeed in a fast-paced attack, which could be useful alongside Andrew Wiggins going forward.
Both have a good chance of having long NBA careers, but Towns has more upside and is a better fit for the Timberwolves.
Los Angeles Lakers: Jahlil Okafor, C, Duke
While everyone wants to pick No. 1, the Lakers were the real winners of the lottery. They were in danger of losing their selection if the Ping-Pong balls went the wrong way but instead now get to draft at No. 2 and get a high-upside player.
As Arash Markazi of ESPN Los Angeles noted, the pick will likely just be whichever center the Timberwolves don't choose:
The Lakers don't have any sure things for the future on the current roster, but they are building a nice core of talent with Jordan Clarkson and Julius Randle. Adding a stud center like Okafor would make the future look even brighter.
Combining the size and strength of Randle (6'9") and Okafor (6'11") in the low post will certainly make things difficult on opposing teams right out of the gate next season.
Philadelphia 76ers: D'Angelo Russell, PG, Ohio State
The 76ers won't be too upset if this is how the draft plays out because they have a much bigger need for a point guard than a center. This pick gives them an opportunity to make the tough call between the best two in the class.
While Emmanuel Mudiay represents more upside due to his strength and overall athleticism, D'Angelo Russell would likely be a better fit as a pure scorer who can also set up his teammates. His ability to play either guard position would also help give Philadelphia more flexibility in the future as it fills out the roster.
The former Ohio State star certainly believes he can succeed with the 76ers.
"Any team that drafts me, I'm going to make the best of it," Russell explained at the combine, per Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer. "And me knowing those guys [Nerlens Noel and Joel Embiid], I feel like...the chemistry is there already with me playing with Joel in high school all the time on the second team in high school."
Unlike some of the other recent Philadelphia picks, Russell also has the ability to contribute right away to help turn things around for the franchise.
New York Knicks: Emmanuel Mudiay, PG, China
Although their fans are upset about falling in the draft after the lottery, the Knicks are still in good shape to grab a great player in Mudiay. ESPN's Jeff Borzello certainly feels good about the spot:
Mudiay is a bit of a mystery considering he decided to spend a year in China instead of playing college basketball (he originally committed to SMU). That said, scouts have seen enough to have high hopes for the talented young guard.
The former Texas high school standout is the same size as Russell (6'5") but has a very different style on the court. He is a powerful player who uses his quickness and strength to get into the lane and finish at the rim.
While Mudiay does have his weaknesses—most notably his outside shooting—the Knicks would be smart to take a future franchise point guard with this pick.
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