NBA Draft 2015: Complete 1st-Round Mock Draft and Sleepers to Watch
The luck of the ping-pong balls determines the lottery order in the NBA draft, but the long-term skill of talent evaluation and making the correct picks separates the winners from the lottery regulars.
There are bound to be superstars and impact players in the 2015 draft, and they won’t all come in the first five picks. Adding quality depth and immediate playmakers late in the first round or in the second round is a difficult but rewarding task.
After all, sure-fire picks such as Karl-Anthony Towns, Jahlil Okafor and D’Angelo Russell are going to need some help when they hit their primes.
With that in mind, here is a look at a complete first-round mock draft as well as some sleepers to watch in the 2015 class who will ultimately play a significant role in the Association.
| 1 | Minnesota Timberwolves | Karl-Anthony Towns, F/C, Kentucky |
| 2 | Los Angeles Lakers | Jahlil Okafor, C, Duke |
| 3 | Philadelphia 76ers | Emmanuel Mudiay, PG, China |
| 4 | New York Knicks | D'Angelo Russell, G, Ohio State |
| 5 | Orlando Magic | Justise Winslow, SF, Duke |
| 6 | Sacramento Kings | Willie Cauley-Stein, C, Kentucky |
| 7 | Denver Nuggets | Mario Hezonja, G, Croatia |
| 8 | Detroit Pistons | Stanley Johnson, F, Arizona |
| 9 | Charlotte Hornets | Kristaps Porzingis, PF, Latvia |
| 10 | Miami Heat | Frank Kaminsky, C, Wisconsin |
| 11 | Indiana Pacers | Myles Turner, C, Texas |
| 12 | Utah Jazz | Kevon Looney, PF, UCLA |
| 13 | Phoenix Suns | Kelly Oubre Jr., SF, Kansas |
| 14 | Oklahoma City Thunder | Jerian Grant, PG, Notre Dame |
| 15 | Atlanta Hawks (via Brooklyn Nets) | Devin Booker, SG, Kentucky |
| 16 | Boston Celtics | Bobby Portis, PF, Arkansas |
| 17 | Milwaukee Bucks | Montrezl Harrell, PF/C, Louisville |
| 18 | Houston Rockets (via New Orleans Pelicans) | Trey Lyles, PF, Kentucky |
| 19 | Washington Wizards | Sam Dekker, SF, Wisconsin |
| 20 | Toronto Raptors | Christian Wood, PF, UNLV |
| 21 | Dallas Mavericks | Cameron Payne, PG, Murray State |
| 22 | Chicago Bulls | Tyus Jones, PG, Duke |
| 23 | Portland Trail Blazers | Jarell Martin, PF, LSU |
| 24 | Cleveland Cavaliers | Delon Wright, PG, Utah |
| 25 | Memphis Grizzlies | Justin Anderson, SF, Virginia |
| 26 | San Antonio Spurs | Robert Upshaw, C, Washington |
| 27 | Los Angeles Lakers (via Houston Rockets) | Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, SF, Arizona |
| 28 | Boston Celtics (via Los Angeles Clippers) | R.J. Hunter, SG, Georgia State |
| 29 | Brooklyn Nets (via Atlanta Hawks) | Rashad Vaughn, SG, UNLV |
| 30 | Golden State Warriors | Cliff Alexander, PF, Kansas |
Sleepers to Watch
Rakeem Christmas, F, Syracuse
Rakeem Christmas is a familiar name to college basketball fans after he averaged 17.5 points, 9.1 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game as Syracuse’s on-court leader this season. He also anchored the Orange’s zone defense with his rim-protecting abilities and will bring rebounding and defensive toughness to the table in the NBA.
Christmas also boasts a solid offensive attack that includes mid-range touch, formidable footwork down low and the ability to get out in transition. His athleticism in the open floor will be difficult to contain for some of the NBA’s bigger power forwards.
One concern with Christmas is the fact that he is 23 years old. That is a valid criticism for a prospect because he will already be in his mid-20s if he takes a year or two to develop in the professional ranks.
However, he was a walking double-double in college and represents instant production in this draft class. The ceiling is lower than it would be if he was 19, but the floor is also higher for his rookie season. Christmas demonstrated just how effective he can be right away during the NBA Draft Combine, as ESPN’s Chad Ford and Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix noted:
Ultimately, Christmas is athletic enough and possesses the necessary physical tools (leaping ability and lateral speed) to defend forwards at the NBA level even if he played primarily zone in college. He is a pure shot-blocker who will instantly improve a team’s interior defense and rebounding and is worth a gamble in the second round.
Michael Qualls, G, Arkansas
Michael Qualls was overshadowed by SEC Player of the Year Bobby Portis at Arkansas, but he still managed to average 15.9 points and 5.3 rebounds per game in 2014-15.
Qualls’ athleticism is the first thing that jumps out on film. He cuts into the lane with explosive quickness and determination, is a strong finisher when he gets to the rim, often awes the crowd with dunks and is strong enough to score through contact.
His combination of speed and length at 6’6” also helps on defense since he is long enough to bother shots and dart into passing lanes and quick enough to keep up with most shooting guards. The Arkansas product can also rebound from the wing position, which should appeal to scouts.
Qualls became more of an offensive force throughout his three seasons at Arkansas because of an improved jump shot. His three-point percentage went from 22.2 to 33.3 from his freshman to junior campaigns, which opened up the lane for drives because defenders offered more respect on the outside. His overall field-goal and free-throw numbers also improved.
Qualls boasts the skill set to be an instant scorer off the bench at the NBA level, especially if he continues to develop his perimeter shooting.
Olivier Hanlan, G, Boston College
Sometimes raw box-score production from a player is enough to earn him a chance at the NBA level.
Boston College’s Olivier Hanlan certainly hopes that is the case after he averaged 19.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.3 steals per game in 2014-15. He is an impressive three-point shooter (35.3 percent) and ball-handler and carried the Eagles offense for long stretches this season.
Hanlan makes plays with the ball in his hands off pick-and-rolls and in transition but is also comfortable finding ways to score off the ball. That versatility will help him see the court in his rookie season in the NBA.
The first-team All-ACC guard believes his experience against elevated competition in college will translate to the professional ranks, per Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe:
"I know what I am capable of and playing in the ACC, you go up against so many great players and so many elite guards. I am sure there’s eight or nine ACC guards in this draft and I think I proved myself in the ACC and a lot of people know that. I think if I keep on grinding, things will work themselves out.
"
Whichever team takes a chance on Hanlan later in the draft will receive a proven playmaker who can operate either guard position and score in a variety of ways. There are much worse options in the second round.
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