2015 NBA Mock Draft: Predictions for Where 1st-Round Prospects Will Land

The 2015 NBA draft features a deep class of prospects that should yield plenty of impact players. That doesn't mean the group is going to create a massive wave of new All-Star contributors but rather allow a lot of teams to fill a role within their rotation.

One question heading into draft night is whether that will increase or decrease the amount of moves. Teams can feel comfortable a solid prospect will be available into the 20s. Yet, if there's one player they really want, they may have to move up because the depth has created uncertainty in terms of the order.

Let's check out one possible scenario of the opening round with a complete mock draft. Players still have room for movement leading up to draft day next month.

1st-Round Mock Draft

Pick	Team	Selection
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, Congo
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	Trey Lyles, PF, Kentucky
10	Miami Heat	Mario Hezonja, SF, Croatia
11	Indiana Pacers	Frank Kaminsky, PF, Wisconsin
12	Utah Jazz	Myles Turner, PF, Texas
13	Phoenix Suns	Kelly Oubre, SF, Kansas
14	Oklahoma City Thunder	Sam Dekker, SF, Wisconsin
15	Atlanta Hawks (via Nets)	Devin Booker, SG, Kentucky
16	Boston Celtics	Bobby Portis, PF, Arkansas
17	Milwaukee Bucks	Kevon Looney, PF, UCLA
18	Houston Rockets (via Pelicans)	Tyus Jones, PG, Duke
19	Washington Wizards	Montrezl Harrell, PF, Louisville
20	Toronto Raptors	R.J. Hunter, SG, Georgia State
21	Dallas Mavericks	Christian Wood, PF, UNLV
22	Chicago Bulls	Jerian Grant, PG, Notre Dame
23	Portland Trail Blazers	Justin Anderson, SG, Virginia
24	Cleveland Cavaliers	Cameron Payne, PG, Murray State
25	Memphis Grizzlies	Terry Rozier, PG, Louisville
26	San Antonio Spurs	Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, SF, Arizona
27	Los Angeles Lakers (via Rockets)	Jarell Martin, PF, LSU
28	Boston Celtics (via Clippers)	Delon Wright, PG, Utah
29	Brooklyn Nets (via Hawks)	Cliff Alexander, PF, Kansas
30	Golden State Warriors	Dakari Johnson, C, Kentucky

As mentioned, this class is really more about depth than elite talent. Karl-Anthony Towns leads a small group of four or five prospects grabbing most of the hype. Beyond that, the others are still very much battling for position.

So let's examine a trio of players from outside the top 10 that carry some extra intrigue. They are names probably known by most college basketball fans, but their current positioning in the first round means questions remain about how they will fare at the next level.

Compelling Prospects Outside Top 10

11. Indiana Pacers: Frank Kaminsky, PF, Wisconsin

Kaminsky took the old-school way through college. He wasn't a ready-made NBA prospect coming out of high school. Instead, he stayed at Wisconsin for all four years, steadily improved his all-around skill set and is now a possible lottery pick.

He was named Naismith College Player of the Year award as a senior after averaging 18.8 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.5 blocks while shooting 55 percent from the floor. Quite a contrast from when he chipped in less than two points per game as a freshman.

Now teams have to decide how he'll fit in the NBA. He's a versatile offensive weapon with good length but his defense is a question mark, especially when it comes to defending the more powerful post players. Brian Hamilton of Sports Illustrated notes the center doesn't lack confidence, though:

The Pacers could use more interior depth and Kaminsky would be a good complement to the more defensive-minded Roy Hibbert, if he picks up his option. If he can at least play average defense, he should provide plenty of value of the offensive end.

19. Washington Wizards: Montrezl Harrell, PF, Louisville

It's no surprise Harrell's stock is in limbo. The Louisville standout is a proverbial tweener. He doesn't possess the height of a power forward or the perimeter skills of a small forward. What he certainly doesn't lack is athleticism or energy.

He plays the game with the all-out effort teams love to see. The question is whether that aggression can overcome the ideal measurements. Howie Lindsey of the Louisville Sports Report highlights the forward's wingspan, which helps make up some of the difference defensively:

Is he going to become a top-end player at the next level? Probably not. But based on the way he played with the Cardinals, he definitely feels like the type of player where he'll make a greater impact than expected based purely on outworking opponents.

The Wizards have a solid perimeter rotation highlighted by John Wall and Bradley Beal. They could still use more talent on the interior, though. Harrell can step into a spark-plug role off the bench and provide some valuable minutes. As he gets more comfortable, his playing time should increase.

20. Toronto Raptors: R.J. Hunter, SG, Georgia State

Hunter can light up the scoreboard, there's no doubt about that. He may be the most naturally talented scorer in the class. That said, the concern surrounds whether he can provide enough in other areas of the game to warrant a higher pick.

Making the jump from a mid-major program to the NBA will be a massive challenge defensively. He's not a great ball-handler and is only an average distributor. And while he averaged nearly five rebounds per game in college, that's going to decrease against bigger, stronger post players.

His shooting numbers also dropped this past season. His three-point efficiency went from nearly 40 percent in 2013-14 to only a shade above 30 percent. Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated reports teams aren't concerned because he was such a defensive focus for opponents:

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NBA executives agree. When asked about Hunter's low numbers, several execs said they believe Hunter will thrive in a less spotlighted role. There are concerns—defense and Hunter's spindly lower body are the most commonly mentioned—but few doubt his ability to be a consistent perimeter threat.

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The Raptors finished fourth in the Eastern Conference but still have several holes to fill to get into title contention. An offensive weapon like Hunter off the bench is one of them. Whether he can become more than that is unknown. If he does round out his game, getting him this late in Round 1 would be a steal.