NBA Mock Draft 2015: Projections and Predictions for Top Point Guard Prospects
Welcome to the new age of the NBA: an era dominated by spacing the floor, strong outside shooting and, perhaps most importantly, point guards.
While always important to a team's success, point guards have dominated the league this season, with Stephen Curry taking home the MVP and a number of players like Chris Paul and Russell Westbrook also putting together outstanding seasons.
A significant change from just two years ago when the Miami Heat were dominating the league despite lacking a star point guard, it feels like a team can turn into a contender with just a single star signal-caller.
So with that in mind, teams have turned their attentions to the draft. While the expected top two picks are both big men, there are a number of talented players who could immediately step into the league as the next great point guard.
Here is an outlook at some of the top point guard prospects in the upcoming draft and where they will land.
| Pick | Team | Player |
| 1 | Minnesota Timberwolves | Karl-Anthony Towns, PF, Kentucky |
| 2 | Los Angeles Lakers | Jahlil Okafor, C, Duke |
| 3 | Philadelphia 76ers | D'Angelo Russell, PG/SG, 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 | Mario Hezonja, SG, Croatia |
| 8 | Detroit Pistons | Kristaps Porzingis, PF, Latvia |
| 9 | Charlotte Hornets | Stanley Johnson, SF, Arizona |
| 10 | Miami Heat | Kelly Oubre Jr., SF, Kansas |
| 11 | Indiana Pacers | Myles Turner, C, Texas |
| 12 | Utah Jazz | Frank Kaminsky, C, Wisconsin |
| 13 | Phoenix Suns | Devin Booker, SG, Kentucky |
| 14 | Oklahoma City Thunder | Cameron Payne, PG, Murray State |
| 15 | Atlanta Hawks (from BKN) | Sam Dekker, SF, Wisconsin |
| 16 | Boston Celtics | Trey Lyles, PF, Kentucky |
| 17 | Milwaukee Bucks | Bobby Portis, PF, Arkansas |
| 18 | Houston Rockets (from NO) | Tyus Jones, PG, Duke |
| 19 | Washington Wizards | Kevon Looney, PF, UCLA |
| 20 | Toronto Raptors | Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, SF, Arizona |
| 21 | Dallas Mavericks | Jerian Grant, PG, Notre Dame |
| 22 | Chicago Bulls | Justin Anderson, SF, Virginia |
| 23 | Portland Trail Blazers | Montrezl Harrell, PF, Louisville |
| 24 | Cleveland Cavaliers | R.J. Hunter, SG, Georgia State |
| 25 | Memphis Grizzlies | Robert Upshaw, C, Washington |
| 26 | San Antonio Spurs | Christian Wood, PF, UNLV |
| 27 | Los Angeles Lakers (from Hou) | Rashad Vaughn, SG, UNLV |
| 28 | Boston Celtics (from LAC) | Jarell Martin, PF, LSU |
| 29 | Brooklyn Nets (from ATL) | Terry Rozier, PG, Louisville |
| 30 | Golden State Warriors | Delon Wright, G, Utah |
D'Angelo Russell, PG/SG, Ohio State Buckeyes
D'Angelo Russell's place on this list remains a little bit of a mystery heading into the draft.
While he has the abilities to succeed at either guard position—he played shooting guard for the Ohio State Buckeyes but was arguably their best distributor, as well—his use will vary on a team-by-team basis, with many likely preferring his polish as a 2 rather than running the point.
But if a team does allow him to run the offense, they will be rewarded with one of the best offensive talents as a passer and scorer to enter the league this year:
Russell averaged 19.7 points per game last season for Ohio State, while adding 5.7 rebounds and five assists per contest and has the skill set to be a team's No. 1 option on offense from day one.
With Jahlil Okafor and Karl-Anthony Towns likely taking the top two spots, it looks like Russell will fall to the Philadelphia 76ers, a team that could add him to a young roster that looks to improve in the coming years.
After trading away Michael-Carter Williams last season, Russell should step into the starting lineup with ease and make the 76ers project more successful than in recent seasons.
Prediction: Russell to the Philadelphia 76ers at No. 3
Emmanuel Mudiay, PG, China
Emmanuel Mudiay still remains a bit of a mystery to the casual basketball fan.
Playing in China for the last season—and barely doing that with a limited number of appearances—high draft projections for the point guard likely baffle some of those who haven't seen him play.
But for those who have, Mudiay stands out as one of the most athletic point guards to join the league in recent years:
With a finishing ability compared to players like John Wall and Russell Westbrook, Mudiay could step in and have an instant impact on the league, even without a polished shooting touch.
Although the New York Knicks will be disappointed they fell out of the top two and missed out on one of the big men at the top of most draft boards, landing Mudiay isn't a bad consolation prize.
Still quite raw, Mudiay has enough natural talent to develop into the best player from this year's draft class and should be the player New York attempts to build around for the future.
Jose Calderon is near his mid-30s, and Shane Larkin isn't good enough to start at point guard for a playoff team. So the time is now for the Knicks to give Carmelo Anthony a point guard he can compete with, and Mudiay fits the mold perfectly.
Prediction: Mudiay to the New York Knicks at No. 4
Cameron Payne, PG, Murray State Racers
Mudiay is a relative unknown because he chose to play overseas instead of going to college for a year, but Cameron Payne has flown under the radar because of where he went to school.
As a Murray State Racer, Payne didn't get a chance to prove himself on national television like Russell and the Duke Blue Devils' Tyus Jones did. Still, he stood out as a star in the making, despite the weaker competition of the Ohio Valley Conference.
Payne isn't the strongest player in the class and doesn't have the first step that a lot of the more dominant point guards in the league have, but he makes up for it with an understanding of the game and an elite playmaking ability:
One of the better shooting point guards in the league, Payne can still find his way to the basket by outthinking and tricking defenders all while setting up his teammates for open shots because of his ability to score all over the floor.
The Oklahoma City Thunder will likely look to draft players who can add depth to the team in case the injury bug strikes again next season, and Payne is a perfect backup option for Westbrook.
While Westbrook is one of the most dominant athletes and scorers in the league, Payne will come in with the second team as a complete change of pace and will find more success spreading the ball around and shooting from the outside.
He isn't the flashiest player in the draft, but Payne will add a strong dimension to Oklahoma City's team as it pushes for the title next season.
Prediction: Payne to the Oklahoma City Thunder at No. 14
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
