2015 NBA Draft: Selection Order, Prospects to Watch and More
The Golden State Warriors drafted Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green. The Cleveland Cavaliers drafted LeBron James and Kyrie Irving. Best of luck in your attempts at convincing even a casual basketball fan that the NBA draft is anything but one of the most important days on the sport’s calendar.
The Warriors and Cavaliers are on an NBA Finals collision course and are also a testament to what shrewd drafts (and lucky bounces from pingpong balls) can do for a franchise. The New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers and Philadelphia 76ers are certainly on notice.
Fortunately for the teams near the top of the 2015 draft, there is plenty of talent available this year. Here is a look at the selection order, a complete first-round mock and some prospects to watch.
Selection Order
Mock Draft
| 1 | Minnesota Timberwolves | Karl-Anthony Towns, F/C, Kentucky |
| 2 | Los Angeles Lakers | Jahlil Okafor, C, Duke |
| 3 | Philadelphia 76ers | D'Angelo Russell, G, 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, 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 |
Prospects to Watch
No. 10 Miami Heat: Frank Kaminsky, C, Wisconsin
The Miami Heat will have the opportunity to add Wisconsin's superstar big man, Frank Kaminsky, to their rotation next season and develop into a floor-spacing nightmare for opposing defenses.
Between Dwyane Wade and Goran Dragic (if he re-signs with the Heat) on the outside, Chris Bosh's deadly mid-range jumper and Kaminsky's ability to hit the three-pointer from the center position, there are mismatches everywhere on the floor. Wade and Dragic can open up even more looks through penetration.
Kaminsky works as a rotational big in Miami because he can operate in pick-and-pops with the ball-handlers, space the floor when he plays alongside Hassan Whiteside (who typically stays closer to the basket) and either camp outside the arc or battle for rebounds down low (8.2 rebounds per game last year at Wisconsin) when he plays with Bosh.
Ultimately, Kaminsky is a polished prospect who is ready to create matchup problems from the day he steps on an NBA floor. Miami is built to win now if Bosh returns to full health and Dragic stays put, and Kaminsky will help it do just that.
No. 5 Orlando Magic: Justise Winslow, F, Duke
The idea of Justise Winslow and Victor Oladipo hounding opposing ball-handlers for four quarters is enough to make NBA coaches break into a cold sweat.
Winslow is a solid offensive prospect because of his ability to hit from three and attack off the dribble, but his defense is what stands out as the draft approaches. That is exactly what jumped out on film with Oladipo.
Orlando could have itself a young and enticing core with Elfrid Payton, Nikola Vucevic, Oladipo and Winslow. Between Payton and Oladipo in the backcourt, Winslow on the wing and Vucevic down low, it is theoretically set for years to come across the floor and could be a factor in the watered-down Eastern Conference as soon as next season.
Winslow also provides a safety net if and when Tobias Harris signs somewhere else as a free agent this offseason.
Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer discussed Winslow's appeal compared to his college teammate Jahlil Okafor:
"Okafor is a likely top-two pick because he has one special skill – exceptional low-post scoring in the mold of Charlotte Hornets center Al Jefferson. Winslow is more versatile – a strong defender who could play either small forward or shooting guard at the NBA level with some point guard-like playmaking skills.
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The Magic are not far from playoff contention. Adding a potential two-way superstar like Winslow is the next step in the progression toward relevancy.
No. 30 Golden State Warriors: Cliff Alexander, PF, Kansas
Cliff Alexander could have been a top-10 pick in the lottery out of high school. Now he may not even hear his name called in the first round.
Alexander failed to live up to his overwhelming hype in his one season at Kansas and finished with nightly averages of 7.1 points and 5.3 rebounds. He also didn't play a single postseason minute because of eligibility concerns. That's not exactly the formula for bolstering a draft stock.
However, the talent is still there. There was a reason he received so much attention before stepping foot on the college basketball floor, and the Golden State Warriors represent a loaded team without nearly as much pressure to step in and contribute right away like a lottery pick.
What's more, the Warriors are guard-oriented with Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson and could use some reinforcements down low behind Andrew Bogut. Alexander represents exactly that and will not shy away from the spotlight after spending a year in Lawrence, Kansas.
He is also plenty motivated, per Adam Zagoria of SNY.tv:
"Alexander has heard all the criticism and can only look toward the future and trying to prove everyone wrong.
“Most definitely,” he said, “I need to redeem myself.
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Alexander was an overwhelming talent coming out of high school and could slide into a low-pressure situation in Golden State right away. This pick makes sense and will help the Warriors shore up long-term concerns down low since Bogut and David Lee are both in their 30s.
