NBA Draft 2015: 1st-Round Mock Draft and Predictions for Most Talented Prospects
With all but two teams eliminated from title contention, the 2015 NBA draft has come into focus for most basketball fans as they eagerly anticipate whom their favorite team will tab as a potential franchise player.
This year's draft class has no shortage of potential, as most of the players with a first-round grade have the ability to be difference-makers if they progress as expected. The likes of Karl-Anthony Towns, Jahlil Okafor and D'Angelo Russell have superstar written all over them, but the same can be said for other prospects who may not end up being top-five picks.
Here is a full first-round mock draft for one of the most exciting classes in recent memory, along with a closer look at some of the top talents available.
| 1 | Minnesota Timberwolves | Karl-Anthony Towns, PF, 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 | Mario Hezonja, SG, Croatia |
| 8 | Detroit Pistons | Stanley Johnson, SF, Arizona |
| 9 | Charlotte Hornets | Kristaps Porzingis, PF, Latvia |
| 10 | Miami Heat | Kelly Oubre, SF, Kansas |
| 11 | Indiana Pacers | Devin Booker, SG, Kentucky |
| 12 | Utah Jazz | Frank Kaminsky, C, Wisconsin |
| 13 | Phoenix Suns | Sam Dekker, SF, Wisconsin |
| 14 | Oklahoma City Thunder | Kevon Looney, PF, UCLA |
| 15 | Atlanta Hawks (from BKN) | Trey Lyles, PF, Kentucky |
| 16 | Boston Celtics | Bobby Portis, PF, Arkansas |
| 17 | Milwaukee Bucks | Myles Turner, C, Texas |
| 18 | Houston Rockets (from NO) | Tyus Jones, PG, Duke |
| 19 | Washington Wizards | Montrezl Harrell, PF, Louisville |
| 20 | Toronto Raptors | Christian Wood, PF, UNLV |
| 21 | Dallas Mavericks | R.J. Hunter, SG, Georgia State |
| 22 | Chicago Bulls | Justin Anderson, SF, Virginia |
| 23 | Portland Trail Blazers | Jerian Grant, PG, Notre Dame |
| 24 | Cleveland Cavaliers | Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, SF, Arizona |
| 25 | Memphis Grizzlies | Delon Wright, G, Utah |
| 26 | San Antonio Spurs | Cameron Payne, PG, Murray State |
| 27 | Los Angeles Lakers (from HOU) | Terry Rozier, PG, Louisville |
| 28 | Boston Celtics (from LAC) | Norman Powell, SG, UCLA |
| 29 | Brooklyn Nets (from ATL) | Jarell Martin, PF, LSU |
| 30 | Golden State Warriors | Chris McCullough, F, Syracuse |
Breaking Down Top Talents
Justise Winslow
The Duke Blue Devils won a national title this past season due largely to the play of three talented freshmen. Okafor received many of the accolades, while point guard Tyus Jones was also praised heavily thanks to how well he played in the national championship game.
With that said, Justise Winslow may have been the biggest key to Duke's success.
The do-everything forward was a metaphorical Swiss army knife for the Blue Devils as he contributed in all areas. He was a shutdown defender, which is something that should translate well to the NBA, but he also contributed offensively with over 12 points per game and an impressive three-point shooting percentage of nearly 42 percent.
With such a well-rounded, versatile game, Winslow believes he compares favorably to Jimmy Butler of the Chicago Bulls, according to John Schmeelk of WFAN:
Aside from Winslow's stats, he also seems to possess intangibles that lead to victories. NBA.com's David Aldridge reported an anonymous Southeast Division executive feels as though Winslow is simply a winner.
"He makes winning plays," the executive said. "Early in the year when I first watched him, when they ran Michigan State out of the gym the first time, one of the things I marked down—and I didn't know his bio a ton—was that this kid was a winner. And then I looked and he'd (also) won a couple of state titles."
While he isn't likely to displace Towns, Okafor or Russell in the top three, he could be selected as early as No. 4, which is where the New York Knicks are currently positioned.
According to ESPN.com's Chad Ford, the Knicks like what they have seen out of Winslow to this point:
Even though Winslow may not ultimately become the type of player who will put up All-Star numbers and light up the scoreboard, he has the potential to be a dangerous offensive player in addition to his defensive acumen.
Guys like Butler and Kawhi Leonard of the San Antonio Spurs have made strides in that area since entering the league, and Winslow very well could follow in their footsteps.
Frank Kaminsky
Despite being named the Player of the Year in college basketball and nearly leading Wisconsin to a national title, 7-footer Frank Kaminsky isn't receiving a ton of hype as a potential top pick in the 2015 NBA draft.
He may not be as complete as Towns or as dominant in the paint as Okafor, but Kaminsky is an excellent offensive player who figures to be an impact player right away because of his shooting ability. According to Wisconsin Basketball on Twitter, Ford believes Kaminsky is a top-notch shooter even at his size:
He proved that in 2014-15 by shooting over 41 percent from long range and averaging nearly 19 points per game. Kaminsky also grabbed over eight rebounds per game and dished out over two assists per contest—stats that suggest he is far from a one-dimensional guy.
Kaminsky will be an interesting option for teams that like to spread the floor, since he'll draw bigs out of the paint and open things up for his teammates. Also, per SiriusXM NBA Radio, he believes he would be a good fit in a fast-paced offense at the NBA level:
Due to his shooting and impressive ability to run the floor, it is easy to see Kaminsky fitting in with a team that likes to shoot early in the shot clock and maximize its number of possessions.
Success at the collegiate level doesn't always translate to greatness in the NBA, but Kaminsky is a polished player who should be able to thrive in what has become a jump-shooting league.
Trey Lyles
The Kentucky Wildcats were stacked this past season, so it was certainly easy for some players to get overshadowed. Towns and Willie Cauley-Stein were at the forefront more often than not, but forward Trey Lyles has all the makings of NBA stardom in his own right.
The 6'10" big man from Canada put up modest numbers in 2014-15 with nearly nine points and five rebounds per game, but he is a player with the tools needed to thrive on both ends of the floor.
Thanks to his size, rebounding and ability to score the basketball in the paint, Lyles is a hot commodity entering the NBA draft. According to Kyle Tucker of the Courier-Journal, Ford believes many NBA teams are high on Lyles:
Despite the fact that there is so much hype surrounding him, Lyles isn't letting it go to his head, per SiriusXM NBA Radio:
It is clear that Lyles is focused on his development and the notion of reaching his full potential. If he is ultimately able to accomplish that, then it stands to reason that he could be one of the top players to come out of this year's draft.
Jonathan Tjarks of RealGM is of the belief that Lyles could emerge as a star in the NBA along with those who are already expected to, such as Towns, Okafor and Russell:
"I could see Myles Turner and Trey Lyles ending up as Top 5 players from this draft. Those are probably my 2 sleepers.
— Jonathan Tjarks (@JonathanTjarks) May 14, 2015"
There are so many lengthy, athletic power forwards in this draft that it is difficult to differentiate them and project who will translate best to the NBA, but Lyles certainly has everything teams look for in a stretch 4.
Lyles managed to do some special things at Kentucky despite sharing the spotlight with so many great players, and once he reaches the NBA, he will be able to spread his wings and show just how good he really is.
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