NBA Mock Draft 2015: Updated Predictions for 1st-Round Prospects

The Minnesota Timberwolves struck gold in the 2015 NBA draft lottery, securing the rights to the No. 1 overall pick and a presumptive franchise cornerstone in the process.

Plenty of speculation will circulate between now and the June 25 date of the draft itself, but Minnesota figures to be choosing between two big men. Although Kentucky's Karl-Anthony Towns seems like the better basketball fit, Duke national champion Jahlil Okafor is immensely gifted as well.

The dilemma is an interesting one that will set the tone for the rest of the first round. Below is a mock draft of the first 30 picks, headlined by the marquee duo of Towns and Okafor in that order:

Pick No.	Team	Selection
1	Minnesota Timberwolves	Karl-Anthony Towns, PF/C, 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	Kristaps Porzingis, PF, Latvia
7	Denver Nuggets	Mario Hezonja, SF/SG, Spain
8	Detroit Pistons	Willie Cauley-Stein, C, Kentucky
9	Charlotte Hornets	Myles Turner, PF/C, Texas
10	Miami Heat	Devin Booker, SG, Kentucky
11	Indiana Pacers	Trey Lyles, PF, Kentucky
12	Utah Jazz	Stanley Johnson, SF/SG, Arizona
13	Phoenix Suns	Bobby Portis, PF, Arkansas
14	Oklahoma City Thunder	Cameron Payne, PG, Murray State
15	Atlanta Hawks (via Brooklyn)	Kelly Oubre, SF, Kansas
16	Boston Celtics	Sam Dekker, SF, Wisconsin
17	Milwaukee Bucks	R.J. Hunter, SG, Georgia State
18	Houston Rockets (via New Orleans)	Jerian Grant, PG, Notre Dame
19	Washington Wizards	Frank Kaminsky, C/PF, Wisconsin
20	Toronto Raptors	Kevon Looney, PF, UCLA
21	Dallas Mavericks	Delon Wright, PG, Utah
22	Chicago Bulls	Christian Wood, PF, UNLV
23	Portland Trail Blazers	Montrezl Harrell, PF, Louisville
24	Cleveland Cavaliers	Justin Anderson, SF/SG, Virginia
25	Memphis Grizzlies	Jordan Mickey, PF, LSU
26	San Antonio Spurs	Tyus Jones, PG, Duke
27	Los Angeles Lakers (via Houston)	Rashad Vaughn, SG, UNLV
28	Boston Celtics (via L.A. Clippers)	Michael Frazier II, SG, Florida
29	Brooklyn Nets (via Atlanta)	Robert Upshaw, C, Washington
30	Golden State Warriors	Dakari Johnson, C, Kentucky

Towns has more perimeter finesse to his game to go with spectacular interior defense—a dynamic combination Okafor doesn't have at all, at the moment.

But Okafor does have the upside to develop those skills along with size and bulk (6'11", 270 lbs) that can't be taught. Combine his physical attributes with a magnificent post game and a knack for taking over a game when he's fully engaged, and Okafor is just as worthy of the top pick.

ESPN draft expert Chad Ford alludes to a significant factor in play that ought to give Towns the edge, though:

Okafor has some serious work to do at the charity stripe, to say the least. It's an area of the game a number of true centers lack in, and it may never improve enough for Okafor to be a pure shooter. The modern NBA doesn't reward teams with pure centers anchoring a squad as much as it used to, either.

All signs therefore point to Towns as the logical fit to pair on Minnesota's front line with Nikola Pekovic. The Timberwolves' perimeter core already looks promising with the likes of Andrew Wiggins, Ricky Rubio and Zach LaVine in the fold.

Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson isn't too worried about whom his beloved organization will acquire on draft day—either will improve the burgeoning young nucleus:

Some may view Okafor as a consolation prize, yet he's just what L.A. could use based on its current makeup.

All the praise for Towns isn't meant to imply Okafor is going to be a slouch in the pros. Basketball Insiders' Alex Kennedy relayed some information he's gathered leading up to the draft:

Kobe Bryant may well be approaching the last season of his career. He'll want his legacy to carry on, and Okafor would become the new face of the franchise once the Black Mamba retires.

Bryant's supreme competitiveness is just what Okafor needs to develop a killer instinct and assert his will to hit the ground running in the NBA.

A future frontcourt of Okafor and 2014 lottery pick Julius Randle leaves something to be desired defensively, but both players have the tools to improve on that end of the court. The offensive firepower would be formidable.

The key is just to lock one of the two big men in place. General manager Mitch Kupchak will have ample cap room in the coming few years to attract marquee free agents to L.A., even as soon as this summer.

Adding a couple of shooters to help with spacing and perhaps an All-Star would give the Lakers at least a puncher's chance at a playoff berth, even in the loaded Western Conference. Bryant will be keen to win as soon as possible, and whichever big man comes his way in the draft will help that cause immensely.