NBA Mock Draft 2015: Projections for Prospects with Most Star Potential
Every NBA team wants to find a player who can be a star from day one, or least develop into one over time. The reality is: There are only a few true stars in the NBA, which means that finding one in the draft is a challenge that requires some luck.
While most stars are found near the top of the draft, there are times when elite players are middle- or late-first-round picks: Kobe Bryant was the 13th overall selection in 1996 and Jimmy Butler was taken 30th in 2011, to name two. There are even some notable second-round gems.
This mock has highlighted a player from Nos. 1-10, 11-20 and 21-30 with the most star potential in that range. A deeper analysis on each prospect is below.
| 1 | Minnesota Timberwolves | Karl-Anthony Towns, PF, Kentucky |
| 2 | Los Angeles Lakers | Jahlil Okafor, C, Duke |
| 3 | Philadelphia 76ers | D'Angelo Russell, 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 | Kristaps Porzingis, PF, Latvia |
| 8 | Detroit Pistons | Mario Hezonja, SG/SF, Croatia |
| 9 | Charlotte Hornets | Kelly Oubre, SG, Kansas |
| 10 | Miami Heat | Stanley Johnson, SF, Arizona |
| 11 | Indiana Pacers | Myles Turner, C/PF, Texas |
| 12 | Utah Jazz | Frank Kaminsky, PF, Wisconsin |
| 13 | Phoenix Suns | Devin Booker, SG, Kentucky |
| 14 | Oklahoma City Thunder | Cameron Payne, PG, Murray State |
| 15 | Atlanta Hawks (from Brooklyn Nets) | Sam Dekker, SF, Wisconsin |
| 16 | Boston Celtics | Trey Lyles, PF, Kentucky |
| 17 | Milwaukee Bucks | Bobby Portis, PF, Arkansas |
| 18 | Houston Rockets (from New Orleans Pelicans) | Jerian Grant, PG, Notre Dame |
| 19 | Washington Wizards | Kevon Looney, PF, UCLA |
| 20 | Toronto Raptors | Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, SF, Arizona |
| 21 | Dallas Mavericks | Tyus Jones, PG, Duke |
| 22 | Chicago Bulls | Delon Wright, PG, Utah |
| 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 | George Lucas de Paula, PG, Brazil |
| 27 | Los Angeles Lakers (from Houston Rockets) | Rashad Vaughn, SG, UNLV |
| 28 | Boston Celtics (from Los Angeles Clippers) | Justin Anderson, SF, Virginia |
| 29 | Brooklyn Nets (from Atlanta Hawks) | Chris McCullough, PF, Syracuse |
| 30 | Golden State Warriors | Christian Wood, PF, UNLV |
D'Angelo Russell
You might be wondering how anyone could look at D'Angelo Russell as a prospect with more star potential than Karl-Anthony Towns or Jahlil Okafor, but there's something special about the 19-year-old from Louisville, Kentucky who attended Ohio State University.
Towns and Okafor are bigs with length and skill, but they don't have what Russell brings to the table.
It goes beyond his 19.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and five assists per game. It's bigger than his sweet three-point stroke that led to a 41 percent connection rate from downtown. It's even deeper than his uncanny court vision and willingness to both create for teammates and score buckets in bunches.
Russell has the "it" factor.
Superstars have it, and Russell is set up to become one. He has supreme confidence in his abilities and belief in himself. You see it in his demeanor, and if you watched Ohio State play this season, you saw him command respect from his teammates and lead despite being just 18 years old for most of the season.
When it's all said and done, barring no injuries or unfortunate incidents, Russell will be the best player from this draft. The Philadelphia 76ers will have the ideal perimeter threat to go with their young bigs if they draft Russell at No. 3.
However, don't completely rule out the Los Angeles Lakers or Minnesota Timberwolves seeing the light and taking Russell at No. 1 or No. 2.
Cameron Payne
Were it not for Russell's ability to play point guard and the presence of Emmanuel Mudiay, Cameron Payne would be my top point guard prospect in this draft.
Payne isn't an explosive athlete, but what he lacks in speed and hops he makes up for in ball-handling, shooting prowess and overall feel for the game. Like Russell, Payne has a great understanding of when to look for his shot and when to set up his teammates.
He averaged 20.3 points per game and dished out six assists while knocking down just under 37 percent of his threes for the Murray State Racers last season. Playing for a smaller program kept him out of the limelight a bit; had he played for the Duke Blue Devils or Kentucky Wildcats, he'd be an unquestioned lottery pick.
As it stands, a team like the Oklahoma City Thunder could find a gem late in the lottery.
George Lucas de Paula
Rarely will you see a 6'5.5" pure point guard. Even rarer is a 6'5.5" point guard with a 7'0" wingspan. George Lucas de Paula of Brazil has those measurements and player profile.
He's currently viewed as a second-round pick, but his upside could cause a team to pull the trigger on him late in the first round. At the NBA Combine, De Paula (whom I'd love to give the nickname "Jedi") gave a solid account of himself.
He didn't score a ton of points but proved he could run a team against decent talent. His three-point, three-assist performance helped to shake the belief that he was too passive. De Paula asserted himself on the court and looked the part of an NBA point guard prospect.
"It would not have surprised anyone if De Paula went into a shell and had a very quiet outing here in Chicago like he did in Portland, but instead he stepped up, was assertive and showed all 30 teams in attendance just how talented he is, even if he remains at least a few years away from reaching his full potential.
"
De Paula is a project because he's just 19 years old and still has to come out of his shell a little more. If he can mature and get with the right team, he has a ton of physical talent to develop.
He has "San Antonio Spurs wonderkid" written all over him.
All height and measurements per DraftExpress.com unless otherwise noted.
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