2015 NBA Mock Draft: Pro Comparisons and Predictions for Elite Guard Prospects
The strongest position in the 2015 NBA draft is point guard. There are arguably four players who could step in and start for an NBA team as rookies and at least seven worthy of first-round consideration.
While not as strong as the crop at the point, the shooting guards are a fairly good group as well. The focus of the text in this mock is on the top guards in the draft. The top two will be highlighted in the table, and a closer look at each is offered 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/SG, 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
Of every player in the 2015 NBA draft, D'Angelo Russell has the most superstar potential. Russell isn't the most dynamic athlete, but he does possess elite ball-handling, passing and shooting skills.
Those skills manifested into per-game averages of 19.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and five assists as a freshman for the Ohio State Buckeyes. Beyond the many tangible qualities Russell possesses, he also has the confidence and leadership necessary to be a great pro.
His game is similar to former Portland Trail Blazers star Brandon Roy—but Russell has even better vision and playmaking skills. If the Philadelphia 76ers select him with the third pick in the draft, the nucleus of Nerlens Noel, Joel Embiid, Robert Covington and Russell will be a promising one.
Emmanuel Mudiay
Mudiay is a more gifted natural athlete than Russell but not quite as refined. At 6'5", 200 pounds, Mudiay has ideal size for the position. When you couple that with his quickness and explosive hops, it's easy to see why he's such a highly regarded prospect.
Here's an interview with the 19-year-old from the New York Knicks YouTube channel:
Unlike Russell and most of the lottery prospects, Mudiay didn't play college basketball. He skipped the collegiate experience and played professionally in China this past season. While he suffered an ankle injury that sidelined him for a while, Mudiay did show well in the games he played.
Per RealGM.com, Mudiay averaged 16 points, 6.2 rebounds and 5.9 assists in 12 games for Guangdong Foshan. His size and speed combination is reminiscent of the Washington Wizards' John Wall—but Mudiay is physically stronger.
His lack of exposure in the United States makes him a risky selection for a team like the New York Knicks, which can ill afford to miss with this pick. Still, Mudiay's upside will likely be too much for New York to pass on.
Justise Winslow
As two-way players go in this year's draft, Justise Winslow is one of the best. At 6'6 ½" with a 6'10 ¼" wingspan and a muscular 222-pound frame, Winslow already has the proverbial NBA body.
Athletically, he can finish above the rim and through contact. Winslow also knocked down 41.8 percent of his threes though he only attempted 2.8 per game. As good as his offense was for the national champion Duke Blue Devils, his defense is still the best part of his game.
With his combination of strength, length, athleticism and desire, Winslow has what it takes to be a lockdown perimeter defender. He'd be a great fit with the Orlando Magic alongside Elfrid Payton and Victor Oladipo.
There's some legit Jimmy Butler qualities in Winslow though he's further along than the Chicago Bulls star was at this point in his career.
Mario Hezonja
Few players—if any—in this draft can fill it up the way Mario Hezonja can. The Croatian wing prospect made 38 percent of his three-point attempts during Euroleague play this past season for Barcelona. Take a look at this scouting breakdown of Hezonja's strengths from DraftExpress:
At 6'8", Hezonja could play the 2-guard or small forward positions without concession. He's also not simply a long-range bomber. Hezonja can finish at the rim with slams and catch lobs, and he's a terror attacking the basket from the baseline.
The 20-year-old also seems to possess an alpha-dog mentality that could help him succeed in the NBA. His style and size make him a mixture between the San Antonio Spurs' Manu Ginobili and the Denver Nuggets' Danilo Gallinari.
The Detroit Pistons front office should fall all over itself trying to select Hezonja at No. 8.
All height and weight references per DraftExpress unless otherwise noted.
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