2015 NBA Mock Draft: Predictions, Pro Comparisons for Elite Frontcourt Prospects
Barring a jump by D'Angelo Russell or Emmanuel Mudiay, big men will dominate the top of the 2015 NBA draft. As dynamic as Russell and Mudiay could potentially be, big is still usually viewed as better when it comes to NBA prospects.
In this mock draft, we focus on the top frontcourt prospects in this year's draft. Those players' names are highlighted in the table, and deeper analysis appears below.
| Pick | Team | Selection |
| 1 | Minnesota Timberwolves | Jahlil Okafor, C, Duke |
| 2 | Los Angeles Lakers | Karl-Anthony Towns, PF, Kentucky |
| 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 Trill 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 |
Karl-Anthony Towns
Pro Comparison: Pau Gasol
In the way of upside, no big man in the 2015 draft ranks above Karl-Anthony Towns. He can score with his back to the basket, shoot the mid-range jump shot, rebound and protect the rim.
In limited minutes, due to the Kentucky Wildcats' platoon substitution system, Towns averaged 10.3 points, 6.7 rebounds and 2.3 blocked shots in just 21.1 minutes of action.
Towns could go first or second to the Minnesota Timberwolves or Los Angeles Lakers. If he lands in Los Angeles as I predict, he would more than likely be forced to play center alongside another former Wildcat, Julius Randle, L.A.'s lottery pick from 2014.
Together they would form a dynamic one-two punch on the Lakers frontcourt for years to come. Former UCLA standout and NBA veteran Don MacLean has been working out with Towns, and he came away very impressed.
Per Adam Zagoria's ZagsBlog, MacLean had previously told SNY.tv of Towns' ability.
“I’ve been doing this for 11 or 12 years predraft," MacLean said. "Because I had a lot of top-10 picks and a lot of really good players, I’m not really impressed or blown away. I had Towns all last week, and I was blown away. Blown away.”
The fanbase of the team that selects Towns hopes to feel the same way during the 2015-16 season.
Jahlil Okafor
Pro Comparison: More Physical Brad Daugherty
Based on his physical stature (6'10 3/4", 7'5" wingspan and 272 lbs) and skill set, Jahlil Okafor is the rarest talent in the draft. Finding a player that big with the footwork and touch Okafor possesses is difficult.
Okafor scored 17.3 points per game on 66 percent shooting in his only season with the Duke Blue Devils. He hasn't proven himself to be an elite rebounder or defender up to this point. However, his average of 8.5 rebounds and 1.4 blocked shots per game don't exactly scream weakness in either area.
The Wolves could bring in Okafor to team with their up-and-coming and athletic backcourt featuring Rookie of the Year Andrew Wiggins and Zach LaVine. They would have one of the most talented young cores in the NBA.
Willie Trill Cauley-Stein
Pro Comparison: Tyson Chandler
Towns is a good shot-blocker, but when it comes to overall defense, no frontcourt prospect brings more to the table than Willie Trill Cauley-Stein. He's a legit 7-footer with extraordinary athleticism.
His dexterity makes him an above-average pick-and-roll defender and constant terror as a weak-side shot-blocker. Cauley-Stein isn't much of a scorer beyond catching lobs and finishing in transition, but he could really help a team like the Sacramento Kings with his ability to protect the rim and guard smaller players on the perimeter.
In the video below from the NBA, Cauley-Stein talks about going through the NBA Draft Combine process:
The Kings are in need of a defensive presence, and you won't find a better one than Cauley-Stein in this draft.
Height and weight information per DraftExpress.com unless otherwise noted.
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