NBA Mock Draft 2015: Breakdown of Top Center Prospects and 1st-Round Predictions
Although the NBA has seemingly become a guard-oriented league, the upcoming NBA draft will help bring the big men back into the fold.
While there is a debate over just about every spot in the draft, most will agree the top two players in this year's class are centers. Additionally, we could see at least three more taken in the lottery as well as a number of quality power forwards.
With the league lacking true low-post stars, this draft will help bring back talent inside. Here is a complete look at first-round predictions along with a breakdown of the top centers in the class.
| 1 | Minnesota Timberwolves | Karl-Anthony Towns, C, 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 | Kristaps Porzingis, PF, Latvia |
| 8 | Detroit Pistons | Stanley Johnson, SF, Arizona |
| 9 | Charlotte Hornets | Mario Hezonja, SG, Croatia |
| 10 | Miami Heat | Kelly Oubre, SF, Kansas |
| 11 | Indiana Pacers | Myles Turner, C, Texas |
| 12 | Utah Jazz | Frank Kaminsky, C, Wisconsin |
| 13 | Phoenix Suns | Jerian Grant, PG, Notre Dame |
| 14 | Oklahoma City Thunder | Devin Booker, SG, Kentucky |
| 15 | Atlanta Hawks (via Nets) | Trey Lyles, PF, Kentucky |
| 16 | Boston Celtics | Sam Dekker, SF, Wisconsin |
| 17 | Milwaukee Bucks | Bobby Portis, PF, Arkansas |
| 18 | Houston Rockets (via Pelicans) | Tyus Jones, PG, Duke |
| 19 | Washington Wizards | Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, SF, Arizona |
| 20 | Toronto Raptors | Kevon Looney, PF, UCLA |
| 21 | Dallas Mavericks | Cameron Payne, PG, Murray State |
| 22 | Chicago Bulls | Terry Rozier, PG, Louisville |
| 23 | Portland Trail Blazers | Montrezl Harrell, PF, Louisville |
| 24 | Cleveland Cavaliers | R.J. Hunter, SG, Georgia State |
| 25 | Memphis Grizzlies | Rashad Vaughn, SG, UNLV |
| 26 | San Antonio Spurs | Christian Wood, PF, UNLV |
| 27 | Los Angeles Lakers (via Rockets) | Justin Anderson, SF, Virginia |
| 28 | Boston Celtics (via Clippers) | Robert Upshaw, C, Washington |
| 29 | Brooklyn Nets (via Hawks) | Delon Wright, PG, Utah |
| 30 | Golden State Warriors | J.P. Tokoto, SG, North Carolina |
Karl-Anthony Towns, Kentucky
Despite an excellent freshman season at Kentucky, Karl-Anthony Towns has barely scratched the surface of his ability. He didn't put up crazy numbers while spending time in a deep rotation, but when he played he showcased a versatile skill set that will help teams on both ends of the floor.
Towns is already a quality defender with the skill to be an elite rim protector while also having the quickness to defend a pick-and-roll. Offensively, he has good enough post moves to score inside, but he also hinted at times the skill to make shots from outside.
ESPN's Chad Ford was impressed watching the player in an individual workout:
He might not be as polished as Jahlil Okafor right now, which makes him a bigger risk, but the Minnesota Timberwolves would be making a mistake if they took anyone besides towns.
Jahlil Okafor, Duke
Okafor doesn't have the defensive ability of Towns and struggles with his shooting, especially at the line. However, the things he does well are what make him one of the best center prospects in years.
Despite being just 19 years old, Okafor is extremely advanced offensively with dominant moves in the post. He helped lead Duke to a national championship this year in part because virtually no one could defend him one-on-one.
With the NBA being a more wide-open game, Okafor should be even more effective offensively and will quickly be a go-to option for many teams. As long as he isn't a liability defensively, he should be a starting center for a long time.
Willie Cauley-Stein, Kentucky
When you think of Willie Cauley-Stein, you think about defense. He is not just a tall big man you hope will be a rim protector at the next level, he is an elite all-around defender who will be one of the safest picks in the draft thanks to this skill.
The Kentucky star blocks shots, gets steals and can guard just about every position on the floor. This helped him lead the nation in defensive win shares, according to Sports-Reference.com. And he ranked just behind Towns in defensive rating, which is a big reason why the Wildcats were so good this year.
Cauley-Stein also received high praise from an NBA executive who knows something about succeeding in the NBA:
Larry Bird clearly sees a player who can be a cornerstone defender while also running the floor and finishing at a high rate. He might never be a star in this league, but he can be a key piece for a championship team.
Myles Turner, Texas
There will be a lot of questions surrounding Myles Turner in the NBA after an inconsistent freshman campaign at Texas. There are also issues surrounding his long-term health based on his running pattern, as described by Matt Kamalsky of DraftExpress.
Still, there is enough upside to make him a lottery pick at the draft.
With 3.6 blocks in just 22.2 minutes per game last season, Turner proved he can be an elite defender at the next level. His combine measurement of a 7'4" wingspan will certainly help in this area.
He also displayed some shooting range at Texas, which, despite a 27.4 percent mark from beyond the arc, gives an impression he could improve down the line. This could make him a tough man to defend at the next level.
Frank Kaminsky, Wisconsin
Few players have improved more over their four-year careers in college than Frank Kaminsky, so while seniors are usually downgraded for their age, it's important to remember how good he has become.
The center has a wide offensive arsenal that allows him to score all over the court, which is rare for a 7-footer. According to KenPom.com, he easily led the nation in offensive efficiency for players used on at least 28 percent of possessions.
Luke Winn of Sports Illustrated explained why you shouldn't overlook his scoring from different areas:
"When evaluating "Frank The Tank" as a prospect it's important to remember that he was super-effective from beyond the arc and in the paint, and in the latter portion of his senior season, he was dominating with off-the-dribble basket attacks and interior moves far more than he was with long-range shots.
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Kaminsky doesn't have a long wingspan and isn't super athletic like other top prospects, but he knows how to score and can be a productive member of a rotation right away for whoever drafts him.
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