2015 NBA Mock Draft: Predictions for Round 1, Top Rising Prospects Breakdown

We are fewer than three weeks away from the 2015 NBA draft, so teams are working tirelessly to piece together their big boards entering the all-important night.

It’s safe to assume that almost all 30 NBA teams have Karl-Anthony Towns and Jahlil Okafor as the No. 1 and No. 2 players atop their wish lists. As for the teams picking No. 3 and beyond, they’ll have to decide which prospects best fit their system.

As June 25 rapidly approaches, there have inevitably been prospects who have seen their stocks rise and fall.

The Philadelphia 76ers and New York Knicks, picking No. 3 and 4, respectively, are the first two teams who could go against the grain and select a player experts haven't consistently ranked as one of the top prospects in the draft.

Players such as Willie Cauley-Stein and Trey Lyles of Kentucky, as well as Murray State’s Cameron Payne, are among a handful of players mentioned more frequently as draft risers. 

Here’s a mock of how the players will fall in the first round:

Pick	Team	Player
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	Kristaps Porzingis, PF, Latvia
6	Sacramento Kings	Willie Cauley-Stein, C, Kentucky
7	Denver Nuggets	Justise Winslow, SF, Duke
8	Detroit Pistons	Stanley Johnson, SF, Arizona
9	Charlotte Hornets	Devin Booker, SG, Kentucky
10	Miami Heat	Kelly Oubre, SF, Kansas
11	Indiana Pacers	Myles Turner, C, Texas
12	Utah Jazz	Mario Hezonja, SF, Croatia
13	Phoenix Suns	Frank Kaminsky, C, Wisconsin
14	Oklahoma City Thunder	Cameron Payne, PG, Murray State
15	Atlanta Hawks	Sam Dekker, SF, Wisconsin
16	Boston Celtics	Trey Lyles, PF, Kentucky
17	Milwaukee Bucks	Kevon Looney, PF, UCLA
18	Houston Rockets	Tyus Jones, PG, Duke
19	Washington Wizards	Bobby Portis, PF, Arkansas
20	Toronto Raptors	Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Arizona
21	Dallas Mavericks	Jerian Grant, PG, Notre Dame
22	Chicago Bulls	Justin Anderson, SF, Virginia
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	Christian Wood, PF, UNLV
27	Los Angeles Lakers	Rashad Vaughn, SG, UNLV
28	Boston Celtics	Chris McCullough, PF, Syracuse
29	Brooklyn Nets	Jarell Martin, PF, LSU
30	Golden State Warriors	Delon Wright, PG, Utah

Lyles an Option for the Knicks at No. 4?

Towns will likely already be off the board by the time the Knicks are on the clock with the fourth overall pick. But could Towns’ college teammate be an option?

Frank Isola of the New York Daily News believes as much. Isola reported that Knicks president Phil Jackson sees the 6'10" forward "as a good fit" for the offense and that the team is “enamored” with Lyles.

If you recall, earlier this year Isola reported that the Knicks had spent more time at Kentucky basketball practices than any other NBA team. Perhaps where there’s smoke, there’s also fire.

Lyles is not considered a top-five pick or even a top-10 selection for that matter. ESPN Insider Chad Ford has him going to the Boston Celtics at No. 16. Perhaps this is a smokescreen, but it could also mean the Knicks would be willing to move out of the No. 4 spot and nab Lyles a bit later in the first round.

Cauley-Stein Has His Share of Suitors

Perhaps no prospect has seen his stock rise as rapidly as Cauley-Stein has over the last year. In August, Ford had the Kentucky center as a mid-round pick at No. 13, but now the 7-footer could find himself picked somewhere in the top five. 

Ford penciled in Emmanuel Mudiay to the Knicks at No. 4 but noted the team is definitely paying attention to Cauley-Stein as the draft nears: "But two other names to look out for are Justise Winslow and Willie Cauley-Stein. I'm told having a long, athletic big man who can defend multiple positions like Cauley-Stein is gaining traction in New York." 

Well, this certainly makes sense if the Knicks spent all that time in Lexington this past spring. And many NBA teams will be interested to see if in fact the Knicks do grab the Kentucky product.

One team in particular is the Sacramento Kings.

James Crisp/Associated Press

Ford reports that he "is the overwhelming favorite in Sacramento." The Kings desperately need rim protection, and Cauley-Stein is the best defender in the draft. 

With a player as dynamic on defense as Cauley-Stein is, though, it’s feasible to see him landing in either spot. But he may be an even greater asset in New York, which needs a rim protector more than the Kings, who still have DeMarcus Cousins.

Payne A Steady Riser, Could Be a Top-10 Pick

The Oklahoma City Thunder have long been connected to Murray State’s point guard. Recently, Ford reported that "several rival GMs believe they've (the Thunder) promised Payne they'll take him at No. 14 if he's there."

Mark Humphrey/Associated Press

It's unclear how much of that is smoke. But he is a great fit at that spot, and talent-wise he may be the best pure point guard in the draft.

But now, the chances of Payne being around at No. 14 is growing dimmer and dimmer. One team planning to spoil the Thunder’s draft night is the Kings.

Candace Buckner of the Indianapolis Star heard that Payne’s draft stock is rising and then reported the guard will visit Sacramento next week.

Drafting a point guard makes a lot of sense for a young, rising Kings squad that is currently starting Darren Collison at that spot. Payne immediately adds depth at the position as well as bolsters the overall offense. Paired with Cousins, the Kings could have a lethal duo.

Russell: the Draft’s Biggest Riser?

D’Angelo Russell may be the best player in the 2015 draft not named Karl-Anthony Towns or Jahlil Okafor. On June 25, we’ll find out whether the 76ers take the Ohio State guard, perhaps the draft’s biggest riser over the past year.

Greg Wahl-Stephens/Associated Press

Russell, who just wrapped up his first and only season at Ohio State, was a potential lottery pick before the start of this year. Derek Bodner of USA Today Sports explained that Russell’s rising draft stock had to do with his continued growth on the court throughout the college season.

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The improvement Russell showed throughout the season was something he noticed as well.

When Russell arrived at Ohio State, one of the questions he frequently heard was whether he's a point guard or a shooting guard. After averaging 19.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game, Russell feels he demonstrated he could do both.

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Russell averaged 19.3 points per game for the Buckeyes, the highest among freshmen. He is a legitimate combo guard with the ability to score as well as facilitate an offense.

While Russell now seems like a lock as a top-five pick, it didn't look that way at the beginning of the college basketball season.