Pros and Cons of Every Potential Top 10 Pick in 2015 NBA Draft

Just like any other big decision in life, assessing top NBA draft prospects calls for a pros and cons list.

General managers must determine the upside and downside of their primary 2015 targets. What are the benefits and drawbacks of selecting these highly touted youngsters?

Every potential top-10 pick in this year's class offers a unique set of advantages and disadvantages moving forward. Some are athletic but lack skill polish. Others are magicians with the ball but lag in the physical categories.

Think there aren't any cons to drafting Kentucky's Karl-Anthony Towns? Think again. Want to know what the upside of Justise Winslow looks like? Read our in-depth scouting reports to find out what kind of investment each star prospect is worth.

Jonathan Wasserman's Big Board

For our list of "potential top-10 picks," we'll be using the top 15 prospects in Bleacher Report draft expert Jonathan Wasserman's big board.

Honorable Mentions

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15. Devin Booker, Kentucky SG (6'6", Freshman)

Pros: NBA-ready shooter at 19 years old (41 percent on three-pointers); quick in the open floor; big enough (6'6") and agile enough to attack closeouts and compete defensively.

Cons: Not a top-tier shot creator; not an above-the-rim athlete.

14. Trey Lyles, Kentucky PF (6'10", Freshman)

Pros: Fluid and agile when shooting and attacking basket; potential for outstanding offensive versatility; great end-to-end mobility; good instincts away from the ball.

Cons: Lacks fast-twitch explosiveness on drives and defense; needs to play stronger.

13. Frank Kaminsky, Wisconsin PF/C (7'0", Senior) 

Pros: Polished footwork and touch from the post and perimeter; he'll provide an immediate impact as a secondary scorer; great ball-handler and passer for his size; good end-to-end mobility.

Cons: Underwhelming athleticism; not an athletic shot-blocker; may have trouble creating separation on drives.

12. Jerian Grant, Notre Dame PG (6'4", Senior)

Pros: Speedy slasher; NBA-ready distributor; great scoring instincts on drives and pull-up jumpers; promising defensive quickness and length (6'7 ½" wingspan).

Cons: Will turn 23 prior to 2015-16 season (not as many prime physical years as younger prospects); shaky three-point shooter (32 percent in 2014-15).

11. Cameron Payne, Murray State PG (6'2", Sophomore)

Pros: Brings NBA-ready playmaking instincts and pick-and-roll skills; solid shooter; good length and instincts on defense.

Cons: Not an elite athlete; unproven against top-tier college competition; below-average overall strength.

10. Myles Turner, Texas PF/C (7'0", Freshman)

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Pros of Drafting Turner

Shooting touch and length

With a towering 9'4" standing reach and smooth shooting, Texas' Myles Turner will score comfortably over almost anyone at the pro level.

He connected on 43 percent of his two-point jumpers last season, per Hoop-Math.com. Turner has all the makings of an immediate mid-range pick-and-pop instrument and an eventual three-point shooter.

Rim protection

Turner was one of the most impactful interior defenders in the country last season. He swatted 4.7 shots per 40 minutes, altered countless others and showed great lateral mobility for someone his size.

As a result, he registered the best defensive rating in the Big 12 (86.3). Expect Turner to instantly boost his NBA team with the same tools, timing and awareness that helped him stand out in college.

Low-post potential

Turner attempted just 24 percent of his field goals at the rim in 2014-15, but he showed the beginnings of low-post footwork and scoring. Jonathan Tjarks of the Cauldron notes, "You wouldn’t necessarily know it from his NCAA stats, but Turner has some real offensive game."

Cons of Drafting Turner

Weak playing style/frame

Turner is nearly 240 pounds, but he leaves something to be desired in the power department. He's not that strong or assertive offensively, and sometimes bulkier opponents move him while jostling for position.

ESPN.com's Fran Fraschilla offers an explanation: "NBA scouts I have talked to describe Turner as a 'high hips' guy in the post, meaning his narrow base will make him easy to move off the lane. Ideally, at some point in his career he will be able to add the necessary 25 pounds or so that will enable him to battle inside."

Athleticism/running

Turner doesn't have a ton of vertical lift when he goes up for shots or blocks. And more interestingly, he exhibited a stiff running motion that puzzled some scouts and analysts throughout the season. He addressed the concerns at the NBA combine, per CBSSports.com's Sam Vecenie: 

"

It's a little awkward. It's something I'm working on to get better at. I don't want to say I never really learned how to run, but it's not something I ever put a lot of effort into when I was younger. I just put all my efforts into basketball. I'm working on my core a lot. Doing a lot of physical therapy. Yoga-type exercises. Holding poses.

"

9. Stanley Johnson, Arizona SF (6'6", Freshman)

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Pros of Drafting Johnson 

Two-way strength

Arizona's freshman bulldozer Stanley Johnson played with the strength of a 25-year-old man during his freshman campaign. He tipped the scales at 242 pounds during the NBA combine in May, offering more evidence for his reputation as a rock-solid wing. He'll outmuscle opponents defensively and on the boards, and he can absorb contact on offense.

Offensive versatility

Johnson doesn't wow you in any single offensive area, but he can cover all the bases. His coach can depend on him for shooting, creating off the dribble and scoring through traffic.

Defensive versatility

Armed with guard-like quickness and an expansive 6'11 ½" wingspan, Johnson can bottle up opponents of all shapes and sizes. He didn't always put himself in optimal position to defend at Arizona, but his talent as a stout and agile stopper was readily apparent.

This two-way versatility is also fueled by his high basketball IQ and competitive edge. NBA fans are going to love the way he gets after it.

Cons of Drafting Johnson

Offensive polish

While Johnson can complete a variety of tasks on offense, he doesn't have the refined handles or scoring skills to put up huge numbers yet.

For example, his jump shot is still a bit mechanical, and his release point is low. That will likely prevent him from consistently connecting on pull-up attempts at the NBA level. That is, until he streamlines and elevates his delivery. Johnson's ball-handling could get a little tighter, which would help cut down on turnovers (2.7 per 40 minutes). 

8. Kristaps Porzingis, Latvia PF/C (7'1", 1995)

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Pros of Drafting Porzingis

Stretch 4 shooting

Although he's a 7-footer who can play above the rim, Kristaps Porzingis' most attractive quality is his outside shooting. The Latvian teenager will space the floor and generate offense as a spot-up asset and pick-and-pop gunner. Tim Faklis of the Sporting News aptly described his shooting motion as a "specialist-esque, guard-like release."

End-to-end agility

Porzingis lopes up and down the floor more gracefully than most 7-footers, and his agility enables him to outrun foes and finish above the crowd. These physical tools should yield more pick-and-roll finishes and low-post buckets once he gets stronger.

Defensive potential 

His NBA team won't immediately get an interior stopper; Porzingis is just too slender. However, he's shown a willingness to challenge shots, and his foot speed should help compensate.

Cons of Drafting Porzingis 

Strength for positioning/rebounding

At 220 pounds, Porzingis is roughly 20-25 pounds lighter than most NBA power forwards and centers. He doesn't have a strong lower-body base to move opponents or the upper-body muscle to consistently finish through contact.

In order to be an effective rebounder and a productive back-to-the-basket player, he needs to hit the weight room harder than ever.

Raw low-post skills

We see glimpses of Porzingis scoring over his shoulder in the post, but for the most part, his paint production is limited. He doesn't have a command of pivot moves and close-range footwork yet. Fortunately, he has enough coordination to gradually expand that area.

7. Mario Hezonja, Croatia SG/SF (6'8", 1995)

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Pros of Drafting Hezonja

Shooting talent and tools

When he finds in-rhythm opportunities off the catch or dribble, Croatia's Mario Hezonja can pulverize opponents from deep ranger. He's still erratic and inefficient, but his 6'8" frame, elevation and fluidity as a shooter scream "NBA." Hezonja notched 15 multi-triple games this season despite averaging just 15.3 minutes per game.

Athletic slasher/handler

When he's not busy bombarding foes from beyond the arc, Hezonja is often slashing to the basket. The youngster has enough ball-handling prowess to shake his man and turn the corner, and once that happens, it's time for takeoff. His confidence, aggression and aerial agility do the rest.

Hezonja's ball skills also create some opportunities as a facilitator and pick-and-roll asset. His smarts and dexterity could give his NBA team some flexibility on offense.

Cons of Drafting Hezonja

Defensive execution

Hezonja's explosiveness and electricity haven't quite transferred over to the defensive side. He shows occasional lapses in effort, and his footwork and positioning need improvement. He should eventually develop into a capable swingman defender; just don't expect instant results from him.

Attitude/maturity

During his time as a pro in Europe, he's shown some poor body language and intermittent negativity around teammates. One NBA executive acknowledged Hezonja's disposition, per NBA.com's David Aldridge: "Does he have an attitude? Yeah. That's something we have to figure out. Does he get along with people?"

Hezonja needs to prove he can consistently collaborate with teammates if he wants a secure role in the league.

6. Willie Cauley-Stein, Kentucky C (7'0", Junior)

Mark Humphrey/Associated Press

Pros of Drafting Cauley-Stein 

Defensive versatility

The headline of Kevin O'Connor's SB Nation article sums it up: "Willie Cauley-Stein can guard anyone on earth."

There's still a learning curve entering the pros, but you get the point. Kentucky's big fella can dart laterally to disrupt ball-handlers during pick-and-rolls, and he can challenge the biggest towers in the paint. His NBA coach will be comfortable letting him switch during critical sequences.

Finishing above the rim

It's a simple task, but Cauley-Stein's energy and vertical explosiveness will put pressure on opponents. In transition and pick-and-rolls, his elevator goes a couple of floors higher than most. He'll create some mismatches and draw fouls just by being athletic.

Rebounding potential

He needs to add more strength and execute better fundamentals as a rebounder, but he has the potential to snare truckloads of offensive rebounds.

Cons of Drafting Cauley-Stein

Isolation skills

Cauley-Stein is not an advanced shot-creator in the post, although he can convert simple baby hooks and open flip shots. His team won't likely rely on him to convert back-to-the-basket opportunities.

Strength

As previously mentioned, he could use another 15 pounds of lower and upper-body strength. He'll need the extra bulk and power to battle NBA centers for position.

5. Justise Winslow, Duke SF (6'6", Freshman)

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Pros of Drafting Winslow

Rangy defense

Using his 6'10" wingspan, relentless energy and explosive agility, Duke freshman Justise Winslow will quickly assert himself as a multi-positional defender in the NBA. He has the length and strength to stymie forwards, along with the quickness and coordination to corral guards on the perimeter.

End-to-end slashing

In both transition and half-court scenarios, Winslow has a penchant for driving to the tin and wreaking havoc. Despite his lack of advanced ball-handling skills, he makes strong, confident drives that include Eurosteps and splendid body control. As he continues to polish his dribbling, he'll be an electric option off the bounce.

Catch-and-shoot

He is already a smooth catch-and-shoot perimeter threat. He drilled 42 percent of his triples in 2014-15, and 94 percent of those were assisted, per Hoop-Math.com.

Cons of Drafting Winslow

Mid-range creativity

Right now, it's three-ball, rim or bust for Winslow. He's either firing away from deep or trying to get all the way to the rack. In order to maximize his offensive potential, he must learn how to operate in between the arc and the trees.

Pull-up shooting

This is closely related to his mid-range creativity issues. Winslow had trouble effectively creating and making pull-up shots at Duke, and he hit just 27 percent on two-point jumpers, per Hoop-Math.com. 

4. Emmanuel Mudiay, China PG (6'5", 1996)

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Pros of Drafting Mudiay

Creative playmaking

Whether he's slashing and passing in transition or conjuring magic in the pick-and-roll, Emmanuel Mudiay has the tools and talent to create offense.

With his 6'5" frame and top-tier agility, Mudiay will devastate opponents off the bounce with his 6'5" frame and top-tier agility. Once he accesses the lane, he's strong and long enough to finish over them or crisply distribute to an open teammate.

Defensive tools

During his time in China, Mudiay showed inconsistent defensive execution. Fortunately, he has all the makings of a potential versatile stopper. He owns the wingspan, lateral speed and instincts to turn into an opposing backcourt's worst nightmare.

Cons of Drafting Mudiay 

Inconsistent jump shot

Mudiay enjoyed a couple of games where he hit multiple threes, but he was an unreliable shooter for the balance of his CBA stretch. His form and delivery aren't identical every time, and he's not always on balance. This irregular release resulted in a mediocre 34 percent from three-range and an abysmal 57 percent on free throws.

Floor-general fundamentals

While his natural playmaking talent is tremendous, Mudiay's NBA coaches will have to refine his fundamentals and sloppy tendencies. He is intermittently careless with the ball and makes questionable decisions, as evidenced by his 4.1 turnovers per 40 minutes.

3. D'Angelo Russell, Ohio State PG (6'5", Freshman)

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Pros of Drafting Russell

Ball-handling and passing vision

From Day 1, D'Angelo Russell will not only maneuver off the bounce, but he'll do so while surveying the floor like a hawk. At Ohio State, he dazzled by probing the defense and putting his teammates in prime position to score. His finesse and precision as a distributor will immediately enhance his team's offense.

Jump shooting

Russell can smoothly bury shots from any location in any situation. He's a threat to catch and shoot as an off-guard, or he can create his own pull-up jumpers in transition or half-court scenarios. The Buckeye's quick release and scoring instincts pair with his aforementioned vision to make him a legitimate dual-threat guard. And at 6'5", he can shoot or pass comfortably against NBA-sized guards.

Poise

He was a calm assassin at Ohio State, and he clearly has the moxie to lead a pro team early in his career. ESPN.com's Fran Fraschilla notes that out of all Russell's attributes, "most impressive is that he already possesses the poise and countenance of a 10-year NBA veteran."

Cons of Drafting Russell

Underwhelming athleticism

This is the foremost concern surrounding Russell's game. He was able to slash and move sufficiently against collegiate foes, but he didn't display great bounce.

When he penetrates into the lane at the NBA level, he's going to have some trouble separating into jumpers or finishing above athletic help defenders. Russell will also encounter some challenges when guarding explosive playmakers.

Strength

His slender frame is not as unnerving, although it's something he and his training staff must work on. Few players in the NBA are elite despite having feathery physiques, and Russell can't afford to assume he'll survive on finesse alone.

2. Jahlil Okafor, Duke C (6'11", Freshman)

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Pros of Drafting Okafor

Elite post-up skills

It's exceptionally rare for a college freshman to draw comparisons to Tim Duncan and Al Jefferson. But Okafor's back-to-the-basket power and adroitness merit the highest kind of praise. Low-post dominance isn't as cherished as it was 15 years ago, but the ability to carve up foes and draw double-teams is still valuable.

Young centers with his kind of footwork and touch around the rim are hard to come by, which is why it would be surprising to see him slip past No. 2

Offensive rebounding

Okafor isn't an outstanding overall board-snatcher, but he has a good nose for the ball on the offensive glass. He notched the third-best offensive rebounding percentage in the ACC at 14.8 percent.

Passing

When he gets double-teamed or sees a cutter, Okafor is well-equipped to rifle passes on target. Watch him zing a terrific pass on the move to Quinn Cook. That skill will translate to the Association.

Cons of Drafting Okafor

Defensive talent and range

It's tough to gauge Okafor's defensive ceiling, but he's a question mark on that end of the floor. He let a lot of drivers get past him last year, and he also doesn't show ample leaping ability to disrupt hook shots and rim assailants.

Sure, his teammates didn't help him for much of the year, and his feet are nimble enough for his defense to improve. But he's going to give up a bunch of baskets while he figures out how to play respectably on that end. Okafor also needs to work on consistently attacking the defensive glass.

Shooting range/free throws

Okafor mixed in some nice 12-foot jumpers throughout the year. However, he hasn't convinced us he'll become a pick-and-pop shooter out to 15-17 feet. And he must also improve upon his 51 percent free-throw shooting, or else he'll be a liability in crunch time.

1. Karl-Anthony Towns, Kentucky PF/C (6'11", Freshman)

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Pros of Drafting Towns

Offensive versatility

With a promising back-to-the-basket repertoire and a rapidly developing shooting arsenal, Karl-Anthony Towns is the type of frontcourt weapon who will produce inside and out. He has the dexterity to score with both hands near the hoop, as well as the fluidity to shoot from three-point range.

Vertical and horizontal rim protection

Towns will instantly give his NBA squad an ultra-rangy defender. He's not a finished product, but he's adept at altering shots above the rim and can move laterally to challenge slashers. His rim protection also includes outstanding rebounding; he gobbled up 12.7 rebounds per 40 minutes as a freshman.

Awareness/passing

While he might need to sharpen his decision-making in some areas, Towns has great awareness on both ends of the floor. This manifests in things like help defense and passing. NBADraft.net's Aran Smith notes, "(Towns is) able to find players when doubled, and even have the offense run through him at the high post."

Cons of Drafting Towns

Defensive discipline/learning curve

This won't be an issue in the long term, but youthful mistakes are part of the baggage that comes with drafting one-and-done prospects. Towns was often overzealous when contesting shots at Kentucky, and the result was 5.6 fouls per 40 minutes.

Strength

This isn't a red flag either, but it's something Towns and almost every young big man must address.

He doesn't necessarily need to bulk up much, as he's already nearly 250 pounds. But he needs to play stronger in order to avoid being pushed around by bigger, more powerful veterans. Once his frame turns from a young adult's body into a man's, he'll reach his full potential.

Unless otherwise noted, all stats gathered from Sports-Reference.com.

Dan O'Brien covers the NBA draft for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter: @DanielO_BR