NBA Draft 2015: First-Round Mock Draft and Names to Watch on Stock Market
The NBA stock market now takes a seat as the king of the Association on the build to the 2015 NBA draft.
While there's been plenty going on behind the scenes, the draft process now steps into the limelight on its lonesome and observers will be able to see just how much occurs in a short period of time.
As prospects continue to undergo the biggest job interviews of their lives via interviews and practices, the stock market continues to shift by the day. Below, let's use a mock draft to keep up with who sits where and how teams might act at the podium as a result.
2015 NBA 1st-Round Mock Draft
| 1 | Minnesota Timberwolves | Jahlil Okafor, C, Duke |
| 2 | Los Angeles Lakers | Karl-Anthony Towns, PF, Kentucky |
| 3 | Philadelphia 76ers | Emmanuel Mudiay, PG, China |
| 4 | New York Knicks | D'Angelo Russell, SG, Ohio State |
| 5 | Orlando Magic | Justise Winslow, SF, Duke |
| 6 | Sacramento Kings | Willie Cauley-Stein, C, Kentucky |
| 7 | Denver Nuggets | Stanley Johnson, SF, Arizona |
| 8 | Detroit Pistons | Kristaps Porzingis, PF, Latvia |
| 9 | Charlotte Hornets | Cameron Payne, SG, Murray State |
| 10 | Miami Heat | Mario Hezonja, SG/SF, Croatia |
| 11 | Indiana Pacers | Frank Kaminsky, PF, Wisconsin |
| 12 | Utah Jazz | Sam Dekker, SF, Wisconsin |
| 13 | Phoenix Suns | Myles Turner, C/PF, Texas |
| 14 | Oklahoma City Thunder | Kelly Oubre, SG, Kansas |
| 15 | Atlanta Hawks (from Brooklyn Nets) | Kevon Looney, PF, UCLA |
| 16 | Boston Celtics | Trey Lyles, PF, Kentucky |
| 17 | Milwaukee Bucks | Montrezl Harrell, PF, Louisville |
| 18 | Houston Rockets (from New Orleans Pelicans) | Devin Booker, SG, Kentucky |
| 19 | Washington Wizards | Bobby Portis, PF, Arkansas |
| 20 | Toronto Raptors | Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, SF, Arizona |
| 21 | Dallas Mavericks | Tyus Jones, PG, Duke |
| 22 | Chicago Bulls | Terry Rozier, PG, Louisville |
| 23 | Portland Trail Blazers | Jerian Grant, PG, Notre Dame |
| 24 | Cleveland Cavaliers | Dakari Johnson, C, Kentucky |
| 25 | Memphis Grizzlies | Richaun Holmes, PF, Bowling Green |
| 26 | San Antonio Spurs | Delon Wright, PG, Utah |
| 27 | Los Angeles Lakers (from Houston Rockets) | R.J. Hunter, SG, Georgia State |
| 28 | Boston Celtics (from Los Angeles Clippers) | Justin Anderson, SF, Virginia |
| 29 | Brooklyn Nets (from Atlanta Hawks) | Rakeem Christmas, PF, Syracuse |
| 30 | Golden State Warriors | Christian Wood, PF, UNLV |
Names to Watch on Stock Market
Trey Lyles, PF, Kentucky
There are no shortage of forwards in this year's class, but perhaps none are more interesting than Kentucky's Trey Lyles
Lyles stands at 6'10" and 245 pounds and posted averages of 8.7 points and 5.2 rebounds per game while shooting 49 percent from the floor. CBS Sports' Jon Rothstein cites Lyles as one of the recent movers:
It's interesting, because ESPN.com's Chad Ford offers a somewhat different take:
"Lyles continues one of the quietest campaigns in recent memory to be a lottery pick. There's zero buzz about him, but when you press NBA teams, virtually all of them have him ranked somewhere in the lottery on their boards. Figuring out where he finally lands is the question.
"
In other words, Lyles remains one of the most unpredictable players in the class and offers the upside able to flip the entire process on its head.
When it comes to draft prospects to watch, Lyles—who figures to carve out a long career as a pro thanks to his offensive game—might be the top to watch.
Rashad Vaughn, SG, UNLV
For those who shied away from the draft process, the name Rashad Vaughn won't ring many bells, which is fine because it shouldn't for most.
Vaughn is the definition of a late riser, a shooting guard who stands with good size at 6'5" and 199 pounds. His film looks good, but perhaps most impressive is what the 18-year-old guard has been able to accomplish in front of scouts.
Marcus R. Fuller of the Pioneer Press provides some context:
There's no question Vaughn was a game-changing player at the collegiate level thanks to averages of 17.8 points and 4.8 boards with a 38 percent conversion rate from behind the arc.
As things continue, questions about his ability to come in and contribute right away also continue to evaporate. There's strong upside with Vaughn, who can still put on more weight and develop as a defender.
In the interim, he can serve as a key offensive rotational piece for the team willing to scoop him up, so keep an eye out.
Devin Booker, SG, Kentucky
Spot-up shooters can thank NBA champions such as Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson for their newfound value on draft day.
This especially goes for Kentucky's Devin Booker, perhaps the best shooter in this class.
Booker struggles to create his own shot and won't orchestrate an offense well for others with the ball in his hands, but teams are willing to look past those hits because he averaged 10.0 points as a freshman while shooting 41 percent from deep and 47 percent from the floor.
Steve Kyler of BasketballInsiders.com provides an inside scoop on the guard's stock:
Then again, Booker himself sounds like he would love to come off the board eighth, per the Detroit Pistons:
Regardless of where he winds up, Booker's selection may set a new precedent for a league shifting its ideas and values about certain skills.
There's little doubt Booker can carve out a lengthy professional career thanks to his consistent shooting, but just how high it lands him on the board and with what sort of team will perhaps say quite a lot about the direction the Association heads in future drafts.
All stats and info via ESPN.com unless otherwise specified.
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