2015 NBA Mock Draft: 1st-Round Predictions and Top Fringe Prospects to Know
There might not be a LeBron James or Stephen Curry in the 2015 NBA draft, but if the latter's team showed the world anything in the NBA Finals, it's talented depth trumps individual star power, anyway.
It seems like the 2015 draft class arrives just in time to suit the somewhat new-look Association. More than ever, teams lean on deep rotations, versatile forwards and surefire spot-up shooters to push the pace and win games.
The 2015 class offers extreme depth in the above places. There's so much depth even the late first round figures to provide teams with quality instant contributors, unlike most years.
Below, let's take a look at a mock draft based on team need and prospect stock, then dive into the deep end of the round to examine some of the names to know at the late 20s and beyond.
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 |
Fringe Prospects to Know
Rakeem Christmas, C, Syracuse
Landing a prospect like Rakeem Christmas near the end of the first round is never a bad thing.
Christmas falls down the board in large part due to depth underneath the rim this year, if not a bit of age considering he started all four years at Syracuse. Experience is never a major negative, though, especially not after he posted 17.5 points and 9.1 rebounds per game on 55 percent shooting from the floor.
As Brent Axe of Syracuse.com pointed out, there are a few contending teams sniffing around Christmas:
After a strong senior campaign, it's not hard to see why. Christmas could use some more size at 6'10" and 243 pounds, but then again, as the Golden State Warriors just showed in the Finals, there's nothing wrong with playing small ball.
The future looks bright for Christmas, whose lower stock gives him an unforeseen luxury—the potential a team with a perfect situation for his talents scoops him up near the end of the round.
Dakari Johnson, C, Kentucky
When it comes to Kentucky prospects this year, big man Dakari Johnson might be the last one to come to mind.
Johnson posted just 16.3 minutes per game as a sophomore this past season, averaging 6.4 points and 4.6 rebounds in the process. He seems a known commodity as a defensive enforcer and rebounder at 7'0" and 265 pounds.
For his part, Johnson's been hard at work talking to the teams in the mid to late-first round, as the Boston Celtics captured:
It's a smart move by Johnson, who, like Christmas, will need a proper fit to excel at the next level.
Teams know what Johnson brings to the table but don't know how he can develop as he matures. As ESPN.com's Chad Ford wrote, "he showed a nice mid-range jumper, as well."
While a workout, it's good news for Johnson's stock—a bit of offensive versatility can go a long way. Keep an eye out as he continues to search for the right situation.
Jarell Martin, PF, LSU
It's an eye-of-the-beholder type of thing when it comes to LSU's Jarell Martin, as he's a prospect who might go in the middle of the first round, near the end of it or even fall into the second round.
In hindsight, Martin probably needed another year in college to better identify himself as a player, but high-profile class after high-profile class continue to descend upon Baton Rouge, so his playing time for next year wasn't assured.
Still, as a sophomore Martin posted 16.9 points and 9.2 rebounds per game. The problem from a pro standpoint comes via a bit of an identity crisis, as Ford explained:
"Martin has talent. But scouts just aren't sure exactly what he's going to be at the next level. Either he measures better than expected and scouts believe he's big enough to play the 4 (a lack of a huge wingspan hurts his cause) or he loses some weight, gets a lot of reps in the gym on that jumper and makes scouts comfortable that he can make the transition to the 2. Otherwise, he's in no-man's-land.
"
At 6'9" and 239 pounds with an iffy jumper, it's going to take one team falling in love with one idea of Martin in the future and committing to it.
In this way, Martin is a bit of a project player. It's not a bad thing, either. Much like the players above, he figures to land in a nurturing environment. This also makes him one of the most important fringe players to watch.
All stats and info via ESPN.com unless otherwise specified.
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