NBA Draft 2015: Analyzing Biggest Movers in Latest Expert Mock Drafts
Where is Latvian 7-footer Kristaps Porzingis going to be drafted? That's one of the biggest questions heading into the 2015 NBA draft on Thursday. Without question, Porzingis' name is the hottest in the draft. He seems to be in the mix as high as No. 3 to the Philadelphia 76ers.
ESPN.com's Chad Ford notes that the Sixers are "leaning toward" drafting Porzingis.
"We've been hearing both [Emmanuel] Mudiay and [D'Angelo] Russell's name here for months," Ford wrote. "But over the past few weeks multiple sources around the league suspect that Sam Hinkie may actually be leaning toward Porzingis."
The fact that the Sixers are strongly considering drafting Porzingis says a bit about how much stock the team is putting into the future of last year's top pick, Joel Embiid. After Embiid missed the entire 2014-15 season, the Philadelphia Inquirer's Keith Pompey (via CBS Sports' Ananth Pandian) reported that there is a "legitimate chance" Embiid could miss the 2015-16 season as well.
If Embiid misses more extended time, Porzingis and Nerlens Noel could make for one of the more athletic and versatile frontcourt combinations in the NBA. What the Sixers would do if Embiid does return at some point is unclear. If Porzingis pans out, it could be a nice problem to have.
Experts seem to be torn about Porzingis' landing spot.
DraftExpress believes that the Sixers will take Porzingis. But Scott Howard-Cooper of NBA.com has him slipping to the New York Knicks at No. 4, and NBADraft.net has him going fifth to the Orlando Magic.
Of the three possible suitors, the Magic make the most sense. It's a bad idea for Philly to take another big at this point. Aside from the fact that it would be stacking two positions, the team would also be ignoring its obvious need for a point guard. With Ohio State's D'Angelo Russell likely available, the Sixers would be silly to take anyone but the Buckeyes star.
Porzingis would be a tough sell in New York. The Knicks fanbase would respond better to a player it is more familiar with. Also, Porzingis is still a little raw.
The Knicks have high expectations. The patience may not be there to allow Porzingis to develop.
In Orlando, Porzingis would be joining an exciting young nucleus that includes Elfrid Payton, Victor Oladipo, Nikola Vucevic and Aaron Gordon. The Magic could lose Tobias Harris in free agency, but Porzingis might be able to slide into his spot in the starting lineup.
In any case, Porzingis is the guy who could dictate the direction of the draft.
Willie Cauley-Stein
Another big man who appears to be all over experts' mock drafts is Kentucky Wildcats star Willie Cauley-Stein.
DraftExpress has Cauley-Stein landing in Orlando at No. 5. NBADraft.net doesn't think he will hear his name called until 11th, going to the Indiana Pacers. Howard-Cooper has him going eighth to the Detroit Pistons.
The only one of these projections that seems far-fetched is the one from NBADraft.net. While the Pacers could use Cauley-Stein's athleticism and defensive prowess, it's hard to believe he'd slip that far. WCS would be a nice fit next to Vucevic in Orlando, but the more logical spot is Detroit.
The Pistons may lose Greg Monroe in free agency. As Howard-Cooper notes in his analysis, they would have elite rim protectors if they draft WCS: "The very mobile Cauley-Stein next to Andre Drummond? No one would score inside on the Pistons."
If the team can find some outside shooting to keep the floor spaced, it might reach the playoffs next season.
Cameron Payne
Everyone knows Russell and Congo native Emmanuel Mudiay are the top point guard prospects. However, Murray State Racers star Cameron Payne can't be ignored in the ranks of the top point guards available.
Payne is a scoring point guard who also has an excellent feel for creating for his teammates. As a sophomore, Payne averaged 20.2 points and six assists per game.
He did fracture a finger on his non-shooting hand during a workout with the Denver Nuggets, per Jonathon Givony of DraftExpress, but it's not expected to affect his draft status. DraftExpress doesn't think Payne has risen as high as the other two experts do.
It has him slotted going at No. 14 to the Oklahoma City Thunder. NBADraft.net has him landing at No. 9 with the Charlotte Hornets—which is bizarre—and Howard-Cooper has him going 11th to the Pacers.
Kemba Walker seemingly has the point guard spot on lock in Charlotte, and Payne doesn't seem to have the size (6'1 ½", 183 lbs) to play the 2-guard position for extended minutes. The No. 9 spot seems a little high to draft a backup. That's especially the case with wing players like Mario Hezonja or Devin Booker on the board.
If new Thunder head coach Billy Donovan has designs of playing Russell Westbrook at shooting guard, drafting Payne would make sense at No. 14. Payne has the ability to facilitate for teammates and knock down the outside shot.
His versatility could be just what the Thunder need to pair with Kevin Durant and a unique talent like Westbrook.
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