NBA Draft 2015: Latest Predictions for Top Prospects in Star-Studded Class
The 2015 NBA draft is loaded with potential superstars, which makes the first round incredibly important. The question for the teams picking early is which prospects will live up to their potential and which will end up busts.
While there are some safer options than others, this class is full of boom-or-bust prospects at each position. No one wants to pass on someone who could be an MVP, although you also don't want to waste a pick on a player who will provide minimal contributions.
That said, the organizations picking early will do everything in their power to select the prospect with the best chance of helping his team in the future. Here is a look at predictions for how the first round will go down with a breakdown of reasoning for the first few spots.
| 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 | Kristaps Porzingis, PF, Latvia |
| 5 | Orlando Magic | Justise Winslow, SF, Duke |
| 6 | Sacramento Kings | Emmanuel Mudiay, PG, China |
| 7 | Denver Nuggets | Willie Cauley-Stein, C, Kentucky |
| 8 | Detroit Pistons | Stanley Johnson, SF, Arizona |
| 9 | Charlotte Hornets | Mario Hezonja, SG, Croatia |
| 10 | Miami Heat | Frank Kaminsky, C, Wisconsin |
| 11 | Indiana Pacers | Myles Turner, C, Texas |
| 12 | Utah Jazz | Devin Booker, SG, Kentucky |
| 13 | Phoenix Suns | Bobby Portis, PF, Arkansas |
| 14 | Oklahoma City Thunder | Jerian Grant, PG, Notre Dame |
| 15 | Atlanta Hawks (via Nets) | Trey Lyles, PF, Kentucky |
| 16 | Boston Celtics | Kelly Oubre, SF, Kansas |
| 17 | Milwaukee Bucks | Kevon Looney, PF, UCLA |
| 18 | Houston Rockets (via Pelicans) | Cameron Payne, PG, Murray State |
| 19 | Washington Wizards | Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, SF, Arizona |
| 20 | Toronto Raptors | Sam Dekker, SF, Wisconsin |
| 21 | Dallas Mavericks | Tyus Jones, PG, Duke |
| 22 | Chicago Bulls | Delon Wright, PG, Utah |
| 23 | Portland Trail Blazers | Montrezl Harrell, PF, Louisville |
| 24 | Cleveland Cavaliers | R.J. Hunter, SG, Georgia State |
| 25 | Memphis Grizzlies | Rashad Vaughn, SG, UNLV |
| 26 | San Antonio Spurs | Christian Wood, PF, UNLV |
| 27 | Los Angeles Lakers (via Rockets) | Justin Anderson, SF, Virginia |
| 28 | Boston Celtics (via Clippers) | Chris McCullough, PF, Syracuse |
| 29 | Brooklyn Nets (via Hawks) | Terry Rozier, PG, Louisville |
| 30 | Golden State Warriors | J.P. Tokoto, SG, North Carolina |
1. Minnesota Timberwolves: Karl-Anthony Towns, C, Kentucky
There will be arguments over the talent of Karl-Anthony Towns versus Jahlil Okafor deep into each player's career, but Towns is the one who makes the most sense for the Timberwolves at No. 1.
While Okafor is a great inside scorer, he does have some flaws that could hold back his potential. Conversely, Towns can do a little bit of everything well, as argued by Amin Elhassan of ESPN (via Mike & Mike):
Bleacher Report's Howard Beck also quoted Minnesota AP writer Jon Krawczynski in predicting this pick:
Towns has a wide skill set that could allow him to be an elite defensive player in the NBA as well as a versatile scorer. If he can keep improving, there is no question he could be a perennial All-Star at the next level.
This is something the Timberwolves simply shouldn't pass up with the top pick.
2. Los Angeles Lakers: Jahlil Okafor, C, Duke
While more choices are always better, the Los Angeles Lakers are left in the enviable position of letting the draft come to them. Whichever top center doesn't go No. 1 should be the pick for the Lakers at No. 2.
ESPN's Chad Ford predicted the Lakers will end up drafting Okafor:
This pick would make a lot of sense as someone who can contribute immediately for a team that needs help right away. The former Duke star is an elite offensive player with advanced technique for his age. Pairing him with last year's first-round pick, Julius Randle, could create a formidable inside tandem for years to come.
The questions about his poor free-throw shooting and inconsistent defense will end up being overlooked when he averages 20 points and 10 rebounds early in his career.
3. Philadelphia 76ers: D'Angelo Russell, PG, Ohio State
The 76ers have been going through a rebuilding process for a few years and have picked up a few low-post players in the process. While Nerlens Noel is still young and recent picks Joel Embiid and Dario Saric have yet to play an NBA game, it makes a lot more sense for Philadelphia to try to fill a need in the backcourt with this spot.
After trading Michael Carter-Williams, Philadelphia has had a massive hole at point guard and can fill it easily with D'Angelo Russell. The most productive guard in college basketball last season paired a great scoring ability with impressive vision and efficient rebounding, making him a well-rounded competitor.
His overall efficiency at such a young age is part of the reason ESPN Stats & Info rates him as the most likely prospect to turn into a superstar in this class:
With the Sixers continually looking for potential stars, Russell remains the best overall choice with the No. 3 pick.
4. New York Knicks: Kristaps Porzingis, PF, Latvia
The Knicks would love to see any of the top three players fall to No. 4, although they should be happy with the chance to take Kristaps Porzingis (even if the fans won't be).
Porzingis has the tools to be an elite player in the NBA thanks to his size at 7'1" and the ability to score both inside and out. He needs to improve his strength, but that doesn't mean he will follow in the footsteps of other European busts.
The Latvian forward discussed the need to make his own path with Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski:
"There are guys who have had incredible NBA careers – like Dirk [Nowitzki] and the Gasols [Pau and Marc] – and there are guys who haven’t. They’ll say, this guy is a bust. He’ll be Tskitishvili, this Georgian guy. Bargnani, Darko … That’s why I am talking, because I want the fear to go away with me. I want people to get to know me. I don’t want to be the mystery man from Europe.
Some fans – they don’t want a European on their team. People have opinions, but maybe they’ve never seen me play. There’s nothing I can say, only I can go out and prove myself.
"
The truth is the fans don't have a say in the draft process. All that matters is whether the front office thinks Porzingis can produce in the NBA, and all signs so far point to yes.
5. Orlando Magic: Justise Winslow, SF, Duke
The Magic will have a bunch of options with this pick regardless of who is off the board, but the best fit might end up being Justise Winslow.
Despite an inconsistent season at Duke, Winslow shone in the NCAA tournament with the spotlight on him and proved he has the tools to succeed going forward. He is one of the top on-ball defenders in the class with the athleticism to be a serious threat in the open floor.
If he can continue to improve his outside shooting, the wing could end up being an elite two-way player at the next level.
This should make him a more appealing option than some of the other prospects available at this stage.
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