NBA Draft 2015: TV Schedule and Live Stream Coverage Info for Both Rounds
With so many potential stars and a lot of uncertainty at the top, the 2015 NBA draft will be a must-see event.
This class features few sure things, but there is a deep list of players who could be All-Stars in the right situation. Teams will be forced to rely on their scouting and judgement to decide which prospects will reach their potential and which will be nothing more than role players.
Considering every organization goes through this process differently, it shouldn't be surprising to see a few top prospects go higher or lower than expected. This will result in tons of possibilities for the first few picks and beyond, creating what should be one of the more unique drafts in years.
2015 NBA Draft Info
When: Thursday, June 25
Time: 7 p.m. ET
Where: Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York
TV: ESPN
Live Stream: Watch ESPN
Top Storylines to Watch
Who Will Go No. 1?
The Minnesota Timberwolves have each of the last two No. 1 picks on their roster in Andrew Wiggins and Anthony Bennett and will end up with three in a row after winning the lottery for the 2015 draft. The question is which top player will be the pick Thursday.
At this point, it seems the most likely option is former Kentucky center Karl-Anthony Towns. The versatile player has the tools to score inside while also showcasing plenty of ability as an outside shooter. Still, his best attribute is his shot-blocking ability that will easily translate to the NBA.
Although he confirmed he hasn't received a promise from the Timberwolves to be picked No. 1, he explained why he would be all right in any situation.
"It doesn't matter to me where I play," Towns said, per Jon Krawczynski of the Associated Press. "It matters what you do at the place you play at. It doesn't matter how successful or how unsuccessful a team is. It can all change with one pick."
Of course, Minnesota could also choose to go with fellow center Jahlil Okafor with the top pick. The Duke star is more advanced offensively and in turn could be more effective in his rookie season.
In either case, these two centers are likely to be judged against each other for many years to come.
Where Will Kristaps Porzingis Land?
Arguably the biggest question mark heading into the draft is the status of Kristaps Porzingis. The Latvian power forward continues to move up boards thanks to his upside as a stretch 4 in the NBA.
While the Timberwolves and Los Angeles Lakers could certainly consider the 7'1" player with the first two picks, the Philadelphia 76ers are more likely to be the first real option for the Latvian prospect.
"We've been hearing both [Emmanuel] Mudiay and [D'Angelo] Russell's name here for months," ESPN's Chad Ford wrote in his latest mock draft. "But over the past few weeks multiple sources around the league suspect that Sam Hinkie may actually be leaning toward Porzingis."
On the other hand, Mike Schmitz of Draft Express provides some reasons to temper expectations:
Assuming Porzingis will end up like other European busts is a mistake, but there is certainly risk involved. This could push him back out of the top five behind safer options on the board.
No matter where he ends up, though, his development will certainly be something to follow in the coming years.
Potential Sleepers Down the Line
After the lottery, NBA teams will look for either potential role players who can fill out a rotation or high-upside prospects with the potential to be stars down the line. This class features quite a few players in that latter group worth following.
Two similar prospects to watch toward the end of the first round are Christian Wood and Chris McCullough. Both are power forwards who haven't shown much at the college level—especially McCullough, who tore his ACL 16 games into his career—but have the length and athleticism NBA teams love.
With both possessing potential futures as a stretch 4 at the next level, there will certainly be teams betting on upside.
Another intriguing prospect is Robert Upshaw, who was one of the top shot-blockers in the nation before being dismissed by Washington. Jake Fischer of Sports Illustrated reported some teams have him completely off their boards:
On the other hand, the pure upside could see him climb into the first round. It will all be a question of whether a team wants to take this type of immense risk early in the draft.
Follow Rob Goldberg on Twitter for the latest breaking news and analysis.
