NBA Mock Draft 2015: Predictions for Most Pro-Ready Prospects Ahead of Event
"Potential" is the buzzword every year at NBA draft time. Many teams look for the next possible superstar, someone who isn't a special player yet but can turn into one given the right circumstances.
But there's also value in a seasoned talent, a guy who can immediately make a positive contribution in the world's best basketball league.
With the 2015 NBA draft at Barclays Center coming up Thursday night, it's time to go over a few of those NBA-ready prospects one last time, specifically looking at where they might get selected. These players are often college upperclassmen but can also be underclassmen or overseas players.
But first, let's look at an updated first-round mock draft.
| 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 | Emmanuel Mudiay, PG, China |
| 5 | Orlando Magic | Willie Cauley-Stein, C, Kentucky |
| 6 | Sacramento Kings | Kristaps Porzingis, PF, Latvia |
| 7 | Denver Nuggets | Justise Winslow, SF, Duke |
| 8 | Detroit Pistons | Mario Hezonja, SG/SF, Croatia |
| 9 | Charlotte Hornets | Devin Booker, SG, Kentucky |
| 10 | Miami Heat | Stanley Johnson, SF, Arizona |
| 11 | Indiana Pacers | Myles Turner, C, Texas |
| 12 | Utah Jazz | Frank Kaminsky, PF/C, Wisconsin |
| 13 | Phoenix Suns | Sam Dekker, SF, Wisconsin |
| 14 | Oklahoma City Thunder | Cameron Payne, PG, Murray State |
| 15 | Atlanta Hawks (via Brooklyn Nets) | Bobby Portis, PF, Arkansas |
| 16 | Boston Celtics | Kelly Oubre, SF, Kansas |
| 17 | Milwaukee Bucks | Trey Lyles, PF, Kentucky |
| 18 | Houston Rockets (via New Orleans Pelicans) | Jerian Grant, PG/SG, Notre Dame |
| 19 | Washington Wizards | Kevon Looney, PF, UCLA |
| 20 | Toronto Raptors | R.J. Hunter, SG, Georgia State |
| 21 | Dallas Mavericks | Tyus Jones, PG, Duke |
| 22 | Chicago Bulls | Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, SF, Arizona |
| 23 | Portland Trail Blazers | Montrezl Harrell, PF, Louisville |
| 24 | Cleveland Cavaliers | Justin Anderson, SG/SF, Virginia |
| 25 | Memphis Grizzlies | Rashad Vaughn, SG, UNLV |
| 26 | San Antonio Spurs | Christian Wood, PF, UNLV |
| 27 | Los Angeles Lakers (via Houston Rockets) | Delon Wright, PG, Utah |
| 28 | Boston Celtics (via Los Angeles Clippers) | Robert Upshaw, C, Washington |
| 29 | Brooklyn Nets (via Atlanta Hawks) | Jarell Martin, SF/PF, LSU |
| 30 | Golden State Warriors | J.P. Tokoto, SG, UNC |
D'Angelo Russell
D'Angelo Russell is a 19-year-old combo guard coming off of just one season at Ohio State, but he has a skill set that belies his years. He's 6'5" and can score inside, from mid-range and from the three-point line, plus his playmaking skills are solid. He also possesses a Chris Paul-like swagger when he handles the ball.
So, where will the confident youngster land?
The Philadelphia 76ers would be wise to pick Russell at No. 3 after the two interior behemoths (Karl Anthony-Towns and Jahlil Okafor) presumably go first and second in some order. Philly has been tanking for a couple of years, but it's time it finally goes with a guy who can make it at least somewhat better in the 2015-16 season.
| D'Angelo Russell | 19.3 | 5.7 | 5.0 | 26.6 | 6.8 |
| Terry Rozier | 17.1 | 5.6 | 3.0 | 22.1 | 6.0 |
| Delon Wright | 14.5 | 4.9 | 5.1 | 29.2 | 8.4 |
| Jerian Grant | 16.5 | 3.0 | 6.7 | 25.5 | 7.7 |
| Tyus Jones | 11.5 | 3.5 | 5.6 | 20.4 | 6.5 |
According to NBADraft.net, Russell "[showed] great poise and maturity for a freshman," which would be great qualities for a squad in serious need of a culture change.
If the Sixers pass on the Ohio State freshman, the New York Knicks will gladly tab him as their franchise point guard at their No. 4 slot.
Frank Kaminsky
Frank Kaminsky is used to dominating more athletic defenders, so he shouldn't have trouble becoming a solid scoring option in the NBA, though his competition will be even more physically imposing than he's used to.
The Wisconsin Badger was awarded the John R. Wooden Award this spring, and for good reason—Frank the Tank led college basketball in player efficiency rating (34.4) and win shares (9.8) despite playing in the country's deepest conference, the Big Ten.
Don't those numbers just scream NBA-ready?
The 22-year-old Kaminsky has a sophisticated half-court offensive game. He'll score via long-range shots, he'll score with his back to the basket and he'll make defenders pay for running past him on closeouts with smart drives. These skills will make him a helpful cog in some team's offense.
Who will take the versatile 5, you ask?
My proverbial money is on the Utah Jazz selecting him at No. 12. Derrick Favors and Rudy Gobert will start at the post positions for Utah in 2015-16, but Kaminsky could come off the bench as the third big and play next to either Favors or Gobert. He could provide floor spacing that the Jazz don't get from Favors or Gobert.
The Wisconsin standout could also get looks from several teams in the 8-15 range that are in need of post depth and spacing.
Jerian Grant
Whoever gets Jerian Grant in the draft has to give him big minutes in Year 1. It just has to.
The 22-year-old Notre Dame standout combines excellent athleticism and a refined skill set in his 6'5" body, which makes him a possible fit at both guard positions in the NBA. Defensive effort can occasionally be an issue, but he's certainly not terrible on that end.
Grant could fall anywhere between the middle and the end of the first round, but he fits best with the Houston Rockets at No. 18.
Patrick Beverley, Jason Terry and Pablo Prigioni are currently the Rockets' three best point guards, and none of the three is a natural creator. In the playoffs especially, James Harden became the de facto floor general and was basically the only guy making plays for Houston.
Grant would be able to relieve some of that stress from the get-go.
One of his top strengths is his ability to pass out of the pick-and-roll, one of the Rockets' offensive staples. But he can also create his own shot, unlike Beverley, Terry or Prigioni. If Houston drafts Grant and utilizes those abilities, Harden wouldn't have to generate so much offense, keeping him fresh throughout games and the season as a whole.
Grant would also give Rockets fans something no other point guard currently on the roster can provide: the ability to finish at the rim.
In one of the top dunks from last year, the Notre Dame guard rode the magic carpet to the hoop and ended the drive with a powerful slam.
Grant could end up becoming a dark-horse candidate for Rookie of the Year if he lands in a situation similar to Houston's.
All statistics and measurements are from DraftExpress, Sports-Reference.com, NBA.com and ESPN.com (including ESPN's Hollinger stats) and updated through June 23 unless otherwise indicated.
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