NBA Mock Draft 2015: Latest Projections for Most Discussed Prospects
The NBA draft is just over 24 hours away, but it appears the rumors are kicking into high gear. According to Adam Zagoria of ZagsBlog, a source close to Karl-Anthony Towns said the Kentucky Wildcats standout had been told by the Minnesota Timberwolves that he will be the No. 1 pick in the draft.
However, Towns has since denied that report, per Nina Mandell of For The Win:
"It’s not true whatsoever. I haven’t had any promises. Believe me if I had any promises, I would right now be getting fat and eating a large ice cream. But right now I’m still just trying to find out what team I’ll play for and I’m still stressed out waiting for Thursday to come about.
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Even with Towns' denial, it still seems likely that the Wolves will take him at No. 1. There's a ton of smoke on that front and it would be a shock if there was no fire.
Here's a look at the complete first-round mock draft just ahead of the real thing on Thursday. Just below the table is more news and perspective about the draft's hottest names.
| 1 | Minnesota Timberwolves | Karl-Anthony Towns, PF, Kentucky |
| 2 | Los Angeles Lakers | Jahlil Okafor, C, Duke |
| 3 | Philadelphia 76ers | D'Angelo Russell, SG, Ohio State |
| 4 | New York Knicks | Emmanuel Mudiay, PG, China |
| 5 | Orlando Magic | Kristaps Porzingis, PF, Latvia |
| 6 | Sacramento Kings | Willie Cauley-Stein, C, Kentucky |
| 7 | Denver Nuggets | Justise Winslow SG/SF, Duke |
| 8 | Detroit Pistons | Mario Hezonja, SG/SF, Croatia |
| 9 | Charlotte Hornets | Devin Booker, SG, Kentucky |
| 10 | Miami Heat | Frank Kaminsky, PF, Wisconsin |
| 11 | Indiana Pacers | Cameron Payne, PG, Murray State |
| 12 | Utah Jazz | Sam Dekker, SF, Wisconsin |
| 13 | Phoenix Suns | Trey Lyles, PF, Kentucky |
| 14 | Oklahoma City Thunder | Kelly Oubre, SG, Kansas |
| 15 | Atlanta Hawks (from Brooklyn Nets) | Stanley Johnson, SF, Arizona |
| 16 | Boston Celtics | Kevon Looney, PF, UCLA |
| 17 | Milwaukee Bucks | Bobby Portis, PF, Arkansas |
| 18 | Houston Rockets (from New Orleans Pelicans) | Jerian Grant, PG, Notre Dame |
| 19 | Washington Wizards | Myles Turner, C, Texas |
| 20 | Toronto Raptors | Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, SF, Arizona |
| 21 | Dallas Mavericks | Tyus Jones, PG, Duke |
| 22 | Chicago Bulls | Rashad Vaughn, SG, UNLV |
| 23 | Portland Trail Blazers | Montrezl Harrell, PF, Louisville |
| 24 | Cleveland Cavaliers | R.J. Hunter, SG, Georgia State |
| 25 | Memphis Grizzlies | Christian Wood, PF, UNLV |
| 26 | San Antonio Spurs | Delon Wright, PG, Utah |
| 27 | Los Angeles Lakers (from Houston Rockets) | Anthony Brown, SG/SF, Stanford |
| 28 | Boston Celtics (from Los Angeles Clippers) | Justin Anderson, SF, Virginia |
| 29 | Brooklyn Nets (from Atlanta Hawks) | Chris McCullough, PF, Syracuse |
| 30 | Golden State Warriors | Robert Upshaw, C, Washington |
D'Angelo in Demand
Per Ken Berger of CBSSports.com, the Philadelphia 76ers are locked in on Ohio State Buckeyes star D'Angelo Russell:
"League sources say the Sixers want D'Angelo Russell and are willing to trade up from the No. 3 spot to get him. It would create an interesting opportunity for the Lakers, who could still get Jahlil Okafor and extract a future pick in the process. Among others, the Sixers control the Lakers' 2016 first-round pick, which is top-3 protected.
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It's doubtful the Sixers give up draft position. As a rebuilding team, that just hasn't been its M.O. While Russell has the most superstar potential of any player in the draft, Philly has to know the Lakers want to grab the next big man to extend the team's tradition of dominant bigs.
Okafor will be that guy at No. 2.
Porzingis' Suitors
There seems to be debate about what type of player Kristaps Porzingis will be in the NBA. ESPN.com's Chad Ford is a big believer in Porzingis:
"The Lakers need shooting, and Russell can play both positions in the backcourt. Okafor gives them a huge upgrade at center. But I'm also a big believer that teams should think long term here, and in the long run, I believe Porzingis has the highest ceiling behind Towns. He's got elite size, can stroke the 3, and he's a good athlete. I'm not sure he necessarily fits yet in the Lakers, but given the talent, I think you make him fit.
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For such a high-profile team with a demanding fanbase and star player, it just seems unlikely the Lakers would use the No. 2 pick on a player like Porzingis. Granted, he's big (7'2", 230 lbs), has excellent athleticism and skills for a player his size, but he's still unproven and could take up to two years to develop.
The Lakers have a chance to be good next season with a healthy Kobe, a free agent or trade acquisition and a top-notch rookie like Okafor.
It doesn't make much sense to pick Porzingis here. This wouldn't be a smart gamble.
Rashad Is Rising
By most accounts, this draft class is deep. While it may not have many players viewed as superstar prospects, there are a good number of guys expected to be major rotational players.
One who seems to be on the rise on several draft boards is UNLV Running Rebels guard Rashad Vaughn. Ford believes Vaughn lands with the Chicago Bulls:
"The Bulls always can use shooting and Vaughn is one of the better shooters in the draft. He's also a potential elite scorer who could give them a big scoring punch off the bench. He's been rising on draft boards the past few months and I can see why. He's one of the few guys left in the 20s who could, in the right environment, still be a breakout star.
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Jimmy Butler is headed to restricted free agency. All signs point to the Bulls matching any offer the NBA's Most Improved Player receives.
Butler may sign a shorter deal that would make him an unrestricted free agent in 2017. If he does that, Chicago could be left with a gaping hole at the position when that time comes around.
If the Bulls draft and develop another 2-guard like Vaughn, it may give the team some flexibility when/if it loses control of Butler. In the best-case scenario, Vaughn could be a much-needed scorer off the bench who has good size (6'5", 200 lbs) and can create his own shot.
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