NBA Draft 2015: TV Schedule, Live Stream Coverage, Top Prospects and Predictions

As the Golden State Warriors sober up from their victory celebrations, the NBA wastes no time commencing with the offseason. Nine days removed from the Finals, the NBA draft takes place Thursday night.  

Despite the short turnaround, the buildup makes it feel much longer. After all, everyone started filing mock drafts long before June, and most draftees finished their college season three months ago. They've waited long enough for their job assignments.

With the big night finally upon us, let's take a look at the pertinent viewing info before predicting where the top incoming prospects will land.

2015 NBA Draft

When: Thursday, June 25, at 7 p.m. ET

Where: Barclays Center; Brooklyn, New York

TV: ESPN

Live Stream: Watch ESPN

Predictions for Top Prospects

Karl-Anthony Towns, PF/C, Kentucky

Once March Madness settled down, college basketball fans shifted their attention to arguing which big man deserves the No. 1 pick. What once started as an even debate, however, has derailed into Karl-Anthony Towns running away from Jahlil Okafor.

While Okafor brings a much more advanced offensive game to the table, Towns offers size (7'0"), strength (248 lbs), athleticism, rim protection and higher upside. Although Kentucky's egalitarian offense often hid his true talents, the big man went a combined 17-of-24 with 41 points during the Wildcats' last two tournament bouts.

Kentucky head coach John Calipari limited Towns to the post, but he told Derek Bodner for USA Today Sports that his former player can stretch the floor at the pro level.

"He has more ball skills than I let him show," Calipari said. "He can shoot threes. That's not going to be who he is, but you're going to have to guard him in pick-and-pops or if he's trailing on the break."

What once sounded like the night's toughest decision now seems like the surest bet. Hoping to land the complete package, the Minnesota Timberwolves will snag Towns with the first pick, leaving the Los Angeles Lakers to land Okafor at No. 2.

Prediction: Minnesota Timberwolves (No. 1)

D'Angelo Russell, G, Ohio State

The Philadelphia 76ers don't abide by common convention. Sure, they can direly use a guard, and it'd be swell for their first-round pick to actually see the court this year. But they'll only take D'Angelo Russell if he's the top guy on their board.

ESPN Insider Chad Ford indicated they're looking Kristaps Porzingis' way with the third pick. Sports Illustrated's Jake Fischer, however, relayed buzz of Philadelphia deciding between Russell and Mario Hezonja:

"

Pulse around the league: rival NBA front offices believe the Sixers have narrowed in on D'Angelo Russell or Mario Hezonja at No. 3.

— Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) June 24, 2015"

Hezonja, a Croatian small forward who could become the draft's best shooter, is a surprising mention. He figured to go no higher than No. 5, with the 7-9 range looking more probable. Russell, on the other hand, won't slip beyond the top five.

If the 76ers pass on the playmaking guard—an offensive dynamo bogged down by defensive limitations and a tweener label—the New York Knicks are waiting right behind them. If he's there, they'll stay pat rather than trade down.

Don't count on that scenario unfolding. Rumors of Russell wanting no part of Philadelphia clouded the potential pairing, but he shot down that perception to Yahoo Sports' Marc. J Spears:

The 76ers ultimately want to locate a star, and Neil Paine and Zach Bradshaw of FiveThirtyEight.com give Russell the highest projected probability of becoming one among the top college prospects. He's also the highest bust risk of the prominent choices, but the Sixers have never shied away from risk before.

Prediction: Philadelphia 76ers (No. 3)

Kristaps Porzingis, PF, Latvia

Towns, Okafor, Russell. Then the fun begins. That's how the draft initially looked before Porzingis received more attention as a top-three candidate.

Drawing Dirk Nowitzki comparisons as a smooth-shooting 7-footer, the Latvian big man could now go as early as No. 2. The 19-year-old has gone from a possible top-five consideration to a mere lock, with the Orlando Magic now looking like his safety net rather than an optimistic projection.

NBA Photos/Getty Images

While Ford linked Porzingis to the 76ers, he also suggested they could be sending out smoke screens. According to SI.com's Chris Mannix, the Magic want Porzingis, and his camp wants the Magic. The 76ers may be leveraging that mutual interest into trading down at No. 5. 

Per ESPN.com's Ian Begley, the international prospect also likes the idea of playing in Madison Square Garden:

Yet New York, who has Carmelo Anthony but not its 2016 first-round pick, faces pressure to locate immediate results. It'd probably trade down before taking the plunge on Porzingis, in which case Orlando better hope the team moving up wants someone else.

Prediction: Orlando Magic (No. 5)