NBA Draft 2015: Latest Mock Draft and Top Rumors Surrounding 1st-Round Prospects
The big day has finally arrived. Thursday marks the start of the 2015 NBA draft, with 60 big-time selections about to be made on the stage of Brooklyn's Barclays Center.
With so many touted prospects among the 2015 class, teams with lottery picks are spoiled for choice and assessing their options—even in the hours leading up to the draft. The same can be said of picks at the very top of the board, although there seems to be some clarity as to the identity of the No. 1 overall pick.
Since the draft is just hours away, let's take one final look at an NBA first-round mock draft and what the latest rumors are saying.
2015 NBA Round 1 Mock Draft
| 1 | Minnesota Timberwolves | Karl-Anthony Towns, PF, Kentucky |
| 2 | Los Angeles Lakers | Jahlil Okafor, C, Duke |
| 3 | Philadelphia 76ers | Kristaps Porzingis, PF, Latvia |
| 4 | New York Knicks | D'Angelo Russell, SG, Ohio State |
| 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 | Mario Hezonja, SG, 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 | Kelly Oubre, SG, Kansas |
| 13 | Phoenix Suns | Trey Lyles, PF, Kentucky |
| 14 | Oklahoma City Thunder | Cameron Payne, PG, Murray State |
| 15 | Atlanta Hawks (from Brooklyn Nets) | Frank Kaminsky, PF, Wisconsin |
| 16 | Boston Celtics | Bobby Portis, PF, Arkansas |
| 17 | Milwaukee Bucks | Kevon Looney, PF, UCLA |
| 18 | Houston Rockets (from New Orleans Pelicans) | Tyus Jones, PG, Duke |
| 19 | Washington Wizards | Sam Dekker, SF, Wisconsin |
| 20 | Toronto Raptors | Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, SF, Arizona |
| 21 | Dallas Mavericks | Jerian Grant, PG, Notre Dame |
| 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 | Christian Wood, PF, UNLV |
| 26 | San Antonio Spurs | Anthony Brown, SF, Stanford |
| 27 | Los Angeles Lakers (from Houston Rockets) | Rashad Vaughn, SG, UNLV |
| 28 | Boston Celtics (from Los Angeles Clippers) | Chris McCullough, PF, Syracuse |
| 29 | Brooklyn Nets (from Atlanta Hawks) | Jarell Martin, PF, LSU |
| 30 | Golden State Warriors | Jonathan Holmes, SF, Texas |
Top Rumors
No Drama at No. 1?
As the predraft months have worn along and the Minnesota Timberwolves—among other teams atop the board—have had first and second looks at potential prospects, they seem to have zeroed in on their choice at No. 1 overall.
And it's no surprise that it's likely going to be Karl-Anthony Towns, the big one-and-done center from Kentucky.
Adam Zagoria of ZagsBlog.com reported on Monday of draft week that after his second workout with the team, "They just told him they're going to take him at No. 1."
Ever since the college basketball season ended, there's been a duel between Towns and Jahlil Okafor for No. 1 status. Towns' late-season improvements seem to have put him ahead of the dependable Duke freshman in some respects.
Although Towns chose to deny any promises made to Jon Krawczynski of the Associated Press, he didn't waste time joking about it:
Of course, Towns isn't likely to go out and do that regardless of whether he's promised anything or picked anywhere. The moment that Minnesota nabs him as its new franchise player, one can bet that Kevin Garnett will be riding the coattails of Towns in usual KG fashion in order to get the most out of his talents.
One thing remains increasingly clear as the draft looms: Garnett and Flip Saunders will get that very chance to mold Towns into their type of player.
D'Angelo Russell Running Away with Lake Show?
So with Towns likely coming off the board to Minnesota, the Los Angeles Lakers can go ahead and jot down Okafor on their card for No. 2 overall. Right?
Not so fast, actually, as the Lakers are busy swooning over Ohio State guard D'Angelo Russell and his star-caliber ability.
Bleacher Report's Kevin Ding reported concerning news for Okafor fans in L.A., stating that the Lakers are growing more and more fond of drafting Russell instead of Okafor. While both are great talents, the Lakers might see Russell as more of a star:
"It didn't help that, according to team sources, Okafor's second predraft workout with the Lakers was a distinct drop-off from the first—whereas Russell was channeling Stephen Curry's velvety stroke in his follow-up workout with the team.
As trite as it might sound given Curry's unquestioned popularity as MVP and champion right now, the Lakers believe the comparison is legit.
"
Folks with the Lakers haven't been the only ones to compare Russell's sharpshooting and solid handles to that of Stephen Curry, and it's fair to assess that Curry's fall to No. 7 will be fresh on front-office minds regarding Russell, according to Lost Letterman:
The Lakers still might have Kobe Bryant for now, but that ship is quickly sailing off into the sunset. Jordan Clarkson is probably not the long-term backcourt star to bring L.A. back to prominence in the West, and Julius Randle still gives them star-caliber talent in the frontcourt.
Nabbing Russell as the next star backcourt player for the Lakers might be the best choice after all.
Kaminsky Climbing; Are Hornets Suitors?
As scouts continue to pour over college hoops tape and front-office personnel watch their favored prospects battle in heated private workouts, the NBA-readiness of Frank Kaminsky is shifting from a mystery to more of a sure thing. And as such, his stock is soaring.
The Miami Heat seemed like possible suitors at No. 10 overall, but they're exploring trading their pick, according to CBS Sports' Ken Berger.
As it turns out, he might not even make it that far down the board.
Once doomed for a mid-round selection, Kaminsky is now being talked about as the potential No. 9 selection, as Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski noted that a related move could open the door:
Kaminsky didn't show out for in person for the Hornets, but that doesn't affect their affinity for the Wisconsin big man, according to ESPN's Andy Katz:
The Indiana Pacers at No. 11, the Jazz at No. 12 and the Suns at No. 13 have all looked like decent landing spots for Kaminsky, but Hornets owner Michael Jordan just might have other ideas. After Kaminsky proved his worth as one of college basketball's most feared players, there are folks around the NBA intent on seeing him continue to do so in their jerseys.
