The game of basketball is changing and I had to adjust my 2015 NBA mock draft for it. If the 2015 NBA Finals taught us anything, it is that small ball is becoming an increasingly effective way to win games against one-dimensional opponents. That being said, two big men with contrasting styles will dominate the top of the draft. After Towns and Okafor are off the board, the rest of the draft appears to be deep and talented with several impact players projected to fall to the second round.
2015 NBA Mock Draft – Round 1
1. Minnesota Timberwolves
Karl Anthony-Towns 7-0 | C | Kentucky
Towns is the rare big man who is skilled and versatile enough to dribble like a point guard and shoot threes like a shooting guard. At Kentucky, Towns was unable to show off his unique skill set under the strict watch of Coach Cal who needed Towns to protect the paint and get rebounds. Now that Towns is headed to the NBA, I predict that Kevin Garnett will take him under his wing and show him how to be an all around force capable of taking over games for the T-Wolves. With a talented young nucleus of Wiggins, LaVine and Towns, the future of the team looks extremely bright.
2. Los Angeles Lakers
Jahlil Okafor 6-11 | C | Duke
The luck of the Lakers franchise was bound to save the day once again, and it looks like Okafor is just what the doctor ordered. Although Okafor is lightyears behind Towns defensively, his post game is extremely polished. He possesses soft hands and footwork that allows him to score against double teams and is a capable passer in the post. With the return of Julius Randle and Kobe Bryant from injury and the emergence of Jordan Clarkson at the point guard position, the Lakers are poised to return back to their normal position outside of the lottery next year.
3. Philadelphia 76ers
D’Angelo Russell 6-4 | PG/SG | Ohio State
Russell possesses uncanny court vision and can score as well as any guard in this draft. He is the ideal size to play both guard positions and has a feel for the game that have some experts comparing him to a poor man’s Stephen Curry. If Russell turns out to be anywhere near Curry’s level, then the 76ers will have a steal on their hands at the third pick. If the 76ers choose to go another route here via trade, it will have a huge domino effect on how the rest of the lottery plays out.
4. New York Knicks
Justise Winslow 6-6 | SF | Duke
The Knicks have been rumored to be enamored with Porzingis and Cauley-Stein in this spot, but my gut tells me that they go with Winslow who recently signed with Jay-Z and Roc Nation sports. The Big Apple connection should not be ignored, and Phil Jackson might get flashbacks of another 6-6 freshman who played college ball in the state of North Carolina. Winslow attacks the rim like James Harden and is a defensive specialist unlike Harden. He will be a star in the Garden from day one.
5. Orlando Magic
Kristaps Porzingis 7-1 | SF/PF | Latvia
Porzingis is the wild card of the lottery. Several teams are enamored with his combination of size and shooting ability. He is also very athletic for someone who is 7-1. He reminds me of a young Dirk Nowitzki but with better dribbling ability and athleticism. Although he might be a couple years away from reaching his potential, Porzingis could be worth the gamble and would fit in nicely with the defensive-minded magic.
6. Sacramento Kings
Emmanuel Mudiay 6-5 | PG | China
Mudiay is an elite athlete a la Russell Westbrook, and spent the last year playing professionally in China. Depending on how you look at this, Mudiay could be a steal in this draft as the NBA moves towards point guards who are athletic and can get their own shot at any time. He has spent the last year playing against grown men which should make his transition to the league easier than most. The Kings would immediately upgrade the position which is currently being held by Darren Collison and Ray McCallum.
7. Denver Nuggets
Mario Hezonja 6-8 | SF | Croatia
Hezonja has ideal size and athleticism for a wing player and can shoot from range effectively. Some have called him the best European prospect since Drazen Petrovic, which should not be taken lightly. His defensive ability is also ahead of most overseas prospects and he has been playing at the highest levels professionally since he was a teenager.
8. Detroit Pistons
Stanley Johnson 6-7 | SF | Arizona
Johnson had a somewhat disappointing freshman campaign at Arizona, whose season ended prematurely in the NCAA tournament despite being one of the favorites to win it all. That being said, Johnson still has the physical tools and defensive ability that will allow him to flourish in the NBA with the right coaching. Johnson has a 6-11 wingspan and can knock down three pointers if needed. Stanley Johnson is a fierce competitor and will do anything it takes to win, something that Coach Stan van Gundy covets in his players.
9. Charlotte Hornets
Willie Cauley-Stein 7-1 | C | Kentucky
Cauley-Stein reminds me of a young Tyson Chandler except with more offensive potential. He is an excellent defender who uses his long arms and athleticism to swat people’s shots into the stands. He was a former wide receiver in high school which is astounding considering he stands 7-1, but gives you an idea of what kind of athleticism he has.
10. Miami Heat
Devin Booker 6-6 | SG | Kentucky
Booker is a dead-eye long range shooter who has ideal size for the shooting guard position and can also play the wing. He won’t wow you with his athleticism but he already carries himself like a pro and seems to be a very mature player coming out of Kentucky. I see Booker turning into a Klay Thompson-type player if he can improve on the defensive end. If the Heat lose Dwyane Wade this offseason, Booker would be a decent replacement for the near future.
11. Indiana Pacers
Frank Kaminsky 7-0 | PF | Wisconsin
Kaminksy was the NCAA player of the year and was the key factor in the Badgers dashing the dreams of then undefeated Kentucky in the Final 4. Frank the Tank possesses a unique skill set in that he is a legit seven-footer who can shoot the ball from long range a la Dirk Nowitzki. He would give the pacers the ability to stretch the floor on offense while giving Roy Hibbert more room to roam in the paint. Plus, he just looks like a Pacer doesn’t he?
12. Utah Jazz
Kelly Oubre 6-7 | SF | Kansas
Oubre is a prototype wing player with a 7-2 wingspan and excellent athleticism. He’s a plus defender who can get in the passing lanes to disrupt opposing offenses. He will need to pack on some muscle at the next level but already has a potent mid-range game that will serve him well. He will be a nice fit with the young athletic nucleus of the Jazz.
13. Phoenix Suns
Myles Turner 6-11 | C | Texas
Turner has the type of frame where he can pack on more weight, which will allow him to become a true center in the NBA. He has great hands and can even shoot threes at a 40% clip. The Suns love players with his size and versatility.
14. Oklahoma City Thunder
Cameron Payne 6-2 | PG | Murray State
The Thunder are in need of a capable backup to Russell Westbrook after trading away Reggie Jackson last season. Payne has been a riser on most draft boards and has excellent size and a high basketball IQ for the point guard position. At Murray State, he led the team to a 29-6 record while averaging 20 points and 6 assists.
15. Atlanta Hawks
Bobby Portis 6-11 | PF | Arkansas
Portis is a true power forward with excellent size and length. He excels in the open court and will fit in nicely behind Paul Millsap in the front court.
16. Boston Celtics
Trey Lyles 6-10 | PF | Kentucky
Lyles has been all over the board in many mock drafts, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if he goes in the top 10 due to his athleticism and versatility in the front court. He has a great motor and a 7-4 wingspan which should serve him well at the next level.
17. Milwaukee Bucks
Kevin Looney 6-9 | PF | UCLA
Looney was one of the lone bright spots for the Bruins last season. He crashes the glass offensively and can shoot the ball effectively in pick and pop situations. Pairing Looney with Jabari Parker and the Greek Freak should make for a potent young front court in Milwaukee.
18. Houston Rockets
Tyus Jones 6-3 | PG | Duke
Jones was one of the main leaders of the team as a freshman and has poise beyond his years. His basketball IQ is through the roof and will be able to run an NBA team on day one. The Rockets are weak at the point guard position and would love for Jones to slip to their slot in the draft. Jones will have a solid 10-year career in the pros.
19. Washington Wizards
Sam Dekkar 6-7 | SF | Wisconsin
Dekkar could eventually turn out to be the poor man’s version of Gordon Hayward, with his excellent size for the wing and ability to shoot from long range. He was a key cog on a Wisconsin team that upset Kentucky. If the Wizards lose Paul Pierce this offseason, Dekkar would be able to fill in his role for the time being.
20. Toronto Raptors
Rashad Vaughn 6-5 | SG | UNLV
Vaughn is one of the youngest players in the draft, after having an excellent season in Las Vegas, where he was the nation’s second leading scorer as a freshman. He is a creative scorer who can get points in a variety of ways. The Raptors would love to groom him as a backup to high-flyer DeMar Derozan.
21. Dallas Mavericks
Delon Wright 6-5 | PG | Utah
It’s no secret that the Mavericks are in the market for a point guard, and Wright certainly would be a good value pick at this position in the draft. Wright is the younger brother of NBA veteran Dorell Wright and has the ability to play both guard positions at the next level. He makes great decisions on the floor and could be one of the steals of the draft.
22. Chicago Bulls
Jerian Grant 6-5 | PG | Notre Dame
Grant has an NBA pedigree as he is the son of former NBA player Harvey Grant, brother of Jerami Grant and the nephew of Horace Grant. He is an elite athlete for the point guard position and is an excellent passer with 6.7 assists a game–good for seventh in the nation. The Bulls need insurance for the oft-injured Derrick Rose and could do a lot worse than Grant at this stage of the draft.
23. Portland Trailblazers
R.J. Hunter 6-6 | SG | Georgia State
He is probably the second best shooter in this draft after Devin Booker but it is awfully close. Although he went to a small school, he is a legit NBA shooting guard who can also rebound effectively for his position. He could turn out to be a J.J. Redick-type player at the next level.
24. Cleveland Cavaliers
Terry Rozier 6-2 | PG | Louisville
Only a freshman, Rozier transitioned from an elite scorer on the high school level to a key piece on a veteran Louisville team under Coach Rick Pitino. The Cavs need another point guard to provide depth off the bench in case Kyrie Irving goes down again.
25. Memphis Grizzlies
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson 6-7 | SF | Arizona
Hollis-Jefferson is a bulldog of a defender and compares favorably to defensive first-teamer Tony Allen. His offensive game needs to be developed but he projects to be an elite defender in the NBA.
26. San Antonio Spurs
Montrezl Harrell 6-9 | PF | Louisville
Harrell is a dunking machine with an excellent motor like Ben Wallace. His 7-3 wingspan helps him grab offensive rebounds with the best of them and allows him to block shots on the defensive end. The Spurs are looking a little long in the tooth and would love to infuse some energy into their front court with Harrell.
27. Los Angeles Lakers
Christian Wood 6-10 | PF | UNLV
Wood is a versatile power forward who can face up to make shots and can block shots at a high level. Despite being thin and wiry, Wood averages 10 rebounds a game which will help him earn minutes once he starts bulking up his frame.
28. Boston Celtics
Chris McCullogh 6-9 | PF | Syracuse
McCullogh has ideal size for the power forward position and can run the floor like a deer. He has an effective mid-range jump shot that can stretch out to the three-point line in time. He would give the young Celtics much needed depth in the front court.
29. Brooklyn Nets
Jarrell Martin 6-9 | PF | LSU
Martin is a load to handle in the paint as he is 240 lbs. with a lot of strength. He won’t be an All-Star, but could be a solid contributor if he works on his offensive game. Martin has the potential to blossom into the next Carl Landry.
30. Golden State Warriors
Justin Anderson 6-6 | SG | Virginia
There is a good chance the NBA champs move this pick in a package with David Lee, but if they stay put they will no doubt come away with an impact player even this late in the draft. Anderson is NBA-ready and can score as a slasher or from the outside. A broken pinky sidelined him for eight games as he was embarking on an All-American season, which hurt his stock.
D’Angelo Russell top banner photo credit: MGoBlog
