2015 NBA Mock Draft
Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports
The NBA Draft is tonight, and it already looks like it's going to be a great one. Tons of trade rumors flying around from movement of picks, to DeMarcus Cousins possibly switching teams. This mock draft will go one by one without trades. I'll give my insight on most of the picks, and we'll see if I can do better than ESPN's Chad Ford.
1. Minnesota Timberwolves: Karl-Anthony Towns - F/C - Kentucky
Top 2 obviously between Towns and Okafor, but I think the clear cut #1 is Towns. Both are likely future all-stars, but Towns is a much better free throw shooter, a better defender, and can also step out to 3 and hit jumpers. Also drafting Towns means they wouldn't be forced to trade incumbent center Nikola Pekovic.
2. Los Angeles Lakers: Jahlil Okafor - C - Duke
The Lakers have their sights set on trading for DeMarcus Cousins, but realistically, the Kings won't be parting with him. So drafting Okafor is now the easy choice. Putting him on the front line next to Julius Randle has them set for at least the next 10 years, and Okafor can set himself up as the next dominant Laker big man.
3. Philadelphia 76ers: D'Angelo Russell - G - Ohio State
The best passer in recent memory, Russell has all the makings for an All-Star guard. The Sixers decision will be made easier now that there isn't another big man worthy of a top 3 pick and they can start filling out the rest of their lineup. The trade that sent former Rookie of the Year Michael Carter-Williams to Milwaukee but a glaring need at the point guard spot. Russell looks to be the perfect player to fill that hole.
4. New York Knicks: Kristaps Porzingis - F - Latvia
5. Orlando Magic: Justise Winslow - G/F - Duke
Most mocks have the Magic taking one of the international players Porzingis or Hezoja, but I think they should take Winslow. I think he has huge potential as a 3 and D wing player. Doesn't hurt to also have him as a good insurance policy in case Tobias Harris commands too big a salary in his restricted free agency.
6. Sacramento Kings: Emmanuel Mudiay - G - China
7. Denver Nuggets: Mario Hezonja - G - Croatia
8. Detroit Pistons: Stanley Johnson - F - Arizona
9. Charlotte Hornets: Willie Cauley-Stein - C - Kentucky
With the Hornets trading for Nic Batum, their need for an offensive wing player has taken a backseat to getting a defensive big man. Al Jefferson is a good player, but he's not a stud on the defensive end like Cauley-Stein is. He has the ability to clean up the glass and give them the weak side help on defense this team severely lacks.
10. Miami Heat: Kelly Oubre - SF - Kansas
11. Indiana Pacers: Frank Kaminsky - F - Wisconsin
David West has opted out of his contract, and the reigning National Player of the Year would be a perfect replacement. Having seen him play his career at Wisconsin, Kaminsky has the moves to work down in the post, and also has 3 point range. Indiana already had a lack of scoring punch outside of Paul George and Kaminsky can help them right away in that regard. Worries about his defensive abilities translating to the NBA will be lessened playing alongside Roy Hibbert.
12. Utah Jazz: Devin Booker - G - Kentucky
13. Phoenix Suns: Cameron Payne - G - Murray State
14. Oklahoma City Thunder: Trey Lyles - F - Kentucky
15. Atlanta Hawks (Via Brooklyn): Myles Turner - F - Texas
16. Boston Celtics: Sam Dekker - SF - Wisconsin
Boston is another team that has trouble scoring when forced to their 2nd and 3rd option. With Crowder going into free agency, and with the other picks Boston has in its arsenal, they can afford to take a prospect that has big potential like Dekker. He can shoot anywhere on the court, although his 3 point shooting can be a bit streaky, and he is an elite athlete and finisher around the basket. Dekker could be one of the biggest steals in the draft here at 16.
17. Milwaukee Bucks: Bobby Portis - F - Arkansas
18. Houston Rockets: Jerian Grant - G - Notre Dame
19. Washington Wizards: Tyus Jones - PG - Duke
I think Tyus Jones is one of the more underrated prospects in this draft. He doesn't have the size of the prototypical point guard, but he drives to the basket fearlessly, and is a great leader that isn't afraid of the big moment. Wizards also showed this season that they need help with their depth in the backcourt.
20. Toronto Raptors: Kevon Looney - PF - UCLA
21. Dallas Mavericks: Delon Wright - G - Utah
22. Chicago Bulls: RJ Hunter - G - Georgia State
23. Portland Trailblazers: Justin Anderson - SF - Virginia
24. Cleveland Cavaliers: Montrezl Harrell - PF - Louisville
The Cavs should probably try to take the best player available, but with the Cavs potentially losing both Kevin Love and Tristan Thompson this offseason, they should go after a player with a similar skill set. Harrell is a monster on the boards and is a menace out there. He's improving his range as a shooter and should be a good role player in the NBA.
25. Memphis Grizzlies: Rashad Vaughn - G - UNLV
26. San Antonio Spurs: Dakari Johnson - C - Kentucky
Could be a reach here at 26, but I think Johnson under the Spurs system could develop into a really good player. He could immediately step into the role that Aron Baynes played the last few seasons, and when Duncan retires or Splitter moves on, Johnson could potentially step in and become a pivotal player for them.
27. Los Angeles Lakers: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson - SF - Arizona
28. Boston Celtics: Anthony Brown - G/F - Stanford
29. Brooklyn Nets (Via Atlanta): Jerrell Martin - F - LSU
30. Golden State Warriors: Terry Rozier - G - Louisville
There you have it, my 2015 NBA Mock Draft. I'll be on the drive home from Minneapolis during the draft tonight so I'll have the privilege of listening to trades and wrong picks tear my mock draft to pieces. Also looking forward to listening to Jay Bilas and Jalen Rose and their brilliant draft commentary. Feel free to comment on which picks you think I will get wrong, or which players are more likely to move up or down. I'm always up for a draft conversation. Also make sure to follow me on Twitter for other random sports analysis @thomas_mooney1. Happy draft day everyone!
