We’re approaching the NBA All-Star Break in professional basketball and are now halfway through the conference slate in the college ranks. You know what that means? It’s about time we release our first NBA Mock Draft. Clearly, a lot will change between now and this summer’s draft (draft order, early entries, NBA free agency, trades, etc.), but it’s fun to look ahead and project.
Last year we did four mock drafts. We got a lot right in our final mock, but missed on many picks as well. We’ll do our best once again to bring you accurate analysis. Today, we’ll let Andrew take the odds (including the #1 pick) and Greg take the evens. Next time we’ll switch. Enjoy!
NOTE: The draft order below is based on the current NBA standings (and trades) as of 2/4/15.
2015 NBA Mock Draft 1
1. Minnesota Timberwolves select: Jahlil Okafor (C, Duke)
Easiest pick to make in the entire draft. Okafor is clearly the top prospect and will give the Timberwolves a needed cornerstone in the paint. With Wiggins and Okafor as their main pieces moving forward, there would be reason for optimism in Minnesota.
2. New York Knicks select: Emmanuel Mudiay (PG, China)
Mudiay is exactly what the Knicks need. He’s a gifted scorer and distributor with above average size for the position. It looks like he won’t be suiting up again for his Chinese team as he’s recovering from an injury, but he’s far and away the best guard in the draft.
3. Philadelphia 76ers select: D’Angelo Russell (G, Ohio State)
Philly desperately needs scoring and shooting from the perimeter, and Russell can provide that immediately. He’s one of the most polished freshmen in college basketball, and is in the running to be POY in the Big Ten. He’d be a perfect compliment to MCW in the 76ers’ backcourt, particularly because he does things that MCW doesn’t.
4. Los Angeles Lakers select: Willie Cauley-Stein (PF/C, Kentucky)
Cauley-Stein isn’t going to score a ton of points from the perimeter or be the ‘Hollywood’ guy that Kobe Bryant is, but he is a gifted athlete who has improved significantly over his time at Kentucky. He’s long, his shooting has improved, and he’s great defensively. All of these things will make the Lakers a better team. They have to realize that as long as Kobe Bryant is on their payroll, they won’t have the flexibility to add any other high caliber free agents and need to add building blocks for their future. This pick is a good start.
5. Orlando Magic select: Myles Turner (PF, Texas)
Orlando could go so many directions with this pick. Karl Towns is a great prospect, but they already have a great center in Vucevic. Stanley Johnson is another guy I love, but with Payton, Oladipo, and Gordon already on the team, they don’t need another guy that can’t shoot consistently. So I went with Turner, a big man with size and a deft shooting touch. He can be an effective 4 next to Vucevic, and can spread the floor with his long range jump shot.
6. Indiana Pacers select: Karl-Anthony Towns (C, Kentucky)
Indiana has other needs, but unless Mudiay falls to this spot, none of them justify reaching on a player with this pick. Towns can help them if he continues to develop, but he’s a little bit of a wild card. Either way he’s going to be a solid counterpart to Hibbert for a few years and will eventually replace him.
7. Utah Jazz select: Stanley Johnson (SF, Arizona)
Utah needs to add talent, particularly on the perimeter. Johnson isn’t a great shooter, but he does everything else well. Plus, seeing as he’ll play next to Hayward, they won’t need him to shoot all that much. He’s an outstanding athlete and some think he could go in the top 3, so I think the Jazz would be thrilled with him.
8. Boston Celtics select: Justise Winslow (SF, Duke)
Winslow has slowly increased his 3pt% throughout the year and he’s a smart basketball player. I’m not sure if he’s quite the athlete he should be, but if he develops a mid range game, then he will be a very solid player and contribute to the Celtics right away.
9. Sacramento Kings select: Trey Lyles (F, Kentucky)
I think the Kings would love a point guard here, but none make sense this high in the draft besides Mudiay (selected at #2). I like Kelly Oubre, but the Kings already have young guards in Stauskas and McLemore. So my selection was between Lyles, Looney, Harrell, and Alexander. Of those players, Trey’s skillset compliments Cousins best. He can play on the perimeter, and can be used all over the court due to his versatility.
10. Detroit Pistons select: Kristaps Porzingis (PF, Latvia)
The Pistons parted with Josh Smith because his style didn’t fit well alongside Greg Monroe and Andre Drummond. Those two will continue to grow as players, but Porzingis’s game complements those two very well. He can spell either one as they are in foul trouble early, and when they are both in the game, he could even be inserted at the 3 and not cause any spacing issues. Having a knock down shooter at his size would give the Pistons a fearsome frontcourt for the next 10 years if Porzingis develops as expected.
11. Denver Nuggets select: Mario Hezonja (SG/SF, Croatia)
This makes two foreigners in a row, and this one could really help the Nuggets long term. Ever since they traded Carmelo years ago, they’ve been a deep team loaded with good players. But they lack a truly great player. Some believe Mario could develop into one. I could easily see them taking a chance on Hezonja, even if he stays overseas another year or two.
12. Atlanta Hawks (from Brooklyn) select: Kevon Looney (PF, UCLA)
Scouts who have watched UCLA practices are raving about Looney’s ability. The style of offense that UCLA runs doesn’t allow him to perform in game situations that well, but from what he shows in practice it appears Looney could develop into a nice complement to Mason Plumlee down low.
13. Oklahoma City Thunder select: Montrezl Harrell (PF, Louisville)
The Thunder don’t need scoring, and with the recent acquisition of Dion Waiters, they are fairly well stocked on the perimeter. Kendrick Perkins is a free agent this summer however, so they could use another big man inside. Harrell isn’t a center, but he brings energy and tenacity. He’s a terrific shot blocker and rebounder, and is the best finisher in college basketball. His toughness would work well as a backup big (behind Adams/Ibaka) in OKC.
14. Houston Rockets (from New Orleans) select: Frank Kaminsky (PF/C, Wisconsin)
Howard/Kaminsky paired together in the frontcourt in Houston is a match made in heaven. Kaminsky complements Dwight Howard and James Harden perfectly as another offensive weapon to spread the floor. Having Kevin McHale as a coach won’t hurt as he develops as a low post option as well.
15. Philadelphia 76ers (from Miami) select: Kelly Oubre (SF, Kansas)
As stated above at #3, Philadelphia needs scoring help. They also need a small forward. They also need talent in any form. Oubre is all three of those and is the best player available on my board. He can mix it up outside and inside, and has the athletic ability to be a good defender as well. With MCW, Russell (picked at #3), and Oubre, Philly could have a scary perimeter attack for years to come.
16. Charlotte Hornets select: R.J. Hunter (SG, Georgia State)
Assuming the Hornets trade Lance Stephenson, RJ Hunter is a good option as a 6th man, off the ball scorer in the NBA. His shooting is down a little bit this year, but that is attributed to his selection of shots rather than his ability to shoot the ball. With another bonafide scorer already on the team in Kemba Walker, Hunter is a good option.
17. Milwaukee Bucks select: Cliff Alexander (PF, Kansas)
Assuming they re-sign Brandon Knight this offseason, Milwaukee has to look inside with this pick. Alexander has outstanding potential, and was once considered a Top 5 prospect in this class. He’s got a nice motor, can do everything you want in the paint, but still needs to develop a consistent mid-range jumper. I think he has the tools though to be a great pro. This pick would allow massive flexibility with Jabari Parker playing the 3 even more as well as still seeing time at the 4.
18. Phoenix Suns select: Sam Dekker (SF, Wisconsin)
The Suns could really use a big man, but with the style they play the best big man available (Jacob Poeltl) doesn’t really fit here. Dekker is athletic, long, and likes to run the floor. He reminds me of an American version of Andrei Kirilenko. That type of player would fit perfectly in with the Suns and Dekker should compliment incumbent Gerald Green’s game really nicely.
19. Chicago Bulls (from Cleveland) select: Jerian Grant (PG, Notre Dame)
First off, this pick could change if they fail to re-sign Jimmy Butler in the offseason. But if they do, I’d then be worried about point guard. Aaron Brooks and Kirk Hinrich are unrestricted free agents this summer. We also know that Derrick Rose has an injury history. But I think Grant could be a terrific backup. He’s a player that’s ready to contribute immediately, brings great moxy when on the court, and he’s an outstanding scorer that could give the Bulls bench some firepower. He fits the Bulls better than other PG options available.
20. Cleveland Cavaliers (from Chicago) select: Jacob Poeltl (C, Utah)
This pick depends on how healthy Cleveland believes Anderson Varejao is going to be going forward. Poeltl is a player whose defense is light years ahead of his offense, but who can come in and contribute and grow on this team without hurting its ability to contend. The first round of the draft is really thin on talent at this point with only 2-3 players of high caliber talent left. Much different than in 2014.
21. San Antonio Spurs select: Bobby Portis (PF, Arkansas)
This will be an interesting offseason for the Spurs. They have tons of free agents, and are likely facing the retirement of Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili. So I went with the best player available, and that seems to be Portis. He’d be at least someone they hope can replace some of what Tim Duncan currently brings.
22. Washington Wizards select: Justin Anderson (SF, Virginia)
Anderson is a player who is more like a power forward in a small forward’s body, but who can come in and contribute right away on a high caliber team. He’s a lot like Josh Smith in his style of game, but is more polished defensively. His growth during his time at Virginia is very encouraging.
23. Dallas Mavericks select: Delon Wright (PG, Utah)
With Rondo, Barea, Ellis, and Felton all being free agents after this season, I’m looking at guard here. Wright offers versatility (could play both guard spots) and someone that can contribute immediately, especially on the defensive end of the floor. He still needs to work on his jump shot, but that can be developed later. The other concern I have for Dallas is their interior (especially if they lose Tyson Chandler who is also a free agent). So Rakeem Christmas is another intriguing option.
24. Toronto Raptors select: Tyrone Wallace (PG, California)
Wallace, along with every other PG prospect in this class, is huge for the position at 6’5”. He’s not as high profile a guy as some of the others, but I think his game matches up pretty well and he can turn into what Greivis Vasquez is now. I don’t see a whole lot of players at this point in the draft who are going to come in and help Toronto right away, so this pick could be traded prior to the deadline.
25. Portland Trailblazers select: Devin Booker (SG, Kentucky)
Of all the talent at Kentucky, Booker could be the best offensive player they have. He doesn’t see the floor as much as others, but when he does, he makes an impact. Who knows if he’ll turn pro after the season, but if he does, he’s worth a first round pick.
26. Boston Celtics (from LAC) select: Tyus Jones (PG, Duke)
Jones may end up going higher in the draft than this, but right now there are some concerns about his game and how it translates to the next level. Obviously, he’s much smaller than many of the other point guard prospects also. He’s an intriguing fit with Boston as he is a major contrast with Marcus Smart, whom they drafted a year ago.
27. Los Angeles Lakers (from Houston) select: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (SF, Arizona)
His stock may have been higher a year ago (when he wasn’t overshadowed by Stanley Johnson), but he’s still extremely talented. The Lakers will take as much talent as they can get, so I like the fit here. He’d slide in well at the small forward spot, and could bring a lot of versatility to the lineup.
28. Cleveland Cavaliers (from Memphis) select: Terry Rozier (PG, Louisville)
The same concerns about Tyus Jones can be said about Rozier, but Rozier is a superior athlete and defender in my opinion. He’d be an ideal backup to Kyrie Irving, and could be an excellent defender off the bench.
29. Brooklyn Nets (from Atlanta) select: Caris LeVert (SG, Michigan)
We’ll see what happens with LeVert after his injury this year. But his NBA future should be fairly unaffected in my opinion. He can do a lot of good things on the court, and he possesses good size for a shooting guard (6’7). The Nets need to land a very good player, and LeVert has the upside to be that.
30. Golden State Warriors select: Buddy Hield (SG, Oklahoma)
The Warriors don’t have a lot of glaring needs. They really could use a big man who runs the floor and doesn’t get hurt, but the 30th pick in the first round isn’t going to be a great place to find that (unless they really like Rakeem Christmas). Hield can at least come in and provide some bench scoring, and has enough athleticism that allows for growth. He’d be a good prospect to stash at the end of the bench or in the D-League.
So there you have our first mock for the NBA Draft. Obviously, this is first round only. Plus, this will undergo some major changes moving forward. You agree or disagree with our early projected picks? Let us know in the comment section.
By: The Sports Guys
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