2015 NBA Mock Draft

draft15

 

* Does not include any potential trades.

Last Updated: 6/25/15

 

1. Minnesota – (PF/C) Karl Anthony Towns  (Kentucky)

  • A versatile big that can provide the Timberwolves with interior defense immediately, and has an improving offensive game. NBA Comparison: LaMarcus Alrdidge

 

2. L.A. Lakers – (C) Jahlil Okafor  (Duke)

  • While Okafor doesn’t have the defensive upside that Towns provides, he possess a powerful, NBA-ready body, and a post game that could pair well for the Lakers alongside Julius Randle going forward. NBA Comparison: Al Jefferson

 

3. Philadelphia – (G) D’Angelo Russell  (Ohio State)

  • After another year of tanking, and having traded MCW, Russell seems like a lock for the 76ers. The former Buckeye can provide a combination of scoring and distributing that can really compliment the potentially great young front-court they have assembled. NBA Comparison: Monte Ellis/Stephen Curry

 

4. New York – (PG) Emmanuel Mudiay  (SMU/Congo)

  • As a team with numerous holes to fill, the Knicks can go multiple directions with the 4th pick. If they don’t end up trading it, Emmanuel Mudiay seems to offer the most upside. With explosive speed, solid ball-handling and distributing skills, Mudiay can help shoulder some of the offensive load that relies almost solely on Carmelo Anthony. NBA Comparison: John Wall

 

5. Orlando –  (G/F) Justice Winslow  (Duke)

  • Orlando has acquired a roster of promising young talent over the past few drafts. While not having a team with strong shooters, and Tobias Harris likely leaving via free agency, Justice Winslow would be a perfect fit. A strong-bodied, athletic wing that can defend, slash, and knock down shots would pair nicely with Payton, Oladipo, and Gordon, and Vucevic. NBA Comparison: Better-Shooting Andre Iguodala

 

6. Sacramento – (PF) Kristaps Porzingis  (Latvia)

  • Another team that could go multiple directions with their pick, the Kings can ill-afford to miss on another high selection. The Latvian big man, standing 7-1, can provide a long and skilled stretch 4 to pair with DeMarcus Cousins, and bring stability to the Power Forward position the the Kings have strongly lacked in recent years. NBA  Comparison: Rik Smits

 

7. Denver – (G) Willie Cauley-Stein (Kentucky)

  • A team that many see as a strong disappointment from last season, the Nuggets roster may be due for an overhaul this off-season. Regardless, Cauley-Stein Denver with a safe, NBA-ready Center, capable of prodcuing immediately on the defensive end. NBA Comparison: Tyson Chandler 

 

8. Detroit – (G/F) Stanley Johnson  (Arizona)

  • Another team lacking consistent production from the 3, the Pistons should love the talented wing from Arizona falling in their lap. Regarded as one of he safest, most NBA-ready picks in the draft, Johnson’s strong body, defensive intensity, and developing offensive game makes a marriage with Detroit too good to pass up. NBA Comparison: Metta World Peace (But Sane)

 

9. Charlotte – (G/F) Devin Booker (Kentucky)

  • While Michael Kidd-Gilchrist is a skilled defender, he offers almost no offense from the wing. A skilled shooter like Booker could be a nice off-the-ball compliment to Kemba Walker, and contribute instantly to a team needing offense and range. NBA Comparison: Klay Thompson 

 

10. Miami – (F) Mario Hezonja  (Croatia

  • With a roster that may see quite a bit of turnover this off-season, including a possible Dwayne Wade departure, Hezonja would provide Miami with a safe pick, with rising potential. A skilled shooter with size, and ability to put the ball on the floor, Hezonja could be a nice piece to add to any offense. Even if the roster stays as is in South Beach, offense is something the strongly lacked last season. NBA Comparison: Marco Belinelli 

 

11. Indiana – (PF) Trey Lyles  (Duke)

  • Perhaps the unsung hero from Kentucky’s stacked front-court, Trey Lyles has true power forward size, and a versatile offensive skill set. With his combination of mid range and back-to-the-basket moves, Lyles could provide depth and a possible replacement for an aging David West. NBA Comparison: Carlos Boozer

 

12. Utah – (PF/C) Frank Kaminsky (Wisconsin) 

  • The second Badger projected to go in the 1st round, Fank Kaminsky brings a well-versed offensive skill set that most 7-footers don’t. With a young front-court riding on potential and physical ability, Kaminsky would be a nice, safe offensive option when Utah is in need. NBA Comparison: A Poor Man’s Dirk Nowitzki

 

13. Phoenix – (PF/C) Miles Turner (Texas)

  • A team with skilled, and versatile guard play, the Suns could be the team to gamble on the sky-high potential of the Texas big man. With raw physical tools and a developing skill set, Turner could be a perfect fit for a team craving a threat down low… if he meets his potential. NBA Comparison: Chris Kaman

 

14. Oklahoma City – (PG) Cameron Payne (Murray State)

  • After trading guard Reggie Jackson last season, the Thunder could use a skilled floor general with good decision-making ability. Selecting Payne would provide a strong backup for Russel Westbrook, and an alternative to Dion Waiters to play along side him. NBA Comparison: Devin Harris

 

15. Atlanta – (PF) Montrezl Harrell  (Louisville) 

  • Whether Paul Millsap leaves this Summer in free agency or not, the Hawks could sorely use a front court player with the relentlessness and rebounding savvy that Harrell could bring them. NBA Comparison: J.J. Hickson

 

16. Boston – (SF) Kelly Oubre  (Kansas)

  • After a season at Kansas that didn’t met the hype that surrounded him, the talented Oubre would fit very nicely with the Celtics. He is oozing with the potential to be a force on both sides of the ball, and Celtics Coach, Brad Stevens has garnered a lot of recognition for his ability to seemingly get the best out of his players. NBA Comparison: A Poor Man’s Rudy Gay

 

17. Milwaukee – (PF) Bobby Portis  (Arkansas) 

  • As a young team with skilled, versatile players and a coach in Jason Kidd who seems to have a knack for developing them, Bobby Portis makes sense for the Bucks. He’s a big-bodied power forward that can provide scoring down low for a team that has lacked it for some time and is strong in other areas. NBA Comparison: Greg Monroe 

 

18. Houston – (PG) Jerian Grant  (Syracuse)

  • Houston made a remarkable run last season, given the injuries they suffered, notably to starting point guard, Patrick Beverly. Selecting Grant makes sense here as he appears to be a true floor general with the ability to facilitate an offense and shoulder more of the scoring load from James Harden than Beverly. NBA Comparison: George Hill

 

19. Washington – (F) Sam Dekker  (Wisconsin)

  • Another team bitten by the injury bug at the worst time last season was the Wizards. While Paul Pierce performed as best he could with or without John Wall and Bradley Beal, the Wizards could really use a gifted offensive option that can create their own offense; enter, Dekker. NBA Comparison: Gordon Hayward

 

20. Toronto – (F) Kevin Looney  (UCLA)

  • While Toronto improved drastically last season, they aren’t without some glaring imperfections. One of which was a skilled option at power forward, another was someone to help distribute besides Kyle Lowry. The versatile Looney can help relieve both those aliments,  as a forward with great floor awareness and a well-rounded game. NBA Comparison: Boris Diaw

 

21. Dallas – (G/F) Justin Anderson  (Virginia) 

  • The Mavericks seemed to be greatly effected (especially offensively) by the loss of Chandler Parsons last season. Selecting the Virginia forward would give Dallas depth at the position, capable of playing solid defense and knocking down a shot or two. NBA Comparison: P.J. Tucker

 

22. Chicago – (C) Guillermo Hernangomez  (Spain)

  • A relative unknown coming into the draft, the Spanish big can provide size and depth for the Bulls. With an aging Pau Gasol and Taj Gipson’s future in question, Chicago may just be the team to gamble on the foreigner. NBA Comparison: Nikola Vucevic

 

23. Portland – (G) Rashad Vaughn  (UNLV)

  • A team seemingly always in need of depth, the Trail Blazers may draft the UNLV guard with their selection. Vaughn’s ability to score and get others involved would help the bench and could provide valuable minutes depending on what Wesley Mathews’ future holds. NBA Comparison: Derek Anderson

 

24. Cleveland – (F) Terry Tozier (Louisville) 

  • The Cavaliers made a remarkable run in the 2014-15 season, especially considering their injury issues and lack of quality bench options. Even if forward, Kevin Love does stay as he says he will, Rozier’s offensive and defensive instincts make him a perfect fit for the Cavaliers. Going to Cleveland would also benefit the former Cardinal, as his offensive game would be given time to grow with him not needed as a primary scoring option. NBA Comparison: Trey Burke

 

25. Memphis – (PG) Tyus Jones  (Duke)

  • The ultimate “almost” team played their hearts out in the second round of the Western Conference Playoffs, taking two games from the eventual West Champion Warriors. But Mike Conely’s health and the lack of production behind him ultimately did the Memphis in. The former Blue Devil would be a great fit, as a floor general who’s smart with the ball and solid offensively. NBA Comparison: Luke Ridnour

 

26. San Antonio – (PF) Chris McCullough  (Syracuse) 

  • As father time has seemingly finally caught up to the veteran Spurs, an athletic, and exciting may be the choice here. The Syracuse product can give them valuable minutes to rest Tim Duncan, and could learn a thing or two from the big fundamental. NBA Comparison: Taj Gibson

 

27. L.A. Lakers – (SF) Cedi Osman  (Turkey)

  • After selecting a franchise big man with their first pick, the Lakers may take a flier on the Turkish forward with their second. Osman seems to have a well-rounded game, with a knack for making plays for others… a small change of pace from “Swaggy P” and Wesley Johnson. NBA Comparison: A Poor Man’s Gordon Hayward

 

28. Boston – (PF/C) Rakeem Christmas  (Syracuse) 

  • After selecting Oubre with their first selection, the Syracuse alum would provide some physical depth in the front court, something the Celtics didn’t have an abundance of last season. NBA Comparison: Cedric Simmons

 

29. Brooklyn – (PG) Delon Wright  (Utah)

  • A late surge towards the end of last season overshadowed the tension between the team and point guard, Deron Williams. Whatever the outcome of that situation is, Wright’s size and potential is too much to pass on here.

 

30. Golden State – (SF) Rondae Hollis-Jefferson

  • As a defensive specialist, Hollis-Jefferson would be a great fit and possible replacement for an aging Andre Iguodala. If he develops a jumper, he could be an All-Star. NBA Comparison: Bruce Bowen

 

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