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Early-May NBA Mock Draft
Credit: Getty Images(Draft order via DraftExpress.)
Early-May NBA Mock Draft
The 2015 NFL Draft came and went, which means all focus can go to the 2015 NBA Draft — when it comes to draft buzz, that is. Whether your team is set for the future (and is currently playing in the playoffs), or is in desperate need of some serious help fast, there are plenty of talented players to go around in this draft class.
(Draft order via DraftExpress.)
1. Minnesota Timberwolves: Karl-Anthony Towns, PF/C, Kentucky
Credit: Getty Images1. Minnesota Timberwolves: Karl-Anthony Towns, PF/C, Kentucky
No surprises here. Karl-Anthony Towns is still arguably the best player in this draft. There are still plenty of people out there who are predicting Jahlil Okafor to go No. 1 overall, and that is fine. It's either going to be Okafor or Towns.
2. New York Knicks: Jahlil Okafor, C, Duke
Credit: Getty Images2. New York Knicks: Jahlil Okafor, C, Duke
Not only is Jahlil Okafor being considered for the No. 1 pick, but his team is coming off a win in the national championship. Okafor did basically everything in his power to get into the No. 1 draft spot.
3. Philadelphia 76ers: D’Angelo Russell, PG/SG, Ohio State
Credit: Getty Images3. Philadelphia 76ers: D’Angelo Russell, PG/SG, Ohio State
D’Angelo Russell is the best point guard, shooting guard or whatever you want to classify him as in this draft. There are also rumors going around saying the Philadelphia 76ers want the Ohio State Buckeye.
4. Los Angeles Lakers: Emmanuel Mudiay, PG, China
Credit: Getty Images4. Los Angeles Lakers: Emmanuel Mudiay, PG, China
Then there is Emmanuel Mudiay, who could be the best player in the draft if he meets his very high expectations. Regardless, Mudiay would certainly solve the Los Angeles Lakers' point guard problems.
5. Orlando Magic: Justise Winslow, SF, Duke
Credit: Getty Images5. Orlando Magic: Justise Winslow, SF, Duke
The Orlando Magic could go with a number of different players here, but Justise Winslow's stock is very high. Not only is Duke coming off a national championship, but Winslow is one of the best two-way players in the draft.
6. Sacramento Kings: Mario Hezonja, SG/SF, Croatia
Credit: Getty Images6. Sacramento Kings: Mario Hezonja, SG/SF, Croatia
Mario Hezonja has the talent to be a big-time scorer in the NBA. Like every team in the top 10 (and really every team in the draft), the Kings could go in many different directions with their pick. I say go with the player who has a chance to be a star.
7. Denver Nuggets: Stanley Johnson, SF, Arizona
Credit: Getty Images7. Denver Nuggets: Stanley Johnson, SF, Arizona
Like Justise Winslow, Stanley Johnson is one of the best two-way players in the draft. However, if Mario Hezonja is still available when Denver is on the clock, it could go with the international player instead.
8. Detroit Pistons: Kelly Oubre Jr., SF, Kansas
Credit: Getty Images8. Detroit Pistons: Kelly Oubre Jr., SF, Kansas
With the right team, Kelly Oubre Jr. could be a star. However, Oubre Jr. needs some time to develop. No surprises there. He is a one-and-done player, after all.
9. Charlotte Hornets: Kristaps Porzingis, PF, Latvia
Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports9. Charlotte Hornets: Kristaps Porzingis, PF, Latvia
Like everyone else before him in this mock, Kristaps Porzingis has the potential to be a star. Regardless, if the 7-footer is available, I doubt the Hornets pass him up.
10. Miami Heat: Willie Cauley-Stein, C, Kentucky
Credit: Getty Images10. Miami Heat: Willie Cauley-Stein, C, Kentucky
Willie Cauley-Stein more than likely isn't going to win any scoring titles, but he has the skills to be a force in the paint. If the Heat are looking for a player who blocks shots and gets boards, Cauley-Stein is definitely their man.
11. Indiana Pacers: Frank Kaminsky, PF, Wisconsin
Credit: Getty Images11. Indiana Pacers: Frank Kaminsky, PF, Wisconsin
You can't go wrong with Frank Kaminsky. He was the best player in college hoops in the 2014-15 season, he can knock down shots from behind the arc (and really anywhere) and he stands at 7-foot-0.
12. Utah Jazz: Trey Lyles, PF, Kentucky
Credit: Getty Images12. Utah Jazz: Trey Lyles, PF, Kentucky
Kentucky players are going to hear their names being called left and right during this draft. Trey Lyles shouldn't have to wait too long to hear his name. The power forward plays like a power forward, and he still has plenty of room for growth — and he's not lacking in the serious potential department.
13. Phoenix Suns: Sam Dekker, SF, Wisconsin
Credit: Getty Images13. Phoenix Suns: Sam Dekker, SF, Wisconsin
After what Sam Dekker did in the 2015 NCAA tournament, it's hard not to get on the, well, Sam Dekker train. Who knows if Dekker will take the NBA by storm right away, but he certainly has the skills and size to be great.
14. Oklahoma City Thunder: Devin Booker, SG, Kentucky
Credit: Getty Images14. Oklahoma City Thunder: Devin Booker, SG, Kentucky
Let's start the "if" show. If Devin Booker meets expectations and if the Thunder take him, he is going to be a star or a very, very good role player. If all of that happens, Billy Donovan could win yet another championship — this time in the NBA.
15. Atlanta Hawks (from Brooklyn Nets): Myles Turner, C, Texas
Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports15. Atlanta Hawks (from Brooklyn Nets): Myles Turner, C, Texas
Myles Turner has some serious potential, but he also didn't meet expectations with Texas. Texas certainly didn't meet expectations this past season either. The former Longhorn will have no problem getting picked up in the first round regardless. Just don't expect him to be an All-Star in Year 1.
16. Boston Celtics: Bobby Portis, PF, Arkansas
Credit: Getty Images16. Boston Celtics: Bobby Portis, PF, Arkansas
No matter where Bobby Portis lands, his new team is going to be in love. With Arkansas this past season, Portis put up 17.5 PPG and 8.9 RPG. He could go much higher than this — for what it's worth.
17. Milwaukee Bucks: Montrezl Harrell, PF, Louisville
Credit: Getty Images17. Milwaukee Bucks: Montrezl Harrell, PF, Louisville
Offensive game in question or not, Montrezl Harrell is a high-energy guy, meaning his future team can expect him to work just as hard as anyone. Not a bad quality to have.
18. Houston Rockets (from New Orleans Hornets): Jerian Grant, PG, Notre Dame
Credit: Getty Images18. Houston Rockets (from New Orleans Hornets): Jerian Grant, PG, Notre Dame
Jerian Grant not only has the skills to succeed in the NBA, but he is one of the more NBA-ready players in the draft. Translation: He could play some serious minutes on Day 1.
19. Washington Wizards: Kevon Looney, PF, UCLA
Credit: Getty Images19. Washington Wizards: Kevon Looney, PF, UCLA
Kevon Looney is not a polished player, but he would certainly be a great role player on a team like Washington, even if he doesn't meet his full potential.
20. Toronto Raptors: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, SF, Arizona
Credit: Getty Images20. Toronto Raptors: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, SF, Arizona
So what if Rondae Hollis-Jefferson's offense needs some work. He's ready to start making plays on the defensive side of the ball right now.
21. Dallas Mavericks: Tyus Jones, PG, Duke
Credit: Getty Images21. Dallas Mavericks: Tyus Jones, PG, Duke
Who knows, Tyus Jones could be a starter on Day 1. The Rajon Rondo Project didn't work out according to plan, and Jones was the MOP of the Final Four.
22. Chicago Bulls: R.J. Hunter, SG, Georgia State
Credit: Getty Images22. Chicago Bulls: R.J. Hunter, SG, Georgia State
Maybe it is just me, but I would love to see R.J. Hunter in a Chicago Bulls uniform. So what if he comes from a less-known program. He became a March Madness legend when his Panthers knocked off No. 3 seed Baylor.
23. Portland Trail Blazers: Jarell Martin, PF, LSU
Credit: Getty Images23. Portland Trail Blazers: Jarell Martin, PF, LSU
A team can't go wrong by taking a player who averaged 16.9 PPG and 9.2 RPG, which is exactly what Jarell Martin did this past season as a sophomore. If you are into that whole tall player thing, Martin stands at 6-foot-10.
24. Cleveland Cavaliers: Cameron Payne, PG, Murray State
Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports24. Cleveland Cavaliers: Cameron Payne, PG, Murray State
Cameron Payne put up monster numbers as a sophomore (20.2 PPG, 6.0 APG). If Payne is available here, you take him. However, the Cavs should have plenty of options at pick No. 24.
25. Memphis Grizzlies: Dakari Johnson, C, Kentucky
Credit: Getty Images25. Memphis Grizzlies: Dakari Johnson, C, Kentucky
Dakari Johnson could go in the second round, but if a team is in search of a true center, Dakari Johnson would be the perfect fit.
26. San Antonio Spurs: Justin Anderson, SF, Virginia
Credit: Getty Images26. San Antonio Spurs: Justin Anderson, SF, Virginia
Justin Anderson could easily go one pick before this, but he seems to be a great fit with the Spurs. Surely, he is at least on their radar.
27. Los Angeles Lakers (from Houston Rockets): Christian Wood, PF, UNLV
Credit: Chris Humphreys- USA Today Sports27. Los Angeles Lakers (from Houston Rockets): Christian Wood, PF, UNLV
Christian Wood will more than likely not play a major role next season, but the Los Angeles Lakers could certainly do a lot worse in the draft.
28. Boston Celtics (from Los Angeles Clippers): Cliff Alexander, PF/C, Kansas
Credit: Getty Images28. Boston Celtics (from Los Angeles Clippers): Cliff Alexander, PF/C, Kansas
Cliff Alexander can likely be had in the second round, but if Boston still believes he is one of the most talented players in the draft (despite having a nightmare freshman season at Kansas), taking him because of his athleticism alone wouldn't be a bad idea.
29. Brooklyn Nets (from Atlanta Hawks): Delon Wright, PG, Utah
Credit: Getty Images29. Brooklyn Nets (from Atlanta Hawks): Delon Wright, PG, Utah
Delon Wright may not be the ideal age (apparently being a 23-year-old prospect is frowned upon), but that just means he should be more "NBA-ready" than some of the younger prospects in this draft.
30. Golden State Warriors: Terry Rozier, PG, Louisville
Credit: Getty Images30. Golden State Warriors: Terry Rozier, PG, Louisville
You could say the Golden State Warriors have a pretty solid team. Not only do they have this year's MVP (Stephen Curry), but they still are many people's favorite to win a title. Regardless, Terry Rozier wouldn't be a bad pick at all, assuming the Warriors want another PG.
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