NBA Mock Draft - 06/25/2015
Round 1
1. Minnesota Timberwolves
Karl-Anthony Towns, PF, Kentucky: Towns has been the logical choice from the start, and that remains the case. Not only is he the No. 1 player on my prospect board, but he's a perfect fit for what the Timberwolves need. He would help to solve their rim protection issues, and then would also help space the floor for Ricky Rubio and Andrew Wiggins.
2. Los Angeles Lakers
Jahlil Okafor, C, Duke: Well, here's the thing. This pick might not even be owned by the Lakers come draft night. The Kings could quite easily take this pick in a deal for DeMarcus Cousins, which would totally throw this entire draft for a loop because then you'd have Vlade Divac making this pick at No. 2, with some guys on the board that the team may or may not have had in to meet with and work out. But for now, let's stick with Okafor at No. 2, and see what happens.
3. Philadelphia 76ers
D'Angelo Russell, SG, Ohio State: The 76ers are possibly the most mysterious team in the NBA at this point. Russell, Kristaps Porzinigis, Mario Hezonja, Justise Winslow and Emmanuel Mudiay are all in play at this point, as would be a trade down. I'm going to go with Russell here, and going with traditional common sense. That's the best bet when it comes to Sam Hinkie.
4. New York Knicks
Justise Winslow, SF, Duke: The Knicks are the key to this draft. If they trade down, everything breaks loose and this gets wild. Even if they stay here, they have so many options. They could take Winslow, or Mudiay, or Porzingis, or Hezonja, or someone crazy like Frank Kaminsky even at No. 4. That's the kind of situation we're looking at here. There are just so many options that it's impossible to tell what they could do right now. For now, I'm going Winslow, who they would pair with Melo on the wing and be happy going into the future.
5. Orlando Magic
Kristaps Porzingis, PF, Latvia: The Magic have apparently been high on Porzingis throughout the entire process, and really would love for him to fall to No. 5. He would be a fit as a rim protector next to Nikola Vucevic and a floor spacer with Victor Oladipo and Elfrid Payton in the background. But more than that, he'd give the Magic a genuine potential all-star, something the roster currently lacks. He might take a couple of years, but the upside here is totally worth it for the Magic.
6. Sacramento Kings
Mario Hezonja, SG, Croatia: Divac knows Hezonja probably as well as any general manager due to his time overseas over the past few years, and probably would be very familiar and okay with taking him. There's a bit of a glut on the wing already there with Ben McLemore and Nik Stauskas as their two draft picks in the last two seasons, but if you think he can be a star, then you take him anyway and play him with whatever ends up being left of this roster.
7. Denver Nuggets
Emmanuel Mudiay, PG, China: Mudiay would be a great fit here if the Nuggets are able to get rid of Ty Lawson tomorrow (or even in the future, which seems like an inevitability at this point). Having said that, they just had Tyus Jones in for a workout on Monday and seem to be interested in moving back into the draft to get him. Maybe they take a guy like Stanley Johnson, move Lawson, then go get a mid-round point guard? We'll see.
8. Detroit Pistons
Stanley Johnson, SF, Arizona: Stan Van Gundy went out and got a solid stretch-four option in Ersan Ilyasova from the Bucks, but they could still use more depth and talent on the wing. Johnson also would profile reasonably well as a stretch-four himself, and would be a perfect option for what the Pistons would like to do both on offense and defense.
9. Charlotte Hornets
Frank Kaminsky, C, Wisconsin: The team just moved Noah Vonleh and Gerald Henderson for Nicolas Batumon Wednesday, and are said to like Kaminsky a good amount. He'd be completely redundant to Cody Zeller, but if the goal to replace him with a big man and add further offensive talent and shooting, they could easily do worse than Kaminsky.
10. Miami Heat
Willie Cauley-Stein, C, Kentucky: Listen, Cauley-Stein isn't exactly what this team needs. But I think Pat Riley is going to take the best guy on the board at his pick for bench value, and Cauley-Stein fits that. Plus, he'd likely be an upgrade over an aging Udonis Haslem and Chris Andersen combination, as well as provide insurance for Hassan Whiteside next to Chris Bosh.
11. Indiana Pacers
Trey Lyles, PF, Kentucky: Lyles would be an Indiana kid returning home, and with David West opting out he'd give this roster some insurance in case he doesn't come back. Also, the Pacers do want to play more uptempo next season with better offense, and Lyles would give them a cheaper option off the bench than West would if they start playing Paul George more at the 4.
12. Utah Jazz
Devin Booker, SG, Kentucky: Booker gives them a solid option at the 2-guard spot, and more than anything he'd give them a true-shot maker. Rodney Hood is a good shooter, but they could use another one to continue to developing as they really struggled to space the floor and knock down shots last season. Also, it would give them further options in case Alec Burks is moved for further help at another spot.
13. Phoenix Suns
Myles Turner, C, Texas: This would be the perfect landing spot for Turner, although I don't think he'd get this far as someone would likely consider moving up for him. The Suns would do a terrific job of making sure his body continues the growth that it's made since the end of the season, and he'd work as a 25-30 minute a game guy perfectly in that frontcourt with Alex Len and the Morris twins.
14. Oklahoma City Thunder
Cameron Payne, PG, Murray State: I buy that there is legitimate interest between the Thunder and Payne, but I sincerely doubt that any promise has been made as has been rumored. Payne would give the Thunder and option next to Russell Westbrook as well as a steady, high-IQ guard off the bench who could score. My guess is that ends up being his best role, but it's one that would work perfectly for the Thunder.
15. Atlanta Hawks
Kelly Oubre Jr., SF, Kansas: Oubre would give this team some insurance in case DeMarre Carroll leaves in free agency. But more than that, he'd give the Hawks a potential star on a team that could continue to build it even after their awesome, "star-less" season (in quotes because Al Horford is awesome). This would be a great pickup here for them.
16. Boston Celtics
Bobby Portis, PF, Arkansas: He's not exactly what the Celtics need, but I also don't feel confident that the team will be picking here at No. 16 anyway. They've been as active as anyone on the market, and will want to move up in the draft using their plethora of picks over the course of the next three seasons. My guess is they get something done, and Portis is simply the best player available that another team could want here.
17. Milwaukee Bucks
Sam Dekker, SF, Wisconsin: Dekker would be a local kid staying in Milwaukee after going to Wisconsin. It would be a nice story for a team that will continue to look to drum up arena support. Having said that though, he could help their frontcourt versatility, especially after losing Ersan Ilyasova earlier this month for some cap space.
18. Houston Rockets
Tyus Jones, PG, Duke: I haven't moved off of Jones to the Rockets and I'm sticking to that, even if they consider moving the pick for help in the backcourt in the form of a veteran. This is where the point guard class starts to heat up again, and Jones works perfectly here as a target for those teams looking to move into this range.
19. Washington Wizards
Jerian Grant, PG, Notre Dame: I've also been a pretty big believer in Grant to Washington, although again I think there is a chance some team makes a move to get him before this. The Wizards will also be in the market for a stetch-4 type, but that ship has sailed a bit earlier in this mock draft so it's hard to say that they'll reach for that over Grant.
20. Toronto Raptors
R.J. Hunter, SG, Georgia State: Hunter is one of those guys that I think goes earlier than anticipated on draft night. He's been really impressing in interviews, and possesses a skill that everyone covets: shooting. I'll go Hunter to the Raptors here, who may be looking to move on from Terrence Ross or even one of their backcourt stars in DeMar DeRozan or Kyle Lowry after this season's playoff burnout, although the other two are longer shots obviously.
21. Dallas Mavericks
Rashad Vaughn, SG, UNLV: I think this would probably be a bit of a reach for Vaughn, but the Mavericks will probably want to go high-upside here given the absolute just lack of talent or players on their roster. Vaughn makes sense from that perspective, as he could end up becoming a pretty terrific scorer after some coaching, as he's among the youngest players int he draft.
22. Chicago Bulls
Delon Wright, PG, Utah: I'm going to roll with the Bulls going Wright here as my final option after mostly sticking with it throughout. Wright makes a lot of sense to me as a guy that coach Fred Holberg would like. He likes intelligent, mature point guards who can distribute the ball and get to the rim and into the lane. Wright would really work there, plus he'd be insurance on Derrick Rose.
23. Portland Trail Blazers
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, SF, Arizona: There's a decent chance that the Sixers trade for this pick, and if that happens it's tough to say who would be on their board. One guy who would fit both teams would be Hollis-Jefferson, as the Trail Blazers need to replace Nic Batum and the Sixers simply need some help on the wing and like athletes. He fits both of their criteria.
24. Cleveland Cavaliers
Justin Anderson, SF, Virginia: The Cavs will likely want to try to solidify the wing this offseason with guards J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert due to be free agents. Anderson fits perfectly for what the Cavs want to do as a potential 3-and-D player that might work well next to LeBron James and Kyrie Irving.
25. Memphis Grizzlies
Montrezl Harrell, PF-C, Louisville: Harrell isn't necessarily big enough to be the backup center that they need if Kosta Koufos leaves this offseason, but he would provide some toughness and high-energy play as a frontcourt backup behind Zach Randolph and maybe even Marc Gasol in some lineups depending on what they can find in free agency.
26. San Antonio Spurs
Nikola Milutinov, C, Serbia: The Spurs obviously have a terrific international scouting system, and Milutinov is a guy that has risen up scouting boards recently. He has the best frame and athleticism combination of any of the big guys in this range, and could eventually become an NBA center if he can get enough weight on his body.
27. Los Angeles Lakers
Kevon Looney, PF, UCLA: Looney might go higher than this, but he also might end up being a pretty big faller in the draft. His overall athleticism level is a bit scary, and teams are worried about his frame. At No. 27, he'd be a massive bargain for the Lakers, so I think they'd take him there.
28. Boston Celtics
Guillermo Hernangomez, C, Spain: The Celtics may or may not keep this pick. But if they do, I can see a circumstance where they decide to stash it. If they do, Hernangomez is a solid option as he could become a really solid center if he can continue to strengthen his frame and conditioning, as well as develop more of a face up game.
29. Brooklyn Nets
Chris McCullough, PF, Syracuse: McCullough is a project, but he's one worth taking a shot on because he's just such a potentially versatile option at the 4 due to his length and athleticism. If he can continue to improve his frame and become a better shooter, he'll very much have a chance to stick after he heals from his surgery.
30. Golden State Warriors
Terry Rozier, PG, Louisville: Rozier's a guy that will be right on the edge of the first round, and here he gets to play with the NBA finalist Warriors. This is basically a best player available type situation, where the Warriors take a backup point guard that they could trust to defend and possibly take over as a spark plug for Leandro Barbosa.
Round 2
31. Minnesota Timberwolves
Anthony Brown, SF, Stanford: The Wolves could really use better floor spacing, and Brown is a terrific shooter.
32. Houston Rockets
Jordan Mickey, PF, LSU: The Rockets love taking athletic forwards who could defend multiple positions next to Dwight Howard. Mickey fits that.
33. Boston Celtics
Christian Wood, PF, UNLV: The Celtics have four picks and have stashed one already, so they go for a home run on Wood.
34. Los Angeles Lakers
Olivier Hanlan, PG, Boston College: The Lakers could use further backcourt depth, and Hanlan fits that perfectly.
35. Philadelphia 76ers
Jarell Martin, PF, LSU: Martin would be a strong athlete to pair with either Nerlens Noel or Joel Embiid off the bench.
36. Minnesota Timberwolves
Andrew Harrison, PG, Kentucky: Harrison could become a solid backup option for a team that played Lorenzo Brown last year.
37. Philadelphia 76ers
Cedi Osman, PG, Macedonia: The Sixers have likely seen a ton of Osman, given that he plays on the same team as Dario Saric.
38. Detroit Pistons
Rakeem Christmas, C, Syracuse: Christmas could go as early as the late first, but here he profiles as a potential backup for Andre Drummond.
39. Charlotte Hornets
Joseph Young, SG, Oregon: The Hornets need shooting, and Young could certainly provide that.
40. Miami Heat
Michael Frazier II, SG, Florida: Never hurts to grab more floor spacing from the wing.
41. Brooklyn Nets
Robert Upshaw, C, Washington: Upshaw has been cleared to workout again, but I think the red flags here are just a bit too many to get him in the first round.
42. Utah Jazz
Norman Powell, SG, UCLA: More athleticism on the wing for the Jazz, as Powell is a potential defensive stopper and transition athlete.
43. Indiana Pacers
Jonathan Holmes, SF, Texas: Holmes has a big frame and a projectable body for a team that just lost David West.
44. Phoenix Suns
Arturas Gudaitis, C, Lithuania: The Suns like guys who can run and jump like Gudaitis can. He's a solid athlete with potential as a rim protector.
45. Boston Celtics
Dakari Johnson, C, Kentucky: Johnson's rim protection skill actually isn't awful due to his terrific standing reach, so maybe he can be a longshot for the future?
46. Milwaukee Bucks
Mouhammadou Jaiteh, C, France: The Bucks could use a center to try and develop, so they take a shot on Jaiteh working out.
47. Philadelphia 76ers
J.P. Tokoto, SF, North Carolina: Tokoto is a high energy, highly athletic defensive wing that needs to work a lot on his jumper. Hello, Philadelphia!
48. Oklahoma City Thunder
Daniel Diez, SF, Spain: Diez is a smart power forward that really shot the ball well in the ACB league this season as a stretch-four.
49. Washington Wizards
Cliff Alexander, PF, Kansas: Diez is a smart power forward that really shot the ball well in the ACB league this season as a stretch-four.
50. Atlanta Hawks
Tyler Harvey, SG, Eastern Washington: More shooting for the Hawks, who would assuredly not turn it down.
51. Orlando Magic
Richaun Holmes, PF, Bowling Green: The athletic Holmes might be able to stick as a backup big in the NBA, especially in Orlando which needs rim protection.
52. Dallas Mavericks
Awudu Abass, PF, Italy: A big wing with a 7-0 wingspan that performed well at the adidas EuroCamp this summer.
53. Cleveland Cavaliers
Pat Connaughton, SG, Notre Dame: A better version of Joe Harris for the team that already has Joe Harris and could use more shooting on the wings.
54. Utah Jazz
Michael Qualls, SG, Arkansas: Qualls tore his ACL in a workout with the Suns, and will be out for 6-12 months. Still, his long-term skill set is intriguing enough to get him drafted in my opinion.
55. San Antonio Spurs
Shawn Dawson, SF, Israel: Shawn Dawson had a terrific close to his season in Israel, and is rising up draft boards at the right time.
56. New Orleans Pelicans
Larry Nance Jr., PF, Wyoming: The Pelicans are going to play up-tempo basketball next season, and Nance would fit really well in that system.
57. Denver Nuggets
Mateusz Ponitka, SG, Poland: A projectable shooting guard for a team that really scouts European players well. Ponitka performed well at the adidas EuroCamp.
58. Philadelphia 76ers
Josh Richardson, SG, Tennessee: Richardson would end up with former teammate Jordan McRae if they both made the league.
59. Atlanta Hawks
Quinn Cook, PG, Duke: Could Cook make the NBA? I think it's entirely possible, as he's a pesky defender and great shooter.
60. Philadelphia 76ers
Nikola Radicevic, PG, Serbia: Yeah, he's kind of redundant to Vasilje Micic, but hey, if one of them hits, Hinkie will be happy.

Duke's Jahlil Okafor is an elite talent with a post game arguably second to none. (USATSI)