2015 Mock Draft
This mock draft has been composed by my buddy and fellow writer Roger Sievers. Follow him on twitter @RogerThat_24
1. MINNESOTA
TIMBERWOLVES – Karl-Anthony Towns – Kentucky Wildcats – Center
The Minnesota Timberwolves for the first time in their history finally hit the draft lottery jackpot and received the first overall pick. It will be a tough decision between Karl-Anthony Towns and Jahlil Okafor, but with both players having a strong chance of being successful at the next level, it will come down to which player they believe can solidy the Wolves interior. I think it’ll come down to potential and Towns has a higher ceiling than Okafor. With the first overall pick the Minnesota Timberwolves will select Karl-Anthony Towns.
2. SACRAMENTO
KINGS (Trade with LA lakers) – JahLil okafor – Duke Blue Devils – Center
I had to do it. With the increasing tension and rumors swirling around DeMarcus Cousins it makes sense for the Sacramento Kings to unload him during the draft. The trade that I predict will go down will be Cousins and the 6th pick will go to the Lakers for The 2nd pick, Julius Randle, Jordan Clarkson and the 27th overall pick. The Kings would love to have Jahlil Okafor replace the departed Cousins and begin their next attempt at rebuilding with the recent National Champion.
3. Philadelphia
76ers – Justise Winslow – Duke Blue Devils – Small Forward
This is where things will get very interesting. The Sixers have been futile in their “attempts” to rebuild the franchise, settling for numerous injured players and trading away the team’s top talent each year only to start over again. Although D’Angelo Russell is the best player at this point in the draft, his recent cancellation to a Sixers workout has me concerned of his commitment issues to the franchise (even though he rescheduled). I think the Sixers will surprise (as they normally do) and select Justise Winslow who will be a day one contributor and candidate for Rookie of the year.
4. Phoenix Suns
(Trade with New York) – D’Angelo Russell – Ohio State BUckeyes – shooting GUiard
We have a trade! The New York Knicks are a mess to say the least. The Franchise needs more than just a top five draft pick to solve all of their problems. The Phil Jackson led Knicks trade down to receive Eric Bledsoe and swap picks with the Phoenix Suns. The Suns will gladly take Russell who will replace some of the attacking to the basket that was lost when Goran Dragic went to the Miami Heat.
5. Orlando
magic – Kristaps Porzingis – CB Sevilla – Power Forward
I’ll admit I do not know much about the international players in this year’s NBA draft. However, the majority of mock drafts had Porzingis going in the Top 5. Personally, I do not believe the Latvian Forward will be successful in the NBA, but he has all the potential and could be worth the high draft pick if he can put everything together in the NBA.
6. LOS ANGELES LAKERS (Trade with Sacramento) –Emmanuel Mudiay – Guangdong Southern TIGERS – Point Guard
Originally, the Kings wanted to keep their 6th pick in the deal with the Lakers, but GM Mitch Kupchak will work his magic and instead convince them to take the deal with Cousins and the 6th pick (Lakers will instead trade their 27th overall pick). Mudiay went the Brandon Jennings route and spent a year overseas in China before coming into the NBA. Mudiay has a lot of potential and could become a star Point Guard in the League, but Point Guards have been known to have a high learning curve, so it might take some time before we see results on the court.
7. Denver
nUGGETS – Mario Hezonja– FC Barcelona – Shooting Guard
Another international player with great Potential is Marioa Hezonja. The sharpshooter could soon be replacing Danilo Gallinari who is up on the trading block and give a boost to the Denver Nuggets offense and new head coach Mike Malone.
8. Detroit
pistons – Trey LYles – Kentucky Wildcats – power forward
This will be a reach at this point in the draft, but with the looming possibility of Greg Monroe leaving the Detroit Pistons in free agency, the Pistons will be looking for his replacement. Trey Lyles has risen on draft boards recently and could be Monroe’s replacement. However, I do not see him producing in the NBA as much as he should considering how high he will be drafted.
9. Charlotte
hornets – Willie Cauley-Stein – Kentucky WIldcats – Center
Big men from Kentucky seem to be the theme in the 2015 NBA draft. Another big, Willie Cauley-Stein, will be drafted with the 10th overall pick. The Charlotte Hornets are in-flux right now and transitioning with a new group of players. Cauley-Stein would be a good, athletic, shot blocker to be added to the mix.
10. Miami
heat – Myles turner – texas Longhorns – center
Another Center who could be on his way out of town is Hassan Whiteside in Miami. His “2K” ratings increased dramatically over the course of last season and he will be tough to retain in free agency. I see the Miami Heat selecting Myles Turner out of Texas to be his replacement in South Beach.
11. Indiana
pacers – Cameron Payne – murray State Racers – point guard
Cameron Payne is a playmaker that could help the Indiana Pacers offense. The Point Guard from the mid-major school certainly does not have mid-major talent and should excel in the NBA like fellow star from a mid-major school, Kenneth Faried.
12. Utah
jazz – sam dekker – wisconsin Badgers – Small Forward
The Jazz have a very young and talented roster and could be a player or two away from seriously contending for a playoff spot in the very difficult Western Conference. Dekker is a sharpshooter and the perfect Kyle Korver like fit to the offense that already has Rudy Gobert anchoring the middle.
13. New York Knicks (TrADE with
Phoenix) – Frank Kaminsky – Wisconsin Badgers – Center
Wisconsin Badger teammates go back-to-back in the lottery as Frank Kaminsky is selected by the New York Knicks with the 13th overall pick. The Knicks have recently become enamored with the Center from Wisconsin and take a chance on him in the bottom half of the lottery.
14. Oklahoma city
thunder – Devin booker – Kentucky Wildcats – Shooting guard
The Oklahoma City Thunder could use another threat on the wing and Devin Booker can potentially fit in that role. Especially with the recent departure of Jeremy Lamb to Charlotte.
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