2015 NBA Mock Draft: 1st Edition

Now that the draft lottery is over, here is my first edition of my 2015 NBA Mock Draft.

1. Minnesota Timberwolves- Karl-Anthony Towns, Forward/Center, Kentucky: Minnesota is desperate for frontcourt versatility, and Towns is their clear-cut best fit. He’ll help fill the squad’s need for interior defense while expanding its offensive options. This could make Nikola Pekovic available for a trade.

2. Los Angeles Lakers- Jahlil Okafor, Center, Duke: What a win this is for a franchise that is pretty much stuck in limbo and needed a bounce in the right direction. In Okafor, the Lakers get an NBA-ready center who can score in the post and should be a strong complement to returning power forward Julius Randle.

3. Philadelphia 76ers- D'Angelo Russell, Guard, Ohio State: Philadelphia has a clear need at both guard positions. With a promising frontcourt already in place, Philadelphia would be wise to add a sweet-shooting combo guard in Russell.

4. New York Knicks- Emmanuel Muiday, Guard, China: The Knicks, like the Lakers, were desperate a top three pick, except they fell back two spots and what a disaster this is for a franchise that needed a top three pick more than everybody else. They're hurting for a long-term facilitator just as much as they are for a big man. Mudiay is a dynamic playmaker whose ranginess and athleticism can change the complexion of their offense.

5. Orlando Magic- Kristaps Porzingis, Forward/Center, Latvia: Often compared to Kevin Garnett, Porzingis isn’t as skilled of a post player, but he is a legitimate stretch four, athletic with a fluid shooting stroke. Porzingis will need a year to bulk up but he has enormous potential.

6. Sacramento Kings- Willie Cauley-Stein, Center, Kentucky: DeMarcus "Boogie" Cousins and the Sacramento Kings would love to land a springy big man like Cauley-Stein to give the squad some defensive flexibility. In addition to his defensive gifts and awareness, Cauley-Stein will make opponents work on the other end.

7. Denver Nuggets- Justice Winslow, Forward, Duke: Denver could use a wing who is interchangeable between the 2 and 3 spots, and Winslow is a dynamic answer at No. 7. No matter how long it takes to refine his skills, you can bet he'll immediately supply sideline-to-sideline defense, superb offensive instincts and energy.

8. Detroit Pistons- Stanley Johnson, Forward, Arizona: Detroit has a sizeable hole at small forward and Johnson, a defensive-minded swingman who has evoked comparisons—at least physically—to Metta World Peace, looks like a nice fit. 

9. Charlotte Hornets- Mario Hezonja, Guard/Forward, Croatia: Charlotte has a clear need on the wing and Hezonja would be a nice fit. He could be a potent secondary option for the Hornets once he gains more polish and experience on the wing. Hezonja has the explosiveness, shooting skills and handles to fill up the hoop from anywhere.

10. Miami Heat- Trey Lyles, Forward, Kentucky: Miami has a need at the forward position. Lyles isn’t as advanced offensively as his UK teammate, Towns, but he is a solid face-up power forward who has shown flashes of a decent perimeter game.

11. Indiana Pacers- Frank Kaminsky, Forward/Center, Wisconsin: Indiana is clearly looking for a new identity and Kaminsky would fit that what Larry Bird, Donnie Walsh, and Frank Vogel are trying to build. He won't be a star right away, and he might never be one. But he's going to execute crisply, whether it's pick-and-pops on the perimeter or low-post touches. Don't be surprised if Roy Hibbert ends up on the trading block because it certainly appears that way.

12. Utah Jazz- Myles Turner, Forward/Center, Texas: Derrick Favors pounds the paint on offense, and Rudy Gobert stifles foes on the other end. The only major piece the Utah Jazz are missing in the frontcourt rotation is someone to stretch the floor. That's where Turner comes in handy. He offers two highly coveted assets: a soft shooting touch and towering rim protection.

13. Phoenix Suns- Devin Booker, Guard, Kentucky: One of the bigger surprises of the combine was Booker; not because of how he played (he didn’t) but executives' opinion of him. Several execs identified Booker as the best shooting prospect in the draft.

14. Oklahoma City Thunder- Sam Dekker, Forward, Wisconsin: Dekker is poised to shore up Oklahoma City's long-term wing depth while also contributing to the Thunder's short-term playoff runs. Wisconsin's all-purpose forward projects to be a key two-way role player. He has the size, agility and instincts to dramatically enhance OKC's forward corps and streamline the club's operation.

15. Atlanta Hawks (via Brooklyn Nets)- Kelly Oubre, Forward, Kansas: While he undoubtedly fills a team need in Atlanta, Oubre Jr. just might be the top prospect remaining on the board. With DeMarre Carroll likely to generate plenty of interest in free agency, the Hawks could take Oubre as his long-term replacement.

16. Boston Celtics- Bobby Portis, Forward, Arkansas: Portis’s greatest strength: He competes like crazy. Executives love his relentless motor, which complements a diverse skill set. Portis is terrific in transition and is a strong floor-spacing big man prospect. Boston needs help in the front court as well and Portis would help.

17. Milwaukee Bucks- RJ Hunter, Guard, Georgia State: A postseason appearance accelerated Milwaukee’s youth movement, but there are still holes. The Bucks need a pivot, though drafting a five here would be a stretch. Expect Milwaukee to grab a swingman like Hunter, one of the draft’s best shooters, a nice fit to develop behind Khris Middleton, assuming he doesn't leave in free agency.

18. Houston Rockets (via New Orleans Pelicans)- Tyus Jones, Guard, Duke: The Rockets desperately need to add a point guard, with Patrick Beverley and Jason Terry both entering free agency. Tyus Jones looks like the top option left on the board, and though he doesn't quite project as a high-end starter, there is no question he has the ball skills and basketball IQ to add something to a backcourt.

19. Washington Wizards- Kevon Looney, Forward, UCLA: Nene is 32 years old and entering the final year of his contract. Looney isn’t ready to play yet—the word “project” was attached to him by several executives at the combine—but he has tremendous physical tools and is a rugged rebounding prospect. Looney could be a nice long-term investment in D.C.

20. Toronto Raptors- Cameron Payne, Guard, Murray State: There was a measurable buzz around Payne at the draft combine in Chicago, with executives seeing a natural playmaker who blends scoring and distributing well. Payne is a little undersized, but he would be a nice fit to develop behind Kyle Lowry on the Raps.

21. Dallas Mavericks- Montrezl Harrell, Forward, Louisville: The Mavs need a point guard, and Utah’s Delon Wright is a candidate here. But Harrell—a high motor scorer/rebounder with an NBA body—could be tough to pass up for a team that will eventually need to start thinking of life after Dirk Nowtizki.

22. Chicago Bulls- Cedi Osman, Guard/Forward, Macedonia: Given Chicago’s depth up front and lack of strong backcourt options available, this is a spot on the board for the Bulls to draft and stash. Cedi Osman has ultimately received invaluable experience and plenty of minutes playing in Euroleague, a good place for him to develop over the next two seasons.

23. Portland Trail Blazers- Rashad Vaughn, Guard, UNLV: With Wesley Matthews' future uncertain and Aaron Afflalo headed for free agency, Vaughn, a solid scorer for the Rebels last season with a diverse offensive skill set, is a solid choice.

24. Cleveland Cavaliers- Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Forward, Arizona: Hollis-Jefferson would seem like an obvious prospect for the Cleveland Cavaliers to target as a replacement for Shawn Marion. However, Hollis-Jefferson's defensive outlook could be too enticing to pass on this late, especially for a team that can surround him with quality offensive options. He'll be a steal in the 20's if he can ever learn how to shoot.

25. Memphis Grizzlies- Justin Anderson, Guard/Forward, Virginia: Memphis could have a need on the wing if Jeff Green leaves in free agency. Anderson—an NBA-ready defender with a powerful physique—could develop into a steal if his offensive game comes along.

26. San Antonio Spurs- Jerian Grant, Guard, Notre Dame: It’s tough to get a read on Grant’s stock. He’s polished and isn’t short on confidence. But he’s older (22) and teams don’t know if he’s a true point guard. He could go anywhere between 15-25. If he’s on the low end, San Antonio will happily scoop him up and plug Grant into its backcourt rotation, especially if Cory Joseph leaves in free agency.

27. Los Angeles Lakers (via Houston Rockets)- Delon Wright, Guard, Utah: If the Lakers draft Okafor, the next biggest hole is at point guard. Enter Wright, a big, savvy playmaker who plays unselfishly and could provide L.A. with minutes next season. He’s an excellent defender, which the Lakers could badly use in the backcourt.

28. Boston Celtics (via Los Angeles Clippers)- Aleksandar Vezenkov, Forawrd, Bulgaria: Keep an eye on Vezenkov. International scouts like him, often citing his jumper and skills in transition as strengths. This is a luxury pick for Boston; the Celtics could stash a quality European prospect with a nice upside for a year or two. Syracuse's Chris McCullough is a strong candidate here, too.

29. Brooklyn Nets (via Atlanta Hawks)- Chris McCullough, Forawrd, Syracuse: An ACL injury in January crippled McCullough’s stock. Pre-injury, McCullough was an athletic, shot-blocking forward with a sound shooting stroke. If he lives up to his potential, he could be a steal here.

30. Golden State Warriors- Jordan Mickey, Forward, LSU: Mickey looked great at the NBA combine, particularly on Day 1, when he went for 17 points, eight rebounds and eight blocks. Though a bit undersized, Mickey makes up for an inch in height with a strong 238-pound frame and unteachable instincts around the basket. This selection would give Golden State depth, considering they have major decisions coming regarding Draymond Green and David Lee.