2015 TSL Mock NBA Draft 2.0 – Post Lottery Edition

After last Tuesday’s NBA Draft lottery, the picture for this year’s draft is starting to take shape. The Lakers have snuck their way into the top three and have changed the plan for other teams around them. Let’s take a look at those teams possible choices.

1. Minnesota Timberwolves – Pick: Karl-Anthony Towns, PF/C – Kentucky: The Timberwolves finally ended the streak of worst teams not getting the top pick. Expect them to address the frontcourt and take the more natural pairing with Nikola Pekovic and Gorgui Dieng in Towns. Towns brings offensive versatility and shot blocking ability. He could develop behind one of the greatest ever in Kevin Garnett.
2. Los Angeles Lakers – Pick: Jahlil Okafor, C – Duke: The Lakers struck gold and made it into one of the coveted top two spots. They could set up an excellent young frontcourt pairing in Okafor and Julius Randle, who is coming off of a lost rookie season after a broken leg. Adding the offensive ability of Okafor to a shaky Lakers team will be huge for this team in not only winning games but also attracting better free agents.
3. Philadelphia 76ers – Pick: D’Angelo Russell, PG/SG – Ohio State: The 76ers have to replace Michael Carter-Williams and already have 1^st team all rookie contributor Nerlens Noel at the center position and will get Joel Embiid in the fold this year, and perhaps even Dario Saric to come to the United States. Guard depth is key and Russell can flat out make plays. Expect him to be the man off the board here.
4. New York Knicks – Pick: Emmanuel Mudiay, PG – China: The Knicks have to be disappointed they did not land in the top two, but they can still get great value here. Mudiay is a great athlete and can be a jolt of energy for the lifeless Knicks. Mudiay is also large for his position at 6-foot-5 and can become a matchup problem on both sides of the ball.
5. Orlando Magic – Pick: Justice Winslow, SF – Duke: The Magic have a young core of Elfrid Payton, Victor Oladipo, Aaron Gordon and Nikola Vucevic. Since they are likely to lose Tobias Harris, they must address the wing. Who better than the big, physical and defensive winger who also has the ability to drive to the hoop. This would be a very exciting and young squad who could make some noise and develop with Winslow.
6. Sacramento Kings – Pick: Kristaps Porzingis, PF – Latvia: The Kings could use a young power forward to develop next to DeMarcus Cousins. Porzingis is not only a matchup problem (7’0”, 220 lbs.) but can also stretch the floor with a solid three point shot. A lineup that features good shooters like Rudy Gay and Darren Collison could use a big man to join that.
7. Denver Nuggets – Pick: Mario Hezonja, SG/SF – Croatia: The Nuggets are the midst of a transition and could use talent at almost every position. Because they recently locked up big man Kenneth Faried and have seen progress from young center Jusuf Nurkic, they should address the wing next. Hezonja has the length to become a good defender and can space the floor nicely. The value of this pick would be useful for the Nuggets and could give them the luxury to trade Wilson Chandler for another first round pick.
8. Detroit Pistons – Pick: Stanley Johnson, SF – Arizona: The Pistons have to re-sign Greg Monroe this offseason but could really use a wing piece to compliment him and Andre Drummond in the frontcourt. Johnson is a freak athlete, who could easily go higher in the draft if he shows this in the workouts. He can become an even better defender thanks to his length and instincts. His offense improved greatly in his one year at Arizona and will continue under Stan Van Gundy.
9. Charlotte Hornets – Pick: Willie Cauley-Stein, C – Kentucky: Al Jefferson is starting to get older and if someone with the athletic ability of Cauley-Stein is still on the board, they have to jump at it. He is a tremendous shot blocker and is still refining his offensive game. If he can develop behind Jefferson, they have two solid young big men (him and Noah Vonleh) and can be more prepared for the future.
10. Miami Heat – Pick: Kelly Oubre, SF – Kansas: Oubre is an athletic project who could spend a lot of time in the D-League. This would be a perfect fit because Luol Deng has not been what he was billed to be when he signed on to replace LeBron James. Oubre is a big and long player who with a little refinement could be a nice young piece to fit with Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh.
11. Indiana Pacers – Pick: Devin Booker, SG – Kentucky: The Kentucky Wildcats get another lottery pick in the sharpshooter Booker. The Pacers could use some more shooting and with a healthy Paul George, the lineup could be potent once again. The Pacers need someone who can replace what Lance Stephenson did and if Booker can improve defensively, this could be a steal.
12. Utah Jazz – Pick: Frank Kaminsky, PF – Wisconsin: The Jazz took tremendous strides after the All-Star break and vaulted themselves into a position to make waves next year. The addition of Kaminsky to a physical frontcourt of Rudy Gobert and Derrick Favors would give them more spacing thanks to his shooting. They could even utilize him in small sets at the 5. This addition could send the Jazz to a surprise playoff appearance next year.
13. Phoenix Suns – Pick: Cameron Payne, PG – Murray State: The Suns have a lot of options with this pick. They could address the frontcourt or add to the youth in the backcourt. It would be prudent to draft a young point guard like Payne to cushion any possible blow of losing Brandon Knight to free agency. Payne is rising thanks to his scoring ability and instincts. He would be a great fit in their up-tempo style.
14. Oklahoma City Thunder – Pick: Sam Dekker, SF – Wisconsin: The Thunder could likely trade down or out of the draft entirely with this pick. But assuming they do keep the pick, they need get some depth at the wing. They likely will not re-sign Kyle Singler and could look to clear cap space and deal Steve Novak. Dekker could flourish playing alongside players like Dion Waiters and DJ Augustin.
15. Atlanta Hawks (from Brooklyn) – Pick: Kevon Looney, PF – UCLA: The Hawks do not have a lot of needs and could afford a project. Looney has all the tools to play either the 3 or 4. He can be a depth option if they lose DeMarre Carroll or Paul Millsap this offseason, or simply learn Mike Budenholzer’s system. Either way, this is more of a value selection for the Hawks.
16. Boston Celtics – Pick: Myles Turner, PF/C – Texas: If the Celtics get Myles Turner here, it could be a big addition for them. Turner can space the floor, which the Celtics value, but also block shots. He could be a nice fit with Jared Sullinger on the floor as the 5 or with Tyler Zeller as the 4. The Celtics can afford to develop him to expedite their rebuild.
17. Milwaukee Bucks – Pick: Tyus Jones, PG – Duke: The Bucks could use a rotational point guard to play with their second unit that will likely feature players like Zaza Pachulia. Jones could pack a scoring punch, bring mental toughness, and good decision making to the youth movement in Milwaukee.
18. Houston Rockets (from New Orleans) – Pick: Jerian Grant, PG – Notre Dame: The one area of concern for the Houston Rockets would be point guard. With Patrick Beverly set to become a free agent and Pablo Prigioni turning 38 years old, they need a second scoring punch. Grant brings that, along with some great instincts and toughness. He could be a great addition for the Rockets to develop.
19. Washington Wizards – Pick: Trey Lyles, PF – Kentucky: The Wizards need a young forward to develop behind their aging big men in Nene and Marcin Gortat. They could go Trey Lyles or Bobby Portis here, but Lyles gets the nod thanks to his shooting upside and greater ability to spread the floor, which is something the Wizards need. Lyles is also a solid defender with a huge wingspan. This could be a nice depth addition for this team as its youth comes of age.
20. Toronto Raptors – Pick: Bobby Portis, PF – Arkansas: Portis does not fall too far after the Wizards however. Portis will bring an element of toughness to a Raptors team that could use some. Portis could work more on his outside game and develop like Bruno Caboclo and Lucas Nogueira have done for the past couple of years. Portis can do more early on and bring a fire to this perennial playoff team.
21. Dallas Mavericks – Pick: RJ Hunter, SG – Georgia State: The Mavericks could use a combo guard who can provide shooting and the ability to match up on different players on defense. If they want to go small, Hunter could play with a TBD point guard, Monta Ellis, Chandler Parsons and Dirk Nowitzki. His scoring punch would be huge for this team in a competitive Western Conference.
22. Chicago Bulls – Pick: Justin Anderson, SF – Virginia: The Bulls need more shooting help and perimeter defense. With a loaded front court that features an infusion of youth, the Bulls should go for the wing and draft Anderson. His jump shot needs work, but with his bulldog like attitude on defense, he would fit the style of the Bulls.
23. Portland Trail Blazers – Pick: Montrezl Harrell, PF – Louisville: The Trail Blazers struggled with injury all season, including a torn Achilles injury to Wes Matthews and recurring issues for LaMarcus Aldridge and Robin Lopez. Bringing in the ultra tough and passionate Harrell would begin to develop a young base behind Aldridge and Lopez. Harrell also has some touch and plays bigger than his 6-foot-8 frame. He could be a nice pairing on the second unit with Myers Leonard and CJ McCollum.
24. Cleveland Cavaliers – Pick: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, SF – Arizona: The Cavaliers could use another wing depth player who plays solid defense. Enter Hollis-Jefferson. He can defend very well and while the jump shot leaves a lot to be desired, he could make tremendous strides while playing with LeBron James and Kyrie Irving.
25. Memphis Grizzlies – Pick: Robert Upshaw, C –Washington: The Grizzlies face the possibility of losing both of their big men to free agency. It’s more likely that they can only keep one. If that’s the case, they should feel happy to walk away with Upshaw. There are numerous personal red flags, but Upshaw has all the talent to make up for that. Upshaw measured the biggest wingspan and has massive hands that make him a great shot blocker. He would be a tremendous fit in Memphis with either Marc Gasol or Kosta Koufus.
26. San Antonio Spurs – Pick: Nikola Milutinov, C – Serbia: This pick is a little bit out of left field but it makes sense. Milutinov is a big body at 7-foot, 220 lbs. and is an effective rebounder. He is a bit of a project but at 20 years old and under a coach like Popovich, he could fill a need in a few years and be a great back up to Tiago Splitter in the meantime. This could even be a draft and stash pick, similar to what the Bulls did with Nikola Mirotic and what the 76ers are doing with Dario Saric.
27. Los Angeles Lakers (from Houston) – Pick: Delon Wright, PG – Utah: The Lakers already addressed their big men but still have no clear front runner for point guard, despite the success of Jordan Clarkson. Wright can really score and has great instincts. At this point, the more scoring, the better for the Lakers. Wright is smart and can share the floor with Clarkson thanks to his size (6’6”, 181 lbs.).
28. Boston Celtics (from Los Angeles Clippers) – Pick: Jarrell Martin, PF – LSU: The Celtics already got an effective rim protector in Myles Turner this mock draft, and now get a physical big man to pair him with in Martin. Martin has good finishing ability and is a great athlete. Martin could work on his outside shot and even play the 3. He would pair well with Turner or Kelly Olynyk or even in big lineups with Jared Sullinger.
29. Brooklyn Nets (from Atlanta) – Pick: Chris McCullough, PF – Syracuse: The Nets have to settle on a trade of picks with Atlanta and desperately need young talent. One option is the athletic and raw McCullough. He was not able to prove much at Syracuse due to injury but has all the tools to be a great player. He is just very raw and could use a lot of time in the D-League to develop.
30. Golden State Warriors – Pick: Andrew Harrison, PG/SG – Kentucky: Harrison sneaks into the first round thanks to his more polished game as opposed to others. Harrison has great leadership qualities and while he cannot take over a game, he would be an excellent rotation piece playing with Shaun Livingston.