Who goes first overall when Minnesota is on the clock?
The NBA Draft begins on June 25. Below is the latest edition of The Lottery Mafia’s mock draft:
- Minnesota- Karl-Anthony Towns | PF/C | Kentucky | Freshman
Towns remains first on the mock draft, and is the best fit to join forces with Andrew Wiggins despite being the third-ranked player on the big board (though his grade is worthy of a first overall pick). His shot blocking ability coupled with his low post and midrange game will be a long-term staple in the Minnesota lineup.
- LA Lakers- Jahlil Okafor | C | Duke | Freshman
Despite rumblings that Okafor could fall past the second pick, the Lakers should still opt for the Duke big man. With the best footwork and low post offense in the draft, Okafor is a star waiting to blossom and would be the top overall selection if I were running the Timberwolves. Alas, Mitch Kupchak gets a great consolation prize to not winning the first pick.
- Philadelphia- D’Angelo Russell | PG/SG | Ohio State | Freshman
Russell heads to Philadelphia to form a trio with Joel Embiid and Nerlens Noel in one of the most promising young cores in the league. Adding in 2014 first round pick Dario Saric, the Sixers rebuild may be coming to an end. Russell’s ability to play with the ball in his hands will lead to high scoring and assist rates, and the Ohio State product should be a favorite to win Rookie of the Year.
- New York- Emmanuel Mudiay | PG | USA | 1996-born
The Knicks could go in a number of different directions, and are among the most likely to move down the draft board on the 25th. If they stay at No. 4, Emmanuel Mudiay has the best chance to develop into a franchise cornerstone. His ability to defend the ball and slash through the lane will be the best fit in Derek Fisher Phil Jackson’s offense.
- Orlando- Justise Winslow | SF | Duke | Freshman
How much will the addition of Scott Skiles affect Rob Hennigan’s draft plan? Skiles will push for a defensive option, while the team also needs outside shooting. Winslow offers the best of both worlds, and can play together with any combination of Elfrid Payton, Victor Oladipo and Aaron Gordon. The former Blue Devil could go as high as No. 4 on draft day.
- Sacramento- Willie Cauley-Stein | C | Kentucky | Junior
Who is actually calling the shots in Sacramento? Vivek Ranadive could be the one ultimately pulling the strings, but Vlade Divac would look to draft Willie Cauley-Stein to bolster the Kings’ pathetic defense. Questions would persist over his fit with DeMarcus Cousins, though his ability to guard both post positions would lead to a bevy of playing time in year one. A dark horse pick here is Cameron Payne.
- Denver- Mario Hezonja | SG | Croatia | 1995-born
Denver could look to trade up in the draft, using Ty Lawson or Kenneth Faried as bait. Staying at No. 7, look for FC Barcelona’s Mario Hezonja to hear the call. The Nuggets are severely lacking in talent on the wing, especially after the departure of Aaron Afflalo, and Hezonja adds a sweet-shooting athletic off-guard to the mix in the Mile High City.
- Detroit- Kristaps Porzingis | PF | Latvia | 1995-born
Detroit desperately needs help on the wing, but, given the void soon to be left by Greg Monroe, Stan Van Gundy will not be able to leave the Latvian big man on the board if available. Porzingis fits well with Andre Drummond, and adds highly-desired outside shooting and athleticism to the Detroit lineup.
- Charlotte- Stanley Johnson | SF | Arizona | Freshman
The Hornets are another team likely to move this pick in a trade, but if they stay they will take the best wing prospect available. Johnson, as the best player left on the board, provides the best combination of defense and outside shooting. Look for Devin Booker, RJ Hunter and Kelly Oubre to get a look here, but it would be a reach inside the top 10 for all three.
- Miami- Frank Kaminsky | PF/C | Wisconsin | Senior
With Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and Goran Dragic returning, the Heat will look to add a player that can help them win right away. Frank Kaminsky can back up both post positions and provide outside shooting in the pick and pop. A crafty scorer, he should be able to handle the post offense when Bosh is in the game as well.
- Indiana- Cameron Payne | PG | Murray State | Sophomore
Paul George will be back to full strength, and the Pacers will roll out David West and Roy Hibbert for another year. The Pacers sport one of the weakest backcourts in the league, and Payne can upgrade the point guard spot right away. A recent riser in many mock drafts, Payne has the Lakers and Knicks interested, and could find himself selected well inside the top-10.
- Utah- Myles Turner | PF/C | Texas | Freshman
The Jazz have found their starting unit in Dante Exum, Alec Burks, Gordon Hayward, Derrick Favors and Rudy Gobert. The next step to the rebuild has to involve adding depth, and the center from Texas provides long-term potential to grow into a very good starter at the next level. A near-elite shot blocker with NBA 3-point range, he should see role player minutes as a rookie.
- Phoenix- Devin Booker | SG | Kentucky | Freshman
Phoenix has stood on the edge of the playoffs for multiple years, but found itself on the outside of the top-eight again. Booker helps the Suns add a new level of outside shooting, and is an upgrade over Gerald Green in both the short and long-term. Look for Eric Bledsoe and Brandon Knight to start in the backcourt, and Booker will be a key reserve as a rookie.
- Oklahoma City- RJ Hunter | SG | Georgia State | Junior
It is imperative for the Thunder to find a third offensive option in the backcourt. After dealing James Harden and Reggie Jackson over the past few seasons, Hunter could be the next in a line of sixth-men that can add a scoring punch. He is not an elite defender or distributor, but he should shoot north of 38 percent from 3-point range and average double figures.
- Atlanta- Kevon Looney | SF/PF | UCLA | Freshman
Looney is the least NBA ready amongst the top-15 prospects, but has a very high ceiling. A blossoming forward that can play both positions, Looney has the potential to be an elite rebounder and stretch-4 with good 3-point range. In Atlanta he will not need to see the floor right away, and can instead learn behind Al Horford and Paul Millsap.
- Boston- Sam Dekker | SF | Wisconsin | Junior
Is there a player in the draft that fits Brad Stevens more than Sam Dekker? Dekker fits in at small forward with legitimate size for the position. The Celtics were essentially running a three-guard backcourt by the end of the season, and Dekker’s addition would create greater flexibility in the offense.
- Milwaukee- Kelly Oubre | SG | Kansas | Freshman
Is Milwaukee going to trot out OJ Mayo again in 2015? Oubre needs to improve his awareness, especially on the defensive end, but his offensive potential surpasses any option left on the board. His 3-point shooting will be necessary next to Michael Carter-Williams and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
- Houston- Jerian Grant | PG | Notre Dame | Senior
Grant is my third-ranked point guard in the draft, but has fallen behind Cameron Payne on most boards. If Grant starts to fall on draft day, look for Houston to be his floor. The Rockets cannot continue to rely on Patrick Beverley as a starting point guard, and Grant’s ability to play both guard positions will mesh well with James Harden.
- Washington- Trey Lyles | PF | Kentucky | Freshman
How much longer can Washington roll out Nene as its starting power forward? Lyles offers the most upside of any player left on the board, and is versatile enough to play both inside and outside. He is among the top ball handlers at the power forward position in the draft, and fits well next to Marcin Gortat in the frontcourt.
- Toronto- Bobby Portis | PF | Arkansas | Sophomore
Like Washington above, the Raptors could use an upgrade at the four. Portis is by no means a flashy player, but he is a good rebounder that can score in a variety of ways. He shows the ability to connect from 18 feet, and could one day expand his range to the NBA 3-point line. His rim protection is the primary concern.
- Dallas- Tyus Jones | PG | Duke | Freshman
Dallas’ experiments with Rajon Rondo and Raymond Felton did not go as planned, and the Mavs are still on the prowl for a starting point guard. Jones may be the most pure point guard in the draft, but he has also shown the ability to take control late in games. He is an average athlete and defender, but should pair well with a good defensive shooting guard.
- Chicago- Rondae Hollis-Jefferson | SF | Arizona | Sophomore
Fred Hoiberg could direct this pick in multiple directions, but the gap at small forward is still present. Mike Dunleavy will not be playable much longer, and Hollis-Jefferson provides some of the best wing defense in the draft. He is a poor shooter but can play some with the ball in his hands. He is an interesting fit in Chicago.
- Portland- Justin Anderson | SG | Virginia | Junior
The Blazers will do everything they can to resign LaMarcus Aldridge, Wesley Matthews and Robin Lopez. The team will enter the draft planning on resigning everyone, but needs to upgrade its depth at the wing. CJ McCollum stepped up as a long-term sixth man and future starter, but Dorell Wright’s spot could be up for grabs.
- Cleveland- Montrezl Harrell | PF | Louisville | Junior
Can the Cavs afford to resign everyone? Kevin Love and Tristan Thompson can both become free agents, and it may not be financially feasible to give both a maximum contract. Harrell could be the next Kenneth Faried, and represents a low-cost version of a similar player.
- Memphis- JP Tokoto | SG/SF | North Carolina | Junior
The Grizzlies have proven over and over that they will draft their type of player. Tokoto is an elite athlete who could become a terrific on-ball defender. His outside shooting is improving, and it isn’t out of the realm of possibility that he could become a low-end starter.
- San Antonio- Rashad Vaughn | SG | UNLV | Freshman
The Spurs have found a way to find great value late in the first round. Vaughn was UNLV’s top scoring threat as a freshman, and enters the draft as one of the top scoring shooting guards. His game is similar to Nick Young, which at this point in the draft represents good value.
- LA Lakers- Delon Wright | PG/SG | Utah | Senior
After selecting Okafor at No. 2, the Lakers will surely look to add a guard here. Wright can play both spots, and will not take much of the offense away from Kobe Bryant, who will likely still be the focal point of Los Angeles’ offense for one more year. His effectiveness on both ends could help him start on a bad Lakers’ squad by midseason.
- Boston- Robert Upshaw | C | Washington | Sophomore
There are significant concerns about Upshaw, most recently a minor heart issue that caused him to cancel a few workouts. If the heart condition is serious, coupled with his history of failed drug tests, he could fall out of the draft all together. His rim protection and ability to score inside keeps him in the first round for now- but barely.
- Brooklyn- Cedi Osman | SF | Turkey | 1995-born
The Nets are not in a position to contend next year, and will look to take the top European player on the board. Osman is a versatile wing and good shooter that can be kept at Anadolu Efes for one more season before joining the Nets for 2016-17. He could fit with Brooklyn similarly to Bojan Bogdanovic.
- Golden State- Aleksandar Vezenkov | SF/PF | Greece | 1995-born
Like Brooklyn, Golden State may run into some issues with the luxury tax in 2015/16. The Warriors are a deep team and could look to draft a European player in the first round for the second time since 2013, when they selected Nemanja Nedovic. Vezenkov is coming off a terrific performance in the Greek playoffs, and is a good stretch-4 candidate for the future.
Round 2
- Minnesota- Terry Rozier | PG | Louisville | Sophomore
- Houston- Jarell Martin | SF/PF | LSU | Sophomore
- Boston- Tyler Harvey | PG/SG | Eastern Washington | Sophomore
- LA Lakers- Michael Frazier II | SG | Florida | Junior
- Philadelphia- Christian Wood | SF/PF | UNLV | Sophomore
- Minnesota- Chris McCullough | PF | Syracuse | Freshman
- Philadelphia- Anthony Brown | SG | Stanford | Senior
- Detroit- Timothe Luwawu | SG | France | 1994-born
- Charlotte- Joseph Young | PG | Oregon | Senior
- Miami- Andrew Harrison | PG | Kentucky | Sophomore
- Brooklyn- Dakari Johnson | C | Kentucky | Sophomore
- Utah- George de Paula | PG | Brazil | 1996-born
- Indiana- Jordan Mickey | PF | LSU | Sophomore
- Phoenix- Norman Powell | PG/SG | UCLA | Senior
- Boston- Marc Garcia | SG | Spain | 1996-born
- Milwaukee- Cliff Alexander | PF | Kansas | Freshman
- Philadelphia- Guillermo Hernangomez | C | Spain | 1994-born
- Oklahoma City- Rakeem Christmas | PF/C | Syracuse | Senior
- Washington- Olivier Hanlan | PG | Boston College | Junior
- Atlanta- Alan Williams | C | UC-Santa Barbara | Senior
- Orlando- Mouhammadou Jaiteh | C | France | 1994-born
- Dallas- Michael Qualls | SG | Arkansas | Junior
- Cleveland- Vince Hunter | SF/PF | UTEP | Sophomore
- Utah- Branden Dawson | SF/PF | Michigan State | Senior
- San Antonio- Nikola Milutinov | C | Serbia | 1994-born
- New Orleans- Alpha Kaba | PF | France | 1996-born
- Denver- Corey Hawkins | SG | UC-Davis | Senior
- Philadelphia- Moussa Diagne | C | France | 1994-born
- Atlanta- Nenad Miljenovic | PG | Serbia | 1993-born
- Philadelphia- Oriol Pauli | SG | Spain | 1994-born
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