2015 NBA Mock Draft 1.0

As college basketball heads into conference play, and the NBA draws closer to the trade deadline, it’s not too early for some teams to think about the draft. Here is my first mock draft based on the standings as of January 6, 2015.

1^st Round

1. New York Knicks: Jahlil Okafor, C, Duke: While the Knicks have plenty of issues it would be a massive mistake to pass up on a talent like Okafor. Okafor would be an excellent fit in the triangle offense and would drastically improve this terrible Knicks team. Okafor brings scoring, rebounding and shot blocking. It’s the total package and someone Carmelo Anthony would love to play with.
2. Minnesota Timberwolves: Karl-Anthony Towns, PF/C, Kentucky: Towns would be an excellent fit for the very young Timberwolves because of his versatility and pure athleticism. He can run the floor with exciting young players like Andrew Wiggins, Shabazz Muhammad and Zach LaVine. He could be groomed by Thaddeus Young and take over the following year. A starting future five of LaVine, Muhammad, Wiggins, Towns and Gorgui Dieng would be fast, athletic and exciting.
3. Philadelphia 76ers: Stanley Johnson, SF, Arizona: The 76ers have plenty of big men and a solid point guard in Michael Carter-Williams. They could really use an athletic wing player like Johnson. A freak athlete, he could have the explosive star power that the 76ers are craving. A lineup that could feature Carter-Williams, Johnson, Nerlens Noel and Joel Embiid would be athletic and scary.
4. Detroit Pistons: Emmanuel Mudiay, PG, China: If Muiday is still on the board for the Pistons, they shouldn’t let him go. There is simply too much star power potential here to not take him. Mudiay is a gifted passer and could provide some leadership if they decide Brandon Jennings isn’t the answer here. There is also a chance the Pistons could trade back here as well.
5. Los Angeles Lakers: Willie Cauley-Stein, C, Kentucky: Since this pick is inside the top 5, the Lakers get the luxury of selecting this high. By selecting Cauley-Stein, they get an athletic and talented big man who can run the floor. A future Kentucky tandem of him and Julius Randle would also be very intriguing. His shot blocking ability is another much-needed element that the Lakers lack.
6. Charlotte Hornets: D’Angelo Russell, PG/SG, Ohio State: The Lance Stephenson experiment is failing miserably in Charlotte and for many; they feel that they need to trade Stephenson. Now appears to be the time draft a combo guard like Russell who can play multiple positions and can really score. Especially after investing high picks in Noah Vonleh and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and paying Al Jefferson and Kemba Walker, it’s a no brainer.
7. Utah Jazz: Kristaps Porzingis, PF/C, Latvia: Porzingis is a 7 footer who can step out and shoot from three. He is a little thin and would need to add bulk but could pair with Derrick Favors, Rudy Gobert or Enes Kanter (should they keep him). Stretch 5’s are hard to come by and they could mix and match combos to use the young Latvian effectively.
8. Boston Celtics: Myles Turner, PF/C, Texas: The Celtics need interior help and wing help and in this situation, they should be very happy to see Turner still on the board. His shot blocking is very solid and could work well with a four who can shoot like Jared Sullinger or Kelly Olynyk. This is the first of many draft picks in a drastic rebuild and Turner could be a great start for the Celtics.
9. Orlando Magic: Justice Winslow, SF, Duke: A strong defender, with offensive upside, Winslow could be excellent insurance if Tobias Harris leaves in free agency. Winslow is more than an insurance policy however and could make an impact.

10. Indiana Pacers: Caris LeVert, SG, Michigan: With the impending return of Paul George, in addition to the core of George Hill, David West and Roy Hibbert, the shooting guard position is one that needs to be addressed. LeVert is a raw scorer and can really shoot the three. LeVert could be a boom or bust pick but if he works out well, it could be a major steal for the Pacers going into a bounce back season.

11. Chicago Bulls (from Sacramento through Cleveland): Mario Hezonja, SG/SF, Croatia: The Bulls will need to find a replacement for Mike Dunleavy and Jimmy Butler (should they let them walk) and Hezonja can play multiple positions and work well in Chicago. The Croatian can shoot the ball well and while he may need to take time to adjust to the NBA, he could reap the benefits like Nikola Mirotic is doing now in the Windy City.

12. Denver Nuggets: Kelly Oubre, SF, Kansas: The Nuggets have Kenneth Faried and Ty Lawson locked up long-term and also has young talents in Gary Harris and Jusuf Nurkic. Because of this, one of their biggest needs is a small forward. By taking the 6-foot-7 Oubre, who is a bit of a project, they can set themselves up for the future with a big but rare athlete who could really refine himself and be a really good player.

13. Philadelphia 76ers (from Miami through Cleveland): RJ Hunter, SG, Georgia State: The 76ers get another important first round pick and they could use it on a shooter. Hunter fits that profile and he can really light it up from three. With Michael Carter-Williams at the point, the 76ers are in a position where they need to re-sign KJ McDaniels, Hunter could make an immediate impact.

14. Atlanta Hawks (from Brooklyn): Montrezl Harrell, PF, Louisville: The Hawks get to swap picks with Brooklyn and one thing the Hawks could gamble on is Harrell. Harrell is undersized but the Hawks could use him in the small and power forward position. They have plenty of power forward depth even if Paul Millsap leaves but Harrell can be used as a four in situations if they need to go small and three in defensive situations. His biggest plus may be how much of a competitor he is.

15. Oklahoma City Thunder: Rashad Vaughn, SG, UNLV: This may be a slight reach but the Thunder’s biggest need is shooting guard. They also likely won’t remain at this spot and can still get him later on. Vaughn is another top-notch athlete and can score sporadically. His outside shot needs work but he has high upside. He can even develop under new acquisition Dion Waiters.

16. Houston Rockets (from New Orleans): Delon Wright, PG, Utah: This pick comes from the Omer Asik deal before this season. With James Harden, Dwight Howard and Trevor Ariza in the fold, the biggest area of concern should be point guard. Patrick Beverly is due for a raise and Wright can give them a nice alternative should they want it. He’s a really solid defender and should work well in Kevin McHale’s offense.

17. Milwaukee Bucks: Tyus Jones, PG, Duke: If Brandon Knight leaves in free agency; Jones can be a very solid rookie option who could take over effectively. If not, he can still work with Knight and rotate him and OJ Mayo at the 1 and 2. Jason Kidd will be an excellent mentor as a coach as they both were effective floor generals.

18. Chicago Bulls (from Cleveland): Bobby Portis, PF, Arkansas: The Bulls already addressed their biggest need earlier in the draft and can use this pick for solid depth purposes. Portis would be great to succeed an aging Pau Gasol and Joakim Noah. Portis could fill a role similar to what Taj Gibson already does. An effective scorer, he can bring physicality to an increasingly deep Bulls squad.

19. Phoenix Suns: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, SF, Arizona: This pick may be a stretch but a gritty player like Hollis-Jefferson could work on a team that is stocked with shooters. A hard-worker, whose jump shot needs a lot of work, he wouldn’t be expected to contribute immediately and could develop and play lockdown defense. He can also bring a strong rebounding presence to a small Phoenix lineup.

20. San Antonio Spurs: Frank Kaminsky, C, Wisconsin: The Spurs need to start looking for a replacement for Tim Duncan and Kaminsky is an interesting candidate. Kaminsky can shoot the three and is a very intelligent player who could easily learn from Gregg Popovich. His skills match up well and there could be some interesting combos with Boris Diaw or Tiago Splitter.

21. Boston Celtics (from Los Angeles Clippers): Sam Dekker, SF, Wisconsin: The Celtics get this pick in the trade of former Coach Doc Rivers. The Celtics still need wing help and could really use his slashing abilities. If James Young, last year’s first round pick, continues to see more time, the Celtics could see Dekker dishing it to Young in the corner for three. A foundation of Marcus Smart, Young, Dekker, Jared Sullinger/Kelly Olynyk, and Myles Turner would be very appealing.

22. Washington Wizards: Jerian Grant, PG, Notre Dame: Jerian Grant will likely never be the starting point guard in Washington. Nevertheless, Andre Miller will not play forever, and a capable back up would be very useful. Grant would headline a second unit and could even play alongside Bradley Beal in the future.

23. Los Angeles Lakers (from Houston): Tyrone Wallace, PG/SG, California: This may be a reach but the Lakers could use a playmaker like Wallace. He could be an eventual successor to Kobe Bryant or play the point with Kobe, Nick Young, Julius Randle and Cauley-Stein in the top line. Wallace is a scorer but hopefully he can take a backseat to Young and Bryant.

24. Toronto Raptors: Cliff Alexander, PF, Kansas: The Raptors weakest position may be power forward and while Alexander hasn’t completely lived up to his hype, he could be a promising talent for Toronto to develop. He can rebound well and will need to add more bulk but could really develop behind Amir Johnson and Patrick Patterson.

25. Cleveland Cavaliers (from Chicago): Dakari Johnson, C, Kentucky: The Cavaliers need a rim protector. Who better than the shot blocking big guy Dakari Johnson? He can be the true center the Cavs are looking for and could eventually replace Anderson Varejao. If Johnson is still available this could be one of the biggest steals in the draft.

26. Dallas Mavericks: Trey Lyles, PF, Kentucky: Lyles would be a good fit as the successor to Dirk Nowitzki for a few reasons. He is able to shoot the three, which is something Rick Carlisle values in a power forward. He can also get rebounds and blocks and has great length. He is a little raw but Carlisle could be the best coach for him.

27. Memphis Grizzlies: Jakob Poeltl, C, Utah: Marc Gasol is very important in Memphis and could conceivably re-sign. However, if he doesn’t, they could re-sign Kosta Koufus but their center depth would take a hit. Poeltl would be a nice project to replenish that depth, thanks to his solid rebounding and other defensive skills. He is young but could really flourish in their system with development.

28. Brooklyn Nets (from Atlanta): Buddy Hield, SG, Oklahoma: The Nets unfortunately have to trade with the Hawks, who continue to get better as the year goes on. They already have a young talent in Mason Plumlee and could use some shooting ability. It may be a reach but in a draft loaded with big men, they need to address youth at the guard positions.

29. Portland Trailblazers: Damian Jones, C, Vanderbilt: With Robin Lopez having numerous injury problems, it would be in Portland’s best interest to draft a center. Jones is a big post scorer who has the right size for the NBA. He is still raw but could be effective after some seasoning.

30. Golden State Warriors: Amida Brimah, C, Connecticut: Brimah may be one of the biggest bodies in this draft and can give some much-needed depth behind oft injured Andrew Bogut. He is very raw but could be special under the right conditions like these.