The 2015 NBA draft day is finally upon us. Fans and experts of all kinds still have no idea what to expect in the next 12 hours. We are all sitting around staring at Twitter just waiting for another “Woj Bomb” from Yahoo’s Adrian Wojnarowski. It was just six months ago that everyone was sure of who the number one draft pick would be. Now, that same player could slide out of the top 5 picks without anyone being shocked. We are now looking at chaos between picks 2 to 12 that seem unpredictable aside from the inevitable Knicks screw-up. With just a couple of hours until all eyes on Brooklyn, I give my take on where the next NBA stars and flops will go.
1. Minnesota Timberwolves: Karl-Anthony Towns, F, Kentucky
This seems like a no-brainer. Towns is the best talent on the board and can use it on both ends of the court. He is 7’1″ and still a freak athlete that will fit in with likes of Andrew Wiggins and Zach Lavine while having Kevin Garnett as a mentor.
2. Los Angeles Lakers: Jahlil Okafor, C, Duke
This is where things can get very interesting. The Lakers have several players that they have been connected to through trades or free agency. If they feel like they can get Kevin Love or Demarcus Cousins, they may sway from Okafor to draft D’Angelo Russell or Emmanuel Mudiay. That being said, Goran Dragic is also an available free agent and you don’t pass up the opportunity to have a young frontcourt of Okafor and Julius Randle.
3. Philadelphia 76ers: D’Angelo Russell, G, Ohio State
Another team that can go in several different directions. Sam Hinkie has been known for his deals on draft day and it’ll be shocking if the Sixers don’t make any moves tonight. Hinkie has said they will take the best talent available but if Russell is taken by the Lakers, Philly could trade down within the top 10 to get more draft picks and look at someone like Mario Hezonja.
4. New York Knicks: Emmanuel Mudiay, G, China
This pick may not even belong to the Knicks by the end of the night but as of now it does. There have been a lot of talks of Phil Jackson trading down but at this point, the Knicks just need the best player available with a high talent ceiling. Mudiay is the kind of player that can take over a team once he gets his shot fixed. Some experts compare his at athletic ability to Russell Westbrook with a skill set like John Wall’s. A trade down for Frank Kaminsky or Trey Lyles is also very likely.
5. Orlando Magic: Justise Winslow, F, Duke
Winslow played his way into a top 5 pick during March and we still may not have seen the best of him. His athleticism and offensive game makes him capable of scoring from anywhere on the court with great hands on the defensive end. A lot like reigning Finals MVP Andre Iguodala. Kristaps Porzingis will also be looked at as a good match with Nikola Vucevic for a dynamic frontcourt.
6. Sacramento Kings: Kristaps Porzingis, F, Spain
With the Demarcus Cousins situation completely up in the air, the Kings will look to add another big man to their offense. Porzingis doesn’t play like a big man but the 7-footer has the ability to run the floor like any guard and capable of playing the 3 or 4. Mudiay and Winslow will get consideration here if they are still available, along with Hezonja.
7. Denver Nuggets: Mario Hezonja, G, Spain
Denver will be taking a guard here it is just a matter of who is left for them to pick. Mudiay would be the ideal fit while Devin Booker will be looked at for his scoring ability. Hezonja looks to be the second-best isolated scorer in the draft behind Russell. He uses his 6’8″ frame to get past smaller or slower defenders but he still has the range to make defenders nervous. But just like Porzingis, he is unproven in the US and may be passed up for someone who is.
8. Detroit Pistons: Stanley Johnson, F, Arizona
This would be a much earlier call that Johnson expects but the Pistons have a big whole that he could fill perfectly. Johnson has shown his talent over the past year but his inconsistencies could keep him out of the top 10. However, the Pistons will not be making a big turnaround in the 2015/16 season so taking someone with a high ceiling would work. If they want to take a risk, they could trade down for more assets and hope Johnson is still on the board.
9. Charlotte Hornets: Frank Kaminsky, F, Wisconsin
This may be the steal of the draft. Kaminsky proved himself against some of the best talent in college basketball last year and his offensive game is masterful. The Hornets added Nicolas Batum and Jeremy Lamb so their guard play doesn’t need any more of a makeover. Kaminsky scoring ability will help the Hornets who are desperate need of shooters.
10. Miami Heat: Devin Booker, G, Kentucky
The Heat has good talent in their starting five but the collapse at the end of the season had much to do with their lack of depth, espeically behind kneeless Dwyane Wade. Booker’s scoring ability will be a huge boost of the bench and could see him starting at the 3 spot later in the season.
11. Indiana Pacers: Cameron Payne, G, Murray State
The Pacers have looked very heavily at both Payne and Willie Cauley-Stein and with Roy Hibbert’s future in doubt, the Kentucky center may be a smart pick here. Payne’s potential to be a leading scorer makes the difference here for a team that is in desperate need for an offensive threat.
12. Utah Jazz: Myles Turner, F, Texas
Turner may not be the best big man left on the board but Rudy Gobert seems to be the center of the future for Utah, meaning they could be another team to pass up on Cauley-Stein. Turner has fallen far from the hype he got last summer but the potential is still there. His jumpshot can help give spacing for the other big in the game with him, whether it be Gobert or Derrick Favors.
13. Phoenix Suns: Willie Cauley-Stein, C, Kentucky
The Suns should consider themselves lucky if they get this talent fall to 13 but it is seemingly more and more possible. Cauley-Stein will fill a much needed position for the Suns who are in need of a low-post offensive threat while providing defensive support.
14. Oklahoma City Thunder: Sam Dekker, G/F, Wisconsin
The Thunder may end up trading up if they feel like Cameron Payne is the best fit for them. He may not be available though and if they don’t trade up, they may trade down without having a perfect fit on the board. If they stay at 14, Dekker is the best player left on the board and a talent that is hard to pass up.
15. Atlanta Hawks: Bobby Portis, F, Arkansas
The Hawks finished with the best record in the East and get the top non-lottery draft pick from the Nets. Whoever is drafted here should be considered a steal for Atlanta. Demarre Carroll may not be a Hawk for much longer, exposing an issue with the Hawks wing play but Bobby Portis will fill in the spot that free agent Paul Millsap may leave. Portis has the skill to make an immediate impact without the Hawks missing a beat.
16. Boston Celtics: Trey Lyles, F, Kentucky
The Celtics will be trying their best to move up in the draft to add more lottery talent but not many teams look to be moving out of those spots. If Lyles is still available they may just get that talent anyway. We may not have seen his best stuff in Lexington and Brad Stevens can make the most of more young talent.
17. Milwaukee Bucks: Kevon Looney, F, UCLA
Looney is another talent that some expected too much from in one year at UCLA. He was inconsistent but we saw his ability as a power forward to spread the floor and even run a fast break. His offensive rebounding and ability to handle the ball makes him a unique talent that could be a steal late in the first round.
18. Houston Rockets: Tyus Jones, G, Duke
The Rockets have made it clear that this pick is being shopped along with Terrence Jones but for now they will draft 18th. Unless James Harden will completely take over the role of point guard, Kevin McHale will need other ball handlers on this roster. Jones may turn out to be another Austin Rivers but his intangibles will give him a chance at the next level and the Rockets should be willing to give it to him.
19. Washington Wizards: Kelly Oubre, G/F, Kansas
The Wizards need depth at their guard position behind both Wall and Beal, while the battle for the small forward position could open after Paul Pierce opts out of his contract. Oubre has tremendous athletic ability with shooting range and a good set of defensive tools. He may not be ready for an immediate impact but he will be perfect for depth and the future.
2o. Toronto Raptors: Jerian Grant, G, Notre Dame
The Raptors could feel like they need a defensive wing and go with Rondae Hollis-Jefferson or Justin Anderson but with Lou Williams in free agency, Grant will fit in nicely. His ability to run a half-court offense while being a threat to score could help a scorer like DeRozan or open up the post game.
21. Dallas Mavericks: RJ Hunter, G, Georgia State
Hunter may not be the fit that Dallas fans want while shopping for a point guard but with Monta Ellis reportedly opting out of his contract, another scorer will be perfect. Hunter’s ability to score and shoot the ball got him noticed but his IQ and passing ability will give him his NBA career. If you still need another reason to draft him, watch this.
22. Chicago Bulls: Delon Wright, G, Utah
Wright can add another ball handler and facilitator to an offense that needs more than 30 jumpshots a game from Derrick Rose and Jimmy Butler. The former Ute point guard can score and will provide Derrick Rose and other guards time off ball to get better looks at the basket.
23. Portland Trail Blazers: Justin Anderson, G/F, Virginia
Portland traded away Batum and are losing Wesley Matthews and Arron Afflalo to free agency. So why not add another 3 and D wing player? Anderson shot extremely well in the ACC last season and his defensive skill set reminds some of Kawhi Leonard.
24. Cleveland Cavaliers: Terry Rozier, G, Louisville
The Cavs may be looking to trade away this pick in a package with Brendan Haywood but if not, Rozier seems to be their guy. He will add depth in case Matthew Dellavedova gets away in free agency. Rozier’s ability to control the ball comes with athleticism and tremendous rebounding ability for a guy his size.
25. Memphis Grizzlies: Montrezl Harrell, F, Louisville
Zach Randolph’s age will catch up to him some point soon and Harrell could be a bright spot for the future. The 6’8″ forward plays much bigger than he is and has tremendous ability to battle in the paint against those taller than him. He already can rebound with the best of them and after two years being mentored by Randolph and Gasol, he has great potential.
26. San Antonio Spurs: Nikola Milutinov, C, Serbia
The Spurs seem like they will make a big splash this summer in free agency. Milutinov could be the perfect player that the Spurs will leave overseas for a couple of years before bringing him over to make an impact.
27. Los Angeles Lakers: Rashad Vaughn, G, UNLV
If the Lakers go big with their first pick, Vaughn will add depth to whatever guards they try to get in free agency. Vaughn was a highly touted recruit and may have been seen as a top prospect if he didn’t have discipline issues. He will provide scoring for a bench that is in desperate need of some.
28. Boston Celtics: Cliif Alexander, F, Kansas
Alexander has had a major drop off after a tumultuous season but his potential is still high. With this being the Celtics second first round pick, the risk will be worth taking to find more young talent.
29. Brooklyn Nets: Jerrell Martin, F, LSU
Martin fits in with this team. He can run the floor, has a smooth jump shot and can control the ball while finding other players with open shots. Martin plays much like free agent to-be Thaddeus Young.
30. Golden State Warriors: Chris McCullough, F, Syracuse
At this point for a defending champion, you usually take the best talent on the board to add to an already impressive roster. McCullough may fit that but more importantly he can run with the up-tempo Warriors offense. He’s long, athletic and has a good jump shot. A knee injury and lack of strength could be a problem but Steve Kerr has the time to be patient with a player of McCullough’s talent.
