NBA Mock Draft 3.0
The 2015 NBA Draft will take place on June 25, 2015. If you haven’t already checked out my 1.0 and 2.0 mock drafts, you should!
As the draft gets closer and closer talks are heating up between teams. The Los Angeles Lakers have been trying to make a three way trade with the Sacramento Kings and Orlando Magic. Basically the Lakers would get the 6th pick and DeMarcus Cousins, the Kings get the 5th pick, Nikola Vucevic, and other picks and the Magic get the 2nd pick.
With so much going on I felt it was necessary to make another detailed top 10 mock draft.
No. 1) Minnesota Timberwolves
Pick: Karl-Anthony Towns, C, Kentucky Freshman
The Skinny: Sources are already saying that Minnesota is set on taking Karl-Anthony Towns with the first pick in Thursday’s draft. Towns is the perfect player for this Minnesota team. Towns provides exactly what the Timberwolves lack down low.
The 7-footer has all the intangibles to become a star in this league. Give it a few years, but watch out for Minnesota to make a run in the playoffs; they’ve got the young talent to do it and Towns will only boost that.
No. 2) Los Angeles Lakers
Pick: Jahlil Okafor, C, Duke, Freshman
The Skinny: Who knows if the Lakers will have this spot when the draft starts on Thursday. As sweet as DeMarcus Cousins would be in a Lakers uniform, there is a lot to like about Jahlil Okafor. Okafor is a big guy with soft hands and the softest touch around the rim I have seen in years.
Okafor was a big time player in college, and was the most doubled team player during last year’s season. Okafor has the potential to be really good, but there is still a risk with taking him. A few scouts think Okafor may bust, but he hasn’t even stepped foot on a NBA court, so let’s wait on the bust speculation.
No. 3) Philadelphia 76ers
Pick: D’Angelo Russell, PG, Ohio State, Freshman
The Skinny: I personally believe D’Angelo Russell will be the most successful player in this draft. Russell is a point guard that can change a franchise and the 76ers are a team that could desperately use a true point guard.
Experts have been talking about the 76ers possibly picking up foreign sensation, Kristaps Porzingis, but I really hope that doesn’t come true. Porzingis is a project and will need a couple of years before he becomes a big contributor, something the 76ers can already say about several of their big men. Russell is the smartest player in this year’s draft.
No. 4) New York Knicks
Pick: Emmanuel Mudiay, PG, Congo
The Skinny: Mudiay is a flat out stud. He will have a long career in the NBA and could put the Knicks back in the playoffs. Mudiay is a quick point guard that has fantastic vision. He understands the game and knows how to get to the basket or find the open teammate. Pair him with Tim Hardaway Jr. and Carmelo Anthony and this Knicks team could really be something.
No. 5) Orlando Magic
Pick: Kristaps Porzingis, PF, Latvia
The Skinny: The Magic lack depth at the power forward position, and 7-foot-1 Kristaps Porzingis is the perfect player to fit into the Magic’s roster. Porzingis has the ability to step back and knock down shots from behind the arc. The Latvia native could be another foreign name Magic fans will have to get used to saying.
No. 6) Sacramento Kings
Pick: Justise Winslow, SG/SF, Duke, Freshman
The Skinny: Justise Winslow stole the show during March Madness and his stock has risen so much these past few months. Winslow would be a perfect fit for the Kings if they do not trade DeMarcus Cousins. Pair Winslow with Cousins, Rudy Gay, Ben McLemore and Nik Stauskas and that could be a filthy team.
Winslow is a quality pick at six, and will be able to provide a lot for whatever team he is drafted to.
No. 7) Denver Nuggets
Pick: Mario Hezonja, SG, Croatia
The Skinny: Mario Hezonja fits the shooting guard/small forward position, something that the Denver Nuggets desperately need. Hezonja has extremely good size for a wing in the NBA. The Croatia native stands at 6-foot-8. Hezonja is as athletic as they come, but there are always risks involved with picking a player that played overseas. I’m interested to see if Hezonja will change the Nuggets for the better.
No. 8) Detroit Pistons
Pick: Myles Turner, C, Texas, Freshman
The Skinny: Myles Turner is a guy I see that is dripping with potential. Turner didn’t have the most impressive year last season at Texas, but he has the ability to make it in the big leagues. He has the size to play 4 or 5 in the NBA and has an unbelievable wingspan at 7-foot-4. Turner excels at rebounding and moves extremely well for his size.
No. 9) Charlotte Hornets
Pick: Cameron Payne, PG, Murray State, Sophomore
The Skinny: Cameron Payne was one of my favorite players this season. Payne is a small, but talented guard. He knows the game well and has great vision on both ends of the court. His biggest attribute is the fact that he can score off the dribble. Payne proved he was an expectational passer at Murray State, but will have to get stronger if he hopes to be a star in the league.
No. 10) Miami Heat
Pick: Stanley Johnson, SF, Arizona, Freshman
The Skinny: Stanley Johnson is the most athletic player in this draft, in my opinion. Johnson did have his ups and downs at Arizona this past year, but the small forward has so much potential. Although experts have been calling Johnson the most likely bust in this draft class, I just don’t see it, especially if he ends up with the Heat. Johnson is an excellent ball player in transition and the Heat like to run. If the Heat retain Dwayne Wade, Johnson would be a perfect wing to run the floor with him.