Draft Preview: Isaacson's Final NBA Mock
It’s draft day, and while my second, and final, mock draft does have a fair amount of stability, especially in the top half, there are some major changes, starting at the top. With many teams, including at least half of the lottery teams, actively fielding trade proposals, there could be much more activity than usual this year, but as long as the order sticks, this is what I see happening in the 2015 NBA Draft.
1. Minnesota: Karl-Anthony Towns, C, Kentucky – As I mentioned in my first mock draft, the Timberwolves couldn’t go wrong adding either Towns or Jahlil Okafor with the first pick. It looks like Towns will be the pick, and his versatility on both ends of the floor should add another dimension to the young core led by Andrew Wiggins. Towns’ ability to score inside and out should also open up the floor a bit, giving the young Wolves space to get to the basket.
2. Los Angeles Lakers: Jahlil Okafor, C, Duke – The Lakers’ consolation prize is one of the most talented offensive big men to come into the league in a long time. There may be concerns about Okafor and Julius Randle playing next to each other in the frontcourt, but those are outweighed by the chance to get a young big man who is still years away from reaching his peak. Rumors have this pick being in play for Sacramento in a possible deal for DeMarcus Cousins, but if the Lakers keep it, Okafor is the smart pick.
3. Philadelphia: D’Angelo Russell, PG/SG, Ohio State – Russell stays here in the third spot, even with recent news that Joel Embiid’s injury issues are worse than expected. Russell can play either backcourt spot, knock down jumpers or create for others in the pick-and-roll. He’s not a very good defender, but having Noel behind him should help with any players who get by him. Plus, Russell will add some much-needed excitement for a fan base which could use it.
4. New York: Justise Winslow, SF, Duke – Winslow stays here at number four, even as rumors of a trade down continue. Winslow will give the team an athletic young wing who can defend multiple positions, as well as score from the perimeter or off the dribble to the basket.
5. Orlando: Kristaps Porzingis, C, Balancesto Sevilla – The 7’1” Latvian will give the Magic a big man who can stretch the floor, and hopefully, long-term, a solid rim protector on the defensive end. His ability to run the floor well should fit in well with the likes of Victor Oladipo, Elfrid Payton and Aaron Gordon. Porzingis still needs to work on his body, but he has a solid foundation skill-wise.
6. Sacramento: Emmanuel Mudiay, PG, Guangdong (China) – As I mentioned with the Lakers’ pick, there is talk of a DeMarcus Cousins trade, but assuming a deal isn’t done, or this pick isn’t included, I still like Mudiay in this spot for the Kings. Mudiay is an athletic and physical guard who likes to attack the basket. He improved some in his year in China, especially with his shooting and ability to run the pick-and-roll, but he is still raw in many ways, as well as a mediocre defender.
7. Denver: Mario Hezonja, SG/SF, FC Barcelona (Spain) – Hezonja is an athletic wing who can shoot, and is a very good ballhandler. Some seem to like his massive ego, but it does give me some concern as he tries to adjust to the NBA. Still, he’s an exciting young player to watch, and in the right system, he could become a very capable NBA scorer.
8. Detroit: Stanley Johnson, SF, Arizona – With the recent trade for Ersan Ilyasova as a likely replacement for free agent Greg Monroe, the Pistons could look to address some needed talent on the wings. Johnson is athletic, with an NBA body, and he’s shown the ability to shoot from the perimeter and score well in transition. Johnson has the tools to be a good defender in the NBA, and though young, he should be able to contribute quality minutes quickly.
9. Charlotte: Frank Kaminsky, PF/C, Wisconsin – The Hornets already shipped off last year’s lottery pick, Noah Vonleh, and while Cody Zeller does a lot of things well, shooting from the perimeter isn’t one of them. Kaminsky will give the Hornets a seven-foot, skilled big man who can stretch the floor with his shooting ability, as well as create scoring chances for others as he moves around the floor. Kaminsky’s ability to stretch the floor should also help create some space for Al Jefferson around the basket, as well as make up some for shooting that is lost by having Michael Kidd-Gilchrist on the floor.
10. Miami: Devin Booker, SG, Kentucky – Another lottery spot stays the same with Booker a good fit for a Miami team that can use an infusion of young talent. Booker will give the Heat some depth at the shooting guard position. He’s one of the top long-range shooters in the draft, as well as a quality defender. He’s not a Wade-type guard, but he’ll give the Heat some needed scoring and defense, at least in the short-term.
11. Indiana: Willie Cauley-Stein, C, Kentucky – The Pacers have already said that they would like to get out and run the floor more next season, which isn’t suited to current center Roy Hibbert. Cauley-Stein drops here due to concerns over a foot issue, but if there are no long-term effects, he will be an exciting player to watch with a team playing a quick pace, as well as giving the Pacers a big boost on defense.
12. Utah: Kelly Oubre, Jr., SF, Kansas – Oubre remains my pick for the Jazz at number 12, as he’ll be a nice addition to a good young core of players led by Gordon Hayward, Derrick Favors and Rudy Gobert. Though Dante Exum and Trey Burke have both struggled in the early parts of their careers, it’s too early for Utah to give up on them and draft another point guard. Oubre will add an athletic wing who has shown some ability to knock down jumpers and has the length to become a good defender on the perimeter. He’s still more athlete than player, so backing up Hayward for a couple of years will be good for him.
13. Phoenix: Myles Turner, PF/C, Texas – Originally, I had Kaminsky going in this spot to Phoenix, but with him gone, Turner will hopefully give the Suns some of the same shooting skills, as well as a better defensive presence. Turner may not have stood out much his freshman season, but there is a lot to like with his size and continually growing skill-level. He may not offer much immediately, but with long-term development in mind, he could be a very good inside-out threat.
14. Oklahoma City: Cameron Payne, PG, Murray State – With the trade of Reggie Jackson last season, the Thunder could be looking for a good back-up to Russell Westbrook. Payne is a good perimeter shooter, and a strong passer and decision-maker in the pick-and-roll. He is the kind of point guard who could flourish under new coach Billy Donovan, and learn a lot playing with Westbrook and Kevin Durant.
15. Atlanta: Bobby Portis, PF, Arkansas – Portis is a strong, skilled forward with the ability to score inside and out. He’s a very good perimeter defender for his size, as well as a strong rebounder on both ends of the floor, and playing under Mike Anderson at Arkansas has taught him to play hard on every possession. Paul Millsap is a free agent after this season, and while Portis may not be ready to step in immediately for a team that won 60 games, he could give valuable minutes at both the power forward and center positions.
16. Boston: Trey Lyles, PF, Boston – Boston made a great pick last year, getting Marcus Smart to pair in the backcourt with Avery Bradley, and now Isaiah Thomas, who they added at the trade deadline. They could look to add a player like Sam Dekker to add depth on the wings, but I think Lyles would also be a great addition to their frontcourt, giving some much-needed athleticism at the power forward position. Lyles mostly played out of position last season at Kentucky, but he is a versatile scorer at the 4, and though he does need to work on extending the range on his jumper the mechanics are there. He handles the ball well for 6’10” and he can be a threat attacking the basket off the dribble.
17. Milwaukee: Sam Dekker, SF, Wisconsin – Khris Middleton will be a free agent this summer, so the Bucks may be looking to add a player at the small forward position. Originally, I had Rondae Hollis-Jefferson in this spot because of his defensive ability, but I think Dekker’s versatile scoring ability will win out, keeping the Wisconsin star in-state. At 6’9”, Dekker will give great size at the small forward position, and while not the defender Hollis-Jefferson is, he can hold his own just fine.
18. Houston: Tyus Jones, PG, Duke – The Rockets can use some depth in the backcourt, especially at the point guard position, and the rumors are that Jones received a promise from them, causing him to shut down his further workouts. Jones doesn’t have the size or speed of some of the other point guards in this draft, but he has great control of the floor, shows very good passing ability and has shown a penchant for hitting big-time shots. He’ll do a quality job getting the ball to the Rockets’ main scoring options.
19. Washington: Montrezl Harrell, PF, Louisville – The Wizards have a great young backcourt in John Wall and Bradley Beal, and Otto Porter’s play in the postseason was hopefully a sign of things to come for him. The frontcourt could use some athleticism, especially at the power forward position, and Harrell would be a nice addition. I’ve never been big on using the word “motor” when describing how a player plays on the floor, but it seems right for Harrell. He is slightly undersized for the position, but he is strong and athletic, can run the floor well and rebounds and defends as well as a player 3 or 4 inches taller than him. He would certainly give Wall another good option when wanting to pick up the pace on the floor. They may also go with a point guard here to back up Wall, which could make Jerian Grant the selection.
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