The 2015 NBA Draft: Top 10, 1-5

                                                

Written by Taylor Odenat

On June 25, 2015, more than 100 prospects will enter the 2015 NBA Draft in hopes of being selected by one of the 30 teams in the NBA. Of these prospects, 30 will be given guaranteed contracts in the first round and 30 will be selected in the second round and given non-guaranteed contracts. The first fifteen teams in the draft can all benefit greatly for the future with the players they draft, however, they should be mindful of who they pick. No star career is guaranteed out of any of these players, but each NBA team just hopes that they chose the right player that will fit their system and be the most productive for years to come. 

May 20, 2015, the ping pong balls determined which lottery team would select at each position of the draft. After finishing with a 16-66 record seemingly pulling off a successful tank of a season, the Minnesota Timberwolves have walked away with the Number One pick in the NBA Draft. This will now give the Wolves two number one picks on the roster with Rookie of the Year Andrew Wiggins currently in their possession. Whoever the Wolves decide to draft, whether it be Jahlil Okafor, Karl Towns, or D’Angelo Russell; will be a cornerstone of their progression towards playoff contention in the Western Conference. How the rest of the NBA squads pick their next prospects will be illustrated in this post-draft lottery mock of the top 10 picks in the 2015 NBA Draft. 

NBA MOCK DRAFT PICKS 1-5

1. Minnesota Timberwolves: Karl-Anthony Towns Jr.

           For months, Jahlil Okafor of Duke reigned as the consensus Number One pick as his gigantic hands and polished post play dazzled scouts and gave off the impression that he could be an integral part of an offense for years to come. However, over the last few games of the season, Towns exhibited a great deal of versatility on the defensive and offensive end, knocking down jumpshots, scoring on the low block, blocking shots in the paint and holding his own on the perimeter. His athleticism fits with the young, athletic backcourt of Zach Lavine and Andrew Wiggins; so it would be a more logical fit for Towns to join Minnesota over National Champion Okafor. 

NBA Player Comparison: Rasheed Wallace

2. Los Angeles Lakers: Jahlil Okafor

           Los Angeles has a history of raising dominant, championship winning big men and Okafor has the chance to be the next in that line of centers joining Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul Jabbar and Shaquille O’Neal. Jahlil is a big body and game changing prospect with vision and scoring talent from the low block. His wide frame however doesn't make him slow and sluggish, with his listed 6’11 height and 270 pound weight, Okafor is still very deft and dexterous for a player of his size. His defense does need improvement, but he is a can't miss prospect and with Kobe Bryant retiring sooner rather than later Los Angeles needs a big time player they can sell to their fans; if Okafor pans out like he is projected too then he will definitely be that player.

NBA Player Comparison: Patrick Ewing

3. Philadelphia 76ers: D’Angelo Russell

           Philadelphia has gone through seasons of purposeful tanking and racking up draft picks and it could all be for this man right here. He is an electric scorer, can put up points in bunches, get hot in a hurry and score from either guard spot. If Philly decided to go with Emmanuel Mudiay that wouldn't be a horrible decision, but Russell displays more upside and a superior shooting stroke. He has the tools and the talent to bring Philly out of their constant inevitable draft lottery appearances with his resplendent ball handling, astounding court vision, and terrific basketball instincts.

NBA Player Comparison: Brandon Roy

4. New York Knicks: Emmanuel Mudiay

           Although it's been reported that the Knicks are shopping this pick seeing as they didn't make the top 3 after their season long tanking attempt, they should keep the pick and draft Mudiay. Granted, he hasn't played any of his fellow prospects in collegiate competition, however Mudiay has played overseas in China for the Guangdong Southern Tigers where it's possible to say the competition is more challenging. He obviously didn't receive as many minutes as he would have playing for Larry Brown at SMU, but Emmanuel Mudiay still flashed the potential scouts first saw when he first announced to play for a college team. He is a solid floor general, has a creative handle, works well in the pick and roll, and possesses tremendous upside at the guard position; which is a position of great need for the New York Knicks. Mudiay does lack shooting range and does make questionable decisions with the basketball at times, but these are both fixable aspects of his game; he is a high risk-high reward type of a player but that shouldn't stop the Knicks from taking a chance on the 18 years old.

NBA Player Comparison: Jrue Holiday

5. Orlando Magic: Justise Winslow

           The recent National Championship winning lefty can be drafted as the long term replacement for forward Tobias Harris. He has had a productive season and may want to jump ship for a city such as the New York Knicks where he has shown interest in playing. This allows Justice to come in from day one as the starting wing playing with a young starting lineup in Payton, Oladipo, Gordon, and Vucevic. Winslow brings the ability to guard at least three positions to the table as well as a developing three point stroke, strong slashing ability, and a relentless motor that’ll him in games that start to get tedious and tiring. Winslow can play either the 2 or the 3, complementing Oladipo on the wing. He has a strong first step, is extremely athletic as many saw on display in the National Championship game against Wisconsin, and a smart passer; what more can Orlando ask for as they are still a rebuilding team. Even in saying that, this upcoming season they have the chance to be a repeat of the Milwaukee Bucks and make their way into Eastern Conference playoff contention with their lengthy and young talent they have stacked on their roster.

NBA Player Comparison: Offensively Capable Bruce Bowen/ Defensively Capable James Harden

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Justise-Winslow-7190/, http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/D-Angelo-Russell-7175/, http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Emmanuel-Mudiay-6472/, http://basketball.asia-basket.com/player/Emmanuel_Mudiay/Guangdong_Southern_Tigers/329244,