2015 NBA Mock Draft: Who Said Centers Were Irrelevant?

You know how this thing goes by now...

Tune in at 6:30 PM CT to ESPN for live coverage of the NBA Draft.

Now, it's mocking time!

1. Minnesota Timberwolves - C Karl-Anthony Towns (Kentucky)

Towns is not surprised.

Karl-Anthony Towns goes from being one of the only people to stay at the University of Kentucky for multiple years to attending the University of Kevin Garnett where he'll pick up some tips from one of the best Power Forwards of the last twenty years. I like his odds at success as long as he avoids problems with his feet. The Timberwolves have begun a youth movement that they hope to keep together for a very long time with three first-rounders from 2014 (Andrew Wiggins, Zach LaVine and Adreian Payne) plus they still have the #1 overall pick from 2013 (Anthony Bennett) although, he's widely rumored to be on the trading block. Add Towns to the mix and you have a future playoff team (though likely not for another season, give Towns time to adjust). There are many sources out there already stating that this is Minnesota's pick and I feel very comfortable in not blowing the #1 pick as I did last year (Dante Exum).

2. Los Angeles Lakers - C Jahlil Okafor (Duke)

(Grant Halverson, Getty Images)
Okafor has no relation to Emeka Okafor but, he'll also be selected 2nd eleven years later.

Who said Centers were a dying breed of little importance? The second pick is also a Center and the player who I believe is the surest thing in the draft (I thought he'd go #1 since he graduated high school). L.A. will welcome Okafor with arms wide open since they never want to have to start Robert Sacre for 18 games ever again. Sacre has plenty of skills but, the only thing he excels at are his bench celebrations.

The Lakers don't have any specific needs other than "players" and Jahlil Okafor is one of the best ones of those in the 2015 draft and he won't impede on Kobe's thirty shots per game so, he's a perfect match.

3. Philadelphia 76ers - PG Emmanuel Mudiay (China)

(Kelly Kline)
The only player with first-round potential to come out of China, Mudiay's stock is filled with questions.

The Sixers have their big men of the future (Nerlens Noel & Joel Embiid) and they have Robert Covington as a temporary place holder at Small Forward. This leaves them with a glaring need at one specific position and that is Guard. Mudiay is tall enough and enough of a scorer that he could manage to play as the Shooting Guard in case Philly still thinks they have something in either Tony Wroten or Isaiah Canaan. This move would not catapult the Sixers out of the top ten of the draft next year (only Embiid's health could potentially do that) but, it does get them one step closer and one season away from Sam Hinkie looking like a mad genius.

4. New York Knicks - PG D'Angelo Russell (Ohio State)

Mike Munden/AP
Russell is just the type of player the Knicks need.

Phil Jackson's stint in New York may only be a season long but, it's gone terribly after one 17-65 season and the team fell out of the top three picks during the draft lottery. Not a good look so far but, at pick #4 some future All-Star is bound to be available and Russell just happens to be the best player available and the perfect fit on an unidentifiable Knicks roster. Last season's one hyped draft pick (SF Cleanthony Early) did not pan out whatsoever and Tim Hardaway Jr.'s sophomore NBA season was a disaster. Carmelo Anthony needs a teammate of some substantial value because as Lebron James has just proven, you cannot win a championship by yourself. Russell is the most NBA-ready Point Guard in this year's draft and would add offense that nobody outside of Anthony currently possesses in New York.

5. Orlando Magic - SF Justise Winslow (Duke)

(USATSI)
Winslow's stock took a major jump when he outperformed teammate Jahlil Okafor during the 2015 NCAA Tournament.

Tobias Harris is as good as gone and rumor has it that the team picking #4 (the Knicks) are the most likely suitors for the Small Forward. This would leave Orlando with "How could you be" Moe Harkless in the starting lineup. They need a better backup plan in case the inevitable happens, Winslow is the best fit for Orlando's scheme as he is a good all-around player and Orlando loves their defense. With the questionable hiring of three-time failure Scott Skiles, it's unlikely this team is competing for a championship any time over the next 3-4 years but they've built quite the nucleus to reach the next step (playoffs) in a weaker Eastern Conference. A lineup of Elfrid Payton, Victor Oladipo, Justise Winslow, Aaron Gordon and Nikola Vucevic' is very exciting to most and shouldn't have any problem avoiding being in this same draft position next off-season.

It wouldn't be a proper discussion about the Magic if I didn't heartlessly diss Scott Skiles once every five minutes.

6. Sacramento Kings - PF Kristaps Porzingis (Spain)

Is that basketball even a real basketball? Did they set this up or was it an in-game dunk? So many questions for Kristaps.

Get ready for the obvious European comparison... Kristaps is the weaker, faster Dirk Nowitzki. The only thing missing from his game is any type of moves in the post, something that has made Nowitzki a future hall of famer. Porzingis needs some polishing but, his outside shooting is something rarely seen from players of his height. If he ever does find a way to get out of the post, watch out because this is a steal. The one thing that worries is if he does get selected by Sacramento, what are the chances this team that is currently in a huge disagreement with their head coach on the future of their one All-Star can do the right thing and give enough to time to Porzingis and/or the coaching help he needs early on. They are the most unstable franchise in basketball right now, don't let the down years for the Lakers and Knicks and boldness of the Sixers fool you.

7. Denver Nuggets - SF Mario Hezonja (Spain)

Victor Salgado / FCB
Back-to-back players from Spain! 

New Nuggets head coach Mike Malone is the former coach of the Kings, current Kings head coach George Karl is the former Nuggets coach and now both teams are taking players from Spain? Who started emulating whom in this scenario? Mario Hezonja is rumored to be a very hard player to coach as he ditched his team in Spain after multiple disagreements with the head coach overseas. His attitude does affect his play at times but, typically talent prevails in these types of situations. I mean... look at J.R. Smith. He's still in the NBA and an integral piece on a team's roster. The Nuggets are coming off of a depressing season and probably don't want to deal with another headcase but, I still think they take Hezonja as this is a team that has had luck with foreign prospects previously (Jusuf Nurkic, Danilo Gallinari and Evan Fournier). Hezonja is also just like J.R. Smith in his extreme inconsistencies but, when he gets hot, he can actually play defense (something Smith rarely does). Gary Harris did not live up to the hype his rookie season and the Nuggets could use another player with the same capabilities as Harris to build a more dynamic offense. In steps Mario Hezonja and problem solved!

8. Detroit Pistons - PF Trey Lyles (Kentucky)

Andy Lyons/Getty Images North America
With a name like Trey, you'd think he'd be able to hit threes better than going 4-for-29 at Kentucky.

Much like Orlando at pick #5, the Pistons are going to make a choice here based on a large chunk of their team's focus almost certain to leave in big-man Greg Monroe's testing free agency. With Detroit more than set in talent at the Guard position (Reggie Jackson, Brandon Jennings, Spencer Dinwiddie, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Jodie Meeks), they are guaranteed to be thinking big at pick number eight and Trey Lyles is big in size, big in hype and big in talent. Once Detroit acquired Ersan Ilyasova in a trade, this pick was pretty much locked in. There could still be another big man that fancies the Detroit Pistons but, Lyles is the top on my remaining-big-men draft board (an oddly specific draft board).

9. Charlotte Hornets - PG Cameron Payne (Murray State)

Jenny Rohl/The News
Small college Point Guards succeeding is nothing new (Damian Lillard)

An exquisite passer, little was known about Payne before the drafting process began and now that everybody is at least semi-familiar with Payne, his stock is the fastest rising in the draft. Charlotte doesn't absolutely need another Point Guard with Kemba Walker having that position on lockdown for a few more years but, Mo Williams has already been rumored as a potential Cavalier so, Michael Jordan's team will need another guy who can dish it out on the bench. With the addition of Spencer Hawes via Lance Stephenson trade, the team has already picked up a scorer. Add him to an improving, second-year P.J. Hairston and Charlotte should be in the postseason as an eighth-seed at minimum.

(Plus, Charlotte just traded for Nicolas Batum and dumped Noah Vonleh/Gerald Henderson. WHAT?)

10. Miami Heat - SF Stanley Johnson (Arizona)

Jae C. Hong/Associated Press
"Replacing Lebron? Bring it on." - probably what Stanley Johnson is saying in this photo.

The Heat just barely missed the playoffs last season and somehow lucked out by getting the tenth pick in the lottery instead of surrendering the eleventh pick to Philadelphia as part of a trade in which the pick was top-ten protected. Now, Miami has a good chance at getting a player who should be ready for their rotation on day one. Stanley Johnson is a Forward who can step in for Luol Deng if he indeed leaves via free agency. The Heat are dealing with a lot of off-season drama right now as Dwyane Wade's next contract is uncertain to be with Miami, Chris Bosh recovers from a blood clot, Goran Dragic likely becomes the highest paid Point Guard in team history and Udonis Haslem's contract is more of a nuisance than ever as his glory days seem to be behind him. Ultimately, I think we'll be looking at a very similar team to the one Pat Riley and crew ended last season with plus they'll add a kid who is just 19 going on 20, leaving Miami with a brighter post-Wade future. 

11. Indiana Pacers - C Willie Cauley-Stein (Kentucky)

(USATSI)
Cauley-Stein lucks out and falls to a team that only missed the playoffs due to one star's injury who is now healthy.

Stick with me on this one... Say THIS INCREDIBLY BALLSY TRADE ACTUALLY HAPPENS, all of a sudden Indiana has a spot in the starting lineup for Cauley-Stein (if they want him to start) and they'd have Nicolas Batum coming off a terrible season alongside Paul George. I don't think there's any real chance Larry Bird and I share the same thoughts but if that trade and this pick happens plus Indy adds a Point Guard in free agency (not a great one, just not Donald Sloan), they'd probably be back in the Eastern Conference Finals. I'm still not sure who would say no to that deal.

UPDATE: Nicolas Batum has been traded to Charlotte for Gerald Henderson and Noah Vonleh. My pick has not changed here.

12. Utah Jazz - PF Myles Turner (Texas)

Eric Gay/AP
Look at that wingspan. He could probably play multiple jazz instruments at the same time, which is great considering Utah is quite well-known for their underground Mormon jazz scene.

Utah's bench is absolutely horrible. There are some quality young players worth keeping past next season like Alec Burks, Trey Burke, Gordon Hayward, Derrick Favors and Rudy Gobert plus they still have last year's two first rounders, the disappointing Dante Exum and Rodney Hood. Outside of those core seven? Not a whole lot to brag about. This team desperately needs to add a big man for their bench even though they were much more successful after the Enes Kanter trade. Myles Turner is another guy with an incredible wingspan (Utah might want to make sure the Bucks don't trade up for him) that would be quite the compliment to the emerging superstar Rudy "Stifle Tower" Gobert. 

13. Phoenix Suns - C Frank Kaminsky (Wisconsin)

Current Phoenix Center Alex Len has developed a jump shot but, why not go all in and take a Center who can hit threes?

The curious case of Frank Kaminsky is either going to bomb out or ball out at the NBA level. I don't see him working out just "okay", it's an incredibly low floor or an incredibly high ceiling for the former Badger with two final four trips under his belt. He has his own unique move just like Dirk Nowitzki's step-back jumper only, Frank "The Tank"'s unique motions moves him forward for an off-balance yet mostly accurate layup. Phoenix has taken some weird chances on players since hiring Jeff Hornacek (remember the three-guards experiment?) and Kaminsky just seems like the type of chance Phoenix is willing to take.

14. Oklahoma City Thunder - SF Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (Arizona)

Speaking of unique movements, I introduce you to Hollis-Jefferson's pre-free throw shimmy.

If Oklahoma City's best backup plan once/if Durant gets hurt is Kyle Singler, then they won't be as deep into the championship hunt as people assume they will. OKC already has all the offensive firepower one could ask for from their bench and Hollis-Jefferson is very weak in that field but much stronger on defense. The way the Thunder played late in the season without Durant was they ran very little of their offense through the Small Forward position and weren't a total train-wreck. Plus, despite that awkward looking free throw motion, the man shot 70% from the line in the 2014-15 season. A safe play for Billy Donovan's first season coaching the Thunder.

15. Atlanta Hawks - SG Devin Booker (Kentucky)

photo courtesy of kentuckysportsradio.com
Devin Booker is the shooter that Atlanta needs more of on their bench in case of a Kyle Korver emergency.

The Hawks new uniforms are nice but, they haven't erased a disappointing Eastern Conference Finals exit due to injury-after-injury where they were forced into playing with their lack of depth (NYPD only partly to blame in the grand scheme of Atlanta basketball). Kent Bazemore might not just be the towel-waving 12th man he was in the bay area but, he's still not a guy I'd want as the first option off the bench at Shooting Guard. If Devin Booker can steal that role from him, hopefully Atlanta can avoid the return-to-earth season everyone and their mothers are expecting. Booker is a kid who I don't believe to be the ready for the big stage just yet but, we're halfway through the first round and chances are 50-50 on whether or not a team is drafting a serious member of their team for years to come. (Just look at Adreian Payne whom Atlanta selected and gave up on halfway through his rookie season last year).

16. Boston Celtics - SF Kelly Oubre (Kansas)

KU Athletics Photo
Somewhere Oubre the rainbow, Kelly goes up for a dunk.

What is it with Boston taking guys named Kelly? The Red Sox have had Kelly Johnson and now roster Joe Kelly, the Celtics already Kelly "Turn your arm and rip the shoulder off" Olynyk and now I have them taking Kelly Oubre of the elite Kansas program under Bill Self. Current Boston Small Forward Jae Crowder had a breakout near the end of last season and was very much a factor in their playoff berth but, when he left the floor Boston had nowhere to turn that wouldn't stop the offensive production. Jonas Jerebko is not the answer. Luigi Datome is not the answer. Gerald Wallace is only the answer to one question and that is "who does Boston most want to get rid of?". Kelly Oubre is not a guaranteed good professional player but, he should be able to fill in for some minutes in Brad Stevens' rotation.

17. Milwaukee Bucks - SG Rashad Vaughn (UNLV)

At just eighteen years old, Vaughn is another project for Jason Kidd to work on.

Milwaukee needs a shooter. Rashad Vaughn is a good shooter. He's also a super raw talent and Milwaukee has been eating up the raw-talent lack-of-experience players since the "Fear the deer"-era. John Henson, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Michael Carter-Williams have all gone from showing flashes of greatness to being quite valuable starters and role players under Jason Kidd and Rashad Vaughn already has the jump shooting and rebounding down AT AGE EIGHTEEN! If they could get some better defense out of the kid and maybe make him pass every now and then, watch out Eastern Conference because Milwaukee's hype is not just empty hype. 

18. Houston Rockets - PG Jerian Grant (Notre Dame)

hoopscience.it
Something tells me Jerian Grant is a more offensive-minded Patrick Beverley and Houston already has the defensive version of that.

Houston was all sorts of hampered by injuries in the postseason and still managed to make it to a lopsided Western Conference Finals. Jason Terry simply cannot be the player he wants to be anymore at 37-years old and he has a career in broadcasting or as an analyst all wrapped up for him once he decides to hang up the phone on his very good career. For the moment, he is still a Houston Rocket though but, I don't see that changing Houston's pick here of a Point Guard who resembles Patrick Beverley (their starting Point Guard) on defense and is a much better passer than him as well. Grant would be the perfect fit in Houston's starting lineup even though he will likely only be a valuable bench-warmer during the upcoming season. 

19. Washington Wizards - SG R.J. Hunter (Georgia State)

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
You've probably seen this shot before.

Ronald Jordan Hunter was a virtual unknown until he gave his father a heart attack and promptly wrapped up the season in Baylor sports disappointments. It was phenomenal entertainment and the world was introduced to the coach's son, an otherwise likely second rounder or even un-drafted free agent steal. R.J. is definitely a one-trick pony right now (he likes to shoot and he does it well) and Randy Wittman will want him to cover the weakest offensive player on the opponent's lineup because Hunter's defensive game is a complete liability and he's only there to temporarily replace departing free agents like Rasual Butler and Paul Pierce. Washington is eyeing another top four finish next year and they won't be able to do that if they allow their offensive game to falter at all.

20. Toronto Raptors - PG Delon Wright (Utah)

(AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
"Stop hitting yourself with the ball, Justise! Justise! Justise! Stop hitting yourself with the ball!"

Toronto is losing sixth man of the year Lou Williams because somebody is always guaranteed to overpay the guy coming off a sixth man of the year trophy and it's almost never the team that keeps him out of the starting lineup. Delon Wright already has some secondhand idea of what the NBA is like from his brother, Trailblazers Forward Dorell Wright. I'd compare Delon to last year's #6 pick, Marcus Smart of the Celtics. He is a defense-oriented player with a jumper that needs some developing otherwise, he's a lock-down defender who's bound to impress in his rookie season. The Raptors will need to look elsewhere to replace Lou Williams' fourteen points per game but, this is the backup Guard they should want and need. They'll be a team of freak athletes in a few years with Bruno Caboclo, Wright and Terrence "Tyrannosaurus" Ross likely still in the future plans.

21. Dallas Mavericks - SF Sam Dekker (Wisconsin)

(Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Dekker was all smiles in the final four this March when his team beat seven of this year's draft prospects.

Dallas is absolutely screwed in the upcoming 2015-16 season unless they find a way to attract LaMarcus Aldridge away from San Antonio or they think of some deal involving draft picks (which they clearly have had no problems dealing under Mark Cuban) and getting a Guard in return. Otherwise, this team is absolutely not contending next year with dust flying off of Dirk Nowitzki and both Monta Ellis and Rajon Rondo 100% gone. With all of that said, if they do choose to make a pick, Sam Dekker is still out there and is high on some team's boards. Personally, I just don't see this guy being the next Gordon Hayward, the next Shawn Marion or even the next James Jones. He just does not have enough redeemable qualities outside of being willing to be a team player (which in the case of Matthew Dellavedova is really all you need in certain games but, as we saw in the Finals, it is not a good permanent plan). Dekker can shoot but the inconsistencies in his all-around game are too inconsistent for him to even be in consideration as a first-rounder. Dallas is used to making poor choices that cost them so this move will hurt very little if it does backfire. 

22. Chicago Bulls - PF Bobby Portis (Arkansas)

(AP Photo/Danny Johnston)
What? I didn't think it was THAT surprising of a pick?

Bobby Portis fits perfectly in Chicago's roster once they trade PF Taj Gibson (something they've been attempting to do for months). Gibson is a rare talent but, he's not a starter and therefor, not an absolute necessity to Chicago's playoff hopes next season. Bobby Portis is the better scoring, less defensive version of... okay, there is no comparing Portis to Gibson but, I'm just trying to help Chicago fans get some idea of the player they are drafting and an exact NBA comparison is not coming to mind. SEC basketball is not on the same planet as SEC football though so, temper your expectations for last year's SEC Player of the Year.

23. Portland Trailblazers - PF Kevon Looney (UCLA)

(Brandon Choe/Daily Bruin)
I hope Kevon has a strong NBA career just so I can start using the phrase "Looney bin" in an NBA context.

With the addition of Noah Vonleh while I was typing up this mock, the chances of Looney landing in Portland have been slightly lowered BUT I stand by this decision as it is highly possible LaMarcus Aldridge is never ever ever getting back together with Portland. This leaves the Blazers with a gaping wound in their hearts and a need at the backup Power Forward position with Noah Vonleh potentially slotted into the starting lineup. In steps Kevon Looney, a forward that could guard both Small and Power Forwards and can explode offensively in the most random of games (much like Portland's Center Meyers Leonard). 

24. Cleveland Cavaliers - PG Tyus Jones (Duke)

Mark Dolejs, USA TODAY Sports
Tyus Jones would become the Cavalier with the most recent championship-winning experience if they chose him.

Cleveland needs to just keep asking themselves one question all off-season with each player they add to the roster and that question is "Would we have won the championship if we had had this player on our roster against Golden State?" and with Tyus Jones, the answer is "we probably could have taken the Warriors to seven at least". Jones is a game-changer whenever he gets an open shot at hitting a three. He is a much better shooter than Iman Shumpert and only time will tell on whether or not he can avoid the inconsistencies that plagued J.R. Smith's first (and probably final) Finals appearance. Lebron would feel a lot less lonely if he could have had a better shooter at Point than Matthew Dellavedova.

25. Memphis Grizzlies - C Dakari Johnson (Kentucky)

David Richard / AP
Johnson is the most widely-referenced player that should not have left Kentucky due to inexperience.

Dakari is a great first name. Dakari is also a first-round basketball talent and the only reason his stock is this low is because most experts don't believe he received enough playing time as a Wildcat stuck behind Willie Cauley-Stein but, talent is talent and Kentucky is Kentucky. Memphis will more than willing to open up their offices for a proper backup to All-Star starter Marc Gasol. Besides, Kosta Koufos' contract is up and does anybody truly believe Kosta Koufos' job is completely secure? No. 

26. San Antonio Spurs - SG Olivier Hanlan (Boston College)

Associated Press
The Spurs need to take a Shooting Guard eventually. Hanlan is the unexciting type of pick they love making.

Marco Belinelli is not going to replace Manu Ginobili once the long-time Spur decides to retire. Olivier Hanlan probably won't either but, it never hurts to take a chance in the draft when you're always in the postseason no matter what moves you do or do not make. If Hanlan does anything in the 2015-16 season, it'll be due to rest or injuries for players of higher importance. I have no idea what Hanlan's pro future looks like but, I can't imagine him to be a name we really care about in two years let alone a decade like Ginobili but hey, teams were wrong on Manu also.

27. Los Angeles Lakers - PG Terry Rozier (Louisville)

Bob Donnan - USA TODAY Sports
A shoot first Point Guard? Kobe might not like this.

With L.A. needing all types of players and already having taken Jahlil Okafor at #2, I see them going after a Guard with their second first-rounder. Jeremy Lin is likely departing because why wouldn't he? Byron Scott never played despite Lin giving his best production since his Knick days. Terry Rozier is sort of the Shabazz Napier of this year's draft, a shooting first Point Guard for the most part that has won a championship in college as a starter. His transition to the NBA will not be easy but, if he can play above the Gary Neal line (a thing I just made up), he'll always have a spot on an NBA roster.

28. Boston Celtics - PF Montrezl Harrell (Louisville)

Montrezl is another Louisville Cardinal with championship experience. What a coincidence!

Easily the most explosive dunker in the draft, Harrell just loves playing the game of basketball. He might be the player with the most on-court effort exhibited on a game-to-game basis. The one problem with him is if he ever stops being the carefree athletic freak that he is or injures himself, his game will be completely destroyed. The Celtics don't have the greatest big men in the league (Bass, Olynyk, Sullinger) and drafting another 6'8'' Power Forward halfway through the draft would not hurt.

29. Brooklyn Nets - C Mouhammadou Jaiteh (France)

Photo by: Jean-Philippe Carlier
He's 6'9" and that's about the extent of public knowledge on France's Mouhammadou Jaiteh

There's at least one pick in the first round that nobody sees coming. Last year that choice was Bruno Caboclo to the Raptors. This year I think the Nets are going to do something shocking with their last first-round choice until the world is overtaken by robots and Mouhammadou Jaiteh is enough of a mystery man with just enough whispers of hype that I could see somebody taking a chance on him. Brook Lopez probably isn't staying for very long so even the roster math admits it is a possibility.

30. Golden State Warriors - PF Christian Wood (UNLV)

Ethan Miller/Getty Images
It was at this moment that Wood dropped the most embarrassing flatulence of his young life.

The defending champions never NEED another first-rounder on their roster but, the Warriors could certainly use one with David Lee announcing his plans to sign elsewhere in free agency along with the total lack of big games from big men in the Finals. Festus Ezeli is a keeper and Bogut is a nice tutor with a much shorter future in Golden State but, they can't do it by themselves just like Curry and Klay won't get the opportunity to pass through a bunch of teams crippled by injury all while hitting every one of their shots. It's never as easy one year later and Golden State needs Christian Wood to at least give them a chance at winning back-to-back.

Best of luck to all of your teams and may you all avoid drafting a Jonny Flynn over a Stephen Curry!