2015 NBA Mock Draft: The Minnesota Timberwolves get the golden ticket

Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

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

The Timberwolves will draft the best player available, and that’s Karl-Anthony Towns.

Towns is a two-way monster with the rare blend of size and nimble feet. He was a post-up beast at Kentucky last season, and his excellent free throw shooting proves his potential to add an outside shot to his game. At the very least, Towns is going to come into the league as an elite shot blocker. Adding him behind stout perimeter defenders like Andrew Wiggins and Ricky Rubio would be the building blocks of a great NBA defense.

2. Los Angeles Lakers: Jahlil Okafor (Duke)

With Towns going No. 1, that leaves the Lakers with Jahlil Okafor, the kid from Duke who dominated in his only season in Durham.

Okafor wowed the nation with his old school, back to the basket game. Okafor and Randle have some skill-set overlap with both operating from the block, but the Lakers aren’t in a position to be picky. They need talent with Kobe aging fast and nothing else to build on.

3. Philadelphia 76ers: Emmanuel Mudiay (China)

The Sixers love to play fast, and after trading away Michael Carter-Williams they have a hole to fill at the point guard position.

The 76ers will likely choose between the top two point guards in the draft, D’Angelo Russell and Emmanuel Mudiay. Both would be nice fits, but I lean towards Mudiay. He thrives playing the downhill, end-to-end basketball the Sixers are implement with their young team. He has a solid feel in the pick and roll, which should work perfectly with Nerlens Noel and Joel Embiid.

4. New York Knicks: D’Angelo Russell (Ohio State)

With the Sixers taking Mudiay and the Knicks needing a point guard, Russell is a solid bet to be taken fourth.

Whether it be as a lead ball handler or spot up shooter in the triangle offense, Russell will fit nicely in the Big Apple. His game is full of highlights as well, which should make Knick fans excited to see him light up Madison Square Garden.

5. Orlando Magic: Justise Winslow (Duke)

The Magic need floor spacing and love loading the perimeter with long defenders. Winslow shot 41.4 percent from three in his only season at Duke, doing a great job of making the most of the opportunities as Duke’s third or fourth option.

The Magic would have an elite defensive perimeter trio in Elfrid Payton, Victor Oladipo, and Winslow.  They envision Aaron Gordon as a four, so drafting a forward two years in a row wouldn’t be a bad idea.

6. Sacramento Kings: Willie Cauley-Stein (Kentucky)

We’ve seen in the past that nothing is out of the question for the Kings in the draft. If I were calling the shots, I would want to pair Cousins with a rim protector and versatile defender like Cauley-Stein.

Cauley-Stein’s best skill is his ability to guard any position 1-5, making him the ideal fit for the modern NBA. Cousins reputation as a defender isn’t the greatest, making it a huge need for the Kings to draft someone alongside of him who can lock down the opposing team’s best big man.

7. Denver Nuggets: Kristaps Porzingis (Latvia)

A lot is unsure about the future of the Nuggets roster. Despite having several front court rotation players, Porzingis is the best player available and would be the perfect fit long term next to Jusuf Nurkic.

Porzingis is the type of big you want to space the floor around a more traditional big man like Nurkic. The Latvian also has the potential to double as a rim protector on the other end, something that the Nuggets don’t currently have on their roster.

8. Detroit Pistons: Mario Hezonja (Croatia)

There’s no secret about it: Stan Van Gundy is stockpiling shooters in Detroit to put around his pick and roll combo of Reggie Jackson and Andre Drummond. Hezonja could fill in on the wing next to sharp shooter Jodie Meeks, making a deadly knock down perimeter combo for the Pistons.

Hezonja has been rumored to have attitude problems, so I wouldn’t be surprised if that scares off a few teams in the lottery. Based on the Croatians talent, however, he might just be worth the risk.

9. Charlotte Hornets: Stanley Johnson (Arizona)

The Hornets were one of the worst 3-point shooting teams in the league this season, so they are in dire need of someone who can spread the floor for Kemba Walker, Lance Stephenson and Al Jefferson. Stanley Johnson shot 37.1 percent from three as a freshman, making him a possible solution to the Hornet’s problem. Johnson is also a lockdown on ball defender and putting him next to Michael Kidd-Gilchrist on the wing would make for an elite ballhawking duo.

10. Miami Heat: Kelly Oubre (Kansas)

At the peak of their powers, Miami’s defense was a blitzing, trapping machine. They should have no problem replicating that next season if their lineup is healthy.

Oubre would fit perfectly in that scheme with his 7-2 wingspan, one of the longest at his position. Miami loves to load their roster with shooters as well, and Oubre definitely has the capability to be a 3-and-D wing guy in this league.

11. Indiana Pacers: Myles Turner (Texas)

The Pacers appear to be leaning towards moving on from Roy Hibbert, which opens up a huge void in the middle of their stifling defense. With Hibbert being one of the NBA’s best rim protectors, the Pacers will need to find someone to replace at least some of what be brings.

If they indeed decide to turn themselves into a more fast paced team, Turner is the ideal prospect for the Pacers. Myles is the prototypical big man that teams in the league covet. He is a face up, pick and pop center who can also protect the rim at an elite clip on the other end.

12. Utah Jazz: Frank Kaminsky (Wisconsin)

Quin Snyder has made it a priority for every player on the roster to be able to shoot threes, making Kaminsky an easy option with this pick.

The 7-footer was an elite 3-point shooter at Wisconsin, where he converted on 41.6 percent of his threes as a senior. The Jazz’s front court consists of two fantastic pick and roll big men in Derrick Favors and Rudy Gobert, but doesn’t have a pick and pop man to add a different dimension to their rotation. Gobert and Favors would both have even more space for their rolls to the rim with Kaminsky spotting up around them.

13. Phoenix Suns: Sam Dekker (Wisconsin)

Phoenix loves to play fast, but they’ve struggled to find someone on the wing to give them consistent minutes and have a few rotational players set to hit free agency this summer. With Dekker, they’d get an extremely athletic forward who has a decent first step. While he might not add consistent shooting on the wing, he is a perfect fit in their system.

14. Oklahoma City Thunder: Devin Booker (Kentucky)

The Thunder have always lacked the shooting to spread the floor around Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant, making Booker the ideal pick for them in this draft.

Booker is the best spot up and knock down shooter in the 2015 class. With the Thunder set to be above the cap this summer, Booker could fill a huge need at a very cheap price.

15. Atlanta Hawks (via Brooklyn Nets): Jerian Grant (Notre Dame)

The Hawks aren’t in dire need of anything in particular, so they can afford to take the best player available. Despite already having two point guards, Jerian Grant could also serve as an off ball guard.  The Hawks value positional versatility and Grant has the ability to provide both for Atlanta.

Older players in the draft also tend to be able to contribute right away, making Grant an appealing option for a Hawks team that is already a contender and doesn’t have the time to develop someone.

16. Boston Celtics: Bobby Portis (Arkansas)

Portis has a relentless motor and plays with an outstanding amount of energy from end to end. He would fit well in an up tempo Boston offense that finished top five in pace last season. The Celtics also value shooting, and Portis fits the bill in that area as he shot 43.5 percent from mid range at Arkansas.

Boston did well on the glass last season, and Portis would add even more juice to that — Portis crashed the offensive glass and pulled down 3.7 offensive rebounds per game, one of the highest numbers of any draft prospect. His skill set reminds me a lot of Brandon Bass, making this perfect timing with Bass set to hit free agency this offseason.

17. Milwaukee Bucks: Kevon Looney (UCLA)

Looney is a match made in heaven for the Bucks. If available, I would be shocked if they didn’t draft them.

Under first year head coach Jason Kidd, the Bucks developed a defensive scheme predicated on length. Looney had one of the longest wingspans in the draft, measuring out at 7-4.  A lot of the Bucks players also can play multiple positions, and Looney is no different. His versatility allows him to slide between both forward spots and he has the potential to be a solid spot up shooter.

18. Houston Rockets (via New Orleans Pelicans): Tyus Jones (Duke)

Jason Terry, Pablo Prigioni, and Patrick Beverley could all become free agents this summer, which leaves a huge opening at point for the Rockets.

James Harden is the clear No. 1 option on the team and carries the bulk of the ball handling opportunities. For that reason, they need to add someone who is both selfless and capable of spotting up around Harden and Howard pick and rolls. Jones did well as a spot up player at Duke last season, deferring to fellow Duke prospect Jahlil Okafor. When the defense collapsed on Okafor post ups, Jones was ready to knock down three pointers at a 37.9 percent clip.

19. Washington Wizards: Cameron Payne (Murray State)

The Wizards were hurting for a backup point guard this year, and it put pressure on Bradley Beal to be their lead ball handler when John Wall went down against the Hawks in the playoffs. Payne has the potential to be a solid pick and roll threat in this league. He can turn the corner and get into the lane off the dribble and has the ability to work off of screens and knock down the open jumper.

Adding another young piece to round out their young backcourt is the right choice for Washington.

20. Toronto Raptors: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (Arizona)

This is a tricky pick for Toronto because they have a few needs they need to address. Toronto ranked near the bottom in defensive efficiency this season, due in large part to their aggressive scheme not matching their personnel.

With Dwayne Casey looking likely to return as the coach next season, adding a player fit for that system is pivotal. Hollis-Jefferson’s length and athletic ability make him the ideal fit next to DeMar DeRozan on the wing. He doesn’t add much to the table offensively, but with the likes of Kyle Lowry, DeRozan, and Jonas Valanciunas eating up possessions, Hollis-Jefferson wouldn’t be asked to do much anyway.

21. Dallas Mavericks: Trey Lyles (Kentucky)

The Mavericks would be ecstatic if Lyles fell this far. Lyles is considered to be a possible lottery talent with his ability to shoot the ball from the perimeter at the four position.

Dallas scrounged the bargain bin this season for any backup big after trading Brandan Wright away for Rajon Rondo. Not only would Lyles give them a quality rotation player, he would bring the outside shooting touch needed for their spread pick and roll game. With Nowitzki’s game declining as he ages, Lyles could give the future Hall of Famer a rest while also not having to sacrifice any spacing on the floor.

22. Chicago Bulls: R.J. Hunter (Georgia State)

With Mike Dunleavy and Jimmy Butler set to hit free agency, the Bulls need shooting help on the wing with the threat of losing both of their two guards. Hunter struggled to put up great shooting statistics his last season at Georgia State, but many believe that came as a product of him carrying a heavy offensive load. He has impressed scouts during the workout process with his ability to knock down shots from deep at a high clip.

23. Portland Trail Blazers: Christian Wood (UNLV)

The Blazers face the possibility of losing both starting big men in LaMarcus Aldridge and Robin Lopez in free agency. Even if both decide to come back, Meyers Leonard was the only front court player off their bench this season. And while he developed into a solid stretch five for the Blazers, he doesn’t offer much in the rim protection department.

Wood would solve much of those issues. He averaged 2.6 blocks per game last season at UNLV, and brings the type of offensive versatility that the Blazers don’t currently have — he can cut and draw defenders in the middle of the lane, making him a viable pick and roll option.

24. Cleveland Cavaliers: Montrezl Harrell (Louisville)

Cleveland has a lot of uncertainty surrounding them with the Kevin Love saga continuing to be one the biggest storylines this upcoming offseason. Whether Love stays or goes, however, Cleveland doesn’t have a lot of depth in their frontcourt.

Harrell is extremely bouncy and dunks just about everything he catches, making him a perfect fit alongside Kyrie Irving and LeBron James. Harrell is also an exceptional offensive rebounder, so adding him to their glass eating duo of Tristan Thompson and Timofey Mozgov would be nightmarish for opposing teams to handle.

25. Memphis Grizzlies: Jarell Martin (LSU)

The Grizzlies could use front court depth, seeing as they only played three bigs in their rotation during the playoffs. Martin doesn’t bring the biggest need for the Grizzlies — outside shooting — but he’s a tough forward who has a nose for rebounds, two things built into their “Grit and Grind” identity.

Martin isn’t a post up big like Gasol and Randolph. Rather, he uses his athleticism to face up and blow by the opposition. His mobility for his position allows him to guard opposing fours, something the Grizzlies got exposed by in the Golden State series.

26. San Antonio Spurs: Justin Anderson (Virginia)

It is always hard to predict who the Spurs are going to draft. They keep their workout and interview schedule quiet and almost never leak anything.

Anderson is my best guess for their choice at No. 26 because he has the two skills the Spurs covet: shooting and selflessness. Anderson is a willing passer and a capable shooter, improving his 3-point percentage to a scorching 45.6 percent this season. He played in a rigorous and stout defensive system at Virginia, giving him a leg up on his peers when it comes to NBA defense.

27. Los Angeles Lakers (via Houston Rockets): Cliff Alexander (Kansas)

Coming out of high school, many believed that Alexander was a top ten draft pick in the making. A year later, however, and he finds himself cleaning up the end of the first round.

There is no denying Alexander’s talent. He has a high motor, and his 7-4 wingspan makes up for his lack of height (6-8) for a power forward. The Lakers will have some roster turnover next season, and given Alexander’s ability to contribute multiple NBA skills, he seems like a safe risk for the Lakers to make.

28. Boston Celtics (via Los Angeles Clippers): Robert Upshaw (Washington)

Upshaw doesn’t carry the best reputation. All that aside, he is a terrific shot blocker who finished as one of the best rim protectors in the nation during his short stint at Washington. Seeing as the Celtics were one of the worst shot blocking teams in the league, this is a prefect match. Danny Ainge also tends to lean towards drafting prospects who are more of a gamble, and Upshaw definitely fits the bill.

29. Brooklyn Nets (via Atlanta Hawks): Timothe Luwawu (France)

With the Nets facing tax hell again next season, drafting a player who they can draft and stash overseas would save them some money off their cap sheet. Luwawu’s per game statistics will underwhelm you, but he just turned 20 earlier this month. There’s plenty of room for him to grow into a talented player the Nets desperately need.

30. Golden State Warriors: Delon Wright (Utah)

The Warriors built the best defense in the league on tall, long players for their position who have the capability of switching and guarding multiple positions. Wright not only has great size for his position at 6-6, but is one of the older players in the draft. There might be positional overlap here with Wright and Livingston — they both have similar skill sets — but Wright showed growth as a 3-point shooter his last year at Utah.