Fansided

Re-drafting the 2015 NBA Draft

By John Buhler

Nov 23, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat forward Justise Winslow (20) dribbles the ball against the New York Knicks during the second half at American Airlines Arena. The Heat won 95-78. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 23, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat forward Justise Winslow (20) dribbles the ball against the New York Knicks during the second half at American Airlines Arena. The Heat won 95-78. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 31
Next
Feb 26, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) slam dunks the ball against the Orlando Magic during the second half at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks defeated the Magic 108-95. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 26, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) slam dunks the ball against the Orlando Magic during the second half at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks defeated the Magic 108-95. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /

Baloncesto Sevilla (Spain), Latvia. Kristaps Porzingis. 2. player. 20. . Power Forward/Center

While the Los Angeles Lakers made a wise decision with their No. 2 overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft selecting point guard D’Angelo Russell out of Ohio State, one has to think what Kristaps Porzingis may have looked like in Purple and Gold?

Though Russell could very well make an All-Rookie team for his play this season, Porzingis was probably the best NBA rookie in 2015-16 not named Towns. Porzingis thrived playing in a chaotic, big city media market with the New York Knicks alongside the great volume scorer Carmelo Anthony.

Besides Towns, Porzingis at this time feels like the only piece to come out of the 2015 NBA Draft that could become a championship franchise cornerstone. Others could ascend to Towns and Porzingis’ status, but for now those are the two best rookies from the 2015 NBA Draft class.

At 7’3″, Porzingis could play the three through five for the Lakers. He averaged 14.3 points per game, 7.3 rebounds per game, and 1.9 blocks per game while shooting 33.3% from distance as a 20-year-old rookie. Porzingis has superstar potential and could have been a great fit with the new-look Lakers going forward.

Next: 3. Philadelphia 76ers

Home/Atlanta Hawks