The 2015 NBA Draft is upon us!
That means the bottom-dwelling teams in the league will get their chance to improve their rosters, beginning Thursday night with the draft. Tech Times took liberty to do a mock draft for all the lottery teams of the 2015 class. After all, these were the squads that missed out on the playoffs and need the most help.
1. Minnesota Timberwovles - Karl-Anthony Towns
With the No. 1 pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, we see the Minnesota Timberwolves taking Kentucky power forward/center Karl-Anthony Towns. At 6-11 and 250 pounds, not only can Towns put the ball on the floor, but he has legit three-point range. The kid is an absolute game-changer and we'd be shocked if Minnesota goes a different direction.
2. Los Angeles Lakers - Jahlil Okafor
Duke center Jahlil Okafor will don the purple and gold colors of the Los Angeles Lakers on draft night, but he won't be representing the Lakers for long. We see the Lakers essentially making this pick for Sacramento, before packaging Okafor with maybe Julius Randle and shipping them to the Kings for DeMarcus Cousins.
3. Philadelphia 76ers - D'Angelo Russell
The NBA is a point guard-driven league and D'Angelo Russell is flat out the best point guard in the draft...and some would say, the best player of the 2015 class, period. What he lacks athletically, he more than makes up for when it comes to feel for the game and getting results. Philadelphia has flopped on many draft picks before, but we don't think it will mess this one up. Give D'Angelo the keys to the Sixers' offense and let him do all the driving.
4. New York Knicks - Kristaps Porzingis
At 6-11 with the ability to put the ball on the floor and shoot, Kristaps Porzingis has seen his draft stock soar in recent days. Whether Knicks' fans like it or not, we see the 19-year-old product from Latvia winding up in the Big Apple. There we'll see if Dirk Nowitzki comparisons are legit.
5. Orlando Magic - Justise Winslow
Versatile as it gets and arguably the best defender available, Justise Winslow would be a nice fit with the young nucleus that the Orlando Magic is building. We would just like to see the 6-6 swingman refine his shooting. Other than that, the kid is NBA-ready.
6. Sacramento Kings - Emmanuel Mudiay
If the Kings deal Cousins and land Okafor, they could roll the dice and gamble on 6-5 point guard Emmanuel Mudiay, who played last season overseas in China. Okafor and Mudiay could be the one-two punch that Sacramento has been craving.
7. Denver Nuggets - Mario Hezonja
With all the talk about Porzingis, Croatia's Mario Hezonja might be flying under the radar a bit. The rangy 6-8 shooting guard has about as sound of an offensive game around. The Nuggets could use his scoring ability...and they'll get it Thursday night.
8. Detroit Pistons - Devin Booker
We don't see Kentucky freshman guard Devin Booker contributing immediately for the Detroit Pistons, but watch out for him a few years from now. The 6-6 shooting guard can be a solid pro.
9. Charlotte Hornets - Myles Turner
Charlotte Hornets' star power forward Al Jefferson was banged up pretty good this past season. Drafting Texas center Myles Turner would give Charlotte the luxury of spelling Jefferson minutes off the bench or perhaps even starting them together.
10. Miami Heat - Sam Dekker
The Wisconsin forward showed and proved his ability to spot up, shoot and score, and create his own offense in the paint as well. We think he'll fit in well with Miami's frontcourt, which includes the growth of Hassan Whiteside.
11. Indiana Pacers - Cameron Payne
The Murray State point guard is a playmaker who not only doesn't shy away from big shots, but he invites them. Pairing him with a healthy Paul George on the wing could be just what the Indiana Pacers need to jump right back into the playoff fold out East.
12. Utah Jazz - R.J. Hunter
Utah is slowly building itself up again and we expect 6-6 Georgia State guard R.J. Hunter to be part of that continued rebuilding process. Although Hunter's defense is suspect, he can shoot with the best of the 2015 class. Shooting is always necessary.
13. Phoenix Suns - Frank Kaminsky
Every draft class has that quintessential college basketball star, who analysts and fans wonder how he'll fare in the NBA. This year, it's Wisconsin seven-footer Frank Kaminsky. We think Frank The Tank's spot-up game and post presence would be a good fit with Phoenix's up-and-down style to the tune of 10 points per game his rookie season.
14. Oklahoma City Thunder - Willie Cauley-Stein
At 7-0, 240 pounds, Willie Cauley-Stein is a throwback rough, rugged big man and easily one of the best defenders available in the draft. We can totally see him contributing to Oklahoma City's 2015-16 campaign and beyond.
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