2015 NBA Picks and Predictions: NBA Mock Draft – Early Top 5 Projections

2015 NBA Picks and Predictions: NBA Mock Draft – Early Top 5 Projections: The 2014-15 NBA season is still going on, but aside from the teams that have reached the semifinals of the playoffs, most teams are already focusing on the 2015 NBA Draft. The actual order of the draft won’t be determined until the lottery is held, but in the meantime, it is never too early to get an idea about which players will be coming off the board in the early picks of the draft. With that in mind, here is a look at my projected top five picks if the teams draft in order of their record.

2015 NBA NBA Mock Draft – Early Top 5 Projections

1. Minnesota Timberwolves: Karl-Anthony Towns, Power Forward, Kentucky Wildcats

Towns can be a difference-maker on both ends of the court, and offensive versatility, athleticism and rim-protection are all superior to that of Duke’s Jahlil Okafor. He also upgrades the team’s weakest position and would give the Timberwolves a young, star-caliber player at just about every position on the court. Fittingly, Towns has a chance to become a Kevin Garnett-type two-way force, and it is hard to imagine Minnesota opting for any other play with the top pick.

2. New York Knicks: Jahlil Okafor, Center, Duke Blue Devils 

While Okafor’s limitations on the defensive end were exposed in the NCAA tournament, he is still one of the most offensively polished big men to come along in more than a decade, and his back-to-the-basket game is unbelievable given how young he is. Plus, we are talking about a Knicks team whose best center at times last year was Cole Aldrich. Okafor is a huge upgrade at a position of need, and he is one of the safer bets to be a solid NBA starter for years to come.

3. Philadelphia 76ers: D’Angelo Russell, Point Guard, Ohio State Buckeyes

Considering the 76ers just traded away an athletic but offensively challenged point guard in Michael Carter-Williams, Russell seems like the most likely selection. For one, Philadelphia needs a point guard. More importantly, Russell shot better than 40% from 3-point range as a freshman last year, and he has the smooth stroke needed to stretch defenses and open the offense. Granted, he isn’t an elite athlete at the point guard spot, but his perimeter shooting and solid all-around game will fill a major void for the 76ers in more ways than one.

4. Los Angeles Lakers: Emmanuel Mudiay, Point Guard, China

The Lakers have become an old team that lacks athleticism, and Mudiay would help change that in a big way. He is a big, strong point guard that has the tools to take over a game offensively. In the short term, Mudiay should take a lot of pressure off Kobe Bryant on both ends of the court, and long term, he gives the Lakers another young building block to team with Julius Randle. Mudiay is a bit of an unknown after playing in China instead of college, but he dominated the weaker competition until he hurt his ankle.

5. Orlando Magic: Kristaps Porzingis, Power Forward, Latvia

If you are not familiar with Porzingis, you will be soon enough. He is the prototypical stretch-four NBA teams are looking for these days, and Orlando in particular could use a big man that can play facing the basket and on the perimeter. He isn’t just a jump-shooter either. Porzingis has shown all the skills and athleticism to be an all-around, versatile offensive weapon, and at his size, he could be a serious matchup problem for opponents. His game will fit perfectly alongside Orlando center Nikola Vucevic, and he will give the Magic another piece to what is becoming an intriguing young core.

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