NBA Mock Draft 2015: The First Round
By Osman Baig
Apr 6, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Justise Winslow warms up before the 2015 NCAA Men
6- Sacramento Kings
Pick – Justise Winslow, SF, Duke
Oz’s Analysis – The Sacramento Kings have frequented the lottery for years and outside of DeMarcus Cousins, it’s difficult to find another building block.
Justice Winslow gives them the opportunity to add that second building block to pair with Cousins. Winslow’s versatility, basketball IQ, and wing defense will remind George Karl of another former player he coached, Andre Iguodala.
Sacramento may also look to expedite their rebuild by trading this selection for a veteran player, but picking up a 19-year-old building block like Winslow would pay off the best in the long-term in my opinion.
Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
7- Denver Nuggets
Pick – Stanley Johnson, SF, Arizona
DJ’s Analysis – This is a Nuggets team that was absolutely wretched defensively this season, especially on the perimeter.
Stanley Johnson should help. Johnson reminds me a lot of a wing version of Karl Towns: a one-and-done freshman with terrific two-way potential who didn’t always stand out every night on his college team. Still, Johnson was a key cog on an excellent Arizona defense, and with time and patience he has the chance to develop into a very good starting wing.
He’s a great athlete with an improving shooting stroke and very nice rebounding and ball skills for his size and position.
If all goes well, he could end up as Junior Iguodola. Not bad.
8- Detroit Pistons
Pick – Mario Hezonja, SG/SF
Nithin’s Analysis – The Pistons are badly in need of a wing player with size but the top two targets (Winslow and Johnson) were off the board at #8.
Hezonja isn’t merely a consolation prize by any measure though as he has the athleticism to attack the glass and also shooting range on a team that only has a couple reliable marksmen in Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Jodie Meeks.
Assuming Detroit hangs on the Reggie Jackson and lets Greg Monroe walk, there are holes at both forward spots. I give the nod to Hezonja over Cauley-Stein though because of his better fit with the pieces in place, namely Andre Drummond.
Apr 4, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Willie Cauley-Stein (15) reacts after a dunk against the Wisconsin Badgers in the first half of the 2015 NCAA Men
9- Charlotte Hornets
Pick – Willie Cauley-Stein, C, Kentucky
Oz’s Analysis – The Hornets have Al Jefferson but he’s entering the last year of his contract. Recently drafted Cody Zeller and Noah Vonleh are still question marks at best and Willie Cauley-Stein is the best player on the board at this point.
A shooter like Devin Booker was also a consideration but BPA trumps the need for more shooting in this instance.
Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
10- Miami Heat
Pick – Devin Booker, SG, Kentucky
DJ’s Analysis – With Goran Dragic and Dwyane Wade both hitting the open market, there’s a lot in flux next year for the Miami Heat. If those two guys leave, the Heat are gonna have a lot to address. But I don’t know that they’ll go elsewhere, I’m no mind reader.
What I do know is that the Heat have one problem that they can address right now: they suck at shooting. As it happens, Devin Booker is very good at shooting. BINGO.
Not only is Booker 6-foot-6 with a jumper as gorgeous as the Mauritian coast, he’s the youngest player in this draft and he plays wise beyond his years.
Guys like Devin Booker have been torching the Wizards for years. No-brainer.
Next: Picks 11-15