NBA Mock Draft 2015: The First Round

Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports

11- Indiana Pacers

Pick – Myles Turner, PF, Texas

Nithin’s Analysis – Larry Bird has already expressed a desire to move away from the slow plodding nature of Roy Hibbert and towards a more modern big man.

Turner absolutely represents that type of player with his extraordinary size and athleticism as well as a budding ability to step out to the 3-point line and hoist some shots with mild accuracy.

He is more of a project than others in the lottery and his college numbers at Texas didn’t blow anyone away, but Rick Barnes has been known to churn out successful pro players despite their tepid success while donning burnt orange.

Mandatory Credit: Beth Hall-USA TODAY Sports

12- Utah Jazz

Pick – Bobby Portis, PF, Arkansas

Oz’s Analysis – I kept going back and forth between Bobby Portis and Frank Kaminsky here but 1) I thought Frank Kaminsky to Utah was too cliché, and 2) I like Portis’ defensive upside and versatility more than Kaminsky’s.

For Utah, they have to replace to departed Enes Kanter and do so with a prospect who’s ready to contribute and can add a stretch element. Utah has done a good job with player development and they likely think they can develop Portis into a 3-point shooter. H

is versatility makes him a good fit next to either Favors or Gobert.

Apr 6, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Wisconsin Badgers forward Frank Kaminsky (44) reacts after a basket against the Duke Blue Devils in the second half in the 2015 NCAA Men

13- Phoenix Suns

Pick – Frank Kaminsky, C, Wisconsin

DJ’s Analysis – A floor-stretching big man for a high-octane team, Frank Kaminsky has the chance to fill the role that Channing Frye played so ably for so long in Phoenix.

A finally-healthy Alex Len is starting to come along, so how about adding the reigning National Player of the Year to that frontcourt? Kaminsky is 7-foot-1 with deadeye aim from long range and he’s a savvy interior scorer – he proved in Wisconsin’s tournament run that he could score against anyone, even Kentucky with their 25 hyper athletic 7-footers packing the lane.

A good rebounder and a surprisingly nimble defender, Kaminsky’s got the stuff to be a good role player for quite a while. FRANK THE TANK.

Apr 4, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Wisconsin Badgers forward Sam Dekker (15) celebrates after defeating the Kentucky Wildcats 71-64 in the 2015 NCAA Men

14- Oklahoma City Thunder

Pick – Sam Dekker, SF, Wisconsin

Nithin’s Analysis – Many mock drafts have Oklahoma City selecting Cameron Payne with this selection as a combo guard that can spell both Russell Westbrook and Dion Waiters. However, I feel comfortable in the backcourt if they can retain DJ Augustin and finally allow Jeremy Lamb to consistently see the floor.

Instead, I like Dekker as a fit in OKC to backup Kevin Durant and also play alongside KD in small ball lineups. Dekker is a shot maker and was exceptional in the NCAA Tournament.

Granted, his performance on the big stage may have artificially boosted his value since he was rather pedestrian shooting the ball during the regular season. But he has good size and has shown a quick first step that can succeed against NBA-level defense.

Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

15- Atlanta Hawks

Pick – Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, SF, Arizona

Oz’s Analysis – Rondae Hollis-Jefferson might be a bit of a reach here but given DeMarre Carroll‘s uncertain future in Atlanta, he makes a ton of sense to Atlanta.

His jumpshot needs some work but his experience is the tiebreaker over Kelly Oubre. Considering I still have ill will towards the Hawks over the Easter Conference Semifinals, I’ll end my commentary there.

Next: Picks 16-20 and the Wizards