NBA Mock Draft 2015: The First Round
By Osman Baig
Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
16- Boston Celtics
Pick – Kelly Oubre, SF, Kansas
DJ’s Analysis – To me, Kelly Oubre represents the second coming of Air France Mickael Pietrus. It was slow going for the five-star freshman in his first couple months at Kansas, but he really came on over the last stretch of the season and showed everyone why he was so highly talented.
Oubre’s a great athlete who has real 3-and-D potential, and he could become more than just a role player if his body and game continue to develop. The Celtics don’t have any really good small forwards on a roster filled with decent players who don’t really move the needle. (Evan Turner is still terrible)
Kelly Oubre would be a great pick if he falls this far.
Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
17- Milwaukee Bucks
Pick – Cameron Payne, PG, Murray State
Nithin’s Analysis – In reality, there is very little chance of Payne lasting this long as several teams ahead of Milwaukee are taking a long look at him. If he does fall to the Bucks however, there would be no better fit.
Armed with the coaching from Jason Kidd, Payne would back up Michael Carter-Williams and if he did develop as expected could eventually take over that role in a couple years. He possesses great court vision and is a high efficiency player.
The downsides are his lack of size and his level of competition while at Murray State but if Stephen Curry, Damian Lillard, and Elfrid Payton have provided any indication, small schools still produce big talent.
Apr 6, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Tyus Jones (5) reacts after hitting a three-point shot against the Wisconsin Badgers during the second half in the 2015 NCAA Men
18- Houston Rockets
Pick – Tyus Jones, PG, Duke
Oz’s Analysis – The Rockets were starting Jason Terry at the point…in the WESTERN CONFERNCE FINALS. Yes, Patrick Beverley was out injured but the Rockets can’t leave themselves that thin at such a critical position.
The edge goes to Tyus Jones over Jerian Grant here based in his shooting ability and Tyus also gives the offense a different look from the defensive oriented Beverley.
Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
19- Washington Wizards
Pick – Jerian Grant, PG, Notre Dame
DJ’s Analysis – 2014-15 was the best Wizards season of most of our lifetimes, but let’s not kid ourselves – this team has major holes.
They need a stretch 4. They need a wing. They need actual frontcourt depth. But if a playmaker like Jerian Grant is there at 19, the Wizards should jump at the chance.
Not only is Jerian Grant a local kid and a Bullets legacy (which is nice but doesn’t really matter,) Grant has true star potential as a scorer and creator. The Wizards have needed another playmaker for so long, and Grant’s ridiculously heroic performances all throughout his senior year should be able to convince absolutely anyone.
He’s ready to jump in there and kick ass right now.
Nithin Alternative- I’ve fluctuated a bit between whether this pick should be used for a badly needed power forward or for a badly needed backup guard.
I was strongly in favor of the former, though lately I’ve been coming around on the latter and here’s why: Wittman is reluctant to play rookies, meaning he’ll be even more hesitant to actually start one. Given that fact, any player selected would likely to be coming off the bench. Based off of that assumption, I think the need for someone to spell Wall and/or Beal is of ultra-importance because the team dies when its starters hit the bench, specifically Wall.
To avoid a Clippers-like dichotomy between the top 5 and the bench, I’d also opt for Jerian Grant. He can create out of the pick-and-roll, he’s a prime time performer, and I love guys who have succeeded at the collegiate level, which he proved as a 1st-Team All-American and a near upset of Kentucky in the NCAA Tournament.
Both members of the House of Guards could use some additional rest during the regular season and free agency and either exception can be used to address front court needs.
Oz Alternative- I would applaud the Wizards if they came out of the draft with Jerian Grant as their first round pick but if this is how the draft breaks I would have a tough time passing on Trey Lyles.
The Kentucky product is likely being undervalued because he was forced to take a lesser role and play out of position on a talented Kentucky squad. He may take some time to develop but could be the best of the players drafted I this range in the long-run.
Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
20- Toronto Raptors
Pick – Kevon Looney, PF, UCLA
Nithin’s Analysis – Toronto is in an interesting spot because despite winning 48 games and earning home court advantage in Round 1, they were unceremoniously swept and left for dead by Washington.
To me, this is a team that should look to get younger and unload some of the bulky contracts currently on the books. The power forward spot is an area of need as Amir Johnson and Patrick Patterson don’t provide enough to contend.
Looney is a hit-or-miss candidate, once thought of as a top-10 pick who has fallen to the mid to late 1st round. He possesses good size and a motor when attacking the glass but his offensive game is still fairly unpolished.
However, he did his 42% of his 3s this season and that would provide the necessary spacing next to a low-post brute like Jonas Valanciunas.
Next: Picks 21-25