NBA Mock Draft 2015: Complete First Round, Trades and Analysis

Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

1) Minnesota Timberwolves (Ben): Karl-Anthony Towns

This was a no-brainer.

Towns was reportedly told that he’s going to be Minnesota’s selection with the first overall pick and that’s not very surprising. Towns is everything you’d want from a modern day NBA center — athletic, protects the rim and doesn’t necessarily need the ball to make a positive impact.

With Andrew Wiggins, Ricky Rubio, Zach LaVine and Shabazz Muhammad all on the roster, the addition of Towns could make the Wolves the best young team in the NBA.

Apr 6, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Duke Blue Devils center Jahlil Okafor (15) shoots during warmups prior to the game against the Wisconsin Badgers in the 2015 NCAA Men

2) Los Angeles Lakers (John): Jahlil Okafor

Since the beginning of his freshman year at Duke, Jahlil Okafor has been widely assumed to be among the top picks in the 2015 NBA Draft. With his NBA-ready size and fluid post moves, he may be the “safest” pick out of the top 5 picks to come in right away and make an impact.

He would slide into the starting center spot for a young Laker frontcourt (with Julius Randle handling the PF duties). There have been some recent rumblings that Ohio State guard D’Angelo Russell has been impressive in his workouts and could be considered a dark horse for this spot.

However, with former All-Star Rajan Rondo possibly coming to town pairing with Jordan Clarkson (otherwise known to Wizards fans as cash considerations) surprisingly strong play as a rookie, the Lakers will try and shore up their need for size in the middle with Okafor.

Okafor does have some conditioning and ‘is he an elite athlete?’ concerns, but overall could end up being the best player in this draft class.

3) Philadelphia 76ers (Oz): D’Angelo Russell

I’m doing this for 76ers fans everywhere!

They need some good news; a sign that their front office does care somewhat about the money that they’re spending to support the team. I honestly have no idea what direction this franchise is going in and I’m not sure they do either.

Is their goal to perpetually rebuild until they stumble into a generation type of talent at the top of the draft? Coming off the news that last year’s 3rd overall selection, Joel Embiid, may have suffered a setback, this team needs a jolt.

Russell gives the 76ers a playmaker who can elevate the play of those around him and interest fans in the product on the court once again.

4) New York Knicks (DJ): Kristaps Porzingis (Traded to Milwaukee…)

Maximum hubris, baby. It’s Kristaps Porzingis’ destiny to be a New York Knick.

Porzingis was considered a fringe top-10 guy not that long ago, but his draft stock has surged amidst a surprising surge of major hype. Let’s just ignore all the parallels to other international busts of the past, including the workout against no one that ringed with echoes of Yi Jianlian. It’s his destiny to be the next Nikoloz Tskitishvili.

This is such a Knicks move that it’s not even funny, although I’m sure NYC’s massive Latvian community will absolutely erupt with the news that Kristaps Porzingis is coming to Madison Square Garden.

5) Orlando Magic (Ben): Mario Hezonja

Along with Porzingis, Mario Hezonja’s stock has increased tremendously over the past couple of weeks.

The 6’8” Croatian wing has all the tools to succeed at the next level. He’s very athletic and he’s shot the ball very well from the outside — both tools that will transfer over to the next level.

Hezonja might not be a top-5 pick in reality, but I think he’s worth the gamble.

Nikola Vucevic and Hezonja could form the best Yugoslavian duo since Vlade Divac and Peja Stojakovic (how many other Yugoslavian duos were there in the NBA, though? Vladimir Radmanovic and Sasha Vujacic… Bojan Bogdanovic and Mirza Teletovic… that’s all I got. Oh well. Hezonja is really good!).

Next: Picks 6-10 including a trade