2015 NBA Mock Draft

Jahlil Okafor, Karl-Anthony Towns, D'Angelo Russell, Emmanuel Mudiay (Photo: Robert Willett, AP, Getty, Paul J. Bereswill)

The NBA Draft is officially 10 days away, and much like last summer, we’re participating in the festivities with our own Mock Draft project. Neither Chris nor I claim any reliable sources or inside information, and our picks are backed by personal preferences and what we deem to be common sense selections, given team context and incumbent rosters. Unlike last season, however, where we dove a bit deeper and explained our predictions with longer-form essays, this draft we’ll limit ourselves to just a few paragraphs per pick, in the hopes that maybe we can tack on another version before next Thursday, as the (dis)information evolves. 

We’ll be alternating picks, beginning with Chris and the Minnesota Timberwolves and ending with my take on the Golden State Warriors at #30. All statistics and measurement numbers are from the incredible team over at Draft Express, along with any rumors and innuendo we’ve absorbed from the various mock drafts by ESPN (by that I mean Chad Ford), CBS, SBNation, Fansided, etc.

So with the first pick of our 2015 NBA Mock Draft, Chris selects…

1. Minnesota Timberwolves

Karl-Anthony Towns  |  PF/C  |  7'0  |  250 lbs.  |  7'3.25" wingspan

The Timberwolves add this season’s first-overall pick to last season’s (and the season before that). Towns’s potential on both sides of the ball and ability to play PF and/or C make him ideal for a Timberwolves team still finding their way.

His projected ability to space the floor makes room for Wiggins to operate in the post. A LaVine-Shabazz-Wiggins-Payne-Dieng-Towns young core, plus maybe another lottery pick is quite promising. And I left off Rubio!

You're on the clock.

2. Los Angeles Lakers

Jahlil Okafor  |  C  |  6'11"  |  272 lbs.  |  7'5" wingspan

The Lakers are in great position at #2 to not have to make a decision among either franchise big man and can leave the tough choices to the Timberwolves. Okafor's talents on the low block should give the Lakers a consistent scoring option, regardless of what their 2015-16 squad looks like, but he'll need to watch tape of Brook Lopez from March and April to learn how to score off of "soft" rolls from the high screen. Let's see Okafor and Julius Randle healthy and playing together first before we start tearing them apart on defense.

3. Philadelphia 76ers

D'Angelo Russell  |  PG/SG  |  6'5"  |  193 lbs.  |  6'9.75" wingspan

I'm getting less and less concerned about the bad taste in my mouth left by Evan Turner. I think Russell is a different player and his size and skill-set will give the Sixers flexibility in the future to either pair him with a shooter or a pure point.

His ability to score off the dribble and natural basketball IQ (he relies more heavily on his feel for the game rather than his speed or athleticism) will open up things for Noel and Joel Embiid. The Sixers will be fun next season!

4. New York Knicks

Emmanuel Mudiay  |  6'5"  |  200 lbs.  |  6'8.5" wingspan

Phil Jackson and the New York Knicks could certainly go in any direction here. Emmanuel Mudiay has star potential from the guard position and should eventually be a nightly triple-double threat if he's allowed to push the pace, like a less homicidal (and skilled) version of Russell Westbrook. He'll struggle shooting the ball and it'll be interesting to see the Knicks fans' reactions to some of his struggles, given his style of play, but he presents the highest upside of any guard in the draft and his adjustment and play in China should alleviate any bust concerns.

5. Orlando Magic

Willie Cauley-Stein  |  PF/C  |  7'1"  |  242 lbs.  |  7'3" wingspan

Although I was very tempted to select Mario Hezonja or Kristaps Porzingis here to give the Magic the shooting they desperately need, the Scott Skiles hiring caused me to double down on the defensive side of the ball to pair Nikola Vucevic with a true rim protector and a frontcourt defender that will wreck as much havoc as the Payton/Oladipo backcourt.  

I've said over and over that one of Jacque Vaughn's biggest problems last season was that there was no sense of an identity for that Magic team, even with all the young talent. That won't be an issue with Skiles, and bringing in Cauley-Stein could lift the Magic from the bottom five in the league defensively to the borderline of the top five (remember, Payton, Oladipo, Aaron Gordon, etc.). I for one have been a huge Cauley-Stein supporter and the Magic can always buy a second round pick or use free agency to bring in a shooter.

6. Sacramento Kings

Justise Winslow  |  SF  |  6'7"  |  222 lbs.  |  6'10.25" wingspan

I really, really wanted to pull the trigger on Frank Kaminsky here, with the "hey, ya never know with Vivek and the Kings!" rationale. It would still make more sense than Nik Stauskas at #10 last season and actually help the team at a position of need, but I'll wimp out and take best player available, with Duke's versatile Justise Winslow. He's exactly the kind of scrappy, defensive-oriented player the Kings always avoid in the draft, so I'm relying on head coach George Karl to recognize his team's need for an Andre Iguodala-type to do the dirty work and help the team (eventually) win.

Kristaps Porzingis and a bunch of basketballs (no photo credit found)

7. Denver Nuggets

Kristaps Porzingis  |  PF/C  |  7'0"  |  220 lbs.  

Although I do love Justise Winslow for Denver and they'd probably be bummed if he was taken off the board just in front of him, I feel like the Nuggets are in a good spot at 7 to take whoever falls to them. Porzingis looks like a project, but the combination of size and shooting ability in theory is the exact position every NBA franchise is looking for.

At the same weight as Winslow but standing five inches taller, he'll need to devote an entire year to bulk up, but at only 19 there's plenty of time for that. At the very least he'll be able to catch and shoot right away to provide spacing for the Nuggets and in time, hopefully his defense and playmaking will develop. The Nuggets are in a weird spot where they do have some talent but they don't know what their core is yet. Porzingis could be a part of that.

8. Detroit Pistons

Mario Hezonja  | SG/SF  | 6'8"  |  200 lbs.  

We seem to be in a rut of indecision in our last couple of picks, and this choice by Detroit is no different. Instead of debating the team needs between different positions, the debate at #8 boils down to two wings, to me: Mario Hezonja and Stanley Johnson. Both wings. Both high-upside talents. And both could help the Pistons going forward. But I'll take the polished jump shot over the versatility. Ten years ago I might have leaned towards Johnson, but with the complexity of NBA offenses and the value of dynamic shooters, Hezonja seems like a perfect fit at the pro level. His skills with the basketball could be a nice fit next to the emerging game of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope at the wing spots.

9. Charlotte Hornets

Frank Kaminsky  |  PF/C  |  7'1"  |  231 lbs.  |  6'11" wingspan

Although this pick opens the Hornets up to the criticism that they missed on Noah Vonleh last season, I don't see it that way.

The Hornets could use shooting at any position and Al Jefferson won't be around forever (maybe even not next season). I don't see any reason that Kaminsky and Vonleh can't share the floor in 3 years and provide shooting at both Center and Power Forward.

10. Miami Heat

Stanley Johnson  |  SF  | 6'7" |  242 lbs.  |  6'11.5" wingspan

This is a perfect fit for Stanley Johnson and his chances of realizing his potential in the NBA. Erik Spoelstra will put him into the right positions on the floor and work on rounding out his game, while Johnson brings an element of youth and athleticism that the Heat might otherwise lack. With Luol Deng already at small forward and a potent, name-brand lineup when healthy, Stanley could spend most of his rookie season easing in off the bench, while filling in for the eventual Miami injuries in the starting lineup. - PM

11. Indiana Pacers

Myles Turner  |  C  |  7'0"  |  240 lbs.  |  7'4" wingspan

I'm really tempted to go Cameron Payne here to add a dynamic scorer to this team, but the fact there are question marks about how long both Roy Hibbert and David West will be with this team leaves a huge hole in the frontcourt.

Turner in theory can shoot from the outside and protect the rim; the holy grail for NBA front offices. Pair that potential with one of the best developmental staffs in the NBA and the Pacers could have themselves a future cornerstone to pair with Paul George. - CS

12. Utah Jazz

Devin Booker  |  SG  |  6'6"  |  206 lbs.  |  6'8.25" wingspan

Are we sure the Utah Jazz don't need a point guard, with a third-straight lottery pick and Cameron Payne creeping up draft boards? This should be the season that the young Jazz build upon their second-half defensive dominance from last season and put it all together in 2015-16, but to reach the playoffs in the Western Conference they'll need lots of shooting and more wing depth. Devin Booker is a young, dynamic shooter who might lack some athletic upside and remind me too much of James Young, though he's exactly the kind of player the Jazz can plug into their crazy-long lineups and let fire away. He, Rodney Hood, and Alec Burks could be an interesting fit at the wing next season, alongside Gordon Hayward.

Justin Anderson or Kelly Oubre could be scary options on the wing, and with Gobert and Favors behind them protecting the paint, but Devin Booker's unique skill-set wins out.

13. Phoenix Suns

Kelly Oubre  |  SF  |  6'7"  |  203 lbs.  |  7'2.25" wingspan

Who's to say that Kelly Oubre won't be a better wing player than Stanley Johnson and Justise Winslow in five years. The Suns have a nice collection of young talent, and a rangy and long wing defender would fit perfectly alongside Bledsoe and Alex Len. If Oubre turns into a less crazy P.J. Tucker than that's a win for Phoenix, but he has way more upside than that.

I think we saw last season that Bill Self doesn't exactly unleash his wing freshmen. There's a chance that Oubre could be a steal here at 13 when we look back at this pick in five years. There are worse things than a long wing defender who can knock down some outside shots.

Cameron Payne (Mark Humphrey/Associated Press)

14. Oklahoma City Thunder

Cameron Payne  |  PG  |  6'2"  |  183 lbs.  |  6'7.25" wingspan

Sam Presti is furious with you right now, St. Jean. Oubre would echo some Perry Jones III memories but I'm not sure if the remaining draft board possesses the same kind of upside and potential.

Cameron Payne could still help, and serve as the Thunder's best passer immediately upon being drafted. His lack of a consistent spot-up jumper would relegate him below D.J. Augustin on the 2015-16 depth chart, though he'd force his way into the lineup by his ability to push tempo and find teammates in the pick and roll. Dual- or even triple-point guard lineups could be in play next season, with Kevin Durant back to provide the spacing.

15. Brook... er Atlanta Hawks

Kevin Looney  |  PF  |  6'9"  |  222 lbs.  |  7'3" wingspan

Of Looney, Trey Lyles, and Bobby Portis, I think Looney has the highest upside. His potential to stretch the floor, and his translatable skill to rebound the ball, could make Looney a nice Paul Milsap replacement.

Atlanta is also the type of team that will be patient with Looney as the 19-year old develops and adds some strength.

16. Boston Celtics

Bobby Portis  |  PF  |  6'9"  |  246 lbs.  |  7'2" wingspan

Not a great situation for the Celtics at #16, with some potential solid bench options at power forward and point guard on the draft board that duplicates their incumbent roster. I wanted to talk myself into Justin Anderson's 3-and-D game but Bobby Portis should offer a reasonable Brandon Bass replacement with enough defensive instincts to possess some additional upside. Below-the-rim bigs don't exactly inspire confidence and he'll have to maintain his energy level in the NBA to be successful. I do like bigs with high release points and consistent range out to the corner-three, though his lanky form reminds me of former Celtics draft bust JaJuan Johnson. Bobby Portis might have too much Leon Powe in his game to follow that route, and I have no doubt that he'll be a fan favorite next season due to his hustle on the offensive glass.

17. Milwaukee Bucks

Sam Dekker  |  SF  |  6'9"  |  219 lbs.  |  6'11.5" wingspan

Just like the Celtics, the Bucks are in a bit of a weird spot at 17 when you compare their needs to the players projected to go in that area. It's clear the Bucks need shooting and maybe a long-term solution at center. So should they reach a bit on players like Justin Anderson, R.J. Hunter, Robert Upshaw, or Rakeem Christmas? Or are the Bucks maybe a candidate to trade down in this draft?

Instead I have the Bucks drafting Dekker, a versatile forward who has the potential to not only provide shooting but some playmaking as well. Dekker's size and length match the Bucks’ philosophy of position-less basketball and he could probably play either the SF or PF for stretches. A wing rotation of Middleton (assuming he's re-signed), Giannis, Dekker, and Jabari provides all sorts of versatility on both sides of the ball.

18. Houston Rockets

Tyus Jones  | PG  |  6'2"  |  185 lbs.  |  6'5" wingspan

Both Draft Express and Chad Ford have Jones at #18 to Houston, and as much as I want to, I can't disagree with the fit and team need. After a postseason of Jason Terry running point, even James Harden agrees that the Rockets need another ball-handler and playmaker in the halfcourt. Jones is a natural point guard, if not a great athlete, who can play pick and roll and instigate tempo, which are two staples of the Rockets' offense. He's able to play without the ball in his hands after a strong freshman season at Duke, and is the third-most effective player in this draft at pulling up with the jumper. Tyus Jones will have to improve his spot-up shooting and runner-game at the pro level once defenses adjust to his average-first step, and he won't exactly remind Houston fans of Patrick Beverly with his defensive skills. He probably won't make an All-Star team in the Western Conference, but Tyus Jones will be a valuable point guard option for the Houston Rockets years after Omer Asik played his last minute with the team.

19. Washington Wizards

Trey Lyles  |  PF  |  6'10"  |  240 lbs.  |  7'1.5" wingspan

Trey Lyles is probably the toughest Kentucky Wildcat to translate to the pros because of the way he was forced to play out of position in college. Do we really know how good this guy can be? His lack of athleticism and high hairline make him seem older than the 19-year-old prospect that he is. As Draft Express puts it, "power forwards who aren't great perimeter shooters, athletes or shot-blockers are not the most en vogue players in today's NBA."  Lyles doesn't project to be great at any one skill, but we're talking about the 19th pick here.

I could see Lyles as a bit of a Nene-lite. He'll rebound the ball, may space the floor better than people are expecting (not to the 3-point line yet though), and can likely be effective scoring in the post or on face ups. Lyles could stand to improve his jumper and play with a bit more strength defensively, but backing up Nene in Washington for a year might be a pretty nice spot for him to develop those skills.

20. Toronto Raptors

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson  |  SF  |  6'7"  |  211 lbs.  |  7'2" wingspan

The Raptors could always use help in the frontcourt and might be the ceiling for Robert Upshaw at #20 (Montrezl Harris might be too similar to Tyler Hansbrough), but wing depth makes more sense, given the board, and would allow them to finally move Terrence Ross this summer. The debate came down to Hollis-Jefferson or R.J. Hunter to me, and while Hunter's range and passing skills intrigue me on this team, Hollis-Jefferson is a crazy athlete who can help the team much more on the defensive end. His jumper will be a work in progress but he'll be able to play right away as an energy guy and defender, and will score through transition and dump offs alone. Point guard is another option, though the Raptors aren't exempt from taking best player available who can contribute right away to the rotation, after taking a long-term project last draft. - PM

21. Dallas Mavericks

Jerian Grant  PG  |  6'5"  |  198 lbs.  |  6'7.5" wingspan

I hadn't actually considered this fit until this very moment, but I am in love with it. With Rondo and Ellis both likely gone, the Mavericks will be in desperate need of a scoring punch in the backcourt. They've gotten by using 'undervalued veterans' for too long. Grant would be a capable Ellis replacement in to run the pick and pop with Dirk. Grant would bring a scoring and playmaking ability that they probably hoped Chandler Parsons would have provided.

They'll have cap space and may be active in free agency, but since Grant could theoretically play either guard position, his selection would rule out almost nobody in free agency. Grant is actually probably better suited to play minutes at the SG than Ellis, at 6'5" and with a decent wingspan. I love Jerian Grant to Dallas. - CS

Justin Anderson (Jeremy Brevard/USA Today)

22. Chicago Bulls

Justin Anderson  |  SF  |  6'6"  |  231 lbs.  |  6'11.75" wingspan

The Bulls are guaranteed to get a rotation wing at this pick, with both Justin Anderson and R.J. Hunter still on the board. Hunter could give their offense a (slight) ball-handling option with a deadly three-point stroke who could play off of Derrick Rose and (possibly a re-signed) Jimmy Butler. His average athleticism and polished offensive game prevents him from being an impact player on the defensive end, while Justin Anderson's development has taken the opposite path, as an established wing defender with an improving jump shot.

With the Bulls transitioning from Tom Thibodeau as head coach to the Fred Hoiberg era, the defensive readiness of Anderson could win out as a potential replacement for Mike Dunleavy Jr. at the small forward spot. If his 45% shooting from deep as a Junior while at the University of Virginia is sustainable at the NBA level then Justin Anderson could be a scary good pick for a team that, as recently as last season, considered themselves a title contender.

23. Portland Trail Blazers

Montrezl Harrell  |  PF  |  6'8"  |  253 lbs.  |  7'4" wingspan

I am still hashing through my own thoughts about who I'd like to see the Blazers take at 23. I am working on a Justin Anderson profile now for Hoops Habit and I'm unsure how I feel about that, but in this scenario he's gone anyway.

I like Harrell for Portland in the scenario that they bring the core back. I could see him contributing by running the floor, rebounding, and playing with energy for them right away.

I do have a little concern that Thomas Robinson couldn't fill that role, but I expect Harrell to be more similar to Kenneth Faried than T-Rob.

24. Cleveland Cavaliers

R.J. Hunter  |  SG  |  6'6"  |  185 lbs  |  6'10.5" wingspan

Much like with the Bulls, the Cleveland Cavaliers can count on adding a solid piece to their rotation towards the back end of the draft. R.J. Hunter already has experience playing both guard positions and making huge shots on the national stage for Georgia State University, and could find himself in a similar situation next season with the Cavaliers, only without the responsibility. His offensive skill set should translate well to the next level - probably as a bench guard and "irrational confidence" guy - but he'll struggle to adapt to the man-to-man defensive concepts, despite good steal and block numbers and a 6'10"+ wingspan. Hunter also isn't a great ball handler yet, and will find early success as an off-the-ball threat, particularly on a team with LeBron James. There are other, probably higher-upside players available here (Christian Wood, Rashad Vaughn, Chris McCullough), but R.J. Hunter could provide some Matthew Dellavedova insurance this summer and again find himself in a position to make big shots next postseason.

25. Memphis Grizzlies

Aleksandar Vezenkov  |  SF/PF  |  6'9"  |  225 lbs.

The Grizzlies have a lot of options here at 25 surprisingly. They could double down on their defensive identity with Rondae-Hollis Jefferson, swing for the fences for an eventual Zach Randolph replacement with Christian Wood, or bring in a backcourt scoring punch with Rashad Vaughn.

I like all of those options for the Grizzlies at 25, but at this point in the draft, there's always a question mark. Vezenkov is a question mark as well but at 19 he may be one of the best scoring prospects to come out of Europe in a couple years. He can score from the perimeter, the post, and around the basket, although the latter two skills may not translate fully in the NBA unless he's able to add some strength to his frame. But at 19, he's a worthy gamble as a Jeff Green replacement who may actually knock down outside shots.

(NOTE: Aleksandar Vezenkov has withdrawn from the draft. Instead, I'll have the Grizzlies take a shot with Christian Wood.

Christian Wood  |  PF  |  6’10.5”  |  216 lbs.  |  7’3.25” wingspan

Wood is a longshot, but he has tons of potential to develop into a replacement for Zach Randolph, although it would be a divergence from their ‘Grit and Grind’ culture. Wood could have the potential to be an athletic, fluid big man who could even space the floor a bit and handle the ball. In an ideal world, he could develop into a poor man's Chris Bosh with a bit less skill but maybe a bit more athleticism.  

This would not be the type of pick that could be expected to help the Grizzlies 'get over the hump' but they have two young players from last year’s draft that could get folded into the rotation next season, so they have a track record of patience even as they fight to get their title shot before the window closes on this core. They won't know what happens with Marc Gasol at the time of the draft and with Koufos likely leaving in free agency, they may take a shot with Robert Upshaw, but I like Wood's potential for them.)

George de Paula showing off his ridiculous 9.5 inch hands pic.twitter.com/Q9E7Izmet2

— Steve Kyler (@stevekylerNBA) May 14, 2015

26. San Antonio Spurs

George de Paula (Alves de Paula)  |  PG  |  6'6"  |  194 lbs.  |  7'0.25" wingspan

Selecting the San Antonio Spurs' first round pick is always an impossible task. The combination of their annual bottom-five draft slot and R.C. Buford and Gregg Popovich's affinity for international talent creates unlimited range as to their pool of candidates, and there's almost something comforting about knowing that no matter how logically I attempt to mock their pick, I'm almost guaranteed to be wrong. There are still some interesting domestic players available at #26 with varying degrees of polish and potential, plus plenty of international upside picks.

Rashad Vaughn could help to fill in for a possible Danny Green departure in free agency, though his questionable shot selection might not endear him to the Spurs' system, and there are plenty of interesting big man prospects remaining on the board who could help the team next season (Christian Wood, Jarell Martin, Chris McCullough, Robert Upshaw). The most intriguing option, and possibly the most Popovich-ian, would be Brazilian point guard George "Lucas" de Paula.

De Paula is a raw, 18-year old point guard who excels at pushing the pace and moving the basketball, and his combination of projectable frame and gigantic hands could make him a dominant defensive player in time. A teammate of Bruno Caboclo's last season with the Brazilian U18 national team, de Paula is still developing his jump shot and feel for the game, particularly when to attack in the half court, and can fall victim to playing out of control on occasion. He's effective at attacking the basket off-the-dribble and should eventually use his size to post up smaller points, as his game rounds out (hopefully under Gregg Popovich). I'm another week away from talking myself into de Paula as my favorite prospect in the 2015 Draft, not only due to his skill set and size profile, but also due to his nickname of “Georginho”.

27. Los Angeles Lakers

Rashad Vaughn  |  SG  |  6'5"  |  195 lbs.  |  6'7" wingspan

Although Delon Wright should be tempting for the Lakers, even though their fans swear by Jordan Clarkson, in our scenario Rashad Vaughn slips a bit and would be the perfect way for the Lakers to replace Nick Young's scoring off the bench.

The UNLV Freshman is one of the youngest players in the draft but with his proven scoring and shot-making ability at a thin position in the draft and in the league, this could be a steal for the Lakers. A young core is all of a sudden developing for Kobe to 'mentor'.

28. Boston Celtics

Robert Upshaw  |  C  |  6'10.75"  |  258 lbs.  |  7'5.5" wingspan

YUP! How did I get the Celtics twice? What did I pick last time? Bobby Portis? Shit, there goes taking another power forward here (sorry, Jarell Martin or Chris McCullough). Poor Delon Wright is itching to get out of our hypothetical green room and would be a devastating defensive option next to Marcus Smart in the C's backcourt, but his advanced age and lack of a jump shot might keep him off of Danny Ainge's radar. Terry Rozier of Louisville is a slightly different point guard who affects the game through his speed and energy, and could also be in play here. As a Celtics fan, though, I want to see them take a chance on the controversial and super talented Robert Upshaw with the third-to-last pick in the draft (thanks, Clips!).

Upshaw is a physical specimen at the center spot who can impact the game primarily on the defensive end with his 9'5" standing reach. He's less polished as a post defender but is effective at protecting the rim in one-on-one or help situations, and can even finish around the basket on the other side of the court. Robert Upshaw is still a pretty raw prospect, even after three years in the college basketball system, who still struggles in space (both on offense and defense), shooting the basketball (43% free throw accuracy last year at the University of Washington), and in creating his own shot outside a right-handed jump hook. His personality issues at U-Dub and Fresno State resulted in him being kicked off of two separate collegiate programs in three years, and Huskies head coach Lorenzo Romar gladly sacrificed his best defensive player at the mid-point of the season over keeping him around the team. The question for Celtics head coach Brad Stevens and President Danny Ainge is the same that Romar faced last season: Is Robert Upshaw worth the headache?

For an organization that might not otherwise have the opportunity to add a player of Upshaw's talent and potential (at least with future-POTUS Brad Stevens still employed and the Eastern Conference diluting the Nets' incompetence), pulling the trigger on him at #28 is a no-brainer. The risk-reward benefits will be discussed endlessly in Waltham, but Robert Upshaw is worth the risk to a team desperately searching for impact-level talent. In Brad we trust.

Delon Wright, mid-dunk (credit: Associated Press)

29. Brooklyn Nets

Delon Wright  |  PG  |  6'6"  |  181 lbs.  |  6'7.25" wingspan

The Brooklyn Nets actually have a few options picking at 29 in our scenario. Of course, they would have been much happier choosing at 15 where we have the Hawks choosing Kevin Looney with their pick.  

The fact that so many teams have point guards and the fact that Wright doesn't have an outside shot to date make him available this late, but his size, length, defensive ability, and passing skills make him a viable prospect.

With Deron aging and inconsistent, Delon could be the point guard of the future for a team that doesn't have many young pieces to build around. Delon may not make the Nets an exciting offensive team, but he could be a nice young piece for them at 29. - CS

30. Golden State Warriors

Jarell Martin  |  SF/PF  |  6'9.25"  |  239 lbs.  |  6'9.75"  wingspan

First of all, St. Jean, I don't think Billy King would appreciate the shade, although he would love Delon Wright's passing and defensive skills from the point guard position (skills seriously lacking from the current Nets roster). That's a good pick, and this is a pretty deep draft. I'd suggest going another round, if not for all of the extenuating circumstances surrounding second-round picks. Plus, haven't we failed enough already?

With the last pick of our (first?) 2015 Mock Draft, I have the (world champion?) Golden State Warriors supplementing their wing depth with LSU's Jarell Martin. Listed at just over 6'9" with a short wingspan, Martin has some combo forward tendencies to his game, as a strong athlete who is still fleshing out his perimeter and post-up skills. He can score from almost any spot on the floor while not really excelling in any particular area, and is effective at getting out in transition and also in going to the basket. I would think his jump shot and general basketball IQ improve if with the Golden State organization and under head coach Steve Kerr (and assistant Ron Adams), not to mention in practicing with the Splash Brothers.

Down the line he could, conceivably, serve as Draymond Green insurance, although his game reminds me more of Harrison Barnes's at similar ages. Martin must gain consistency with his long-range stroke and defensive effort, and should be a great fit under Kerr's "space-and-screen" system (though not so much under previous coach Mark Jackson's post-based approach). The Warriors are guaranteed a talented player at #30, whether with Jarell Martin or a bigger "big" like Christian Wood or Guillermo Hernangomez. - PM