2015 NBA Mock Draft - Version 2

Karl-Anthony Towns, tremendous photobombing potential

After last week’s original version of our NBA Mock Draft, Chris and I knew we had to switch things up a bit. The first detail to change was our draft order, with Chris now taking the even-numbered picks and me on the odds. The only directive we exchanged was to be different. What that meant exactly is still up for interpretation, and to which I battled with in my first selection. Instead of choosing the opposite of whoever Chris picked, I used it as a tiebreaker but went with my original thoughts and tried to evaluate the most recent rumors that have been circulating among NBA circles. Like I explained last week, our sources still aren’t returning our phone calls and I’m afraid Chris and I can’t offer any original insight into draft philosophies. But we tried to have fun with our second version of the Mock and talk about as many prospects as we could within the framework of the first round. 

I’m up.

1.) Minnesota Timberwolves

Karl-Anthony Towns  

Thus begins the very first issue of our second mock draft: to go different for the team or different for ourselves. I've already discussed Jahlil Okafor in relation to the Los Angeles Lakers in Version 1, and while he would present a departure from your pick of Karl-Anthony Towns to the Timberwolves, I'm doubtful that Minnesota lets Towns slide to #2. I suppose there's a chance that D'Angelo Russell is in play for the first overall selection, at least with the recent workout news; I'm just not ready to accept it as a realistic option, with Towns (or Okafor) ranking as the consensus top choice since the preseason. Wolves fans deserve to root for that super athletic core that you mentioned last week; we'll have to see if Flip Saunders can give the people what they want.

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.

Episode 031 - NBA Draft Recap

Chris and Paul recap the entire 2014 NBA Draft.

The Pick N Popcast's 2014 NBA Mock Draft

Just in time.  Here's all 30 picks:

Note: Mitchell's comments in blue.
            Chris' comments in red.

1. Cleveland Cavaliers Joel Embiid
   Sigh. Should be Wiggins, now. Jabari/Kyrie/Dion can’t play together.
   Such a shame.
2. Milwaukee Bucks   Jabari Parker    

    Turned out to be the perfect spot at # 2.  Jabari seems to want to go there.  A reason to watch the Bucks next year.
    Still love it and so does Jabari. Bucks need to build a franchise, starts with Jabari.

3. Philadelphia 76ers Andrew Wiggins
   Sorry 76ers fans but no chance now. Exum is most interesting. Embiid most likely.
   Sixers just couldn't get a deal done.  I liked Wiggins in Philly (the city) too.
4. Orlando MagicDante Exum

The more I hear about him, the more excited I am to see him play.  Exum-Oladipo backcourt will be so intriguing.

Orlando’s in the worst spot in this draft now. Was so happy to build this roster too. Smart?

5. Utah JazzAaron Gordon
   Great fit but Utah needs impact player as bad as Bucks. I’d move Favors for one.
   At this point, totally unsure what Utah does. Should have made a move for Jabari I think.
   
   
6. Boston Celtics Julius Randle

    Definitely an upgrade over Sullinger.  He’s become underrated at this point, Embiid is definitely an option though.
    I’m still in favor of this. Get buckets. Embiid’s floor (I hope!).

7. Los Angeles LakersNoah Vonleh
   Bad fit with Lakers, wish they pulled off my Afflalo trade. Loved Adreian Payne with them at #12 to play with Kobe.
   In retrospect, Kobe might murder Vonleh's dreams.  
8. Sacramento KingsMarcus Smart

    I still say the Kings trade out, but I do think Sacramento fans would LOVE Smart by the end of the year.
    Make this pick before I talk myself into Elfrid Payton. His range starts here.

9. Charlotte Hornets (from Detroit)Nik Stauskas
   Jealous of Hornets fans right now. No joke.
   Nik Stauskas for Rookie of the Year!!
10. Philadelphia (from New Orleans)Dario Saric

    He reminds me of Kevin Durant without the shooting ability.  Incredibly rare to be that tall and long with that type of handle.  Sixers continue to collect assets.
    Could still work but tough to end up with Embiid & Saric. Long-term pick regardless.

11. Denver NuggetsGary Harris
    Probably not after Afflalo trade but nailed team need at 2 guard. Nurkic? 
    Another big wild card in the draft.  I could see them stashing, Nurkic makes sense.
12. Orlando Magic (from New York via Denver)Adreian Payne(going to trade Afflalo & #12 to LAL for #7)

    Magic get their prospect and Lakers get two guys who’ll have an impact.  Best case scenario for Lakers.  Sorry Lakers fans.... haha.    I don’t want to talk about it...

13. Minnesota Timberwolves Doug McDermott
    This is the earliest I can see him going. Rotation player right away.
    I wonder if McDermott turns out to be really good.  I can't picture it, but I'll root for it.
14. Phoenix Suns James Young

Can run the floor, be long, and (hopefully) knock down outside shots for the Suns.  Great fit.
            Tough pick for me. Could be Nurkic and Hood at #18 instead.

15. Atlanta HawksZach LaVine
    Insane athleticism but 10 points over last 5 games is tough. Upside pick.
    Totally upside.  Kind of un-Hawks-ish.  I think that's why I like it.
16. Chicago Bulls (from Charlotte)Elfrid Payton

Could be a steal.  It doesn’t seem like he’ll last this long, but PGs are like RBs in NFL, only so many teams need one, the market is almost saturated.
    So glad I got to talk about Elfrid.

17. Boston Celtics (from Brooklyn)Jusuf Nurkic
    I’m having Vitor Faverani flashbacks. Hoping for some shooting here.
    Come on.  He's better than that, no?  Ok, you're right.  We have no idea.
18. Phoenix (from Washington)Clint Capela

    It seems like a stash guy, but Capela may come over.  Either way it makes sense though.  A defensive big would be valuable for the Suns.  
    Feel pretty comfortable with this pick.

19. Chicago BullsT J Warren
    Get buckets, young fella. The Bulls need it.
     Yes sir!
20. Toronto RaptorsTyler Ennis

    Hometown kid.  It looked like it made sense all along, but Ennis may be slipping and I can’t say I’m surprised.  Not sure about him.
    Lazy pick but he can run an offense. Definitely not a workout guy.

21. Oklahoma City (from Dallas via Houston & Lakers)Rodney Hood
    Sploosh. 
    OKC will get a player at 21.
22. Memphis GrizzliesP.J. Hairston

    This pick now belongs to Toronto and the rumor is Capela.  Would definitely fill a need for Toronto.  Had Memphis picked, this makes perfect sense.
    Wow, Memphis paid to unload Prince. I have Capela gone so could be Stokes or Anderson instead.

23. Utah Jazz (from Golden State)Kyle Anderson
    Kyle to Gordon alley-oops. More sploosh.
    Yes sir again!
24. Charlotte Hornets (from Portland)Jarnell Stokes

    As Mitchell mentioned, Chad Ford reported McGary here.  Same role, but I like McGary better.  I think he’s a bigger, stronger (therefore actually intimidating) version of Hansbrough.
    Hornets need a big but McGary promise is underreported. Bench bigs either way. Not a fan of back injuries.

25. Houston RocketsShabazz Napier   
    Not a Napier fan (as I wasn’t a Kemba fan either), Houston needs athletes who defend. Maybe McDaniels?
    McDaniels would be a great fit.  Could totally hide Harden with his perimeter D.
26. Miami HeatSpencer Dinwiddie
    Been waiting on this and didn’t disappoint. Napier is too Norris Cole-ian. Take a risk.
    Better scenario is Miami trading down and grabbing him at 35-40.
27. Phoenix Suns (from Indiana)K.J. McDaniels
    Love this pick. Needs polishing but pure ath-a-lete in fast-break offense.
    Combine McDaniels and Gerald Green and you have the ultimate wing.
28. Los Angeles ClippersPatric Young

    Clippers need depth up front.  About a year ago Young was thought of as a lottery pick.  One of the strongest players in the draft.  Enforcer for Blake.
    Toughest pick in the draft, for me. Solid player who should go first round.

29. Oklahoma City ThunderWalter Tavares

    BIG body.  Could be a stash guy.  I could see the Thunder looking to replace some Perkins minutes once he’s amnestied (assuming he is).
    I may or may not have caught feelings for Walter and a certain Mr. Adams. Swoon.

30. San Antonio SpursJordan Adams

    Mitchell loves this matchup as much as I love Stauskas to Charlotte.  Adams is probably a steal at this point.  With the depth of this draft though, Spurs are bound to scoop up talent that falls.

    We saw how Spurs developed Kawhi and his defensive instincts, would love to take chance on Jordan’s offensive instincts.

#30 - San Antonio Spurs

Stephen Dunn/ Getty Images

What I’d Do:

Jordan Adams – UCLA

6’5” (6’10” wingspan), 209 lbs., 07/08/1994 (19 years old)

Should we really be bothering the San Antonio Spurs already? Can’t we give general manager R.C. Buford and head coach Gregg Popovich a chance to go on vacation without bothering them with trivialities like the NBA Draft?

Would you believe the Spurs have never drafted 30th in the Tim Duncan era? I thought for sure they finished with the NBA’s best record at least once in Timmy’s 17 seasons but no; the Spurs settled for one pick at #29 (guard Cory Joseph in 2011) and six times selecting 28th (including future-Finals MVP Tony Parker in ‘01).

#29 - Oklahoma City Thunder

Photo found at basketexpress.net

Walter Tavares – Cape Verde

7’3” (7’9” wingspan), 265 lbs., 03/22/1992 (22 years old)

Walter Tavares is far from your average freakishly huge, potential-stiff of a big man. If he ever comes over to the league he’ll be a walking dunk-prop and will have the infamous target on his back, as happens with every no doubt seven footer. I really wanted to make the Hasheem Thabeet comparisons when I first saw Tavares on video, and giggled a little when I saw him run, but he’s actually pretty agile for someone that gigantic and I’m a fan of him to the Oklahoma City Thunder at pick #29.

#28 - Los Angeles Clippers

Photo found at imagesslide.com

What I’d Do:

Patric Young – Florida

6’10” (7’1.75” wingspan), 247 lbs., 02/01/1992 (22 years old)

There is maybe no better candidate for me to write a three thousand word essay on their season and plans this offseason than the Los Angeles Clippers. I assure you, however, I’m way too tired from writing up the rest of these teams to dive into the Clippers’ chaotic last couple of months, and the finish line is in sight.

# 27 - Phoenix Suns

photo credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

What I’d Do:

K.J. McDaniels - Clemson

6’6” (6’11” wingspan!!), 196 lbs, 2/9/1993 (21 years old)

Paul George:     6’9” w/     6’11”     wingspan.

Tony Allen:     6’4” w/     6’9”     wingspan.

To me, K. J. McDaniels is the ideal size as a wing defender and that's his specialty.  This is a perfect fit in Phoenix (Mitchell already wrote about Phoenix and their situation here at # 14 and here at # 18). It’s probably unlikely the Suns keep all three first rounders, but if they do stash a guy like Capela at 18 it raises those chances.  Assuming Eric Bledsoe returns, I can just imagine Bledsoe, Dragic, and McDaniels going full 1990’s Arkansas ‘40 Minutes of Hell’ on the league.  

The upside is that McDaniels, although inconsistent in college, has the upside to develop that outside shot.  He could be the ideal 3 and D guy in this draft if that shot develops.  He’s a good finisher, great free throw shooter (which makes you think he has promise) and defends well for his size.  He played mostly 3 in college but could probably play and defend either wing position in the pros.  I think he just gives Phoenix lots of defensive versatility on the perimeter.

What They Will Do:

Even if they stash a guy at # 14 or # 18 they could end up moving this pick.  Chad Ford has them taking Capela here at # 27 (he has them taking Rodney Hood at # 18) and the Heat stealing McDaniels one spot before.  So much has to do with who is available at this point in the draft.  There are rotation players to be had though.  A lot might depend on how they feel about some of their free agents as well.  It seems P.J. Tucker may be headed to a new home.  If they don’t think they can get a Bledsoe deal done, that may change, and it would drastically alter their draft day strategy.

Crazy Draft Day Trade:

Phoenix has the roster flexibility here to do some crazy things.  This is really crazy:  A Greg Monroe - Eric Bledsoe double sign and trade.  I’m not even sure that’s a thing under the CBA (although I feel like it is possible under the rules, but almost impossible to get done).  I could get behind that.  That would tie up some of their cap space, but they’d have plenty of other assets to make another move if they want to.  Monroe might be better suited for a slower paced team, but a franchise big would be a nice catch for Phoenix.  

As far as Detroit, I feel like SVG would love Bledsoe.  Although, I am actually a bit curious to see Brandon Jennings for one year under SVG.  I feel like he could make some strides.