Here is our latest and final top-five mock for the 2015 NBA Draft. Whatever the New York Knicks do, we anticipate craziness.
By Robby Sabo
What’ll go down tonight is anybody’s best guess.
One thing we do know, is that trade talk within The Association is heating up and the Portland Trail Blazers have fired the first salvo.
Portland just traded Nicolas Batum to the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for Gerald Henderson and Noah Vonleh.
Furthermore, the whirlwind of discussion surrounding Sacramento Kings temperamental big-man DeMarcus Cousins is continuing to be thrown at us hard. The Los Angeles Lakers are leading the way to land the talented low-block presence.
We think we know who’s going No. 1 overall to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Aside from that, We’ll have to wait for tonight to officially go down.
The New York Knicks, of course, hold the No. 4 selection. And because it’s Phil Jackson’s greatest chance to set this team up for future success, we’re all listing reasons for how they’ll screw it up this time.
D’Angelo Russell, Emmanuel Mudiay, Jahlil Okafor, Justise Winslow or even Frank Kaminsky – who’s going to be donning the Knicks uniform come fall?
Here is our last 2015 NBA Mock Draft (Top 5) before it officially goes down tonight:
1. Minnesota Timberwolves – Karl-Anthony Towns
This is the only real certainty of the 2015 NBA Draft, as the Minnesota Timberwolves have already informed Karl-Anthony Towns that he will, indeed, be the No. 1 overall pick, via Adam Zagoria.
The former Kentucky 19-year old big-man has an immense amount of potential in that 6’11” frame of his.
Not only does Towns have a ready-made NBA low-post game, but he can shoot the rock. Everything about his offensive game is loved by NBA execs, and the reason he flew past Jahlil Okafor has everything to do with this shooting prowess and active body that can fill out.
The T-Wolves will be plenty happy to have this guy to build around for the next decade.
2. Los Angeles Lakers – D’Angelo Russell
If there’s one team who holds all the cards in this draft, it’s the Los Angeles Lakers. Still, nobody knows what Showtime will do.
Jahlil Okafor is, of course, a real possibility, as most believe he’ll be the pick here. However, Magic Johnson is very fond of the Ohio State point-guard, so the thinking that D’Angelo Russell will be heading to L.A. is now prevalent.
The continuing trade talk surrounding DeMarcus Cousins and the Sacramento Kings is also now putting a twist on this selection.
Due to the NBA rule that teams cannot trade consecutive first-round picks, if the Lakers want to acquire Cousins they’ll have to make their pick and trade the player instead of trading the pick.
In any event, I have a feeling Magic Johnson’s sentiment for Russell will win out.
3. Philadelphia 76ers – Kristaps Porzingis
Adam Schein of Schein on Sports on Mad Dog Radio, Sirius/XM, pulled off the statement of the century on Wednesday.
“It feels like Kristaps Porzingis was put on this Earth to be drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers at No. 3 in the 2015 NBA Draft.”
Spot on.
When it comes to the 76ers, Porzingis just fits the bill. Not because of his talents and incredible Dirk Nowitzki-like upside, but because this organization doesn’t know what the hell their doing.
It seems they bring in a new franchise player each season only to rid themselves of that guy a couple of seasons later.
Could Porzingis be the next, new franchise player for Philly?
4. New York Knicks – Jahlil Okafor
In classic New York Knicks fashion, the guy that we all think Phil Jackson wanted, will fall to him after they originally thought they missed out in the NBA Lottery due to the revealing they’d draft No. 4.
First, we all figured Towns or Jahlil Okafor would be heading to New York. Then, dropping to No. 4 allowed us to think it was an uncertainty. Now, due to the incredible rise of Kristaps Porzingis and D’Angelo Russell, Okafor will fall in the lap of Jackson.
Personally, I’d much rather see the Knicks bring in a guy who fits the new-NBA mold, such as Russell or Justise Winslow. Okafor cannot guard the pick and roll. He’s not just poor with it, he’s a downright disaster.
In today’s game of free-flowing offense and run and gun shooting, I feel Okafor will turn out to be a bit of a disappointment. He’ll be solid offensively, but not good enough in other areas that’ll force him to be much less than a franchise building block.
5. Orlando Magic – Justise Winslow
The other Duke player, the guy I’d personally love to see the Knicks draft, Justise Winslow, will be heading to the Orlando Magic.
Winslow’s all-around brilliance is what’ll make him such a great pro. He’s basketball IQ is higher than just about anyone in the draft, which allows him to fit into any situation.
We saw it last March as his team took the 2015 National Championship.
When Jahlil Okafor was on the floor, Winslow played the role of lock-down defender and hustle man. When Okafor was off the floor, he instantly turned into a scorer.
The one aspect of his game that we’re still wondering about his is handle. Still, his game is so suited as a No. 2 guy to build around on a very good NBA team.