The 2015 NBA Draft is upon us, and with it brings uncertainty and frenzy as bottomfeeders struggle to find their next superstar and contenders acquire talent on cheap, late 1st contracts.
Here is how I expect the draft to more-or-less go:
| 1 | Minnesota Timberwolves | Karl-Anthony “Funky” Towns | Pretty much set in stone |
| 2 | Los Angeles Lakers | Jahlil Okafor | Sacramento seems to be holding out on trading Cousins to the Lakers, perhaps because they havent reached an agreement, or perhaps because this is a Dan Fegan production (sequel to Dwightpocalypse) and is not indicative of actual front office unrest. |
| 3 | Philadelphia 76ers | D’Angelo Russell | Pretty much set in stone |
| 4 | New York Knicks | Kristaps Porzingis | New York seems very high on him or Kaminsky, via reports from Broussard and Stein |
| 5 | Orlando Magic | Justise Winslow | Would be a solid piece next to Vucevic, Payton, and Oladipo, should develop into a solid defensive player on a team that consistently drafts well. |
| 6 | Sacramento Kings | Emmanuel Mudiay | Sacramento needs a star PG, and Ranadive seems to be deferring decisions a bit more this time around (STAUSKAS?). Pairing Mudiay, Gay, and Cousins would be a solid effort at rebuilding. The caveat is *if* Mudiay falls out of the top 5 |
| 7 | Denver Nuggets | Mario Hezonja | This is the best available player on the board that the Nuggets could still build around without blowing too much up and getting rid of Lawson/Gallinari. A Mudiay or an SF would also fit well. |
| 8 | Detroit Pistons | Stanley Johnson | The Pistons need a reliable Forward with their woes with Josh Smith and with Monroe a UFA, it would be smart to group the 1, 3, and 5 (Jackson, Johnson, Drummond) |
| 9 | Charlotte Hornets | Frank Kaminsky | As long as Kristaps is taken by the Knicks, the sudden rise of Kaminsky’s stock should fall, as sources suggest Phil Jackson’s praise of Kaminsky is a smokescreen for others to waste time on him. |
| 10 | Miami Heat | Devin Booker | The Heat need a reliable backup in the backcourt behind Dragic/Wade if they return. Devin Booker would fit the Wade backup nicely (he is more likely to leave) and Cameron Payne is another choice |
| 11 | Indiana Pacers | Trey Lyles | Replacement for David West/backup for him |
| 12 | Utah Jazz | Willie Cauley-Stein | Brings frontcourt depth and versatility |
| 13 | Phoenix Suns | Myles Turner | Center Depth for Alex Len. |
| 14 | Oklahoma City Thunder | Cameron Payne | Steal as a backup or even 6th man as he develops |
| 15 | Atlanta Hawks | Kelly Oubre Jr. | Would soften the blow of losing Vucevic |
| 16 | Boston Celtics | Bobby Portis | Physical tools and energy guy would work well with Celtics’ young core |
| 17 | Milwaukee Bucks | Rondae Hollis-Jefferson | A more consistent shooter than even Giannis. |
| 18 | Houston Rockets | Tyus Jones | Brings shooting for Rockets backcourt |
| 19 | Washington Wizards | Delon Wright | Solid court vision helps second unit and smaller rotations especially |
| 20 | Toronto Raptors | Sam Dekker | An absolute steal and would soften the blow of trading DeMar Derozan |
| 21 | Dallas Mavericks | RJ Hunter | Very nice shooting, good potential, surround wings with shooters to assist in Carlsile’s offense |
| 22 | Chicago Bulls | Rashad Vaughn | Backs up Jimmy Butler (assuming he is retained) |
| 23 | Portland Trail Blazers | Jarell Martin | Wing/4 depth in case LMA leaves for SAS, DAL, or LAL |
| 24 | Cleveland Cavaliers | Montrezl Harrell | Could help to avoid paying Tristan Thompson $20 million |
| 25 | Memphis Grizzlies | Jonathan Holmes | Solid size. |
| 26 | San Antonio Spurs | Justin Anderson | Spurs fit |
| 27 | Los Angeles Lakers | Jerian Grant | Crafty Scorer. Real Steal. Negated if LAL surprises with pick #2 |
| 28 | Boston Celtics | Kevon Looney | Size at the 4. |
| 29 | Brooklyn Nets | Terry Rozier | bargain for late 1st round PG, helps feed Joe Johnson |
| 30 | Golden State Warriors | Chris McCullough | Replace David Lee when traded |