2015 NBA Mock Draft: Another Perspective

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Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

With the lottery not yet being set, there remains a lot of uncertainty when it comes to the NBA Draft. Teams are still attempting to out-tank one another, while others are hoping to slide into the playoffs rather than have their seasons cut short. Even so, it’s never too early to look at potential fits for players and teams, which is what mock drafts are all about.

For this mock draft, I took team needs, as well as player potential and age, into consideration. If I felt like a team has no particular fit, I went with the best player available. It’s why Sam Dekker finds himself in the lottery, while his All-American teammate Frank Kaminsky is lucky to make it out of the first round.

There are some picks that will stand out. In comparison to our February mock draft, many players have fallen. However, for the most part, my big board and mock draft agree with the talent distribution across the board.

I did not add any analysis on purpose — I wait to do that until after the tournament. If you have any comments or questions, however, you can comment below or find me on Twitter. I’d be happy to answer anything that raises your eyebrows.

These standings are as of March 7, 2015.

1. New York Knicks: Karl-Anthony Towns (Kentucky)

2. Philadelphia 76ers: D’Angelo Russell (Ohio State)

3. Minnesota Timberwolves: Jahlil Okafor (Duke)

4. Los Angeles Lakers: Willie Cauley-Stein (Kentucky)

5. Orlando Magic: Kristaps Porzingis (International)

6. Sacramento Kings: Emmanuel Mudiay (International)

7. Denver Nuggets: Mario Hezonja (International)

8. Detroit Pistons: Stanley Johnson (Arizona)

9. Utah Jazz: Myles Turner (Texas)

10. Boston Celtics: Kelly Oubre (Kansas)

11. Atlanta Hawks (via Brooklyn Nets): Justise Winslow (Duke)

12. Philadelphia 76ers (via Miami Heat): Sam Dekker (Wisconsin)

13. Phoenix Suns: Bobby Portis (Arkansas)

14. Houston Rockets (via New Orleans Pelicans): Jerian Grant (Notre Dame)

15. Indiana Pacers: Devin Booker (Kentucky)

16. Charlotte Hornets: Kris Dunn (Providence)

17. Milwaukee Bucks: Justin Anderson (Virginia)

18. Oklahoma City Thunder: Kevon Looney (UCLA)

19. Washington Wizards: Trey Lyles (Kentucky)

20. Chicago Bulls (via Cleveland Cavaliers): Delon Wright (Utah)

21. Toronto Raptors: Jakob Poetl (Utah)

22. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Chicago Bulls): Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (Arizona)

23. San Antonio Spurs: R.J. Hunter (Georgia State)

24. Dallas Mavericks: Christian Wood (UNLV)

25. Boston Celtics (via Los Angeles Clippers): Robert Upshaw (Washington)

26. Los Angeles Lakers (via Houston Rockets): Norman Powell (UCLA)

27. Portland Trailblazers: Cliff Alexander (Kansas)

28. Memphis Grizzlies: Tyus Jones (Duke)

29. Golden State Warriors: Montrezl Harrell (Louisville)

30. Brooklyn Nets (via Atlanta Hawks): Frank Kaminsky (Wisconsin)