Andrew Wiggins is about to get his partner in crime in the front court. The Minnesota Timberwolves became the first team to win the NBA draft lottery with the best odds at the No. 1 pick since 2004, and their prize will be either Karl-Anthony Towns or Jahlil Okafor.
While Los Angeles Lakers fans around the world are rejoicing after landing the No. 2 spot, New York Knicks fans are weeping with the No. 4 pick. But each team in the top five is in a position to draft an extremely talented prospect. Here's our first mock draft of the year:
1. Minnesota Timberwolves: Karl-Anthony Towns, PF, Kentucky
Towns has the potential to be an All-Star and he even has an outside chance of becoming a transcendent player. He's long, athletic and scores in a myriad of different ways on the offensive end. He has a great handle for a big man and will likely develop into a knockdown shooter. But he's going to make his most immediate impact on the defensive end as a shot blocker patrolling the paint.
Minnesota's Pick
2. Los Angeles Lakers: Jahlil Okafor, C, Duke
This is actually an interesting slot for the Lakers, because Okafor might not be the best fit alongside Julius Randle. Neither player have shown the ability to hit jumpers or defend, but both are fantastic inside scorers. In fact, Okafor might be the best post scorer to enter the draft in years. He is only 19 years old but has advanced moves that 10-year veterans can only dream of making. Sometimes talent is all you need, and Okafor is about as safe of a pick as there is in the draft.
3. Philadelphia 76ers: D'Angelo Russell, G, Ohio State
Positional versatility is valued in the modern NBA and Russell can provide plenty of that with his ability to play both guard positions. Russell is a nifty ball handler with amazing vision thanks to his 6'5 frame -- he frequently delivered accurate passes off the dribble. But he also possesses a knockdown jumper, which could make him a threat shooting off the catch. Russell will give the 76ers the type of point guard they need, and his weaknesses on defense will be mitigated since so many athletic players surround him.
4. New York Knicks: Emmanuel Mudiay, PG, DR Congo
Maybe if Mudiay had spent the year dominating the NCAA, he'd be more hyped as an elite prospect, but he's considered a mystery by many fans after spending the year in China. Mudiay is an excellent pick-and-roll playmaker, though he must improve on his shooting. He also has wonderful potential as a defender due to his strength and lateral quickness. Knicks fans shouldn't be too depressed, because Phil Jackson might be able to trade this pick for a king's ransom.
Possible Deal?
5. Orlando Magic: Mario Hezonja, SG, Croatia
Hezonja is the type of intense competitor that seems to thrive in the NBA. The Magic drafted defensive-oriented players last season, which makes Hezonja an interesting pick here. The Croatian's style of play can sometimes be mistaken for selfishness, but he's really just that great offensively. Overseas he has showcased perfect mechanics on his jumper and the ability to drive to the cup and dunk over anyone.
6. Sacramento Kings: Willie Cauley-Stein, C, Kentucky
The Kings are under pressure to hit it big with this draft pick before they open their new stadium in 2016 and, keep the win-starved hungry DeMarcus Cousins happy. Cousins wants to play more power forward, and there no better big to pair him with than Cauley-Stein, who could be a transcendent defensive player.
7. Denver Nuggets: Justise Winslow, SF, Duke
Few players show the tenacity on the defensive end of the floor that Winslow does on a nightly basis. He's long, has a strong base and can defend multiple positions. Most important of all, he wants to shut his man down. Winslow is raw on offense, but he'll provide complementary scoring earlly in his career. He's a solid ball handler and could eventually run secondary pick-and-rolls.
8. Detroit Pistons: Kristaps Porzingis, PF, Latvia
Porzingis is the anti-Josh Smith and would fit perfectly next to Andre Drummond. Porzingis is a knockdown three-point shooter and could also develop into an effective scorer from the high post.
9. Charlotte Hornets: Myles Turner, C, Texas
Al Jefferson is now 30 years old and will be a free agent next summer, so the Hornets need to start planning ahead. They have Noah Vonleh and Cody Zeller on the roster, but neither of them could become major two-way threats like Turner. Though Turner didn't play a big role as a freshman at Texas, his combination of shot blocking and shooting bodes well for his future.
10. Miami Heat: Stanley Johnson, SF, Arizona
Miami's future is murky, with various players entering free agency and/or aging. Johnson is a high-end, versatile defensive player and provides complementary offense with his shooting and pick-and-roll play.
Draft Prospects
11. Indiana Pacers: Cameron Payne, PG, Murray State
Larry Bird has said the Pacers want to play faster and Payne could mark the beginning of a new era. George Hill is still a good point guard, but he lacks the upside that Payne has as a pick-and-roll playmaker.
12. Utah Jazz: Frank Kaminsky, PF, Wisconsin
Kaminsky is probably the ideal pick for the Jazz. The Tank will be able to stretch the floor alongside Rudy Gobert, and he can drive to the rim, score on the low post and pass like a guard. Kaminsky's defensive weaknesses will be mitigated due to the presence of Gobert.
13. Phoenix Suns: Devin Booker, SG, Kentucky
The Suns need shooting and Booker can provide plenty of it with his flawless shooting mechanics. He didn't show much else at Kentucky, but he has a high basketball IQ and measured well at the combine, which leaves open the possibility of him developing into much more than a specialist.
14. Oklahoma City Thunder: Jerian Grant, G, Notre Dame
The Thunder might've missed the playoffs, but on paper they're still stacked. They could go with a shooting specialist here, but Grant's two-way versatility likely helps them get to the next level sooner than many of the other options.
15. Atlanta Hawks: Sam Dekker, SF, Wisconsin
Dekker brings the positional versatility that Atlanta values and he works as insurance in case DeMarre Carroll bolts in free agency. Dekker might not have been consistent at Wisconsin, but it's possible that was due to role and not his mindset.
16. Boston Celtics: Bobby Portis, PF, Arkansas
The Celtics value players who can switch on pick-and-rolls and Portis excelled in that area at Arkansas. He has the lateral quickness to defend many wings and he's a solid pick-and-roll defender who plays with high intensity. Offensively he doesn't bring the same upside as some of Boston's other bigs, but he's good all-around.
17. Milwaukee Bucks: Kelly Oubre, SF, Kansas
Jason Kidd says Milwaukee will look for a perimeter shooter in the draft, which makes senses since they shot fewer than 20 threes per game. Oubre is extremely raw, but he's also super long -- something that appears to be a requirement to be a Buck.
18. Houston Rockets: Tyus Jones, PG, Duke
There probably isn't a better situation for Jones than Houston would be. Jones brings excellent leadership qualities with his clutch shooting and reliable point guard play. With Patrick Beverley entering restricted free agency, there's a chance Jones would start immediately.
19. Washington Wizards: Trey Lyles, F, Kentucky
The Wizards need to bolster their frontcourt depth with both Nene and Kris Humphries set to hit the market in 2016. Lyles would eventually provide stretch shooting at the forward position.
20. Toronto Raptors: Montrezl Harrell, C, Louisville
There's a possibility the Raptors lose the wild-limbed, energy-filled Tyler Hansbrough to free agency and Harrell could be a suitable replacement. Harrell never stops playing hard and is a stout defender.
21. Dallas Mavericks: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, SF, Arizona
Hollis-Jefferson is a stout perimeter defender with the versatility to defend multiple positions. His jumper is a major weakness, but the Mavericks have a history of helping players develop into competent shooters.
22. Chicago Bulls: Delon Wright, PG, Utah
Chicago has drafted wings two years in a row (Tony Snell and Doug McDermott) and now they need to fill other holes. With the seemingly ageless Kirk Hinrich showing signs of degradation and Aaron Brooks entering free agency, the Bulls should take a shot at Wright, who is a terrific perimeter defender and distributor on offense. His jumper is weak, but he could emphasize his strengths off the bench.
23. Portland Trail Blazers: Justin Anderson, SG, Virginia
Coming off an Achilles injury, Wesley Matthews will likely see his three-point percentages dip in 2015. Anderson is cut from the same cloth -- he has developed into a knockdown shooter goes balls to the wall on defense and is a high-character player in the locker room.
24. Cleveland Cavaliers: Kevon Looney, F, UCLA
The Cavaliers need a wing perimeter shooter, but it's hard to pass up Looney at this point. He's a terrific rebounder and has the length to develop into hard-nosed defender. Looney can also hit open threes, which could make him an immediate factor if Kevin Love opts out and signs elsewhere.
25. Memphis Grizzlies: Dakari Johnson, C, Kentucky
You have to assume the Grizzlies are in "win now or never" mode, so Johnson makes a lot of sense as a serviceable defensive-oriented center who can come in and immediately back up Marc Gasol. Johnson will never be an All-Star, but he could have a long career as a solid role player.
26. San Antonio Spurs: R.J. Hunter, SG, Georgia State
With Danny Green entering unrestricted free agency and Manu Ginobili on the verge of retirement, the Spurs will need a player who can drain threes and handle secondary ball handling duties. Hunter couldn't have come at a better time; if he falls this far he'll be a major steal.
27. Los Angeles Lakers: Christian Wood, PF, UNLV
The Lakers already have Randle at power forward, but they need to try and hit a homerun. If Wood develops, he could fit alongside Randle on offense a three-point shooter, and he also projects as a much better defender. Wood is raw, but so are the Lakers, who could give him the playing time to work out the kinks and develop.
28. Boston Celtics: Robert Upshaw, C, Washington
Upshaw has a slim chance of succeeding with major off-court problems that shouldn't be underestimated, but the Celtics have enough picks that will allow them to feel comfortable taking a crack at him. No player at this point of the draft has the upside he does, with elite rim protection, rebounding and a developing offensive skillset.
29. Brooklyn Nets: Timothe Luwawu, SF, France
It's not a good feeling when you look in your wallet and see only loose change in there. That's how the Nets feel when they look at their future draft picks. Luwawu might not be ready, but he projects as a 3-and-D player who could give the Nets a greater return on their investment when he comes to the NBA in the future.
30. Golden State Warriors: Michael Frazier, SG, Florida
The Warriors are stacked, so they can afford to draft by team need. Surprisingly, something they need is perimeter shooting off the bench. Frazier is one of the draft's best shooters, with his ability to race through mazes of screens and spot up. And as a bonus, he's the type of guy who wants to defend at a high level.
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