The NBA Draft is always about the lottery. Heading into the 2015 NBA Draft, no one will be thinking otherwise. The top players get plucked off of the draft board within the top-10 and we rarely see a truly elite prospect suffer a free fall down the first round. It does happen and can produce major value for the lucky NBA teams to snatch them up, but the elite talent usually speaks for itself: if you’re scouted as a potential future NBA star, you’re generally drafted like one, too.
Needless to say, it’s our duty to pay mind to which teams are in the lottery (the top 14 slots), what their main needs are, and which players are ranked in a manner that they might hear their name called in the first 14 picks. Of course, team needs can often throw a wrench in what we perceived to be accurate player stock. To get an idea as to which players we can safely expect to be taken in this year’s lottery, regardless of the eventual draft order, let’s break down the top 10 locks that should be drafted in the first half of round one on June 25th:
1. Karl-Anthony Towns, C, Kentucky
Towns is a bit of a freak. He’s not necessarily the most amazing athlete in the world, but for a 7-footer with his size and strength, well, he actually kind of is. Incredibly light-footed and nimble, Towns floats around the paint and can make buckets within five feet look simply effortless. He’s also a solid defender that can block and alter shots on a regular basis. Kentucky always seems to hold their top talents back due to amazing depth and that was somewhat the case with Towns. He should be unleashed at the NBA level and could quickly prove why he’s arguably the top overall prospect.
Likely suitors: Lakers, Knicks, Timberwolves
2. Jahlil Okafor, C, Duke
Okafor comes in just behind Towns, simply because he’s not quite as gifted physically. He might be the more NBA-ready player as we speak, though, due to ridiculous post footwork and a versatile set of go-to moves around the basket. He truly is a very refined post player and is tough to stop on offense, whether he’s going at you with his face-up game or backing you down. It’s his defense that will need work, as Okafor is not a big shot-blocker and he can commit lazy fouls. Despite that, teams are going to fall in love with his post game and ability to get easy points at will from day one.
Likely suitors: Lakers, Knicks, Timberwolves
3. Emmanuel Mudiay, PG, Congo
Mudiay is an interesting case, as he’s been playing pro ball over in China for the past year and has flashed NBA ability when it comes to his athleticism and play-making ability. He has the makings of a very special point guard given his size, vision and flash, but he needs to work on his control and refine his shooting and shot selection. He might be a bit of a project initially, but he’s absolutely one worth taking on.
Likely suitors: Lakers, Knicks, 76ers
4. Justise Winslow, G/F, Duke
It’s all about consistency with Winslow, who 100% has the physical ability and talent to develop into a mega star at the next level. He just needs to work on his focus, awareness and control. Winslow quickly turned into a go-to guy during Duke’s wild run to a national title this past season and already packs a punch as an elite athlete and reliable shooter. Now that we know he has that killer instinct, as well, he’s a near-lock for the top-five.
Likely suitors: Magic, Kings, Lakers
5. Stanley Johnson, SF, Arizona
Johnson is a very interesting prospect considering he’s already such a solid scorer despite not having a completely polished game. That’s fine, too, consider he’s still so young and just busting with potential. Johnson was a tremendous impact player in his first season with Arizona last year and displayed a highly versatile skill-set and NBA-level athleticism. The best part of his game is the fact that he’s a two-way player that seems tireless on the court.
Likely suitors: Magic, Hornets, Lakers
6. Trey Lyles, PF, Kentucky
Notice a trend? Kentucky had a lot of really good players and Lyles is one of their better players you rarely hear about. He made his presence known during March Madness by taking over in spurts and brings elite versatility to the table. Lyles was held back by a heavy rotation and loads of talent on the Wildcats’ roster, but he’s a highly skilled player with great size and athleticism for the NBA four spot. His main knock is being more of a “jack of all trades” but that’s really not such a bad thing.
Likely suitors: Kings, Pistons, Hornets
7. Willie Cauley-Stein, C, Kentucky
Think DeAndre Jordan or Rudy Gobert when you think of Cauley-Stein’s upside. He’s pretty limited offensively at this point and may never develop into a top shelf post presence, but the kid is an elite defensive presence when it comes to cleaning the glass and swatting shots. He’s a man amongst boys thanks to elite size and length and may just need to pack on a little more muscle to be a true force at the highest level.
Likely suitors: Pacers, Lakers, Knicks
8. D’Angelo Russell, SG, Ohio State
Russell didn’t look amazing during his NCAA tourney run this year, but it’s not always easy to look awesome when you’re mostly a one-man wrecking crew. Russell was just that for much of the 2014-15 college basketball season, as he was lights out from beyond the arc and was an extremely prolific scorer for being a freshman. Russell lacks elite athleticism but projects as a solid scorer and elite spot-up threat. He even offers some versatility that could have some teams using his size and play-making ability at the point. If he can prove he can play both the one and the two at the highest level, his draft value only increases.
Likely suitors: 76ers, Knicks, Heat
9. Kristaps Porzingis, F/C, Latvia
Never heard of Porzingis? Color yourself normal. While he’s far from a household name and may not be for a while, he has the makings of a legit NBA center and is going to be on everyone’s radar. Porzingis is an extremely efficient offensive player that can hit shots all the way out to the three-point line. His issues lie in strength and inside presence, were he’s quite raw. That being said, he’s a true 7-footer with room to build out into a beast for the right team.
Likely suitors: Pacers, Lakers, Knicks
10. Sam Dekker, G/F, Wisconsin
Mario Hezonja is a very similar player and could be argued into this final slot, too, as can Dekker’s more popular Badgers teammate, Frank “The Tank” Kaminsky. However, Dekker really turned up his draft stock with a killer March Madness run, and despite flaming out in the title game, he showed he has the goods to be a highly effective wing player at the next level. He’s probably a little more versatile than Hezonja and also has the athleticism and explosiveness to be a two-way player in the NBA. Already blessed with a solid handle and top flight outside shot, Dekker’s value rests in his ability to make an impact from day one. When you get down to the 10th guy in a lottery list it gets a little dicey, but if Dekker doesn’t find himself somewhere in the lottery this year, it’d be a mild shock.
Likely suitors: Thunder, Suns, Pacers
Think we missed a key guy that’s a lock to be taken in this year’s lottery? Let us know in the comments below!
*Photo courtesy of nbacrunchtime.com
