2015 NBA Mock Draft: Jahlil Okafor to Knicks, Emmanuel Mudiay to Lakers

1. New York – Jahil Okafor, C Duke – Regarded as the best player in this year’s NBA Draft by most. Whoever ends up with this pick is probably taking Okafor.

2. Philadelphia – D’Angelo Russell, PG/SG Ohio State – After trading away their point guard this season, the Sixers can grab one of the best collegiate guards this year in Russell.

3. Minnesota – Karl-Anthony Towns, C Kentucky – Is center the biggest need in Minnesota? No. But if Philly passes up on this talent, Minnesota won’t. There’s always an asset in a big man.

4. L.A. Lakers – Emmanuel Mudiay, PG international – Rajon Rondo who? Just kidding. The Lakers can draft the young Mudiay and still sign Rondo, seeing as the two are at different points in their careers.

5. Orlando – Stanley Johnson, SF Arizona – With the chance Tobias Harris ends up on another team after this season, the Magic would be smart to draft another swingman – and Johnson is the best one out there.

6. Sacramento – Myles Turner, PF Texas – Assuming the Kings don’t screw things up with DeMarcus Cousins, they won’t need a center for a long time. But they could use somebody next to him.

7. Denver – Mario Hezonja, SG/SF international – The Nuggets need just about everything, and while not a ton is known about Hezonja, scouts say he can shoot from all over.

8. Detroit – Kelly Oubre Jr. SF Kansas – The Pistons are currently starting Tayshaun Prince at small forward. Ten years ago this was fine. Not so much anymore.

9. Atlanta – Justise Winslow, SF Duke – It’s almost unfair that the Hawks get a lottery pick, but they’ll gladly take Winslow at this spot, who has played well on both ends for Duke.

10. Boston – Willie Cauley-Stein, C Kentucky – If Cauley-Stein is there for the Celtics, it’s hard to imagine they’d pass up on the center. It’s been what they’ve needed for some time, and much harder to grab in free agency.

11. Utah – Kristaps Porzingis, PF international – Porzingis is one of those really tall dudes who can move a lot better than most his size. He withdrew out of last year’s draft and could climb in this year’s.

12. Philadelphia – Kevon Looney, PF UCLA – Philly is in “best player available mode” here, and with Looney they give themselves another young, big guy.

13. Phoenix – Montrezl Harrell, PF Louisville – They could use another point guard, but it feels like a reach here. Harrell is that player who is going to work harder than the next guy out there.

14. Houston – Tyus Jones, PG Duke – The Rockets may not get Patrick Beverley back next season, and Jones will certainly have a future in the NBA. It could be a match.

15. Charlotte – Devin Booker, SG Kentucky – The kid can shoot, and the Hornets could certainly use another scorer on their team.

16. Indiana – Justin Anderson SG Virgina – A bit older than others in his draft class, Anderson has come on this season and could help the Pacers next year.

17. Milwaukee – Bobby Portis, PF Arkansas – The Bucks could use another big man down low after releasing Larry Sanders.

18. Oklahoma City – Jerian Grant, PG Notre Dame – We don’t expect Grant to unseat Russell Westbrook, but it’s nice to develop a backup.

19. Washington – Trey Lyles, PF Kentucky – When it comes to the power forward spot, the Wizards don’t have anybody being groomed for it longterm. Lyles could change that,

20. Chicago – Delon Wright, G/F Utah – He’s the best player on the board, one of the best players in college basketball, and the Bulls need Jimmy Butler insurance.

21. Toronto – Christian Wood, PF UNLV – Toronto is set in the backcourt, but could use some young blood at the power forward spot. Wood isn’t built like a bulldozer, but someone who can stretch the floor.

22. Cleveland – RJ Hunter, SG Georgia St – After dealing away Dion Waiters, the Cavs can restock Hunter. A down season could make him a steal if he finds his shot in the NBA.

23. San Antonio – Frank Kaminsky, C Wisconsin – Strong offensive player down low, not so much defensively. But Gregg Popovich can make this work.

24. Dallas – Kris Dunn, PG Dallas – With the way things look in Dallas with Rajon Rondo, it might be a good idea to draft a point guard.

25. Boston – Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, SF Arizona – I think the Celtics would be smart to take a swingman at this spot if they do end up grabbing a center earlier in the draft.

26. Portland – Domantas Sabonis, PF Gonzaga – The Blazers have some questions heading into the offseason with the backcourt, though the plan is to re-sign LaMarcus Aldridge. And come on, another Sabonis in Portland makes too much sense.

27. L.A. Lakers – Damian Jones, PF/C Vanderbilt – The Lakers need some kind of inside presence, and Jones is one of the better big men left on the board.

28. Memphis – Sam Dekker, SF Wisconsin – Jeff Green was traded over to Memphis during the season, but there’s no reason to believe he’s going to stick around. A swingman is needed.

29. Brooklyn – Caris LeVert, Michigan – Lots of potential here for this rather large guard, standing at 6-foot-7, and a season-ending foot injury could give him great value to Brooklyn if he declares.

30. Golden State – Cliff Alexander, PF Arizona – They obviously don’t need guards, though their frontcourt could use some youth, especially if Draymond Green leaves.