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I recently broke down the top six prospects of the upcoming 2015 NBA draft. Since it’s shaping up to be a really deep class, lets have a look at the rest of the potential lottery picks.
Mario Hezonja: 6’8 shooting guard, projected pick 5-10
This 20-year-old Croatian is a super athlete with great length for a shooting guard.
He’s a fantastic shooter who can score off the dribble or spotting up, a real threat from behind the arc. He can also handle the rock and find the open man with the pass.
Good one-one defender, size and speed allow him to guard multiple positions.
Projection and comparison: A sweet shooting offensive threat who’s also able to make a difference on the defensive end. Comparisons to Klay Thompson seem appropriate.
Justise Winslow: 6’6 shooting guard, projected pick 6-11
Winslow has been overshadowed so far this season by Duke teammate Jahlil Okafor, but he’s a great prospect in his own right.
Possesses a great combination of size and speed for a wing. A strong body allows him to finish at the rim. Also a good shooter, knocks down the three ball.
Speed and strength make him a super one on one defender. Very smart defensively, uses quick hands to pick up steals.
Projection and comparison: Players who can both shoot and defend are a hot commodity in the NBA. Winslow will make an impact immediately. Very similar to Jimmy Butler.
Willie Cauley-Stein: 7’0, centre, projected pick 7-13
Having played three years of college ball, Willie Cauley-Stein is no mystery, we know what we’re going to get. And what we’re getting is the best defender in the draft.
He offers elite rim protection, is an excellent shot blocker. What makes him unique though, is his ability to defend anyone on the floor. From centres to guards it doesn’t matter he’ll stop them all. He’s an insanely good one-on-one defender.
We also know that offensively he won’t offer as much. He is not a good shooter and has no real post moves to speak of. He can however use his athleticism to score out of the pick ‘n’ roll like a young Tyson Chandler.
Projection and comparison: Cauley-Stein will immediately be a candidate for best defensive player in the NBA. Can instantly transform a poor defence into a good one. Think Tyson Chandler in his prime.
Kristaps Porzingis: 7’0, power forward, projected pick 7-13
One of the most intriguing players in the draft with a unique set of skills.
Extremely athletic for a big man, runs up and down the floor like a guard. Very long but very thin.
Offensively gifted. Can shoot it from any where, has deep three point range. Has the tools to be an offensive wizard. Can drive to the hole, create his own shot and score in transition. Struggles to score in the post due to a lack of strength. At times has a lack of awareness on both ends of the floor.
Shows glimpses of rim protection, with the potential to be a decent shot blocker. Quick feet allows him to match up on smaller opponents. Due to a thin frame is easily pushed off rebounds and bullied in the post. At this stage is a below average defender.
Projection and comparison: Could be an elite scorer but needs to get a lot stronger to survive in the NBA. Looks like a blend between Andrea Bargnani and Dirk Nowitzki.
Kevon Looney: 6’9, power forward, projected pick 8-14
Long and wiry with a huge wingspan. A very god athlete, gets a ton of offensive rebounds due to his big leap.
Looney’s a real threat on the offensive end. A very good spot up shooter, will hit NBA three pointers. However he struggles to create shots off the dribble and doesn’t possess any post moves.
His length and athleticism is a big plus defensively, should be able to guard wings and forwards at the next level. But he’ll need to add weight and strength to guard the bigger players in the post. Also some concerns over his defensive rebounding, but that should come with added strength.
Projection and comparison: Still young, should get stronger with age. At the very least he’ll be a very effective stretch four. Offensively similar to Ryan Anderson with Lamar Odom type athleticism.
Kelly Oubre: 6’7, shooting guard, projected pick 8-14
Started the college season slowly but has made strides of late. If Oubre plays well in the NCAA tournament he could rocket up the draft boards.
Offensively does a lot of things well without excelling in one particular area. Good dribbler, can drive to the hoop and his athleticism will get him easy points in transition. Has a nice shooting stroke with NBA three point range.
Also does a lot of nice things defensively. He’s a decent one on one defender, able to use his quick hands to get steals. His speed should allow him to match up against the smaller guards in the NBA
Projection and comparison: Oubre isn’t the finished product just yet but he possesses all the tools be a great player. Could be the steal of the draft. Offensively quite similar to Gordon Hayward with the potential to be better defensively.
Montrezl Harrell 6’8 Power Forward Projected Pick 10-18
A hard working blue collar guy. Undersized but has a huge wingspan.
Limited offensively, not a terrific shooter but has the ability to knock down the mid range jumper. Great rebounder, super strong for his size. Very good defending the post and has enough speed to guard the perimeter.
Projection and comparison: Although undersized should be a force on the defensive end. Will need to improve his shot to become a star. A mix of Paul Millsap and Kenneth Faried.
Frank Kaminsky: 7’0, power forward, projected pick 14-22
With four years of college under his belt, Frank “the tank” is the finished product.
Very similar to Porzingis, both thin seven footers who can score in a variety of ways.
Kaminsky has a well rounded offensive game. Like Porzingis he can shoot it from just about anywhere. Also has some nice spin moves and has no trouble creating his own shot.
Unfortunately his defensive game also resembles Porzingis. Lacks strength to defend big powerful forwards and won’t offer much rim protection. Is quite nimble though, should be able to guard stretch fours.
Projection and comparison: There’s no doubt Kaminsky can score in the NBA. The key will be for him to land on a team that can mask his defensive deficiencies. He’s a weird mix of Andrea Bargnani and a hint of LaMarcus Aldridge.
Isaiah Taylor: 6’2, point guard, projected pick 14-24
A lightning quick, pass first point guard who can score and defend.
Quickness allows him to get to the rim, where he often finishes. Will sink some quirky looking floaters, sometimes from past the free throw line. Good dribbler and passer, will look for open teammates.
Very solid on the defensive end. Good one-on-one and team defender. At this stage he’s an inconsistent shooter and will need to improve to make it in the NBA.
Projection and comparison: Has the tools to be good but will need time to develop. If he can add the three pointer to his repertoire he’ll be dangerous. His game at this stage resembles Reggie Jackson.
This really is shaping up to be a fantastic draft with super top-end talent, while also offering great value into the mid to late rounds.
Like every draft however, it still has its risky picks. As always there will be players getting picked based on their potential rather than current skill level and some teams will get burned. Fortunately though, if your teams in the lottery odds are your getting a good player.
If ever there was a year to tank, this one could be it.
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