It's our own personal mock draft! Who does the At The Hive staff think is getting taken where?
The Charlotte Hornets aren't the only team making picks in the 2015 NBA draft, and that's why we asked the At The Hive staff to make their own personal picks for this year's draft. This mock will only cover the first round. So who's going where? Lets find out!
Minnesota Timberwolves
Tucker Warner: Karl-Anthony Towns (Kentucky)
At this point, I'd be pretty surprised if Minnesota went with anyone except Karl-Anthony Towns, who seems to have the best combination of current ability and potential of any player in the draft.
Russell Varner: Karl-Anthony Towns (Kentucky)
Karl-Anthony Towns’ athleticism and potential is too much for Minnesota to pass up on. Plus, combining him with Anthony Wiggins? That’ll be a fun team to watch.
Nick Denning: Karl-Anthony Towns (Kentucky)
Towns has the potential to be the best two-way big man of this draft class, and would be a great pairing with Andrew Wiggins.
Frank Berndt: Karl-Anthony Towns (Kentucky)
Clear number one guy.
Davis Williams: Karl-Anthony Towns (Kentucky)
Despite Flip Saunders' love for Okafor, the T-Wolves choose KAT. There are too many other people around Flip that know this is the right decision and the right fit.
Joshua Priemski: Karl-Anthony Towns (Kentucky)
Look, the Minnesota Timberwolves are going to choose Karl Towns. There really isn't another option.
Los Angeles Lakers
Tucker: Jahlil Okafor (Duke)
Jahlil Okafor is probably the BPA for the Lakers at #2, and since it's no guarantee that they have any long-term options currently on their roster, I assume they'll go for the guy with the highest two-way potential, which is probably Okafor.
Russell: Jahlil Okafor (Duke)
I think we can all agree that the Lakers are taking Towns or Okafor here (depending on who Minnesota takes). That is, unless they trade for DeMarcus Cousins...
Nick: D'Angelo Russell (Ohio State)
Russell has the highest potential of any backcourt player in the draft, and has great size for the point guard position.
Frank: D'Angelo Russell (Ohio State)
It would really surprise me if the Lakers passed on Russell, as big stage perimeter players are hard to find, also Okafor and Randle are less than an ideal pairing
Davis: Jahlil Okafor (Duke)
I'm not convinced the Lakers keep this pick but if they do, Okafor is the favorite in the Los Angeles front office and he'll try to put himself beside the great big men in Lakers lore.
Joshua: Jahlil Okafor (Duke)
Jahlil Okafor seems like the most logical pick for the Los Angeles Lakers if they keep their pick. If the Lakers don't get Cousins, pairing Okafor with Julius Randle's hustle game should work well.
Philadelphia 76ers
Tucker: D'Angelo Russell (Ohio State)
Philadelphia definitely needs a scorer and a big offensive player, so I think they go with a perimeter player to help boost their backcourt.
Russell: D'Angelo Russell (Ohio State)
The Sixers would be crazy to take anyone other than Russell in my mind.
Nick: Kristaps Porzingis (Sevilla)
Some scouts think he has the highest potential of any player in the draft, and the Sixers are just the team to take a chance on him.
Frank: Emmanuel Mudiay (China)
Not sure why this isn't the perfect pick. He's MCW day 1 with Wall like upside.
Davis: D'Angelo Russell (Ohio State)
Every day I become more convinced that Russell is the best player in this draft. The 76ers have a gaping hole at point guard (I mean everywhere) and this will be an easy decision for Sam Hinkie.
Joshua: Mario Hezonja (Barcelona)
Here's where things get interesting. The Philadelphia 76ers will select Mario Hezonja. Not because he's better than Russell or any other prospect right now, but because he fits the mold of star-or-bust that general manager Sam Hinkie has employed the last few years.
New York Knicks
Tucker: Mario Hezonja (Barcelona)
New York is where I get less confident, because the Knicks are crazy, and they will make crazy decisions. Hezonja has as much individual scoring potential as anyone in the draft, so I'm sure the Knicks are at least interested in that.
Russell: Justise Winslow (Duke)
Rumor is that New York has loved Winslow for a while now. They could do much worse than him.
Nick: Jahlil Okafor (Duke)
New York will get a steal with Okafor, who has legitimate pro potential on the offensive end.
Frank: Jahlil Okafor (Duke)
Perfect triangle big for the Zen Master.
Davis: Justise Winslow (Duke)
I think whoever is selected at No. 4 will set the tone for the rest of the lottery. There's no team I would like to set the tone more than the Knicks. This could be hilarious. Winslow's stock is seemingly dropping the more we get closer to the draft but I don't think the Knicks have enough cajones to take Porzingis and I don't know if they believe in Mudiay.
Joshua: Kristaps Porzingis (Sevilla)
Kristaps Porzingis has been linked to the New York Knicks by just about everyone with credibility.
Orlando Magic
Tucker: Willie Cauley-Stein (Kentucky)
Orlando then builds their defense with a very strong defensive player in Cauley-Stein, who has enough versatility to play alongside their existing frontcourt rotation of Vucevic and Aaron Gordon.
Russell: Mario Hezonja (Barcelona)
I would LOVE to see the Hornets trade up and grab Super Mario, but I don't see that happening/don't know who would be willing to trade down. Hezonja has been one of the bigger risers in the draft lately, and is supremely confident in his abilities.
Nick: Justise Winslow (Duke)
Winslow has a strong all around game, and would be a great pairing next to Victor Oladipo.
Frank: Mario Hezonja (Barcelona)
Basically the perfect guy to pair with Dipo and Elf.
Davis: Kristaps Porzingis (Sevilla)
The Magic stay put and get the guy they've been zeroing in on for weeks.
Joshua: Justise Winslow (Duke)
Justise Winslow should work well in the Orlando Magic's no nonsense, defense-first approach under Scott Skiles.
Charlotte Hornets
Tucker: Devin Booker (Kentucky)
The Hornets are most likely going to get their pick between a few players all within the same prospect tier (think the 2014 Draft, if Sacramento had chosen Noah Vonleh instead of Nik Stauskas). What that means is that they'll be able to make a choice between player skillsets, and I think they'd be smart to look for shooting if at all possible. They drafted players designed to be perimeter shooters in 2012 (Jeff Taylor) and 2014 (P.J. Hairston), and neither have really panned out so far, but there's not a lot of bust potential with Devin Booker. I think there are a few other players they could realistically pick at nine, assuming the board looks this way for them, but I'm guessing Booker is the player they'd like to have most three years from now.
Russell: Willie Cauley-Stein (Kentucky)
Yes, Devin Booker is still on the board. Yes, the Hornets need 3-point shooting. But hear me out here.
Willie Trill Cauley-Stein (as I will call him from this point forward) is a much better prospect and player. Imagine Bismack Biyombo now with a more developed offensive game. That is what Cauley-Stein is. In addition, he is the anti-Stanley Johnson, in that he actually wants to play for Charlotte. He could become the centerpiece for a franchise to build around once Al Jefferson leaves, is already very sound defensively (which Steve Clifford must love) and has a more developed offensive game than he showed at Kentucky. Plus, Rich Cho said the team would go best player available with their pick.
But, if the Hornets REALLY want Booker, they could always trade back and still get him — which I still believe is a very real possibility.
Nick: Stanley Johnson (Arizona)
It doesn't matter that Johnson refused to work out for the Hornets. Charlotte will take the Best Player Available, and Johnson is the BPA left at this point. He has great size, strength, and decent shooting ability, but he also has the potential to be one of the better players in the 2015 draft.
Frank: Willie Cauley-Stein (Kentucky)
Fills a need by replacing Biz and also adds versatility to a front court that played Jason Maxiell tons of minutes last year.
Davis: Willie Cauley-Stein (Kentucky)
Above all, the Hornets need a player with offensive skill. Devin Booker matches that but in this scenario, Stan Van Gundy takes the shooter in Booker to continue to build his 4-out, 1-in system around Andre Drummond. Booker is much more than a shooter in my opinion and he would be a really great fit in Charlotte. In this instance, I think Rich Cho would debate between Willie Cauley-Stein, Stanley Johnson, Frank Kaminsky, and R.J. Hunter. They have too many players similar to Kaminsky so I think they'd be out on him and they would love to trade back in this scenario and get a guy like Hunter but they couldn't take him and feel good about the value here. Between Cauley-Stein and Johnson, I think they have Willie higher on their board than Johnson and in the end that's going to be the deciding component in the pick.
Joshua: Willie Cauley-Stein (Kentucky)
The Charlotte Hornets don't have many options at nine. No matter how you play out the Draft, they're always hoping a player falls to them, and there's little to suggest they're sold on a particular player. While Devin Booker seemed like the pick prior to the Nicolas Batum trade (and a smaller deal for Jeremy Lamb), now that the Hornets have some depth on the wings, it's better for them to start planning for life after Al Jefferson. With Willie Cauley-Stein, the Hornets get a legit big man with freakish athleticism. He blocks shots, he dunks ferociously, and he can hit the 3 in transition. Yes, the 3. Cauley-Stein replaces most of what the Hornets lost by trading Noah Vonleh, even if Vonleh has the higher ceiling.
Completed mock draft
Pick and Team
Tucker
Russell
Nick
Frank
Davis
Joshua
1. Minnesota TimberWolves
Karl-Anthony Towns (Kentucky)
Karl-Anthony Towns (Kentucky)
Karl-Anthony Towns (Kentucky)
Karl-Anthony Towns (Kentucky)
Karl-Anthony Towns (Kentucky)
Karl-Anthony Towns (Kentucky)
2. L.A. Lakers
Jahlil Okafor (Duke)
Jahlil Okafor (Duke)
D'Angelo Russell (Ohio State)
D'Angelo Russell (Ohio State)
Jahlil Okafor (Duke)
Jahlil Okafor (Duke)
3.Philadelphia 76ers
D'Angelo Russell (Ohio State)
D'Angelo Russell (Ohio State)
Kristaps Porzingis (Sevilla)
Emmanuel Mudiay (China)
D'Angelo Russell (Ohio State)
Mario Hezonja (Barcelona)
4. New York Knicks
Mario Hezonja (Barcelona)
Justise Winslow (Duke)
Jahlil Okafor (Duke)
Jahlil Okafor (Duke)
Justise Winslow (Duke)
Kristaps Porzingis (Sevilla)
5. Orlando Magic
Willie Cauley-Stein (Kentucky)
Mario Hezonja (Barcelona)
Justise Winslow (Duke)
Mario Hezonja (Barcelona)
Kristaps Porzingis (Sevilla)
Justise Winslow (Duke)
6. Sacramento Kings
Emmanuel Mudiay (China)
Emmanuel Mudiay (China)
Marion Hezonja (Barcelona)
Kristaps Porzingis (Sevilla)
Emmanuel Mudiay (China)
D'Angelo Russell (Ohio State)
7. Denver Nuggets
Kristaps Porzingis (Sevilla)
Kristaps Porzingis (Sevilla)
Emmanuel Mudiay (China)
Justise Winslow (Duke)
Mario Hezonja (Barcelona)
Emmanuel Mudiay (China)
8. Detroit Pistons
Justise Winslow (Duke)
Stanley Johnson (Arizona)
Devin Booker (Kentucky)
Stanley Johnson (Arizona)
Devin Booker (Kentucky)
Devin Booker (Kentucky)
9. Charlotte Hornets
Devin Booker (Kentucky)
Willie Cauley-Stein (Kentcky)
Stanley Johnson (Arizona)
Willie Cauley-Stein (Kentucky)
Willie Cauley-Stein (Kentucky)
Willie Cauley-Stein (Kentucky)
10. Miami Heat
Stanley Johnson (Arizona)
Myles Turner (Texas)
Willie Cauley-Stein (Kentucky)
Kelly Oubre (Kansas)
Stanley Johnson (Arizona)
Stanley Johnson (Arizona)
11. Indiana Pacers
Myles Turner (Texas)
Cameron Payne (Murray State)
Frank Kaminsky (Wisconsin)
Myles Turner (Texas)
Frank Kaminsky (Wisconsin)
Myles Turner (Texas)
12. Utah Jazz
Bobby Portis (Arkansas)
Frank Kaminsky (Wisconsin)
Myles Turner (Texas)
Frank Kaminsky (Utah)
R.J. Hunter (Georgia State)
Frank Kaminsky (Wisconsin)
13. Phoenix Suns
Trey Lyles (Kentucky)
Devin Booker (Kentucky)
Trey Lyles (Kentucky)
Sam Dekker (Wisconsin)
Myles Turner (Texas)
Cameron Payne (Murray State)
14. Oklahoma City
Kelly Oubre (Kansas)
Kelly Oubre (Kansas)
Cameron Payne (Murray State)
Cameron Payne (Murray State)
Cameron Payne (Murray State)
Kelly Oubre (Kansas)
15. Atlanta Hawks
Sam Dekker (Wisconsin)
Bobby Portis (Arkansas)
R.J. Hunter (Georgia State)
Devin Booker (Kentucky)
Sam Dekker (Wisconsin)
Jerian Grant (Notre Dame)
16. Boston Celtics
Frank Kaminsky (Wisconsin)
Sam Dekker (Wisconsin)
Tyus Jones (Duke)
Trey Lyles (Kentucky)
Trey Lyles (Kentucky)
Trey Lyles (Kentucky)
17. Milwaukee Bucks
Kevon Looney (UCLA)
Kevon Looney (UCLA)
Bobby Portis (Arkansas)
R.J. Hunter (Georgia State)
Kelly Oubre (Kansas)
R.J. Hunter (Georgia State)
18. Houston Rockets
Cameron Payne (Murray State)
Jerian Grant (Notre Dame)
Jerian Grant (Notre Dame)
Jerian Grant (Notre Dame)
Tyus Jones (Duke)
Tyus Jones (Duke)
19. Washington Wizards
Jerian Grant (Notre Dame)
Trey Lyles (Kentucky)
Sam Dekker (Wisconsin)
Bobby Portis (Arkansas)
Bobby Portis (Arkansas)
Bobby Portis (Arkansas)
20. Toronto Raptors
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (Arizona)
Tyus Jones (Duke)
Kelly Oubre (Kansas)
Justin Anderson (Virginia)
Jerian Grant (Notre Dame)
Sam Dekker (Wisconsin)
21. Dallas Mavericks
Tyus Jones (Duke)
Delon Wright (Utah)
Delon Wright (Utah)
Montrezl Harrell (Louisville)
Rashad Vaughn (UNLV)
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (Arizona)
22. Chicago Bulls
Rashad Vaughn (UNLV)
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (Arizona)
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (Arizona)
Anthony Brown (Stanford)
Delon Wright (Utah)
Kevon Looney (UCLA)
23. Portland TrailBlazers
Justin Anderson (Virginia)
Rashad Vaughn (UNLV)
Kevon Looney (UCLA)
Rashad Vaughn (UNLV)
Justin Anderson (Virginia)
Montrezl Harrell (Louisville)
24. Cleveland Cavaliers
RJ Hunter (Georgia State)
Montrezl Harrell (Louisville)
Montrezl Harrell (Louisville)
Tyus Jones (Duke)
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (Arizona)
Justin Anderson (Virginia)
25. Memphis Grizzlies
Delon Wright (Utah)
R.J. Hunter (Georgia State)
Justin Anderson (Virginia)
Kevon Looney (UCLA)
Kevon Looney (UCLA)
Christian Wood (UNLV)
26. S.A. Spurs
Anthony Brown (Stanford)
Justin Anderson (Virginia)
Guillermo Hernangomez (Spain)
Chris McCullough (Syracuse)
Joseph Young (Oregon)
Robert Upshaw (Washington)
27. L.A. Lakers
Chris McCullough (Syracuse)
Terry Rozier (Louisville)
Rashad Vaughn (UNLV)
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (Arizona)
Terry Rozier (Louisville)
Chris McCullough (Syracuse)
28. Boston Celtics
Christian Wood (UNLV)
Chris McCullough (Syracuse)
Chris McCullough (Syrcause)
Rakeem Christmas (Syracuse)
Montrezl Harrell (Louisville)
Guillermo Hernangomez (Spain)
29. Brooklyn Nets
Terry Rozier (Louisville)
Jarell Martin (LSU)
Terry Rozier (Louisville)
Delon Wright (Utah)
Jarell Martin (LSU)
Anthony Brown (Stanford)
30. Golden State Warriors
Arturas Gudaitis (Lithuania)
Aleksander Vezenkov (Greece)
Christian Wood (UNLV)
Jonathan Holmes (Texas)
Cedi Osman (Turkey)
Jordan Mickey (LSU)