With the 2015-16 regular season in the books, there’s more context to assess the talent-laden 2015 NBA Draft class.
This group of prospects turned out to be one of the deepest crops you’ll find. The first round was littered with emerging stars and rotational players, and the second round produced some dynamic steals.
If we took a time machine back to June and re-picked this draft, which franchises would change their selections? How would early shifts in the lottery impact the rest of the first round? We projected what each club would do in a redraft scenario, basing their choices on a combination of overall value, positional needs and situational needs.
1. MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES
Karl-Anthony Towns, Kentucky PF/C, 7’0″, Fr. (Originally went 1st)
This was an easy choice when we did our midseason redraft in January, and it’s even more of a no-brainer now. Towns is the prize of this draft, armed with a combination of dexterity, skill and smarts that’s rarely seen in any rookie.
He’s nearly the ideal big man for tomorrow’s NBA. Towns is strong and tough enough to do plenty of blue-collar work near the bucket, but he has the footwork and finesse to play uptempo and away from the basket. As a 20-year-old combo big man, he posted 18-plus points, 10-plus rebounds and shot 34 percent from three. Godspeed to the rest of the league.
2. LOS ANGELES LAKERS
Kristaps Porzingis, Latvia PF/C, 7’3″, 20 years old (Originally went 4th)
I thought long and hard about keeping D’Angelo Russell here. But I still believe Porzingis is a rarer asset with loftier two-way potential. Injuries and rough patches cooled off his “stock” after the All-Star break, but he remains an exceptional inside-out prospect. Zach Harper of CBSSports.com explains what L.A. should do at No. 2:
Porzingis would be the selection here. I don’t think Russell is a bad pick and I think he’ll still end up being capable of cultivating an All-Star caliber career. You could also argue that a Julius Randle pairing with Porzingis has plenty of problems. I agree with that. You then move Randle in a trade for another piece that works and keep Porzingis.
3. PHILADELPHIA 76ERS
D’Angelo Russell, Ohio State G, 6’5″, Fr. (Originally went 2nd)
New management or not, the Philadelphia 76ers redraft comes down to Jahlil Okafor and D’Angelo Russell. Both had promising rookie years clouded by off-the-court missteps (okay, massive stumbles), but I think Philly tabs the guard this time around.
Forget about Russell’s mediocre stats with the Lakers. Sixers skipper Brett Brown would almost certainly get more overall production and per-minute impact from the Ohio State combo guard. This could be a great fit if Dario Saric comes stateside, Simmons or Ingram arrives and (big if!) Joel Embiid ever joins the fray.
4. NEW YORK KNICKS
Jahlil Okafor, Duke C, 6’11”, Fr. (Originally went 3rd)
It’s a bummer that their original pick, Porzingis, is already off the board. But Okafor is a superb consolation prize, one who could do tsunami damage near the bucket while also serving as a quality high-post passer.
This selection would change the Knicks’ 2015 free agency outlook; they probably wouldn’t sign Robin Lopez to such a substantial contract. However, the alternative might be better if they found the right backcourt help.
5. ORLANDO MAGIC
Devin Booker, Kentucky SG, 6’6″, Fr. (Originally went 13th)
Here’s our first big jump in the draft board. Booker, who originally went 13th to the Phoenix Suns, has proven himself to be arguably the best off-guard in the draft. The Kentucky prodigy unleashed his shooting talent early in the year, and then injuries to Eric Bledsoe and Brandon Knight allowed him to showcase sneaky-good handling and playmaking skills. He’s a dynamic long-term shooting guard for this young franchise:
6. SACRAMENTO KINGS
Emmanuel Mudiay, Congo PG, 6’5″, 19 years old (Originally went 7th)
Mudiay’s one of the riskiest lottery prospects the Kings could take, but he also has the highest all-around potential of those remaining on the board.
The Congo-born, Dallas-raised, China-prepped playmaker had a roller-coaster rookie campaign, but he’s on track to be a top-tier playmaker with a surplus of two-way physical tools. And a nice bonus is that he finished the regular season shooting 39 percent from three-land in March and 36 percent in April.
7. DENVER NUGGETS
Justise Winslow, Duke SF, 6’7″, Fr. (Originally went 10th)
With the premier point guards now unavailable, I think the Nuggets would maximize the value of this pick by scooping up a promising wing. Winslow has terrific gifts on both ends of the floor, most notably rangy defense, timely slashing and improved perimeter scoring.
Given his elite defense at Miami, along with climbing shooting numbers (39 percent on threes in March, 44 percent in April), Denver would be delighted to take him:
Been really fun watching Justise Winslow form his offensive identity. Shooting season-high 48.4% in March. #Heat
— Zach Buckley (@ZachBuckleyNBA) March 23, 2016
8. DETROIT PISTONS
Stanley Johnson, Arizona SF, 6’7″, Fr. (Originally went 8th)
Johnson’s rookie year was less than spectacular, and it included a shoulder injury and inconsistent playing time. However, he’s still a superb fit for their future alongside Reggie Jackson, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Tobias Harris and most importantly, Andre Drummond. Arizona’s one-and-done stud gives the Pistons size, defensive juice and offensive versatility as a potent role player.
9. CHARLOTTE HORNETS
Myles Turner, Texas PF/C, 7’0″, Fr. (Originally went 11th)
This isn’t a knock on Frank Kaminsky. It’s just an endorsement of Turner’s firepower as an inside-out scorer and top-shelf rim protector.
Even though Kaminsky is the more skilled offensive player right now, Turner still churned out better per-minute numbers and efficiency in 2015-16, and he’s three years younger. The 20-year-old tower has tremendous instincts as a pick-and-pop weapon and shot-blocker, and his skill set would jell nicely with Charlotte’s core. Al Jefferson’s contract is up this summer, so Turner could be the big man of the future in Buzz City.
10. MIAMI HEAT
Mario Hezonja, Croatia G/F, 6’8″, 20 years old (Originally went 5th)
During several stretches this season, the Miami Heat desperately needed outside shooting, and moving forward, they could always use more of it. “Super” Mario Hezonja brings the kind of space-and-slash talent they need, along with some smooth passing skills. Andrew Sharp of Sports Illustrated loves Hezonja’s fit in South Beach:
We need it to happen. Goran Dragic has struggled this year, but putting him next to Hezonja could unlock magic once Dwyane Wade moves on. As for Hezonja, his ceiling as a gunner is still sky high. He flew under the radar while the rest of his classmates took off over the first few months, but it appears Scott Skiles is beginning to Super Mario off the leash.
11. INDIANA PACERS
Willie Cauley-Stein, Kentucky C, 7’0″, Junior (Originally went 6th)
Indiana may regret passing on Trey Lyles, who’s a better offensive threat, but Cauley-Stein represents a versatile, explosive anchor for their defense.
Aside from Paul George and Monta Ellis, much of the Pacers’ future roster is up in the air. Securing a rangy frontcourt defender who can acrobatically finish pick-and-rolls is a great start to re-tooling this roster.
12. UTAH JAZZ
Trey Lyles, Kentucky PF, 6’10”, Fr. (Originally went 12th)
The Utah Jazz are perhaps the luckiest team in this redraft so far. Given his ability to shoot, slash and pass, Lyles probably should’ve landed in the top 10.
End-of-season performances should always be taken with a grain of salt, but Lyles’ April numbers were highly encouraging: 12.9 points, 5.4 rebounds and 41 percent from downtown. Quin Snyder must be salivating at this stretch 4s usefulness on this roster:
13. PHOENIX SUNS
Frank Kaminsky, Wisconsin PF/C, 7’0″, Sr. (Originally went 9th)
Given the Markieff Morris saga and the Suns’ relative dearth of bigs, it makes sense to pick a skilled 4 or 5. Kaminsky could come in right away and significantly enhance the squad’s offensive attack. It’s fun to imagine him pairing with Eric Bledsoe and Brandon Knight on pick-and-rolls, or simply spacing the floor while those two attack with Tyson Chandler.
14. OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER
Cameron Payne, Murray State PG, 6’2″, So. (Originally went 14th)
Payne has worked out quite well in OKC, and he’s showcased enough poise, playmaking and scoring to warrant keeping him. Despite being a mid-to-lower tier athlete, he makes plays with outstanding footwork, fluidity and an elite feel for the game.
It might seem weird that the Thunder would draft a backup point guard in the lottery, but he’s more than that. He’s a high-level backup for now, but he can play alongside Russell Westbrook if need be, and down the road, he’s a starting-caliber floor general they can keep or shop:
Cam Payne displays a deft touch on @NBAonTNT! #NBARapidReplay #OKCatSAS https://t.co/tOnQ7eUk5U
— NBA (@NBA) April 13, 2016
15. ATLANTA HAWKS
Kelly Oubre, Kansas SF, 6’7″, Fr. (Originally went 15th, traded to WAS)
Whether the Hawks swap the draft pick like they did on draft night or keep it, Kelly Oubre is an electrifying risk-reward selection. His length, athleticism and shooting potential are a great long-term investment in the middle of the first round, especially considering Kent Bazemore will soon be a free agent and Thabo Sefolosha’s better days are likely behind him.
16. BOSTON CELTICS
Bobby Portis, Arkansas PF, 6’11”, So. (Originally went 22nd)
There’s no way Celtics’ trigger man Danny Ainge lets Portis slip past him this time around. While Portis didn’t have a head-turning rookie campaign, he was still a steal for the Chicago Bulls at No. 22.
Portis’ per-36 minute numbers give a glimpse into his future as a double-double machine: 14.2 points, 11.0 rebounds (including 4.0 offensive boards) and 1.7 assists. Boston would love to add his size and tenacity to its frontcourt.
17. MILWAUKEE BUCKS
Norman Powell, UCLA SG, 6’4″, Sr. (Originally went 46th)
Milwaukee could pick up a younger prospect who possibly has a higher ceiling, but Norman Powell’s last two months in Toronto were too powerful to be denied. He proved that he should’ve landed in the mid-first-round range rather than mid-second round.
The 2-guard from UCLA lit up opponents from the perimeter, blanketed opponents defensively with his strong frame and long reach and besieged the bucket as an opportunistic driver. His ability to shoot, defend and attack closeouts fits right into what the Bucks are building:
18. HOUSTON ROCKETS
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Arizona F, 6’7″, So. (Originally went 23rd)
This is a “best prospect available” pick, especially from a defensive standpoint. Houston is in dire need of better stoppage across the board, and Hollis-Jefferson is the type of multidimensional piece who will help its on-ball and off-ball approach. He doesn’t fill their biggest positional needs, but he’ll make some of their other wings and forwards expendable.
19. WASHINGTON WIZARDS
Jerian Grant, Notre Dame PG, 6’4″, Sr. (Originally went 19th, traded to NYK)
Portis would’ve been a great get here, and he was available at No. 19 on draft night. But he’s already gone in our do-over, so the Wizards should turn their attention to the best playmaker available. At this juncture in the redraft, it’s Notre Dame’s Grant. They could trade the pick like the original draft-night arrangement, or they could keep him to help John Wall.
Grant’s got speed, smarts and just enough shooting potential to become a productive quarterback. Grant’s playing time in New York was inconsistent, but you can tell he has a great feel for the game and enough tools to help boost Washington’s backcourt depth.
20. TORONTO RAPTORS
Chris McCullough, Syracuse PF, 6’9″, Fr. (Originally went 29th)
McCullough slipped toward the very end of the first round in the original draft because NBA teams didn’t know enough about him. His ACL injury shortened his lone season at Syracuse, so we only saw a partial audition.
After seeing his late-season stint with the Brooklyn Nets, we know he has legitimate three-point range (38 percent) to go along with a hyper-athletic frame and intriguing defensive potential. He’s definitely worth a flier at No. 20:
Told this week that a lot of GMs like McCullough. (No, that doesn't mean Nets will trade him. It's just an endorsement of his potential)
— NetsDaily.com (@NetsDaily) April 12, 2016
21. DALLAS MAVERICKS
Justin Anderson, Virginia G/F, 6’6″, Jr. (Originally went 21st)
Anderson spent some time in the D-League this year, but it looks like he’s the type of do-it-all wing that the Mavs will cherish. He gets after it on both ends, collaborates smoothly with teammates and has the physical frame to guard multiple positions.
22. CHICAGO BULLS
Rashad Vaughn, UNLV SG, 6’5″, Fr. (Originally went 17th)
It’s exceptionally difficult to project what Gar Foreman and Co. have in store moving forward. In this redraft scenario, however, the Bulls should target the prospect with the best combination of upside/development and proven skill.
In the latter stage of the first round, the most rewarding asset might be UNLV’s Rashad Vaughn. He’s one of the youngest prospects in this draft, and his blend of size and scoring would be a welcome sight in Chi-Town’s backcourt.
23. PORTLAND TRAIL-BLAZERS
Delon Wright, Utah PG, 6’5″, Sr. (Originally went 20th)
A long-term stretch 4 or a rotational guard makes sense here. Wright offers playmaking punch off the bench, and he could give Terry Stotts some depth and lineup flexibility. With another creative handler in the mix, the Blazers would have the option to occasionally use McCollum at the 2 even when Lillard is on the bench.
24. CLEVELAND CAVALIERS
Josh Richardson, Tennessee SG, 6’6″, Sr. (Originally went 40th)
With LeBron James and Kyrie Irving constantly looking to attack the rim, the Cavs can never have enough floor-spacers in the rotation. Richardson, who’s emerged as a massive steal for Miami, could help Cleveland immediately while offering long-term production. He shot a blistering 46 percent from beyond the arc in 2015-16:
25. MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES
Sam Dekker, Wisconsin SF, 6’9″, Jr. (Originally went 18th)
Dekker’s rookie campaign consisted of a back injury, bench time and D-League stints, so it’s tough to tell how he’ll translate to the NBA. He probably would’ve been better utilized in Memphis when healthy, however, and the Grizzlies’ playoff rotation would be more well-rounded. Dekker can operate on the wing and do a little bit of everything, and he has a chance to be a shoot-and-slash offensive supplement.
26. SAN ANTONIO SPURS
Richaun Holmes, Bowling Green F, 6’9″, Sr. (Originally went 37th)
We paired Holmes with the Spurs in our midseason redraft, and despite his Achilles troubles, we’re going to stick with that. His mix of size, bounciness and agility could make him a dangerous off-ball threat in the right environment:
All Richaun Holmes does is make tough buckets through contact.
— Derek Bodner (@DerekBodnerNBA) February 11, 2016
27. LOS ANGELES LAKERS
Larry Nance, Jr., Wyoming PF, 6’9″, Sr. (Originally went 27th)
Nance proved that he belonged in the first round with a solid, if unspectacular rookie season. Wyoming’s high-flying forward doesn’t have star potential, but he’s great at feeding off teammates as a role player. He’s forceful in the open floor, has active hands on defense and can sprinkle in jump shots as well.
28. BOSTON CELTICS
R.J. Hunter, Georgia State SG, 6’6″, Jr. (Originally went 28th)
After taking Portis at No. 16, Boston should look to boost its wing/backcourt corps with its second first-round pick of this draft. Waiting for them again is Georgia State sharpshooter R.J. Hunter, who didn’t really get much of an opportunity throughout the year. He’s worth picking again because you won’t find shooting talent this late in almost any draft:
29. BROOKLYN NETS
Kevon Looney, UCLA F, 6’9″, Fr. (Originally went 30th)
Brooklyn needs help everywhere, so it would be hard for them to make a terrible pick. The McCullough selection was a good one, and given a second chance, the Sean Marks-led Nets would probably make a similar selection of a high-upside forward. Kevon Looney has the highest inside-out potential of anyone left on the board, and he could eventually help the Nets space the floor and compete on the glass.
30. GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS
Montrezl Harrell, Louisville PF, 6’8″, Jr. (Originally went 32nd)
This historically dominant club doesn’t have too many holes to fill, but the long-term outlook in the post is more tenuous than the guard corps. Harrell could serve as a reserve combo big, someone who could play the 5 alongside Draymond Green or at the 4 in different lineups.
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