Mini 2015 NBA Draft Recap

Karl-Anthony Towns immediately adds depth to the T-Wolves

Karl-Anthony Towns was the #1 pick of the 2015 NBA draft to Minnesota last night, which wasn’t much of a shocker. I still thought Okafor was the best prospect in this draft but the T-Wolves couldn’t really go wrong here. Towns joins a young, raw, talented, roster that now consists of the likes of Andrew Wiggins, Shabazz Muhammad, Zach LaVine, Gorgui Deng, Towns, and Cavaliers 2nd round pick, Tyus Jones, who was acquired by trade. It will be very interesting to see what head coach, Flip Saunders, can do with this group as he has his sights set on coaching a team back to the playoffs for the first time since the ‘07-’08 season.

D’Angelo Russell went #2 to the Lakers. While I think many people (like SHAQ) wanted a big man, in Okafor, back in LA, Russell is a fantastic pick here. I truly think that he could become a left-handed Rus Westbrook one day down the road. I also think that this pick solidifies that Rondo will not be a Laker next season. The buzz around that rumor was really quelled with this pick.

Jahlil Okafor went #3 to the 76ers. I really don’t know what to make of this pick. I respect the 76ers drafting the best available player but the decision to then keep him with 2 “franchise” big men already on the roster (Nerlens Noel and Joel Embiid) means that one will be left out. At the moment that looks like Embiid who could miss this upcoming season (after he missed all of last season) due to injury setbacks. I think this pick makes Embiid, #3 pick from 2014, look like an already-bust, which isn’t fair since he’s yet to play in a game.

When Russell’s name was called #2 to the Lakers I don’t think anybody saw Okafor going to the 76ers (because of those franchise big men already on the roster) and Knicks fans, for a brief period, actually thought they would end up with Okafor which looked like they player they were tanking for all last season - at least that’s what their fans thought. Instead, the Knicks drafted Kristaps Porzingis at #4. My problem with Kristaps is that he won’t be a lethal factor immediately, if ever, and this team needs impact players immediately. You saw by the Knicks fans reactions to the pick on draft night that not many people were happy. There are also rumors swirling about Carmelo speaking his displeasure with this pick to upper management (*Phil Jackson*).

I liked guard, Emmanuel Mudiay, to Denver at #7. I think he will be a very good replacement to Ty Lawson down the road. I wasn’t very satisfied about Stanley Johnson going #8 to Detroit with Justice WInslow still on the board, as he eventually fell to #10 to Miami who may have ended up with the biggest steal of the night. Frank Kaminsky went #9 to the Hornets. I love “Frank the Tank” but I’m not sure this is a great fit for either party.

Kelly Oubre Jr. was drafted #15 to Atlanta. A lot of people thought this was a bit too high but I just loved the fit. Then he was traded to Washington in part of a 3 team deal and I still love the fit. Oubre Jr. is a young swingman who I see filling in Paul Pierce’s (ex)role quite nicely.

Terry Rozier of Louisville was drafted #16 to Boston. My problem with that is Rozier is a PG and the Celtics already have a couple of those in Isaiah Thomas and Marcus Smart. There have been rumors of the Celtics perhaps putting Smart on the trade block (one proposal I saw was Smart and Olynk to Philly for Nerlens Noel - which would justify the Okafor pick) but still I think Sam Dekker (who went #18 to Houston) would have been the better pick here. However, I think Boston redeemed themselves 12 picks later when they snagged R.J. Hunter with the 28th pick.

In the 2nd round I was intrigued by Joseph Young going #43 to Indiana. This guy was an elite scorer at Oregon. He’s a guy to follow in the upcoming NBA Summer League.

Branden Dawson of MSU was drafted #56 to New Orleans then traded to the Clippers where I think he can be a valuable part of their rotation - maybe even in a Draymond Green-ish manner. 

The notable undrafted players: Michael Frazier II (Florida), Jonathan Holmes (Texas), Cliff Alexander (Kansas), Quinn Cook (Duke), Aaron Harrison (Kentucky), and my favorite, Ryan Boatright (UConn). I’m sure all of these players will be playing for someone in the NBA Summer League with a HUGE chip on their shoulders which should make it all that more exciting come July 4th weekend.