Review on the 2015 NBA Draft (1st-10th)

1. Minnesota Timberwolves:
Karl Anthony-Towns/Kentucky
Pick:✔
Strengths: Towns' defensive style of play will
help increase the Timberwolves' defensive ratings because they were the worst defensive team last season. Towns can help increase the blocks per game and allow fewer points from their opponents.

Weaknesses: Towns needs to improve on post play, footwork, and confidence in the low post. He also has the tendency to be in foul trouble, which can be bad because he can't sit out when he is needed on the floor.

NBA Comparison: Andrew Bogut/Vlade Divac

2. Los Angeles Lakers
D'Angelo Russell/Ohio State
Pick:✔
Strengths: At 6 foot 5 inches tall and weighs in at 180 pounds, Russell is a guard that has the height to see over the defense to score at will or set up teammates. He also has the size to play shooting guard, when Kobe is on the bench. He's a decent shooter from mid and 3 point range.

Weaknesses: Russell has trouble finishing in transition, he can fix this solution with changing speeds, adding strength to his legs, and increase explosiveness. He also needs to work on his off-hand and shot selection. Lastly, he needs more intensity on the defensive end of the floor.

NBA Comparison: Penny Hardaway/Brandon Roy

3. Philadelphia 76ers
Jahlil Okafor/Duke
Pick:✔
Strengths: As a Sixer, Okafor will be in the starting frontcourt with former Kentucky Wildcat Nerlens Noel. Okafor has phenomenal footwork and ball handling as a center, especially when he's going to be trapped. He also has some decent post moves and hands that allow him to control the ball at will.

Weaknesses: Okafor happens to struggle at the free throw line and has trouble defending the pick-and-roll. He also lacks athleticism, which will hurt him on defense. even though he is great in the post, a hook shot or bank shot would give him more scoring options on offense.

NBA Comparison: Brook Lopez/Al Jefferson

4. New York Knicks
Kristaps Porzingis/Latvia
Pick: X
Strengths: Porzingis is a 7'1, 220 pound forward from Latvia. Porzingis excels at shooting the mid-range and from behind the arc. He is also athletic, who can finish above the rim and can catch and finish lobs in a half court setting or in transition. He can run the floor efficiently and can protect the rim when he's locked in. Porzingis has upside and is mobile for a 7 footer.

Weaknesses: Porzingis lacks strength, which is needed for him to develop post moves and box out for rebounds. He also lacks at finishing around the basket.

NBA Comparison: Andrea Bargnani/Pau Gasol

The Knicks should have selected Emmanuel Mudiay because he has a Russell Westbrook type of play style, who is athletic and can finish at the basket at will. Since Raymond Felton was traded, the Knicks have struggled with getting a backcourt to control the offense, which is where Mudiay could have been able to do if he was picked.

5. Orlando Magic
Mario Hezonja/Croatia
Pick: X
Strengths: At 6'8, 215 pounds, Hezonja has a great height for a shooting guard or small forward. He has a defensive upside by using his speed and quick hands; can slash the ball well. Hezonja is an average rebounder for his size and can be reliable in the late game situations.

Weaknesses: He struggles of having a mid-range game and needs to work on off ball defense. He needs to make sure his cocky attitude won't get him in trouble on the court. He tends to shoot first rather than finding an open man.

NBA Comparison: Rex Chapman

The Magic should have selected Kristaps Porzingis because the Magic have already set up their backcourt of the future in Elfrid Payton and Victor Oladipo. They need more shooters and rebounders, which Porzingis can be if he builds muscle.

6. Sacramento Kings
Willie Cauley-Stein/Kentucky
Pick: X
Strengths: Cauley-Stein is more of a defensive center rather than a center who can score. He has
great size at 7'2 and is a quick leaper. He excels at hedging pick and roll's and can protect the rim too. He has managed to improve at the free throw line and has a decent jump hook from the low post. WCS has the potential to guard wing positions and is a strong finisher around the rim. 

Weaknesses: WCS doesn't have any offensive skills other than a jump hook. Mostly seen as a lob finisher, roll man, and garbage man in an NBA offense. His touch and shooting are his real weaknesses in terms of game speed. 

NBA Comparison: Chris Anderson/Samuel Dalembert

The Kings should have selected Mario Hezonja because the Kings' backcourt isn't good enough to compete against the backcourts in the tough western conference. Him and Rajon Rondo could be a decent backcourt facing up against elite guards.

7. Denver Nuggets
Emmanuel Mudiay/Congo
Pick:✔

Strengths: Mudiay is a 6'5, 200 pound point guard from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, who played for the Guangdong Southern Tigers in China. Mudiay has a rare combination of size, speed, agility, and athleticism to go with great vision and mentality for a point guard. He has good ability to push the ball on the break with explosiveness to finish at the rim. Mudiay has a size advantage when posting up smaller guards. Has the ability to finish with either hands. Gives strong effort consistently and has a lot of confidence.

Weaknesses: Mudiay has struggled with his mid range and outside shooting. Most of those shots are off balance and struggles with the timing of his release at the highest point of his jump. While playing for the Southern Tigers in China, Mudiay shot 34.2% from outside and 57.4% from the free throw line. Also, needs to decrease his turnover numbers in order to be an efficient NBA point guard.

NBA Comparison: John Wall

8. Detroit Pistons 

Stanley Johnson/Arizona

Pick;✔

Strengths: Johnson is a versatile, two-way player and has tremendous upside. He has great physical attributes and size at 6'6, 242 pounds. SJ can combine speed, quickness, and power at a high level. Johnson has great footwork and can score however he wants. He has the ability to make jump shots off the dribble, pulling up, or spotting up. He's kind of like a LeBron in transition because of his speed, quickness, size, and strength. He is excellent at moving off the ball and rebounds well for a wing player. He is a excellent ball defender when he is locked in defensively. 

Weaknesses: Johnson needs to improve on his ability to finish at the rim. Tends to settle for floaters too often. Needs to be an accurate passer and improve his left hand in terms of ball-handling and finishing. Forgets sometimes about his teammates because he wants to be known as a scorer. Needs to develop a more consistent jumper from mid-range and downtown. Gets beat off the dribble too often.

NBA Comparison: Kawhi Leonard/Ron Artest

9. Charlotte Hornets
Frank Kaminsky/Wisconsin
Pick:✔
Strengths: Kaminsky has great footwork and can go left and right and is great at using his size on offense. He can shoot consistently from mid-range and downtown. He lacks quickness and explosiveness, but makes up for it by using his high basketball IQ. A perfect player to use on a pick-and-pop, especially with Kemba Walker. He has an underrated attribute which is passing. He's also able to go by defenders on close outs and can attack you from off the dribble.

Weaknesses: Kaminsky lacks athleticism and not sure if he can survive in a iso oriented offense where he won't be getting the ball at times. Can guard centers, but since he's a 4, he would have a disadvantage because of how quicker and explosive they are. Another concern is how can he withstand the physicality of NBA power forwards on both ends of the floor. While he's on offense people may push him out of the blocks too easily.

NBA Comparison: Nenad Kristic/Sean Marks

10. Miami Heat
Justise Winslow/Duke
Pick:✔
Strengths: Winslow is a big-time athlete with elite level speed and athleticism. He can finish at the rim and does a great job absorbing contact. JW is dangerous in the open floor with his speed and leaping ability. He has a great basketball body and long wingspan. Just like Johnson, Winslow is an excellent on ball defender because of his lateral quickness and awareness. Does a great job on avoiding turnovers and solid decisions with the ball.

Weaknesses: Winslow tends to lose focus during games and needs to show high level of aggression and intensity in order to see his immense talent. His jump shot has potential, but has some minor issues that need to be fixed for him to add range and consistency.

NBA Comparison: James Harden/Wilson Chandler