Live Thread: 2015 NBA Draft (Update: With Instant Staff Analysis!)

For the first time in four years, Cavs fans will have to wait well beyond the first half hour of the NBA Draft to discover what will transpire with their favorite team. And doesn’t it feel good?

Meanwhile, just because the drama and hype is somewhat muted for Cleveland, it doesn’t mean that there won’t be plenty of twists, turns and exciting developments in the hours leading up to the 24th pick and beyond. So, enjoy all of the subterfuge, the insane reach picks, the sliding big men, the unpronounceable Euro surnames, the awkward handshakes from the Commish, and yes… all of the crazy threads worn by the soon-to-be rookie class of the NBA.

Share your thoughts, and check back often for pick updates, trade news and all things draft related…

UPDATE: Hi, Krolik here. What we’re going to do is have a few of us give ludicrously quick analysis of each pick as it comes in, because there’s nothing like the joy of making predictions that will almost certainly come back to bite you in a matter of minutes. And we’re tentatively sure we can make it work. CATCH THE FEVER! You’re in good hands here — yours truly, for one, has been making horrendously embarrassing pre-draft predictions since 2007. This should be fun, guys.

Pick #1: Minnesota Timberwolves Select Karl-Anthony Towns, Kentucky

This is the obvious pick for a reason. The center position is still where everything starts in the NBA, and the best centers have evolved to look like Towns. He’s got protoypical size and athleticism, he should be a great shot-blocker and a monster on the pick-and-roll, and he his high FT% and flashes of offensive versatility suggest that he can become an offensive impact player in the future, but even if he doesn’t become a 15-20 point per game scorer/superstar in his first few years, he should almost certainly become a cornerstone player if he stays healthy. (Krolik)

Jay Bilas actually encouraging a drinking game around Jay Bilas talking about wingspan.  Gotta love the NBA subculture!  Interesting Towns factoid:

Karl-Anthony Towns averaged 10.3 PPG, the fewest PPG in final college season by a No. 1 pick in the common draft era (since 1966). #NBADraft

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 25, 2015

NBA GMs get that raw numbers aren’t as important as they used to be.  The way we talk about the draft is so much different today than a decade ago.

Pick #2: Los Angeles Lakers Select D’Angelo Russell, THE Ohio State University

I saw this coming back in the winter.  All it took was one game from Russell.  It looked like the game slowed down for him.  He has good size for a playmaking point guard and he has that ability to play under control even in traffic.  The comparisons to other “under control” lefties is appropriate.   Conley, Harden…I see a little of both.  Maybe not as good as Harden but a bigger frame than Conley and the potential to be a better scorer.  Everyone loves his court vision and I’ve heard some outlandish claims about who he’s the best passer since.  All that aside, it’s a signal that the Lakers are finally serious about a post-Kobe era. (Pestak)

Pick #3: Philadelphia 76ers Select Jahlil Okafor, Duke

Third times a charm? Turns out Commenter CLF was prescient with his mock draft pick. With Russell off the board, Sam Hinkie defaults to “best player available” talent acquisition mode and takes traditional big man Okafor. If this was the 2005 draft instead of the 2015, Okafor would have likely been the number one pick with his inside moves and offensive skills. But the way the game is changing, his game might be considered too old fashioned by some analytics. I predict “Oak” will be an easy 20/10 candidate, and will team with Nerlens to provide the Sixers with a big time front line. If Embiid ever gets healthy, they have a lot of options to package one of these big men. (EvilGenius)

Pick #4: New York Knicks Select Kristaps Porzingis, Latvia

High risk, high reward pick here — he’s unproven, we know what the track record on Euro guys has been over the past few years, and he might not have a place in the NBA. OH MY GOD MISERABLE KNICKS KID IS MY EVERYTHING. In the right system, as Ben Werth will tell you, this guy has the talent to be special. In the wrong system, he could be the bust of this draft. Everything about Knicks, from the coaching to the front office to the media pressure, SCREAMS “wrong system.” Oh, and he’s an attacking stretch four playing in an antiquated triple-post system. I feel like the Knicks had to make this pick because Mudiay would have been an even worse fit and is the only player left with comparable talent, but this could go very wrong. (Krolik)

Since Yao in 2002, 19 international players have been picked in the lottery and none have been All-Stars. Porzingis is the 20th. #NBADraft

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 26, 2015

Pick #5: Orlando Magic Select Mario Hezonja, Croatia

Hey, my great grandfather is from Croatia!  I cried when Drazen Petrovic died.  Bring back the balkan ballers!  Uh oh, “potentially” win an NBA dunk contest AND a 3-point shooting contest?  J.R. Smith comparison!  (in a good way!)  Fran Fraschilla loves it.  Ho boy, I just heard “I think he’ll get along with Scott Skiles because they both have the same kind of swag.”  Yeah, Scott Skiles probably slaps people in practice for using the word “swag”.  Bilas likes what he sees.  Go Magic!  See you next year in the lottery. (Pestak)

Pick #6: Sacramento Kings Select Willie Cauley-Stein, Kentucky

The man who legally changed his middle name to “Trill” and then had a logo designed around that new name, should help the Kings absorb the likely loss of the Boogie Man sometime in the next few days/weeks/months. If George Karl is still at the helm (which is somewhat dubious as of this morning), then Trill will be the new big man center piece of the franchise. His offensive game isn’t terrific, but it did start to improve last year (at least from mid-range), and his defensive presence should be a big upgrade for the Kings. (EvilGenius)

Pick #7: Denver Nuggets Select Emmanuel Mudiay, China

I mean, your guess is as good as mine here. Apparently the guy has prime Derrick-Rose talent, and nobody has seen him play organized basketball since his Chinese league team benched him in favor of Will Bynum. That’s…that’s a confusing one. You can’t teach size, and it’s pretty clear that he’s going to be one of the biggest and most athletic point guards in the league from the jump, but he’s a score-first guy without much of a jump shot.

If his ability to get to the rack isn’t SPECIAL, he’s going to need to make a fairly incredible leap with his jump shot or be a better playmaker than advertised, this might not work out. Still, Denver got a guy a lot of people felt might be as talented as anyone in the draft, and with Lawson still on the roster, he’s coming into a low-risk situation. (Krolik)

Pick #8: Detroit Pistons Select Stanley Johnson, Arizona

The STANimal!  Jay Bilas really brings it on draft night.  He’s a winner, good in transition, quick defender, could be a great defender.  You know SVG loves his long perimeter defenders.  Apparently this guy is the second coming of Ron Artest, just a absolute load of body in a small forward’s skillset? But can’t shoot?  Bigger than Draymond Green but will guard wings?  Stanley should take Draymond out to dinner and let him grab onto his clothes as many times as he wants.  Detroit got a lot of bodies up there. (Pestak)

Pick #9: Charlotte Hornets Select Frank Kaminsky, Indiana

“WE’RE GOIN’ STREAKING!!!” Frank “The Tank” joins the party in Charlotte where they’re already pretty intoxicated with a flurry of trades they’ve made over the last two days. Kaminsky is a big man shooter who can’t rebound or defend all that well, but can possibly help the Hornets stretch the floor a little bit. A little surprised they didn’t go for a pure shooter with this pick (and they did reportedly field a ton of trade offers for this spot), so there might still be a trade in the works for the wheeling and dealing Michael Jordans in store. For now, they’ll be satisfied in reaching for the badger here. SHOTS ALL AROUND!!! (EvilGenius)

Pick #10: Miami Heat Select Justice Winslow, Duke.

Wow. Absolute steal of the draft up to this point. Literally could not have worked out better for Miami. Winslow is a real athlete, a 3-and-D guy with wingspan, rebounding instincts, and athleticism, and he fills a hole at the 3 that some LeBron James guy left. Miami probably would’ve taken this dude at #4 or #5 if they’d had that pick. Plus, he’s coming off a national championship, which you know Pat Riley puts a lot of stock in, since he’s not a big fan of developing raw talents. Just a stunning stroke of good luck for Miami. (Krolik)

Pick #11: Indiana Pacers Select Myles Turner, Texas.

Adam Silver should have said “For the 4th time in 11 picks, the NBA selects Seven Footers!!!”  The big man may be dead in 2015.  It may be very much resurrected in 2016.  This guy blocks shots.  His running style is funny.  So funny that he was profiled by SportScience.  He has already flashed a willingness to shoot 3s.  I emphasize willingness (sub 30% from downtown).  This is a rather controversial pick with some loving it and some questioning if he was the best player available or the best fit for Indiana.  7’4″ wingspan and 9’4″ standing reach. (Pestak)

Love Myles Turner for the Pacers because he eventually allows them to play with more space offensively without sacrificing their defense.

— Kevin Pelton (@kpelton) June 26, 2015

Pick #12: Utah Jazz Select Trey Lyles, Kentucky

In a bit of a surprise, the Jazz pass on some shooting from Devin Booker and opt instead for his lesser used teammate, Lyles. An athletic big man with some electrifying moves on the block, Lyles deepens a Utah front court. He doesn’t give them a whole lot on the defensive end, but he’s got great size, skill and basketball IQ. The Jazz still probably could use some outside shooting, but Lyles should be a dynamic force off the bench for them anyway. (EvilGenius)

Pick #13: Phoenix Suns Select Devin Booker, Kentucky

Good size for a shooting guard, solid athleticism, a nice 3-point stroke, and good shot selection — a line of 50%/40%/80% for a powerhouse team like Kentucky is nothing to sneeze at. I think this is a guy whose shooting and size will keep him in the league for a while, and he can defend and put the ball on the floor well enough to not hurt his team when he’s not pouring in threes. I like him as an NBA player, and I like him spacing the floor for Bledsoe in Phoenix’s backcourt. (Krolik)

Pick #14: OKC Thunder Select Cameron Payne, Murray State

A smallish lefty point guard that strikes a great balance between setting up teammates and creating shots.  Steady, good change of pace, good in the pick and roll.  Will OKC let him play point and put Russ off the ball?  He liked to push in transition in college.  Three man weave with two of the best transition players in the game.  “There is no ceiling for Cameron Payne.”  -Cameron Payne.  A mid-major describing his own chip on his shoulder and how he’s out to take care of his family…Who wants to see this guy and Waiters in a twitter feud over best back-up backcourt ceiling in the NBA? BUCKETS DNT (Pestak)

Cameron Payne is only the 3rd sophomore in last 25 years to average 20 PPG & 6 APG. The others are @RealJayWilliams & Anfernee Hardaway.

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 26, 2015

Pick #15: Atlanta Hawks Select Kelly Oubre, Kansas (Pick traded to Washington Wizards)

Oubre is one of those guys I didn’t quite buy all the hype on. Despite his awesome shoes (shout out to Nate), his game is wildly inconsistent. He’s long and athletic, and can guard multiple positions, but has had issues with focus and maturity. Atlanta is reportedly shipping him to the Wizards in exchange for their #19 pick, as well as two future second rounders. He’ll likely be one of the guys slated to help them replace The Truth (although may just wind up as a seat warmer for Durantula in 2016). (EvilGenius)

Pick #16: Boston Celtics Select Terry Rozier, Louisville 

One of the biggest reaches in the draft, as Rozier was projected by DraftExpress to go with the #30 pick. Why? Well, he’s small at 6’2, he’s a 30% three-point shooter, and he averaged 3.0 assists per game. I don’t know how good undersized point guards who can’t shoot or pass can possibly get, so I’m not sure about this one. Apparently the kid was a workout wonder, and he’s an athlete who can flat-out play defense, but the Celtics already have an athletic point guard in Marcus Smart — this feels like Brad Stevens trying to get a little too cute in establishing his college-style, defense-first, all-effort principles instead of just taking the best talent on the board. (Krolik)

Pick #17: Milwaukee Bucks Select Rashad Vaughn, UNLV

Vaughn outshot two of the better outside shooters in the draft (Pat Connaughton and Anthony Brown) in a small Boys & Girls Club gym in Santa Monica just last week. Dude can hit crazy shots from all over the gym and was a knock down shooter all year for the Runnin Rebs. He’s young, he’s fairly long (6’5), and gives the Bucks a potentially deadly outside threat (just what the Bucks need). He’s still a little raw, but if the Bucks are patient with him, I think he could be one of the bigger steals of the draft, especially on this team. (EvilGenius)

Pick #18: Houston Rockets Select Sam Dekker, Wisconsin 

Wally Szczerbiak comp!  And another player that thinks he’s the best player in the draft.  Can we start a petition to get writers to stop asking players this question?  Two white guys (Junior and Senior no less) from Wisconsin in the first round?  This draft is not living up to all the NBA narratives.  Rockets play the strangest style in the NBA, where lots of average NBA shooters have the green light to fire away.

Morey wants MOAR THREES. #NBADraft

— Spencer Davies (@SpinDavies) June 26, 2015

I can see Dekker thriving in the chaos, as he’s a bit of a streak player.  He’s got Morey size and Morey versatility.  (Pestak)

Pick #19: Wizards Select Jerian Grant (Traded to Hawks), Notre Dame

I see a solid NBA backup point guard here. Not a crazy-good athlete or shooter, but good size, a good passer, and a solid finisher at the basket. The main thing for him will be cutting out the step-back and off-the-dribble threes he had to take at Notre Dame and replacing them with open catch-and-shoots, bumping that 3-point percentage up from 31% to around the 35-38% range, and then he’s giving you a very solid 15-20 minutes a night. (Krolik)

Pick #20: Toronto Raptors Select Delon Wright, Utah

Lots of Cavs fans had their eye on this guy.

Delon Wright goes 20th to the Raptors. Versatile guard. Raptors shopping Lowry. Nice insurance. #Raptors #NBADraft

— Joe Kotoch Real Estate (@luxuryagentchi) June 26, 2015

Scouting report is fun. Not particularly athletic, but a very herky jerky style with all sorts of moves that earn him a lot of free throws. Another tall point guard that sees over the top. Best asset is defense. Feels like a career backup that will average 4 points a game but have one 40 point outburst a season. This will get Toronto fans to talk about how “but he can drop 40 any night” the way Cavs fans spoke of Waiters.  Cavs fans and Raptors fans are some of the best.  (Pestak)

Pick #21: Dallas Mavericks Select Justin Anderson, Virginia

And speaking of guys Cavs fans had their eye on… A bit of a surprise here that the Mavs wouldn’t go with a PG, although with Jerian Grant and Delon Wright going just before this, they opted to find a possible replacement for Monta Ellis. I’d hate to see the penalty Donnie Nelson will face from Cubes and his inmates for not following the instructions tattooed on his forearm, but Anderson should still be a nice player for the Mavs. His shot is a little odd, but he’s got a ton of athleticism. He’s a power wing and already a pretty solid defender. (EvilGenius)

Pick #22: Chicago Bulls Select Bobby Portis, Arkansas

I am not thrilled to be seeing this dude in the Eastern Conference playoffs for the next few years, honestly. It’s weird that Thibodeau doesn’t coach the Bulls anymore, but he’s a Thibodeau player: big, physical, can score in the paint with post moves and ugly baskets, gets rebounds, and loves to shove guys around. Him and Tristan Thompson are going to bang into each other a lot when these teams meet in the playoffs next, and the building will fall down before either one of these guys.

Pick #23: Portland TrailBlazers Select Rondae Hollis-Jefferson

Everyone pretty set on the Josh Smith comps, except he might not be the transcendent athlete Josh Smith was/is. Lefty, can’t shoot, won’t go to his off hand, above the rim, gets to the free throw line, freezes in the half court. Sounds like 30 year old Josh Smith anyway. Will make or break depending on his defense. (Pestak)

Pick #24: Cleveland Cavaliers Select Tyus Jones, Duke (Pick reportedly traded to Minnesota for Picks 31 & 36)

[Editor’s Note: We will be breaking down this pick for the Cavs in a separate post]

Pick #25: Memphis Grizzlies Select Jarrell Martin, LSU

Grizzlies gonna Grizzlies. This is a physical, ground-bound team that beats teams inside, so instead of taking an outside shooter, they just doubled down and took Martin, who is a undersized, big, physical, Grizzlies-as-hell dude who also pulled off a between-the-legs dunk during a game. Slightly overweight, strong, not a shooter, big-time rebounder, and doesn’t care. That’s a grit and grind dude right there. He’ll fit right in, although the Grizzlies honestly should have drafted a shooter here. (Krolik)

Pick #26: San Antonio Spurs Select Nikola Milutinov, Serbia

The Spurs are masters in the art of the Euro draft and stash, and here they load up with a guy who sounds like a Serbian assault rifle than a 6-11 big man. Milutinov is probably a couple years away from helping the Spurs continue their International arms race, but from the 720p video, it looks like he’s got some pretty good footwork and fundamentals. The knock is that he doesn’t have a great motor, but could be a big gun for the Spurs in the future. (EvilGenius)

Pick #27: Los Angeles Lakers Select Larry Nance Jr., Wyoming

Well, Cavs fans should certainly have a soft spot in their heart for this guy. Nance was expected to fall into the second round, but apparently he was a workout wonder, and if he can carry his workout form into actual basketball games, he projects as a pick-and-pop guy with some nice post moves who can play defense. High-risk, high-reward pick for the Lakers — if a guy that big can score inside and out and play defense, he wouldn’t have been projected as a second-round guy, but if he really can do it, he helps out a Laker frontcourt that can use the floor-spacing. (Krolik)

Pick #28: Boston Celtics Select R.J. Hunter, Georgia State

This is as high as you’ll ever see people on a one-dimensional outside shooter who shot under 40% from the floor and 30% from 3, but his stroke really does look good, and it looks like he was just jacking up shots from wherever he felt like in college, so he could easily become an effective NBA player as a shooting specialist. It’s always a bummer when the Cavs miss out on a chance to get cheap shooting next to LeBron, but again, this dude didn’t crack the 30% mark from 3 in college, and the Cavs already have one J.R. Smith capable of jacking up 3s whenever he feels like it. (Krolik)

Pick #29: Brooklyn Nets Select Chris McCullough, Syracuse

Had he not torn his ACL, McCullough had the potential to be a lottery pick this year, and would certainly have been had he returned to school next season. The Nets take a big swing here on a versatile and athletic PF with a lot of future upside, but who likely won’t play at all for them next season. Time will tell, but McCullough should be ready to contribute once the Nets have cleared the decks a bit from this current squad. (EvilGenius)

Pick #30: Golden State Warriors Select Kevon Looney, UCLA

The rich get richer with this pick. Golden State winds up with a big man that could have been in the lottery if not for his hip issues (that most likely will require surgery). Looney is a terrific rebounder, averaging over nine per game for the Bruins. He’s a skilled big man, although scouts have questioned his position definition (which is actually a strength at Golden State who play more of a positionless system). Barring setbacks with his hip, he should be yet another quality contributor for the Warriors. (EvilGenius)

And THAT’S A WRAP on Round 1! Keep an eye out for a more in-depth breakdown of the Cavs’ trade of their #24 pick, and the results of their new picks #31 and #36…