2015 NBA Mock Draft (1-14)

(June, 24th 2015) By: Efraim Graber

1. Minnesota Timberwolves – Karl-Anthony Towns (PF/C, Kentucky, Fr., 19, 7-0, 248):

The Wolves haven't had a player as good as Towns since KG. They need someone who can defend and don't need a scorer. Hopefully Wiggins will become that scorer for them. They need defense, and this is how they will supercharge theres. 

Karl-Anthony can wreak havoc in the transition game, which will be a great fit for Ricky Rubio who moves the ball around so well. 

2.  Los Angeles Lakers – Jahlil Okafor (C, Duke, Fr., 19, 6-11, 272):

As much as the Lakers need a rim protector, the team has an old-school mentality that strives for the traditional Center. They will get it in Okafor. He has the best footwork I've seen in a while. I also believe that defense can be taught and is something that the lakers can develop down the line. 

3. Philadelphia 76ers –  Kristaps Porzingis (PF, Sevilla/International, 19, 7-0, 230):

It all comes down to them needing to draft a player that can contribute right off the bat (see Embiid and Noel's first years). He can spread the floor for them with his shooting, while Noel is inside for the rebounds. He can end up being the best player in the draft if he lives up to the hype. 

4.  New York Knicks –  D'Angelo Russell (PG/SG, Ohio State, Fr., 19, 6-5, 193):

The Knicks will be roasted for any move they make in this draft...except drafting Russel. He is a polished shooter, NBA ready and can flat out play. He is also very tall and will only continue to add muscle to his slender 195 lbs frame. He is a player that is willing to learn the triangle, which basically makes him more usefull than Carmelo Anthony. How they will gel, will determine his success. 

5.  Orlando Magic – Justise Winslow (SF, Duke, Fr., 19, 6-7, 222):

The Magic can have a monster lineup with Winslow in the mix. Payton, Oladipo, Winslow, Vucevic and can try to bring in Lopez at Center. Those are 3 players that can all handle the ball and push the ball up the court to play a very fast paced offense that will be a force to be reckoned with. 

 6.  Sacramento Kings -  Willie Cauley-Stein (C, Kentucky, Jr., 21, 7-1, 242): To put a defensive genius like WCS next to Cousins would be the Kings best move. They would be impossible to score off of in the paint. The term twin towers comes to mind with the two 7 footers.
7.  Denver Nuggets – Emmanuel Mudiay (PG, Guangdong/International, 19, 6-5, 200):
He tore up the CBA this year along with Stephan Marberry. Ok he's a really good, tall, built and smart PG. That is exactly what the Nuggets need especially since they are most probably getting rid of Ty Lawson. His ceiling is Russel Westbrook (very very high) and his floor is proabably Shaun Livingston. Which is a solid role player in the NBA, he happen to be a big part of the Golden State Warriors championship run this year. 

8.  Detroit Pistons -  Devin Booker (SG, Kentucky, Fr., 18, 6-6, 206):
Caldwell-Pope can slide into the 3 spot and Ilyasova can be the 4. That said, Monroe is probably not coming back. 

9. Charlotte Hornets -  Stanley Johnson (SF, Arizona, Fr., 18, 6-7, 242):

With the departure of Lance Stephenson and his infamous ear blowing the Hornets need to take a young, and very strong SF in Johnson. 

10.  Miami Heat – Mario Hezonja (SG/SF, Barcelona/International, 20, 6-8, 200):

Deng might be gone which will fill a big whole in this Heat rotation. Plug it in with a guy who can flat out score and also defend pretty well, and you'll be in good shape. 

11.  Indiana Pacers -  Frank Kaminsky (PF, Wisconsin, Sr., 22, 7-1, 231):

Frank the Tank can really open the floor up for George to dribble penetrate. he can also catch and shoot or drive off of Hibbert passes from the deep post. 

12. Utah Jazz -  R.J. Hunter (SG, Georgia State, Jr., 21, 6-6, 185):

Hunter will complete this rotation filling a void that has recently been filled by 6'4" and shorter PGs. 

13. Phoenix Suns -  Trey Lyles (PF, Kentucky, Fr., 19, 6-10, 241):

The Suns love players who can run the floor and defend. He can be a very good role player. Also the classic Suns type of player. 

14.  Oklahoma City Thunder -  Tyus Jones (PG, Duke, Fr., 19, 6-2, 185):

Star power rules! Coming off winning a National Championship is always good for the confidence. Look for the Thunder to try and maybe get a real PG as a backup to take over for Jackson. Maybe eventually usurping Westbrook and making him revert to his original SG spot. 

Top 5: Young up and coming teams

(June, 23rd 2015) By: Ira Barasch

  Since the Golden State Warriors won the NBA championship with such a young team, lets look at other teams who seem to be gearing up with young players and may be primed for a deep playoff run in the near future. 

Honorable mentions: The Charlotte Hornets (33 – 49) The Boston Celtics (40 – 42) The Minnesota Timberwolves (16 – 66) 

5. The Orlando Magic: After a breakout year from point guard Elfrid Payton, the magic have added another piece to their already slowly growing arsenal. Along with Victor Oladipo and Nikola Vučević their young roster is growing more and more talented. The upcoming draft is crucial to add another piece, look for the magic to be on the rise. 

4. The Utah Jazz: After going 38 – 44 this past season the jazz have started to climb out of the cellar. With Rudy Gobert, Derrick Favors, Alec Burks, and Gordon Heyward leading the way with young players in Dante Exum and Trey Burke still developing, this team is loaded with talent. Also a very crucial upcoming draft for them. 

3. The Washington Wizards: John Wall. Need I say more? Ok fine, Bradley Beal, Otto Porter Jr., happy now? This team made a decent playoff run this past season thanks to veteran leaders such as Paul Pierce, Nene and with Marcin Gortat also having a nice season. Expect this team to keep on improving and starting to cause some chaos in the Eastern Conference. 

2. The Milwaukee Bucks: This team just keeps getting more and more intriguing. We haven't seen much out of Jabari Parker, but he seems to be a dominant big man. Together with Giannis Antetokounmpo (A.K.A the 'Greek Freak') and Michael Carter – Williams they have a young core that just keeps improving. Don't be surprised if this team becomes a staple in the playoff picture in the Eastern Conference. 

1. The New Orleans Pelicans: Ladies and gentleman, Anthony Davis has arrived. This kid has “future MVP” written all over him. His backup in Tyreke Evans and Jrue Holiday are not to be taken lightly either. This team is legitimately only a few pieces away from a title, so expect to be hearing their name a lot, because they're not going anywhere.

Restricted Free Agents

(June, 12th 2015) By: Efraim Graber

Here are your Top 3 Restricted Free Agents for 2015

Per http://www.nba.com/knicks/freeagency/faqs.html A Restricted Free Agent is defined as follows: The player's original team has the chance to keep the player by matching the offer sheet signed with another team. This is known as the "right of first refusal."

1.Kawhi Leonard
Restricted / Small Forward / 6-7 / Team: San Antonio
16.5 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 2.3 spg

Best Option: This depends on if Tim Duncan comes back. So its really simple, Tim stays, you stay. Tim leaves, you leave. 

Other Option: I can see a number of teams in the league taking a shot and offering him one on the chance that Pop makes a crazy move and doesn't match the offer. However his ideal situation outside of San Antonio would be the Golden State Warriors, who can use a real 3 on their team. 

2.Jimmy Butler

Restricted / Shooting Guard / 6-7 / Team: Chicago20.0 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 3.3 apg

Best Option: Go back to Chicago and continue to usurp Derrick Rose as the number one option. He would also have the opportunity to continue building a rapport with the teammates hes spent his whole career with.
Other Option: Teams like the Bucks and Lakers who have money can definitely offer him a max offer sheet. The Bucks are a better option because they are knocking on the door and need one more piece to put them over the edge. He fits their mold of a big 2 guard that can score and they are already in a winning atmosphere.

3.Draymond Green

Restricted / Small Forward / 6-7 / Team: Golden State

11.7 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 3.7 apg
Best Option: Stay with the Golden State Warriors and try to make another run to the finals. Especially because most of that team will be back and they will only get better in Free Agency. 

Other Option: He can be a great defensive piece on a team that is almost over the hump, for instance the Spurs. However something tells me his attitude might not fly with Coach Pop. 

Stay tuned for the next 3 Restricted Free Agents next week!

Top 5: NBA Free agent bargains for 2015

(June, 11th 2015) By: Ira Barasch

Welcome to Top 5, where once a week we will be making a ranking of random NBA topics. This week is affordable free agents.

Honorable mentions: these players didn't quite make the Top 5, but deserve a mention regardless 

Al Jefferson (19.2 ppg, 9.6 rbpg last 2 seasons) 

 Tyson Chandler (9.5 ppg, 10.5 rbpg last 2 seasons) 

Corey Brewer (11.2 ppg last 2 seasons) 

Jeremy Lin (11.85 ppg, 4.35 apg last 2 seasons) 

Andrea Bargnani (14.05 ppg last 2 seasons) 

Gerald Green (13.8 ppg last 2 seasons) 

Top 5:

5) Louis Scola (8.5 ppg 5.65 rbpg last 2 seasons) Sneaking into the 5 is Scola, who admittedly hasn't been his best the last few seasons. Yet this is about finding a bargain, a diamond in the rough. For a team looking for some depth in the front court and is willing to take a risk and hope he returns to form, it might be worth signing him. 

4) Robin Lopez (10.35 ppg, 7.6 rbpg) Lopez is an under the radar steal this year. He might not be as effective or high profile as his twin brother, but he is also bery effective. While others are worried about big names such as Rajon Rondo, Kevin Love, Marc Gasol, and Lamarcus Aldridge; Lopez is effective and can be snatched up by anyone needing a potential dominant big man. 

3) Jeff Green (15.18 ppg last 2 seasons) in our 3 spot is a man who can flat out score, but not much else. Green was traded from the Celtics to the Grizzlies over this past season and his scoring suffered as a result. Yet he's a perfect one or two year contract for a team looking for a second option or looking for some help off the bench. 

2) Amar'e Stoudamire (11.45 ppg last 2 seasons) Standing Tall And Talented at number 2 is the biggest question mark on this list. Amar'e is injury prone but the past 2 seasons have showed a lot of promise. When looking at his average over 36 minutes his scoring skyrocketed to 23.5 pts. Any team lacking in the front court and willing to take a risk might just strike it big with S.T.A.T if he's used primarily off the bench and only in spurts. 

1) Thaddeus Young (14.08 ppg 5.45 rbpg last 2 seasons) Our number one bargain of the off season is Thad Young. This man needs a stable job on a team. After bouncing over 3 teams the past 2 seasons (Phi → Min → Bklyn) his talent has been misused and he has been taken for granted. Easily one of the most serviceable big men in the league, he could be a big piece for any team looking for a starting big man or an edge to get them over the hump. A must sign.