The Top Six NBA Draft Picks in a Nutshell
1. Karl-Anthony Towns: Minnesota Timberwolves
Karl Anthony Towns went first in the 2015 NBA Draft. The center from University of Kentucky will help this young team that only won 16 games last season with his ability to knock down a mid-range jump shot and get big in the post.
2. D'Angelo Russell: Los Angeles Lakers
The Western Conference is guard dominant and the Lakers have money to spend in free agency to get a big man like Kevin Love or Lamarcus Aldridge. Russell can deliver the ball like very few guards, and he can do it anywhere on the court. He is left handed with long arms, the game just comes easy to Russell.
3. Jahlil Okafor: Philadelphia 76ers
Okafor helped Duke win a National Championship, he is arguably he most dominant low-post player in the draft. He is not so much a rim protector but has a great touch around the basket and always demands a double-team that he can pass out of and score out of.
4. Kristaps Porzingis: New York Knicks
After being terribly booed all the way up to the stage to shake Adam Silver's hand by Knicks fans, Porzingis will have to try and prove himself quickly at Madison Square Garden. He needs to grow into his body, he needs to learn how to become a rim protector, he is a project and these Knicks fans want to win NOW! It will be fun to see what Phil Jackson does in free agency.
5. Mario Hezonja: Orlando Magic
Orlando needs a shooter and he is a shooter. Hezonja is possibly the best shooter in this draft, although his number were up and down in Croatia and Spain, he is the type of player that can win both a three point contest and a dunk contest. He has a cocky swag about him that might just work with head coach Scott Skiles.
6. Willie Cauley-Stein: Sacramento Kings
Cauley-Stein is a freak athlete and is hard to keep up with for some bigs. He is a rim protector and can get steals but is not exactly the biggest rebounder. Put him in a pick and roll situation and he can switch, he is capable of guarding every position on the floor. He broke his foot in 2014 but says nothing is wrong with it and he is 95% healed, which to me is still a red flag.
He is not a scorer so the Kings can only hope he becomes a first-team all defensive player. With all the drama, rumors, or whatever it may be going on between George Karl and DeMarcus Cousins, Sacramento better be looking into making some big moves this season.
