Brian Robb's NBA Mock Draft: Willie Cauley-Stein Available At 16?
BOSTON (CBS) -- The 2015 NBA Draft is upon us, and the early indications are that teams will be swapping picks all over the place this evening. In the meantime though, it's time to do our best gauging where a vast array of prospects will fall in the first round.
First let's take a look at my projected picks for the Celtics before looking at the rest of the draft (with commentary on the top five picks).
Celtics with 16th pick: Willie Cauley-Stein
Multiple reports indicate Cauley-Stein's stock is sliding due to injury concerns and questions about the big man's motivation and the Celtics may be in position here to take advantage. Ainge has the assets to gamble on an elite shot blocking and defensive talent at this point in the draft. Cauley-Stein has flaws, but the upside potential is enough to take the risk.
Celtics with 28th pick: Jonathan Holmes
The hybrid forward out of Texas provides some reliable outside shooting and some versatility on the defensive end. He will add to the logjam at the power forward spot, but it's likely Danny Ainge will clear out some bodies if he makes this selection. However, my money is on the Celtics using this pick to help them trade up into the draft.
1. Minnesota Timberwolves, Karl-Anthony Towns – The best two-way big man the draft has to offer will get to learn from Kevin Garnett in Minnesota for the next few years. Towns and Wiggins will form an interesting young core for Flip Saunders to build upon.
2. Los Angeles Lakers, Jahlil Okafor – At this point, it appears to be coin flip between Okafor and D'Angelo Russell for this pick. I'm not crazy about an Okafor and Randle pairing for the Lakers future as big men, but Okafor is the sexier name here. Elite point guards in the NBA are plentiful; great offensive big men are not. Okafor should get the nod.
3. Philadelphia 76ers, D'Angelo Russell – After going on a run of big men in the draft in last couple years, Russell is the easy choice for the rebuilding Sixers in the backcourt. GM Sam Hinkie still needs to find plenty of talent to support him with, but the former Ohio State guard will be a nice anchor.
4. New York Knicks, Mario Hezonja – You might hear some boos from the Knick faithful in Brooklyn if this pick comes to be, but New York's offense would get a big boost with the addition of this Croatian star. Outside shooting, shot creation, and confidence could help Hezonja eventually develop into a nice second scoring option beside Carmelo Anthony
5. Orlando Magic, Kristaps Porzingis – On a team full of athletes and defenders, Porzingis is a big that could help improve one of the NBA's worst offenses. The comparisons to Dirk Nowitzki are premature, but he gives Orlando another offensive option as top scorer Tobias Harris could be out the door this summer in free agency.
6. Sacramento Kings, Justise Winslow
7. Denver Nuggets, Emmanuel Mudiay
8. Detroit Pistons, Stanley Johnson
9. Charlotte Hornets, Devin Booker
10. Miami Heat, Frank Kaminsky
11. Indiana Pacers, Myles Turner
12. Utah Jazz, Sam Dekker
13. Phoenix Suns, Trey Lyles
14. Oklahoma City Thunder, Cameron Payne
15. Atlanta Hawks, Kelly Oubre
16. Boston Celtics, Willie Cauley-Stein
17. Milwaukee Bucks, Bobby Portis
18. Houston Rockets, Tyus Jones
19. Washington Wizards, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson
20. Toronto Raptors, Justin Anderson
21. Dallas Mavericks, Kevon Looney
22. Chicago Bulls, Jerian Grant
23. Portland Trail Blazers, Rashad Vaughn
24. Cleveland Cavaliers, R.J. Hunter
25. Memphis Grizzlies, Montrezl Harrell
26. San Antonio Spurs, Chris McCullough,
27. Los Angeles Lakers, Deion Wright
28. Boston Celtics, Jonathan Holmes
29. Brooklyn Nets, Jarrell Martin
30. Golden State Warriors, Anthony Brown
Brian Robb covers the Celtics for CBS Boston and contributes to NBA.com, among other media outlets. You can follow him on Twitter @CelticsHub.