2015 Sixers Big Board 1.0
By Derek Bodner
Updated: Monday, January 5, 2015 08:00 AM
This is v1.0 of my Sixers-focused NBA draft big board, release on January 5th, 2015. This originally appeared on sixerswiki.com.
| Pick | Player | Position | College | Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jahlil Okafor | C | Duke | Freshman |
| The top of the draft is very interesting. I’m putting Okafor here, but it would be classified as “too close to call” if this were a poll. I absolutely love a big man who can command a double team and confidently pass out of it. I’m not sure if Okafor can defend the 4, but his ability to score in the post and ability to pass out of that is so advanced that I’m willing to take the chance. I’ve said before, but the worst position the Sixers can find themselves in is after three years they still don’t a dominant player, and putting all their eggs in one basket (Joel Embiid) by trying to find the best fit with Embiid could be risky. In this draft, I have the most confidence in Okafor becoming a dominant post player. But it’s a close race between Okafor and Towns. They’re really the two in this draft I see as having the highest likelihood of becoming dominant. | ||||
| 2 | Karl Towns | C | Kentucky | Freshman |
| That being said, if there’s one thing that I like as much as a post scorer who can pass out of it, it’s a two way big man, and Towns has that ability in spades. Not nearly as advanced in the post, but his feel on the perimeter, shot blocking, and overall defensive versatility are much more advanced than Okafor’s, and he offers great passing as well. I hate comparisons, but he kind of reminds me of Rasheed Wallace in his inside-out game combined with long arms, good build, and athleticism. But a better rebounding Sheed without the attitude problems. | ||||
| 3 | Kristaps Porzingis | PF | Sevilla | |
| He has really improved this year. I think he’s a 4, but he’s the type who could fit perfectly next to Embiid, and has more than enough potential to impact games on both sides of the court to justify this spot. For those worried about whether two post-up bigs can work together, he’s potentially your answer. | ||||
| 4 | Emmanuel Mudiay | PG | China | |
| I’ll admit that he has the possibility to really jump on my board once I get the chance to watch more of what he did in China. That being said, I wasn’t 100% sold on what he did in high school, and enough people have impressed me this year to drop him just a bit down to #4. | ||||
| 5 | Stanley Johnson | SF | Arizona | Freshman |
| Of the wings, I’m most confident at this time on Johnson. He has excellent size and defensive tools, has been consistent with his outside shot, and has shown more offensively than I expected, despite being very young for his class (he’ll turn 19 just a month before the 2015 draft). | ||||
| 6 | Mario Hezonja | SG | Barcelona | |
| The best fit offensively among the options on the wing, and he’s been playing better of late. | ||||
| 7 | Justise Winslow | SF | Duke | Freshman |
| Putting Winslow this low feels wrong, and I don’t really view it as a negative comment about him as a prospect. He could easily end up being top 5 when all is said and done. | ||||
| 8 | Kelly Oubre | SF | Kansas | Freshman |
| Oubre started the year off really poorly, with sporadic playing time, and he was ineffective in the few minutes he did get. But his minutes have become more stable of late (at least 23 in each of the last 3 games), and he’s had performances of 23 points, 10 rebounds and 20 points, 7 rebounds in those games, albeit against weak competition. He’s another one to keep your eye on, and one that could jump considerably. | ||||
| 9 | D’Angelo Russell | PG/SG | Ohio State | Freshman |
| Has the ability to play both guard positions, showing point guard-like ability to control the game with a reliable outside shot. At least at this stage of the game, he’s probably the second best point guard prospect in the draft, has the skill sets to either play with Michael Carter-Williams or replace him, depending on the direction the team goes. | ||||
| 10 | Willie Cauley-Stein | C | Kentucky | Junior |
| Putting WCS this low seems criminal. He’s played very well for quite some time, and has really been playing well since Nerlens Noel went down with his injury, but hes turned into a defensive monster this season. That being said, this is one of those situations where fit really impacts draft stock, and this being a Sixers-centric draft board, I can’t see much of a situation where the Sixers took WCS. | ||||
| 11 | Myles Turner | C | Texas | Freshman |
| His production has been incredible, but the competition has not been. Turner has feasted on a rather weak out-of-conference schedule, and has struggled to have that same impact when going up against NBA caliber big men in games against Kentucky, Stanford, and UConn. He could move up, and he’s a lottery talent based on physical profile alone, but I’m not convinced enough to vault him up higher at this point. | ||||
| 12 | Trey Lyles | PF | Kentucky | Freshman |
| Not as athletic as some of his other teammates, but good size and has the type of inside-outside potential that could become intriguing. May end up coming off the board, though, as I could see him returning for his sophomore season. | ||||
| 13 | Kevon Looney | PF | UCLA | Freshman |
| Started the season off on fire, but has come down to earth in the past few weeks. Smooth athlete who plays hard defensively, but needs polish on the offensive end. | ||||
| 14 | Christian Wood | PF | UNLV | Sophomore |
| Has made huge strides in his offensive game and decision making during his second season at UNLV. Has good potential as a face-up big who can also rebound and block shots with his length. | ||||
| 15 | Caris LeVert | SG | Michigan | Junior |
| Another one who has struggled of late. Has the ability to step out and make shots on the perimeter while facilitating some of the offense. Fits a huge need for the Sixers at the 2-guard, but questions on whether he can consistently create against NBA level defenders. | ||||
