Basketball

First-round selections in the NBA Draft


D’Angelo Russell (right) pointed upward as he shook hands with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after the Los Angeles Lakers selected Russell with the second pick in the NBA Draft on Thursday.
D’Angelo Russell (right) pointed upward as he shook hands with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after the Los Angeles Lakers selected Russell with the second pick in the NBA Draft on Thursday. The Associated Press

1. Minnesota Timberwolves

Karl-Anthony Towns, C, 7-0, 250, Fr., Kentucky

T-Wolves bypass Jahlil Okafor, opting to pair the versatile Towns with former KU star Andrew Wiggins.

2. Los Angeles Lakers

D’Angelo Russell, G, 6-5, 180, Fr., Ohio State

In a Western Conference filled with star guards, the Lakers take the draft’s top playmaker.

3. Philadelphia 76ers

Jahlil Okafor, C, 6-11, 270, Fr., Duke

Okafor takes his NCAA Championship and joins a backlog of big men, including Joel Embiid, in Philly.

4. New York Knicks

Kristaps Porzingis, F, 7-0, 220, Latvia

A late riser up draft boards, Porzingis, 19, has drawn comparisons to Dirk Nowitzki.

5. Orlando Magic

Mario Hezonja, G, 6-8, 200, Croatia

Orlando grabs 20-year-old Croatian, the best shooter in the draft, according to ESPN’s Fran Fraschilla.

6. Sacramento Kings

Willie Cauley-Stein, C, 7-1, 240, Jr., Kentucky

Olathe Northwest product could replace Kings big man DeMarcus Cousins, the subject of rampant trade rumors.

7. Denver Nuggets

Emmanuel Mudiay, G, 6-5, 200, Democratic Republic of Congo

A former McDonald’s All-American, Mudiay heads to Denver after playing a year in China.

8. Detroit Pistons

Stanley Johnson, F, 6-7, 245, Fr., Arizona

After being picked, the one-and-done Arizona star said: “Detroit vs. everybody.”

9. Charlotte Hornets

Frank Kaminsky, F, 7-1, 242, Sr., Wisconsin

A Chicago-area native, Kaminsky goes to Charlotte and owner Michael Jordan.

10. Miami Heat

Justise Winslow, G, 6-7, 230, Fr., Duke

Miami grabs the versatile Winslow, one of three Duke freshmen in the draft.

11. Indiana Pacers

Myles Turner, F, 7-0, 243, Fr., Texas

Turner was one-and-done at Texas, now he heads to retooling Pacers.

12. Utah Jazz

Trey Lyles, F, 6-10, 235, Fr., Kentucky

One of four Wildcats taken in the lottery, Lyles can stretch the floor from deep.

13. Phoenix Suns

Devin Booker, G, 6-6, 205, Fr., Kentucky

Booker, son of former MU star Melvin Booker, has drawn comparisons to Warriors guard Klay Thompson.

14. Oklahoma City Thunder

Cameron Payne, G, 6-2, 185, So., Murray State

Former midmajor star lands in the lottery, will play for former Florida coach Billy Donovan.

15. Atlanta Hawks (traded to Washington)

Kelly Oubre, G, 6-7, 200, Fr., Kansas

The Hawks took Kansas one-and-done with the 15th pick, then dealt him to the Wizards.

16. Boston Celtics

Terry Rozier, G, 6-2, 190, Louisville

Rozier averaged 17.1 points per game as a sophomore at Louisville.

17. Milwaukee Bucks

Rashad Vaughn, G, 6-5, 200, Fr., UNLV

Vaughn, another one-and-done player, could be a project for Milwaukee.

18. Houston Rockets

Sam Dekker, F, 6-9, 230, Jr., Wisconsin

Dekker’s outside-in game could be a perfect fit for three-loving Rockets.

19. Washington Wizards (traded to Atlanta, traded to New York)

Jerian Grant, G, 6-4, 205, Sr., Notre Dame

A terrific athlete, Grant ended up with Knicks after two trades.

20. Toronto Raptors

Delon Wright, G, 6-6, 190, Sr., Utah

Now a pro, Wright helped resuscitate the Utah basketball program.

21. Dallas Mavericks

Justin Anderson, G, 6-6, Jr., Virginia

Anderson helped turn Virginia into NCAA title contender as a junior.

22. Chicago Bulls

Bobby Portis, F, 6-11, 242, So., Arkansas

The Bulls add some more size, taking Razorbacks forward.

23. Portland Trail Blazers

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, F, 6-7, 220, So., Arizona

The Trail Blazers, who risk losing LaMarcus Aldridge, need help at forward.

24. Cleveland Cavaliers (traded to Minnesota)

Tyus Jones, G, 6-2, 184, Fr., Duke

Dream scenario for Jones, who lands with hometown Minnesota after trade.

25. Memphis Grizzlies

Jarell Martin, F, 6-9, 235, So., LSU

The Grizzlies add more bulk to a massive front line.

26. San Antonio Spurs

Nikola Milutinov, C, 7-0, 225, Serbia

Once again, the Spurs look to the future, buy low on an international prospect.

27. Los Angeles Lakers

Larry Nance, F, 6-9, 235, Sr., Wyoming

Son of former NBA star, Nance had standout senior season at Wyoming.

28. Boston Celtics

R.J. Hunter, G, 6-6, 185, Jr., Georgia State

NCAA Tournament darling will offer outside shooting skills to Boston coach Brad Stevens.

29. Brooklyn Nets

Chris McCullough, F, 6-9, 220, Fr., Syracuse

A native of the Bronx, McCullough shook off ACL injury, landed with hometown team.

30. Golden State Warriors

Kevon Looney, F, 6-9, 220, Fr., UCLA

The last man sitting in the Green Room, the champions selected UCLA one-and-done.

This story was originally published June 25, 2015 at 11:35 PM with the headline "First-round selections in the NBA Draft."

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