The 2015 NBA Draft is officially in the books. Karl-Anthony Towns was the number one overall pick by the Minnesota Timberwolves while Luka Mitrovic was the last pick in the draft which was made by the Philadelphia 76ers. Other than those two players, there were 58 players picked during the draft, and we’re going to break it down to the five early favorites for rookie of the year.
#5 Stanley Johnson, Detroit Pistons
Stanley Johnson believes he is the best player in the draft. Nothing would help prove his case for being the best player than showing us why he thinks that and taking home the award. “Detroit versus everybody” was what he said after being drafted by the team. With Johnson expected to take over the small forward starting spot in Motown, it doesn’t seem all that far-fetched.
#4 Justise Winslow, Miami Heat
If the Heat retain Luol Deng – something that Pat Riley is doing this could be out of the picture when it comes to Winslow winning rookie of the year. However, if he does in fact start or get available minutes off the bench he could be a key contributor for the Heat behind Dwyane Wade and Deng. Most rookies nowadays win it by starting, so it does seem kind of unlikely.
#3 Jahlil Oakfor, Philadelphia 76ers
If you’re reading this, the Philadelphia 76ers drafted another center. They draft several to be exact, as they can now make a starting lineup and a bench filled with centers. They have Ish Smith at point guard, so it’s all good. Back to Oakfor’s case for rookie of the year shall we? If Joel Embiid is indeed out for the 2015-2016 season, Oakfor will be given the starting center job more than likely. I expect him to be up with the next two guys on are countdown if he does indeed get to start next season.
#2 D’Angelo Russell, Los Angeles Lakers
D’Angelo Russell may or may not start this season. It all depends on how the Lakers decide to manage what they want to do with Jordan Clarkson. I fully expect Russell to still make a huge impact no matter where it has to come from. He has the best scoring ability out of everyone in the draft, and he gets to learn from one of the greatest scorers ever in Kobe Bryant. Learning from Kobe already seems like winning rookie of the year.
#1 Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves
Who else other than the number one pick in the draft for the best chance at winning rookie of the year? What’s also unique about this is, if Towns does in fact win rookie of the year, the Timberwolves would be the first team since the Buffalo Braves to have back-to-back rookie of the years, as of course Wiggins won it in 2014 while Bob McAdoo and Ernie DiGregorio were the Braves players to win the year back-to-back. Would be something very cool to happen to the Timberwolves and the #EyesOnTheRise.
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