2015 NBA Draft order and schedule: The Timberwolves and Lakers will likely go big with first 2 picks, then chaos could ensue
The first two names Adam Silver will call on Thursday are easy to predict, but the 76ers and Knicks could add some chaos to the event.
Godofredo Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Minnesota became the first franchise in 11 years to go into the draft lottery with the best odds of landing the top pick and then actually get it. They are expected to draft Karl-Anthony Towns out of Kentucky, while the Lakers are rumored to have their sights set on Duke’s Jahlil Okafor. After that, things could get crazy.
The Knicks finished last season with the second-worst record but were leapfrogged by the Lakers in the lottery and ended up with the No. 4 selection. There are rumors they might trade down, hoping to get a future pick in the deal.
The 76ers have been an enigma under general manager Sam Hinkie. They've selected big men in two consecutive drafts while also spending a lottery pick on Dario Saric, a talented Croatian forward who will likely stay in Europe for another season. Every option, including drafting another big man in Kristaps Porzingis, is in play here.
There's plenty of intrigue outside of the top 10 as well. The Celtics have a total of four picks that they might attempt to package to move up. The Oklahoma City Thunder will look to add another piece to their already stacked roster when they select at No. 16, and the Hawks -- one of the best teams in the league last season -- will take advantage of a pick swap from the Joe Johnson trade that gives them the No. 15 selection.
There will be a lot of storylines to follow on Thursday, as teams make decisions that can affect their futures significantly.
2015 NBA draft schedule
2015 NBA Draft preview show: Thursday, June 25, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN/WatchESPN)
2015 NBA Draft: Thursday, June 25, 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN/WatchESPN)
2015 NBA draft full order
First round
1. Minnesota Timberwolves
2. Los Angeles Lakers
3. Philadelphia 76ers
4. New York Knicks
5. Orlando Magic
10. Miami Heat
11. Indiana Pacers
12. Utah Jazz
13. Phoenix Suns
15. Atlanta Hawks (via Nets -- Pick swap)
16. Boston Celtics
17. Milwaukee Bucks
18. Houston Rockets (via Pelicans)
20. Toronto Raptors
21. Dallas Mavericks
22. Chicago Bulls
27. Los Angeles Lakers (via Rockets)
28. Boston Celtics (via Clippers)
29. Brooklyn Nets (via Hawks -- Pick swap)
Second round
31. Minnesota Timberwolves
32. Houston Rockets (via Knicks)
33. Boston Celtics (via Philadelphia)
34. Los Angeles Lakers
35. Philadelphia 76ers (via Magic)
36. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Kings)
37. Philadelphia 76ers (from Denver)
38. Detroit Pistons
39. Charlotte Hornets
40. Miami Heat
41. Brooklyn Nets
42. Utah Jazz
43. Indiana Pacers
44. Phoenix Suns
45. Boston Celtics
46. Milwaukee Bucks
47. Philadelphia 76ers (via Pelicans)
48. Oklahoma City Thunder
49. Washington Wizards
50. Atlanta Hawks (via Raptors)
51. Orlando Magic (via Bulls)
52. Dallas Mavericks
53. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Trail Blazers)
54. Utah Jazz (via Cavaliers)
55. San Antonio Spurs
56. New Orleans Pelicans (via Grizzlies)
57. Denver Nuggets (via Clippers)
58. Philadelphia 76ers (via Rockets)
59. Atlanta Hawks
60. Philadelphia 76ers (via Warriors)
See More:
