NBA Draft Big Board 2015: Ranking Top 30 Players Post-Lottery

The Minnesota Timberwolves won the 2015 NBA Draft Lottery and will select first when this year’s draft opens next month in New York City.

The two best players in this draft class are both centers, and the Timberwolves already have a good one in Nikola Pekovic. They also have several young, talented players, such as former No. 1 picks Andrew Wiggins and Anthony Bennett, along with former first-rounders Zach LaVine and Ricky Rubio. It’ll be interesting to see if Minnesota keeps this top pick and adds to its impressive core or packages some assets for a superstar.

Here’s the first NESN.com NBA Draft Big Board of draft season:

1. Karl-Anthony Towns (C, Kentucky, 7-0, 250): Good low-post offensive game, excellent rebounder and an imposing shot-blocker.

2. Jahlil Okafor (C, Duke, 6-11, 270): Talented low-post player at both ends of the floor who could develop into a double-double machine.

3. Emmanuel Mudiay (PG, Congo, 6-5, 190): Excellent playmaker with great size for a point guard.

4. D’Angelo Russell (PG/SG, Ohio State, 6-5, 180): Combo guard with a high basketball IQ and very good passing skills.

5. Justise Winslow (SG/SF, Duke, 6-6, 229): Athletic, strong wing player with impressive upside at both ends of the floor.

6. Mario Hezonja (SG/SF, Croatia, 6-8, 215): Good scoring wing with a consistent outside shot and a polished mid-range game.

7. Willie Cauley-Stein, (C, Kentucky, 7-0, 240): Athletic big man with the ability to become an elite defensive center.

8. Kristaps Porzingis (PF, Latvia, 7-1, 220): High-risk, high-reward frontcourt player who spaces the floor with his 3-point shot.

9. Trey Lyles, (PF, Kentucky, 6-10, 250): Athletic, lengthy player with a good all-around skill set.

10. Cameron Payne (PG, Murray State, 6-3, 185): Scoring point guard with a reliable outside shot and the strength to finish at the rim.

11. Stanley Johnson (SF, Arizona, 6-7, 240): Low-risk wing player already capable of defending multiple positions.

12. Myles Turner (PF/C, Texas, 6-11, 243): One of the best rebounders and shot blockers in this class and also NBA-ready.

13. Kelly Oubre (SF, Kansas, 6-7, 200): Good perimeter defender who will become more polished offensively with experience.

14. Devon Booker (SG, Kentucky, 6-6, 205): Very good outside shooter with a high basketball IQ.

15. Sam Dekker (SF, Wisconsin, 6-9, 230): Above-average outside shooter with good size on the wing.

16. Bobby Portis (PF, Arkansas, 6-10, 240): Hard-working big man, consistent rebounder and a good interior defender.

17. Jerian Grant (PG/SG, Notre Dame, 6-5, 205): Capable of providing instant offense and speed at either guard position off the bench.

18. Delon Wright (PG/SG, Utah, 6-5, 190): Well-rounded combo guard with size and above-average upside defensively.

19. Justin Anderson (SG/SF, Virginia, 6-6, 225): High-end athleticism with the ability to score at the rim or from beyond the arc.

20. Kevon Looney (SF/PF, UCLA, 6-9, 220): Potential to be a double-digit scorer and uses his strength and quickness to defend both forward positions.

21. Frank Kaminsky (C, Wisconsin, 7-0, 240): Lacks length but provides a high basketball IQ and low-post scoring.

22. Montrezl Harrell (PF, Louisville, 6-8, 240): Quality rebounder who could become a double-double guy off the bench.

23. Terry Rozier (PG, Louisville, 6-2, 190): Pushes the floor and excels in transition with good athleticism and decision-making.

24. Chris McCullough (PF, Syracuse, 6-10, 220): Runs the floor well and can score at the rim.

25. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (SF, Arizona, 6-7, 215): Athletic wing player with an excellent shot.

26. Tyus Jones (PG, Duke, 6-1, 190): Playmaking point guard and a good decision-maker.

27. R.J. Hunter (SG, Georgia State, 6-5, 185): One of the best outside shooters in this class.

28. Norman Powell (SG, UCLA, 6-4, 215): A leader on the floor capable of driving to the basket and scoring inside.

29. Jarell Martin (PF, LSU, 6-9, 240): Lacks ideal size for a power forward but compensates with an excellent work ethic and a high basketball IQ.

30. Christian Wood (PF, UNLV, 6-11, 220): Quality rebounder with impressive length and size.