We continue our position previews with a look at the top five small forwards in the 2015 NBA draft. This is a strong crop of wing players, a handful of which will be lottery picks. We've already covered the top five point guards and shooting guards in the draft. Look for my profile of the top five big men next week as the NBA draft on June 25 draws nearer.
1. Justise Winslow, 6-6/225, forward, Duke
I consider Winslow the fifth best prospect in this year's draft behind big men Jahlil Okafor and Karl-Anthony Towns and point guards D'Angelo Russell and Emmanuel Mudiay. Winslow played small forward and power forward during his one season at Duke, but he translates best to the pro level as a small forward. Winslow measured shorter than expected at the pre-draft combine, but he plays big and is an underrated shooter. Winslow averaged 12.6 points and 6.5 rebounds while playing a key role in guiding Duke to its fifth national championship under Mike Krzyzewski. He shot 49 percent from the field and an impressive 41 percent from three-point range.
He played his best in the biggest games — he averaged 16 points and nine rebounds in Duke's final five games of the NCAA Tournament. Winslow also has the potential to be a lock-down perimeter defender on the NBA level. He will be a key building block for whatever team drafts him.
Draft Projection: Winslow will be a high-end lottery pick; expect him to be selected anywhere in the 4-7 range.
2. Kristaps Porzingis, 7-1/220, forward, Latvia
Porzingis' unique skill set makes him a valuable addition to any NBA frontcourt. He is a versatile big man who can stretch the floor with his shooting ability. The 19-year old Porzingis has drawn comparisons to Dirk Nowitzki thanks to his shooting stroke and superb ball skills for a big man. He played against elite competition this past season in Europe and more than held his own, averaging 11 points and 4.6 rebounds. His numbers were good enough to earn him 2014-2015 Eurocup Rising Star honors.
Porzingis is a better defender than most European prospects, but his ballhandling and passing ability are below average. But his shooting ability sets him apart. Porzingis is comfortable spotting up or shooting off screens. He may not make an immediate impact in the NBA next season, but he could pay big dividends down the road.
Draft Projection: Like Winslow, Porzingis will be a high-end lottery pick. Expect him to be selected anywhere in the 4-7 range (much more on him here).
NBA
3. Stanley Johnson, 6-7/245, forward, Arizona
Johnson was inconsistent during his one season at Arizona but will be an attractive option for teams picking in the middle of the first round. He's a tremendous athlete who is able to bully his way to the rim and excels in transition. Johnson averaged 13.8 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals last season. He also opened some eyes with his long range shooting at Arizona, connecting on 37 percent of his three-point attempts. Johnson's ideal position on the offensive end is small forward, but he will be able to guard small forwards and shooting guards at the pro level.
A good NBA coach will find creative ways to utilize Johnson's offensive versatility. His weaknesses include his inconsistency, the need to take better care of the basketball and improve his decision-making.
Draft Projection: Johnson will be a mid-to-late lottery pick, somewhere in the 8-13 range.
4. Myles Turner, 6-11/240, forward, Texas
Outside of Karl-Anthony Towns, Turner may have the most potential of any prospect in the draft. He's a Kevin Garnett clone in both size and skill-set. While Garnett punched his ticket to the Hall of Fame as a power forward, Turner projects as a NBA small forward. He's an explosive offensive player with range that to 17-18 feet. Turner averaged 10.1 points and 6.5 rebounds as a freshman at Texas, shooting 45 percent from the field and 84 percent from the free throw line.
Turner is also an outstanding shot blocker, as his 2.6 blocks per game last season indicate. His wingspan measured 7-feet-4 last month at the combine and his standing reach was 9-feet-4. I try not to get too caught up in those measurements, but NBA executives do.
Draft Projection: Turner should be a low-end lottery pick, somewhere in the 9-14 range.
5. Sam Dekker, 6-9/220, forward, Wisconsin
Dekker was one of the best players in college basketball last season. He averaged 13.9 points and 5.5 rebounds for a Wisconsin team that lost to Duke in the national championship game. He is very efficient on the offensive end. He can score inside and on the perimeter and moves very well without the ball. Dekker shot 52.5 percent from the field last season as a junior. He really helped his draft stock during the NCAA Tournament, averaging 19.1 points and 5.5 rebounds while shooting better than 41 percent from three-point territory.
He has good size and underrated athleticism but is an inconsistent outside shooter. After a red-hot first five games in the NCAA Tournament, Dekker was 0 for 6 from long range in the title game.
Draft Projection: Dekker projects as a mid-to-late first round pick. Expect him to be selected anywhere from 15th to 25th.