2015 NBA Draft Preview: Top 4 Centers

1. Karl-Anthony Towns
LATEST RUMORS: MINNESOTA

Center / 7-0 / Kentucky / Freshman

10.3 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 1.1 apg

The Timberwolves have to explore all options here and a case could be made that guards D'Angelo Russell and Emmanuel Mudiay have more star potential than Towns and Okafor. But for a team like the Timberwolves that has difficulty attracting talent through free agency, a chance to solidify their frontcourt is likely too difficult to pass up. Not to mention trying to team Russell with Rubio along with Wiggins could backfire and cause Rubio to want out. Towns is less NBA ready offensively, but his superior mobility, defense and overall potential make him the choice over Okafor.

Twitter: @KarlTowns

Comparison: Andrew Bogut

Global Ranking: 1st

Salary: $4,753,000*

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2. Jahlil Okafor 
LATEST RUMORS: LAKERS

Center / 6-11 / Duke / Freshman

17.3 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 1.3 apg

The Lakers could decide the value is relatively equal from 2-4 and listen to offers from the Knicks. The emergence of Jordan Clarkson as one of the top rookies and the team's potential PG of the future could make this pick easier, if they indeed decide he has the talent to be a top flight point. Okafor retains the highest likelihood of going No. 2, and while the league has certainly shifted becoming more lead guard dominated, bigs retain a lot of value just because of the scarcity of high-level ones. Okafor and Towns both have top 3-5 center in the league potential. So while mocking Russell here and dropping Okafor to 4 is tempting, Okafor remains the pick.

Twitter: @JahlilOkafor

Comparison: Al Jefferson

Global Ranking: 2nd

Salary: $4,252,600*

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3. Willie Cauley-Stein
LATEST RUMORS: CHARLOTTE

Center / 7-0 / Kentucky / Junior

8.9 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 1.0 apg

The Hornets are dangling this pick for anyone that will take Lance Stephenson's dead weight contract off of their hands. A team such as Orlando with some cap space could decide to take its chances with Lance, who has the talent to justify the contract. It's just a matter of inspiring him to stay focused. As previously mentioned, Orlando is enamored with what Cauley-Stein brings to the table defensively. His ability to guard three positions and be a pest on defense gives him a lot of intrigue for Charlotte or another team, even if he never becomes more than ordinary offensively.

Twitter: @THEwillieCS15

Comparison: Chris Andersen

Global Ranking: 9th

Salary: $2,177,100*

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4. Frank Kaminsky 
LATEST RUMORS: ATLANTA

Center / 7-0 / Wisconsin / Senior

18.8 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 2.6 apg

Kaminsky shot very well in front of scouts a couple weeks back in a Southern California workout. Is he a reach at 15? We believe so, but after such a great senior season, leading his Badgers to the title game, he is getting looks in the lottery. Atlanta felt they had a real shot at contending for the title without the injuries. Adding an NBA ready player such as Kaminsky that can further stretch the floor would make a lot of sense.

Twitter: @FSKPart3

Comparison: Kelly Olynyk

Global Ranking: 15th

Salary: $1,600,200*