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This season, Pelinka has lived up to his words. At the beginning of the season, he said that he would use 30 games to evaluate the lineup. Now that the time has come, he has brought in the team's currently scarce 3D player on the trade market. As the core of this trade, new recruit Finney-Smith can average 10.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game this season. He can also make 2.4 three-pointers at a 43.5% shooting rate. Most importantly, he has proven his abilities multiple times in the playoffs. In 2022 when the Mavericks reached the Western Conference Finals, he could contribute an average of 11.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 2.6 three-pointers, with a three-point shooting rate as high as 42.6%.
In order to acquire Finney-Smith, the Lakers gave up three second-round picks and Russell, who had been on the trading block all along. Looking at Russell's career now, it can only be described as full of drama. He was selected by the Lakers in the first round as the second overall pick in 2015, but after two years, he was sent to the Nets. Now, nine years later, he has once again been traded by the Lakers to Brooklyn. However, he is no longer the young man he used to be. After leaving the Nets, Russell gradually reduced his value step by step. This season, his annual salary is only $18.69 million, but the Lakers are still eager to get rid of him as soon as possible.
Now, looking back at the quality of the 2015 draft class, it can only be described as mediocre. Among the top ten picks, apart from Russell, too many players have been eliminated by the NBA. Let's take a look at the development of these nine players in the NBA!
10th Pick: Winslow
Career averages: 8.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists
As a guard without shooting ability, Winslow's development in the NBA has been bumpy. Even in the Heat, who are very focused on player development, he couldn't make it. In the 2018-2019 season, he averaged 12.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.5 three-pointers. If he could have maintained this level, he could have stood firm in the NBA. Unfortunately, he quickly declined. Later, Winslow moved around to multiple teams, and the 2022-2023 season became his last year in the NBA, when he averaged only 6.8 points.
9th Pick: Kaminsky
Career averages: 8.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists
Standing at 2 meters 13 centimeters tall, Kaminsky is considered a stretch big man. His three-point shooting rate in the NBA is also 34.9%, averaging one made three-pointer per game. However, in terms of the basic duties of a center, Kaminsky failed to meet the requirements. The highest rebounding average in his career was only 4.6 in one season. His lack of dynamic talent also led to poor rim-running ability. In the highest-scoring season of his career, his shooting percentage under the basket was barely over 50%, which is definitely inefficient for a player without independent scoring ability. Therefore, Kaminsky was eliminated from the NBA as early as 2023.
8th Pick: Stanley Johnson
Career averages: 6.3 points, 3.1 rebounds, 1.5 assists
Before entering the league, Johnson was quite promising. However, after arriving in the NBA, his shooting completely fell apart, coupled with his average ball-handling ability, making him a negative factor on the offensive end. In the first four seasons of his career, his shooting percentage never exceeded 40%, with three seasons having a three-point shooting rate below 30%. Later, Johnson joined multiple teams, but unfortunately, no team was willing to establish a long-term stable partnership with him. Eventually, he lost the opportunity to play in the NBA at the age of 26.
7th Pick: Mudiay
Career averages: 10.9 points, 2.9 rebounds, 3.8 assists
In 2014, Mudiay received an invitation from the CBA to join the Guangdong team for a year at a price of $1.2 million. After playing here for a year, he participated in the NBA draft in 2015 and was selected by the Nuggets. In his rookie season, Mudiay averaged 12.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 1 steal, although his efficiency was not high, he still showed some potential for development. Unfortunately, Mudiay's performance deteriorated over time, leading to the end of his NBA career quite quickly. In the 2021-2022 season, he was only 25 years old, but he eventually found himself without a team to play for in the NBA.
6th Pick: Cauley-Stein
Career averages: 8.7 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.4 assists
Cauley-Stein, with explosive physical abilities, played only seven seasons in the NBA. A significant part of the reason is due to his own basketball IQ and character, and he was basically a negative factor on the defensive end, possessing a good body in vain. During Cauley-Stein's peak period, he could only average 12.8 points, 7 rebounds, and 2.4 assists while playing for the Kings, a struggling team. After leaving there, he quickly declined, and when he left the NBA, he was not even 30 years old.
5th Pick: Hezonja
Career averages: 6.9 points, 3.1 rebounds, 1.3 assists
Hezonja's NBA career was even shorter; he played only five seasons in the NBA. His peak year was his last season with the Magic, when he could average 9.6 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.1 steals. However, Hezonja's most memorable moment in the NBA was during the 2018-2019 season against the Lakers. As a Knicks player, he blocked James in the final defense, helping his team secure the victory. This is undoubtedly his most representative play in the NBA.
4th Pick: Porzingis
Career averages: 19.6 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.8 blocks
When he debuted with the Knicks, Porzingis was called a "unicorn." Standing at 2 meters 21 centimeters tall, he also possessed excellent running and jumping abilities, coupled with his shooting skills, giving him a very promising future. Unfortunately, in the 2017-2018 season, Porzingis suffered the most serious injury of his career, which directly led to the Knicks choosing to give up on him. Afterwards, his athleticism visibly declined. Fortunately, relying on his shooting, Porzingis could still hold a place in the NBA. Last season, when the Celtics won the championship, he at least made significant contributions in the regular season, and in the Finals Game 1, he scored 20 points. However, Porzingis is also a "glass man," and this season he has been inconsistent, making it hard not to worry about whether he can persist until the playoffs.
3rd Pick: Okafor
Career averages: 10.4 points, 4.7 rebounds
Although Okafor possesses refined low-post skills and outstanding physical qualities, his style of play is no longer in line with the times. Therefore, even though he averaged 17.5 points, 7 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 1.2 blocks in his rookie season, he had to take a step back when Embiid returned. Later, in other teams, Okafor also failed to receive significant playing time, so at the age of 25, he left the NBA. After joining overseas leagues, he even came to the CBA, but unfortunately, his performance there was average, averaging only 12.9 points and 5.9 rebounds in the 2023-2024 season.
1st Pick: Towns
Career averages: 23 points, 11 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.2 blocks
As the number one pick in the 2015 draft, Towns is also the best-developed player among the top ten picks. Since entering the league, he has been selected multiple times for the All-Star and All-NBA teams. In his final year with the Timberwolves, he even helped the team reach the Western Conference Finals. Although Towns has obvious shortcomings, such as getting lost easily in high-intensity matchups and poor defense, his strengths are equally evident. In the regular season, he consistently performs well, and offensively, he possesses very comprehensive skills. Among current centers, he may only be second to Jokic and peak Embiid. This season, after joining the Knicks, he can also average 24.5 points, 13.5 rebounds, and 3.4 assists. Maintaining this state, he has a great chance of being