| MOCK DRAFT: 2009 NBA Lottery |
| Pick |
Team |
Player |
Pos. |
Height |
Weight |
School/Country |
Class |
| 1. |
Clippers |
Blake Griffin |
PF |
6-10 |
252 |
Oklahoma |
Sophomore |
The one sure thing in the entire draft. Adding to his top-shelf
athleticism and strength is a work ethic that will ensure success. All
he needs is a consistent jumper to potentially be a better version of
Karl Malone. The No. 1 power forward in the league in five years? Don't
bet against him. Is he willing to play for the league's doormat
organization? If he doesn't want to, who could blame him considering
they wouldn't even commit to taking him after the lottery.
|
| 2. |
Grizzlies |
Ricky Rubio |
PG |
6-3 |
180 |
Spain |
|
Rubio has been one of the most impressive 18-year-olds ever to play in
Europe, but he's still got some major holes and question marks. It
remains to be seen how well his "European" style will transition to the
"Iso-oriented" NBA game. Could New York put together the pieces (No. 8
pick, David Lee and change) to pry this pick away?
|
| 3. |
Thunder |
Hasheem Thabeet |
C |
7-3 |
265 |
UConn |
Junior |
Assuming Rubio goes second, OKC will likely decide between Thabeet,
Hill or Harden. Thabeet would give the Thunder a potential Motumbo type
of enforcer in the paint. There is optimism about his offensive game
given his free-throw shooting stroke. His defense would be the yin to
Durant's offensive yang.
|
| 4. |
Kings |
Jordan Hill |
PF |
6-10 |
235 |
Arizona |
Junior |
There's a good chance a trade happens here. Unless OKC opts for Hill,
in which case Thabeet would likely be the pick for Sacramento at 4.
With Jason Thompson working out well at power forward, they have no
need for Hill and would likely target a point guard. Jennings would be
a slight reach here, and they could always attempt to trade down to
grab him in the 6-8 range. DeRozan is another possibility for Geoff
Petrie here.
|
| 5. |
Wizards |
James Harden |
SG |
6-5 |
220 |
Arizona State |
Sophomore |
Hill makes the most sense for Washington in terms of need. If he is
here, the Wiz would likely grab him. Nick Young may not be the
long-term answer at shooting guard, so Harden or DeRozan could be
options. This team has a lot of question marks with guys like Gilbert
Arenas locked up to long-term deals.
|
| 6. |
Timberwolves |
DeMar DeRozan |
SG |
6-6 |
210 |
USC |
Freshman |
DeRozan dispelled a lot of the concerns about him late in the season,
showing desire and ability. With picks later in the draft, they could
roll the dice on a guy like DeRozan here and look to address the PG
position at 18 with players like Maynor, Flynn, Lawson, Mills and
Teague potentially available.
|
| 7. |
Warriors |
Brandon Jennings |
PG |
6-1 |
170 |
Playing in Italy |
|
Golden
State needs a point guard and Jennings' speed and athleticism fits in
perfectly with this bunch. He's not a finished product but gives them
an elite PG prospect to build around for the future, allowing Monta
Ellis to move back to his more natural two-guard position. Tyreke Evans
has been mentioned here but would be a huge reach, plus essentially
duplicating Stephen Jackson, a player with whom they made an enormous
blunder by unnecessarily extending his contract.
|
| 8. |
Knicks |
Stephen Curry |
PG |
6-1 |
180 |
Davidson |
Junior |
There
are question marks surrounding Curry's ability to defend and be a
full-time point guard in the league, but D'Antoni's system would be
ideal in allowing him to do what he does well. Steve Nash's defensive
deficiencies were covered up well within D'Antoni's system (not that
Curry is another Nash).
|
| 9. |
Raptors |
Earl Clark |
PF |
6-10 |
230 |
Louisville |
Junior |
If
Clark is available, he makes a lot of sense for Toronto, a team in need
of an athletic wing who can defend. Clark has a lot of athleticism and
potential to be a solid defender. While there are legitimate concerns
about his motor, playing in Louisville's system also could partially be
to blame.
|
| 10. |
Bucks |
Gerald Henderson |
SG |
6-4 |
210 |
Duke |
Junior |
With Michael Redd nearing the end of a tremendous career, Henderson
would provide a solid replacement. As always, the Bucks are in need of
talent and unfortunately this draft doesn't have a surplus in the late
lottery, but Henderson has the athleticism and potential to ring the
bell.
|
| 11. |
Nets |
Chase Budinger |
SF |
6-7 |
218 |
Arizona |
Junior |
New
Jersey will likely target the PF and SG positions with their center and
point guard positions in good shape for years to come and a
still-effective Vince Carter at the 3. Budinger can play either of the
wing positions and the team appears to have an affinity for Pac-10
guys. Ellington or James Johnson would also make sense.
|
| 12. |
Bobcats |
Wayne Ellington |
SG |
6-5 |
194 |
UNC |
Junior |
Ellington
might be the most underrated player in the draft as some still mention
him as a possible second-rounder. Charlotte loves to take both Tar
Heels and champions (May, Felton and Okafor). Ellington would give them
an excellent shooter and an eventual replacement for Raja Bell (33).
Another possibility would be to go young with a center project like
B.J. Mullens.
|
| 13. |
Pacers |
Eric Maynor |
PG |
6-3 |
180 |
VCU |
Senior |
With a team that likes to take low-risk, proven players, Maynor makes a
lot of sense for Indiana. He's an extremely steady point guard with
excellent all-around skills. T.J. Ford is just 26 but has injury
concerns and hasn't been the steady PG they had hoped for when they
traded for him.
|
| 14. |
Suns |
Jonny Flynn |
PG |
6-0 |
186 |
Syracuse |
Sophomore |
The
Suns are enamored with Flynn's scoring ability and toughness. With Nash
apparently out the door after next season, this team will quickly be in
rebuilding mode and they see Flynn as the perfect PG to build around.
|