2009 NBA Mock Draft, 3.0
Less than 24 hours before the NBA Draft (Thursday at 7 p.m.), we have one final quick-hit update of our 2009 NBA Mock Draft. Version 3.0, as the previous two versions, were prepared by our draft guru Kyle Baillargeon.
Here is the most up-to-date version:
1. LA Clippers - Blake Griffin
This has been expected all along. The only thing close to a guarantee at this stage is that Griffin will be a Clipper.
2. Memphis Grizzlies - Hasheem Thabeet
This makes the most sense for the Grizzlies. They need size moreso than anything else. It doesn't look like Thabeet wants to be there, and he may not be multidimensional as a player yet, but unless this pick gets traded, bank on Thabeet to the Grizz. He still probably won't be all that good, though.
3. Oklahoma City - Ricky Rubio
We've gone with size the last two mocks, but at this point it would be hard for OKC to pass up on a person who was born to create open shots for Kevin Durant. Rubio has the potential to be absolutely great, and his passing skills have been highly praised. Sam Presti is doing the right thing by surrounding Durant with young talent and Rubio would be the best addition yet.
4. Sacramento Kings - Jonny Flynn
With Rubio off the board, Flynn looks to be the go to guy who can help the Kings out now. And with the Kings front office on a short leash, someone who can help now is what they will be looking for.
Here is the most up-to-date version:
1. LA Clippers - Blake Griffin
This has been expected all along. The only thing close to a guarantee at this stage is that Griffin will be a Clipper.
2. Memphis Grizzlies - Hasheem Thabeet
This makes the most sense for the Grizzlies. They need size moreso than anything else. It doesn't look like Thabeet wants to be there, and he may not be multidimensional as a player yet, but unless this pick gets traded, bank on Thabeet to the Grizz. He still probably won't be all that good, though.
3. Oklahoma City - Ricky Rubio
We've gone with size the last two mocks, but at this point it would be hard for OKC to pass up on a person who was born to create open shots for Kevin Durant. Rubio has the potential to be absolutely great, and his passing skills have been highly praised. Sam Presti is doing the right thing by surrounding Durant with young talent and Rubio would be the best addition yet.
4. Sacramento Kings - Jonny Flynn
With Rubio off the board, Flynn looks to be the go to guy who can help the Kings out now. And with the Kings front office on a short leash, someone who can help now is what they will be looking for.
5. Minnesota Timberwolves - Stephen Curry
The first half of Minnesota's backcourt of the future...
6. Minnesota Timberwolves - Tyreke Evans
...and the other half.
7. Golden State Warriors - Jordan Hill
The Warriors have enough wingmen. They need size up front and Hill has enough hustle in him to keep up with the craziness that is Nellie ball.
8. New York Knicks - Brandon Jennings
Jennings has alot of upside, and the Knicks need a point guard. His game should work well under D'Antoni, and as a gut call, I feel like Jennings just fits the New York Knick mold.
9. Toronto Raptors - James Harden
The Raptors would be ecstatic to see Harden slip this far. If he does, expect them to snatch him up and solidify their backcourt with a very talented scorer.
10. Milwaukee Bucks - Jeff Teague
Teague would be best suited here, especially if the Bucks only end up resigning Charlie V. The team needs a point guard for the future, and Teague can be that point guard.
11. New Jersey Nets - DeJuan Blair
Still fits the bill as the big man the Nets need, regardless of his knees. Could be a great compliment to Lopez. He may not be in the league five or six years from now, considering his apparent lack of ACL's, but during that time he'll be a tremendous rebounder with a lot of toughness.
12. Charlotte Bobcats - Terrence Williams
Apparently Williams did a bang up job of impressing Larry Brown in a workout, however, and could go here as well. He seems to be slightly "socially inept", but that won't shake Brown, who thinks he can deal with anyone.
13. Indiana Pacers - Jrue Holliday
I had Holliday initially, and am going back here. The Pacers have enough point guards as it is, but expect them to trade one of them. I don't think Holliday really is the answer though. Why? Because he's just not very good. He has the talent, but can't put it together. Look at March Madness, he was pretty terrible.
14. Phoenix Suns - Earl Clark
Clark still fits here, and his workouts have done nothing to hurt his draft stock. His ability to pass and play unselfishly will help on a team that (currently) has a front court of Shaq and Amare. I think Clark will be one of the top players to come out of this draft.
15. Detroit Pistons - Eric Maynor
Rodney Stuckey hasn't magically turned into a good point guard since my last mock draft. Thus, I'm still going with Maynor. I know that they want a big man, but they can look elsewhere (mainly towards Salt Lake City).
16. Chicago Bulls - Tyler Hansbrough
Hansbrough is NBA-ready and is a talented big man. He gets no love because people still think he's unathletic. I even thought so at one point. He's shown that's not the case with his workouts and the combine, and while the Bulls are looking to trade up, they should go with Tyler here if they can't.
17. Philadelphia 76ers - Ty Lawson
Andre Miller is a free agent and Lawson is a good full court/up-tempo point guard. The 76ers are at their best as an up-tempo team, Elton Brand be damned.
18. Minnesota Timberwolves - BJ Mullens
The new backcourt would be the star of the Wolves' draft class, so taking him will cover up the fact that Mullens isn't ready right away. Mullens could blossom into a legit big man, however, so passing him up would be silly with three first round picks.
19. Atlanta Hawks - Darren Collison
All the other point guards that I had in the mix before have been taken, so the Hawks might reach here for Collison. Is that smart? Maybe not, but they need a successor to Bibby. They could trade out if they don't see anyone worth their time at this point, make Jamal Crawford the point guard and try to save some money. This would make the fans in Atlanta happy.
20. Utah Jazz - DeMar DaRozan
Teams have needs elsewhere, which is why DeRozan dropped this far. I'm sure Utah would love to have an athletic wing like him. The problem for DeRozan is that an athletic wing in a mediocre (at best) draft really isn't going to get anyone excited.
21. New Orleans Hornets - James Johnson
The Hornets would love to get an athletic power forward who can stretch the court at this point. Johnson may not logically last this far though.
22. Portland Trail Blazers - Omri Casspi
The Blazers moved up to get this pick, and clearly they did it to get a guy I know nothing about because none of the other players are worthy of such a maneuver.
23. Sacramento Kings - Austin Daye
They got their point guard and now they can take their chances on the talented but soft and skinny Daye. Give this kid a baconator.
24. Dallas Mavericks - Gerald Henderson
Henderson shouldn't drop this far, but if he does Dallas will be smart to snatch him up. Great defender, nothing sexy about his game. A steal at this point.
25. Oklahoma City Thunder - Chase Budinger
This has been the only non-lottery pick I think I've kept from the start. It makes just too much sense. I can't wait to watch the Thunder next year.
26. Chicago Bulls - Toney Douglas
He's no Ben Gordon, but he has a similar game. And we all know Gordon will not be a bull next year.
27. Memphis Grizzlies - Sam Young
A good, solid contributer right away. Young gets no love because of his age, but he can still ball, and thats what matters.
28. Minnesota Timberwolves - Nick Calathes
With so many draft picks and Mike Miller now gone, this makes sense. Calathes is a great shooter and could be a good leader for what will be a young team. But for now, let him get a little more seasoning in Greece and keep him off the books.
29. LA Lakers - DaJuan Summers
Summers could help fill the void of whomever leaves between Odom and Ariza (my guess is Ariza) and has some potential to be a good, versatile player.
30. Cleveland Cavaliers - Wayne Ellington
It really doesn't matter who they take here, because Danny Ferry has already packed LeBron's bags for him. Ellington could be a good shooting guard for this team, but he's not enough to help LeBron stay.
Let us know your thoughts by leaving a comment below...
The first half of Minnesota's backcourt of the future...
6. Minnesota Timberwolves - Tyreke Evans
...and the other half.
7. Golden State Warriors - Jordan Hill
The Warriors have enough wingmen. They need size up front and Hill has enough hustle in him to keep up with the craziness that is Nellie ball.
8. New York Knicks - Brandon Jennings
Jennings has alot of upside, and the Knicks need a point guard. His game should work well under D'Antoni, and as a gut call, I feel like Jennings just fits the New York Knick mold.
9. Toronto Raptors - James Harden
The Raptors would be ecstatic to see Harden slip this far. If he does, expect them to snatch him up and solidify their backcourt with a very talented scorer.
10. Milwaukee Bucks - Jeff Teague
Teague would be best suited here, especially if the Bucks only end up resigning Charlie V. The team needs a point guard for the future, and Teague can be that point guard.
11. New Jersey Nets - DeJuan Blair
Still fits the bill as the big man the Nets need, regardless of his knees. Could be a great compliment to Lopez. He may not be in the league five or six years from now, considering his apparent lack of ACL's, but during that time he'll be a tremendous rebounder with a lot of toughness.
12. Charlotte Bobcats - Terrence Williams
Apparently Williams did a bang up job of impressing Larry Brown in a workout, however, and could go here as well. He seems to be slightly "socially inept", but that won't shake Brown, who thinks he can deal with anyone.
13. Indiana Pacers - Jrue Holliday
I had Holliday initially, and am going back here. The Pacers have enough point guards as it is, but expect them to trade one of them. I don't think Holliday really is the answer though. Why? Because he's just not very good. He has the talent, but can't put it together. Look at March Madness, he was pretty terrible.
14. Phoenix Suns - Earl Clark
Clark still fits here, and his workouts have done nothing to hurt his draft stock. His ability to pass and play unselfishly will help on a team that (currently) has a front court of Shaq and Amare. I think Clark will be one of the top players to come out of this draft.
15. Detroit Pistons - Eric Maynor
Rodney Stuckey hasn't magically turned into a good point guard since my last mock draft. Thus, I'm still going with Maynor. I know that they want a big man, but they can look elsewhere (mainly towards Salt Lake City).
16. Chicago Bulls - Tyler Hansbrough
Hansbrough is NBA-ready and is a talented big man. He gets no love because people still think he's unathletic. I even thought so at one point. He's shown that's not the case with his workouts and the combine, and while the Bulls are looking to trade up, they should go with Tyler here if they can't.
17. Philadelphia 76ers - Ty Lawson
Andre Miller is a free agent and Lawson is a good full court/up-tempo point guard. The 76ers are at their best as an up-tempo team, Elton Brand be damned.
18. Minnesota Timberwolves - BJ Mullens
The new backcourt would be the star of the Wolves' draft class, so taking him will cover up the fact that Mullens isn't ready right away. Mullens could blossom into a legit big man, however, so passing him up would be silly with three first round picks.
19. Atlanta Hawks - Darren Collison
All the other point guards that I had in the mix before have been taken, so the Hawks might reach here for Collison. Is that smart? Maybe not, but they need a successor to Bibby. They could trade out if they don't see anyone worth their time at this point, make Jamal Crawford the point guard and try to save some money. This would make the fans in Atlanta happy.
20. Utah Jazz - DeMar DaRozan
Teams have needs elsewhere, which is why DeRozan dropped this far. I'm sure Utah would love to have an athletic wing like him. The problem for DeRozan is that an athletic wing in a mediocre (at best) draft really isn't going to get anyone excited.
21. New Orleans Hornets - James Johnson
The Hornets would love to get an athletic power forward who can stretch the court at this point. Johnson may not logically last this far though.
22. Portland Trail Blazers - Omri Casspi
The Blazers moved up to get this pick, and clearly they did it to get a guy I know nothing about because none of the other players are worthy of such a maneuver.
23. Sacramento Kings - Austin Daye
They got their point guard and now they can take their chances on the talented but soft and skinny Daye. Give this kid a baconator.
24. Dallas Mavericks - Gerald Henderson
Henderson shouldn't drop this far, but if he does Dallas will be smart to snatch him up. Great defender, nothing sexy about his game. A steal at this point.
25. Oklahoma City Thunder - Chase Budinger
This has been the only non-lottery pick I think I've kept from the start. It makes just too much sense. I can't wait to watch the Thunder next year.
26. Chicago Bulls - Toney Douglas
He's no Ben Gordon, but he has a similar game. And we all know Gordon will not be a bull next year.
27. Memphis Grizzlies - Sam Young
A good, solid contributer right away. Young gets no love because of his age, but he can still ball, and thats what matters.
28. Minnesota Timberwolves - Nick Calathes
With so many draft picks and Mike Miller now gone, this makes sense. Calathes is a great shooter and could be a good leader for what will be a young team. But for now, let him get a little more seasoning in Greece and keep him off the books.
29. LA Lakers - DaJuan Summers
Summers could help fill the void of whomever leaves between Odom and Ariza (my guess is Ariza) and has some potential to be a good, versatile player.
30. Cleveland Cavaliers - Wayne Ellington
It really doesn't matter who they take here, because Danny Ferry has already packed LeBron's bags for him. Ellington could be a good shooting guard for this team, but he's not enough to help LeBron stay.
Let us know your thoughts by leaving a comment below...
