A few weeks ago, we gave you a brief breakdown of our best pro prospects early in the season.
If you haven’t checked out that draft, you can here. Our second update of the NBA Mock Draft now offers a complete breakdown of the lottery teams of the 2009 NBA Draft, which of course won’t occur until June 25, 2009.
1. OKC Thunder – Blake Griffin F – Oklahoma
The odds on favorite to stay in the state and help Kevin Durant and company compete next season.
2. Minnesota Timberwolves – Ricky Rubio PG Spain
GM Kevin Mchale is a horrible coach, and a pretty bad GM, but the chance to draft Rubio to electrify his franchise in perhaps his last move. The draft day trade of O.J. Mayo for Kevin Love still has Wolves fans upset.
3. Washington Wizards – Hasheem Thabeet C UConn
You can’t teach height, and with the Wizards in need of both a true point guard and a dominant force in the middle, they would be hard pressed to pass on Thabeet here. If the Wiz wind up in the 3 spot, they could very well trade down, and pick up some additional picks as well. They will be one of the most intriguing lottery teams in a while.
4. Sacramento Kings – Greg Monroe F Georgetown
The Brad Miller era will be over before the NBA Draft comes around, whether by a trade before the All-Star break, or perhaps a deal on draft day. The rebuilding begins around a powerful force in the paint who will have the opportunity to produce immediately.
5. Los Angeles Clippers – Jrue Holiday PG UCLA
Holiday could be either the steal of the lottery, or a serious bust. His pro potential seems to have him all over many experts draft boards, but the Clippers will keep him home.
6. Golden State Warriors – Demar DeRozan SG USC
The Warriors would love to take Holiday, and will not gamble on Brandon Jennings or Stephen Curry, as they already have a crowded backcourt of undersized guards. DeRozan gives them a strong, athletic shooting guard who can be matchup problems in the future, while he could make Stephen Jackson expendable if Golden State and Don Nelson goes their seperate ways for good, and the new coach decides to rebuild as well.
7. Indiana Pacers – Jordan Hill F Arizona
The Pacers get another big young body to help Danny Granger and Troy Murphy.
8. Memphis Grizzlies – BJ Mullens C Ohio State
Mullens may go a little high, but potentially in the same front court with Marc Gasol could make the young Grizz a sleeper next season.
9. Charlotte Bobcats – Ty Lawson PG North Carolina
You just know if Michael Jordan has a chance to draft a Tar Heel, he will. For no other reason than he collects ex-Carolina players.
10. New York Knicks – Stephen Curry PG Davidson
Coach D’Antoni would love to bring in Curry at this spot, and have Steve Nash the following year sign to show Curry the ropes in the Run-N-Fun system.
11. Toronto Raptors – Brandon Jennings PG Spain
The most intriguing pick in the draft goes from playing overseas to north of the border.
12. Philadelphia 76ers – Chase Budinger F Arizona
Perhaps the best player available at this spot, Budinger is a flat out scorer.
13. Chicago Bulls – Willie Warren SG Oklahoma
If Chicago ends up near the end of the lottery, I would expect them to possibly trade this pick. If they did keep it, look for them to draft a running mate to play alongside Derrick Rose for the future.
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The Kings have Jason Thompson and Hawes already as the PF and C of the future. We have not recovered since the Bibby trade. Just like in baseball you need starters and closers to win close games. Bibby was our guy to finish games. We will draft a PG to run the show. We are still looking for the most nails PG in the draft. We will draft an athletic SF and PF with our second first round pick and second rounders for depth.
Thanks for your comment CT. I think Sacramento could go the point guard route, especially if Holliday or perhaps Curry and Jennings are available. If Miller goes, I could still see them trying to replace Miller with Monroe.
DeRozan is just overrated to me. I doubt he will go that high I am seeing him at the bottom of the lottery
I think it would be nice if the Wizards would go out and get a guy like Thabeet! If Grunfeld was smart, and he really isn’t, he would think about getting someone like him!
If Wizards get Thabeet, they would first have to get rid of a big..either Haywood or Jamison.
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