Wednesday, May 27, 2009

2009 NBA Mock Draft -- Post-Lottery

















You can check out Roundball Portfolio's earlier mock drafts here, here, here, and here.

1 Clippers: Blake Griffin, Oklahoma
Soph 6-10 240 PF
Now that Griffin has been measured as a legitimate 6-9 (6-10 in sneakers), it's hard to believe anyone would pass on the explosive power forward.

2 Grizzlies: Ricky Rubio, International
N/A 6-3 180 PG
I don't think Mike Conley is the answer in Memphis, but I'm also not sure if a Rubio-Mayo backcourt makes sense, as both seem to need the ball in their hands – and then there's the whole Rubio not wanting to play in Memphis thing.

3 Thunder: Hasheem Thabeet, Connecticut
Jr 7-3 260 C
James Harden is a definite possibility here, but it's not every day you get a chance to add a 7-3 shot-blocking machine to your roster.

4 Kings: Tyreke Evans, Memphis
Fr 6-6 220 PG
Jordan Hill is an option for Sacramento, but the Kings need some star power (and a point guard).

5 Wizards: Jordan Hill, Arizona
Jr 6-9 235 PF
Hill adds length, athleticism, and toughness to the Wizards' underwhelming post rotation.

6 Timberwolves: James Harden, Arizona State
Soph 6-4 220 OG
Harden would be a steal at six for a Minnesota team that needs to add perimeter scoring.

7 Warriors: Ty Lawson, North Carolina
Jr 6-0 195 PG
I love the idea of the swift-footed Lawson directing Golden State's helter-skelter attack.

8 Knicks: Gerald Henderson, Duke
Jr 6-4 210 OG
A point guard is a real possibility here (and wing DeRozan appears to be a popular pick on a lot of draft boards), but Henderson would provide the Knicks with a heady athlete that can defend.

9 Raptors: DeMar DeRozan, USC
Fr 6-6 210 OG
DeRozan won't contribute immediately, but his athleticism can't be ignored at the nine spot.

10 Bucks: Jeff Teague, Wake Forest
Soph 6-2 175 PG
Teague's ability to score in the paint would aid a Milwaukee squad that lacks frontline firepower.

11 Nets: James Johnson, Wake Forest
Soph 6-8 235 PF
Johnson reminds me of former Michigan Wolverine and Los Angeles Clipper Maurice Taylor.

12 Bobcats: Sam Young, Pittsburgh
Sr 6-6 220 OG
You're not going to find many mocks with Young in the lottery, but he would provide an offensive boost to a club that lacks a true perimeter scoring threat.

13 Pacers: Stephen Curry, Davidson
Jr 6-3 180 PG
Even with the emergence of Danny Granger, Indiana needs a marquee name to rejuvenate a flagging fanbase.

14 Suns: Tyler Hansbrough, North Carolina
Sr 6-8 245 PF
Psycho T would add production and toughness to the Suns' thin frontcourt.

15 Pistons: Eric Maynor, VCU
Sr 6-3 180 PG
DeJuan Blair is a possibility here, but I'm just not convinced Rodney Stuckey is a point guard.

16 Bulls: DeJuan Blair, Pittsburgh
Soph 6-6 280 PF
I like fellow Pitt Panther Sam Young here if he falls this far, but Blair would add some bulk to a frontcourt that features rail-thin Tyrus Thomas and Joakim Noah.

17 76ers: Jonny Flynn, Syracuse
Soph 6-0 185 PG
With Andre Miller getting on in years, I don't think there's a better fit than Flynn-to-Philadelphia on the whole board.

18 Timberwolves: Patrick Mills, Saint Mary's
Soph 5-11 180 PG
I like Mills, who gets into the lane with ease, playing facilitator to Kevin Love and Al Jefferson.

19 Hawks: Brandon Jennings, International
N/A 6-1 170 PG
Jennings would eventually supplant Mike Bibby in Atlanta.

20 Jazz: Jodie Meeks, Kentucky
Jr 6-4 210 OG
Jerry Sloan has to like the idea of the sharp-shooting Meeks (Jeff Hornacek) playing off of the Deron Williams (John Stockton)-Carlos Boozer (Karl Malone) pick-n-roll.

21 Hornets: Terrence Williams, Louisville
Sr 6-6 220 OG
With Chris Paul, T-Will, and Tyson Chandler in the lineup, no one will notice Peja Stojakovic's defensive inadequacies.

22 Mavericks: Jrue Holiday, UCLA
Fr 6-3 205 PG
There's a lot of buzz surrounding Holiday, and most seem to be willing to forgive his unimpressive freshman campaign.

23 Kings: Earl Clark, Louisville
Jr 6-10 230 SF
Clark will likely go higher, but the Kings would love to add the enticing (but often frustrating) Louisville product to its young frontline rotation.

24 Trailblazers: Austin Daye, Gonzaga
Soph 6-10 200 SF
Daye's a project, but, considering his freakish length and shooting ability, it could very well pay off down the road.

25 Thunder: Chase Budinger, Arizona
Jr 6-7 220 OG
A Westbrook – Budinger – Kid Nut Raven – Green – Thabeet lineup would be pretty tasty.

26 Bulls: Toney Douglas, Florida State
Sr 6-2 195 OG
Considering the speculation surrounding Ben Gordon's rumored departure, the Bulls should pick up Ben Gordon Lite.

27: Grizzlies: Derrick Brown, Xavier
Jr 6-8 225 SF
Brown has all the tools and could be an absolute steal.

28 Timberwolves: B.J. Mullens, Ohio State
Fr 7-0 275 C
Athletic 7-footer will most likely come off the board sooner.

29 Lakers: DaJuan Summers, Georgetown
Jr 6-8 225 SF
Another offensive weapon to take the scoring pressure off Kobe.

30 Cavaliers: Luke Harangody, Notre Dame
Jr 6-7 245 PF
Go ahead and laugh, but, if anything, Gody should be higher.

9 comments:

  1. Spurs are gonna trade for all the first round picks...you'll see.

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  2. garythenotrashcougerMay 28, 2009 at 11:25 AM

    kings ill trade of rubio

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  3. How in the f'ing world can you like Hansbrough that much? Please explain your rationale and don't include white supremacy as one of your main reasons.

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  4. Anonymous #1,

    I would like to see that. Unfortunately, as this draft class is lacking in terms of international talent, I think this is highly unlikely.

    Anonymous #2,

    Hansbrough is the all-time leading scorer in the history of ACC basketball. He is also a former national player of the year. He never averaged less than 18 ppg for a season. He was part of a national championship team. He's the all-time leading scorer at a school that has produced a fair amount of NBA talent. And he possesses a non-stop motor, decent athleticism, above average strength, and a tremendous work ethic.

    Here's the thing -- to ask me "how in the f'ing world can you like Hansbrough that much" is a tad ridiculous. I'm not saying Psycho T is a future All-Star, but is it really that crazy for me to project a guy with Hansbrough's accolades to go 14th in, by all accounts, a very weak draft? As the post states, I think Psychotic Tyler would offer Phoenix some post depth. And I do believe he's going to be a productive role player at the next level. In fact, I think he will average double-digits relatively early in his career.

    While I like Hansbrough's game, I understand that there are those who believe Psycho T's game will not translate to the Association. I encourage you to post your analysis of Hansbrough's NBA prospects/where he should go in the draft in the commments section. I also encourage you to suspend your apparent hatred of all things Hansbrough for the sake of reasoned analysis. However, considering your reference to "white supremacy" in your previous post, I fear that is most likely out of the question.

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  5. garythenotrashcougerMay 29, 2009 at 8:50 AM

    why didn't you comment on my rubio trade comment?

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  6. Gary,

    If your comment is suggesting that the Kings should trade for Rubio, then here's my take. With Griffin out of the picture for Sacramento, I think Rubio would be a nice fit. The only thing I would be worried about is giving up too much for Rubio when Evans is most likely going to be available at four. However, if the Kings determine Evans can't play the point (or will take a while to learn the point), then the trade makes sense. I really like Rubio from what I've seen/heard. My only real question is whether he's athletic enough to be an elite point guard. That being said, I still think he's a clear-cut number two talent in this draft.

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  7. Plus, with Rubio not wanting to play in Memphis and, from what I understand, not being super excited about playing in OKC, Sacramento might be able to pick up Rubio on the cheap in terms of what they have to give up in a trade.

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  8. If Evans doesn't go to the Kings, I don't think he falls any lower than the seventh pick to Golden State. If he's still available I think the Warriors will take him over Lawson if they are convinced he can play the point. It would allow the Warriors to play small ball but still be bigger in most positions besides the four.

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  9. Curry going to the Pacers, I LOVE IT!!!!!!

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