2009 NBA Mock Draft #4
Submitted by lester’s legends sports blog
Here’s my fourth 2009 NBA Mock Draft.
1. Los Angeles Clippers – Blake Griffin
No doubt.
Previous pick: Blake Griffin, Griffin, Griffin
2. Mempis Grizzlies – Hasheem Thabeet
He’s slipping a little, but with such a short supply of big men, he’ll go #2 (maybe tot he Wolves) and learn to play Offense on the fly while he provides a defensive presence.
Previous Pick: Jordan Hill, Hasheem Thabeet, Thabeet
3. Oklahoma City – James Harden
Though he doesn’t fill an immediate need, Harden is a polished scorer who should take some pressure off of Durant.
Previous Pick: Hasheem Thabeet, Jordan Hill, Hill
4. Sacramento Kings – Ricky Rubio
The Wolves may trade up to get Rubio, but if he’s there at four, he’ll be a King.
Previous Pick: Ricky Rubio, Rubio, Rubio
5. Minnesota Timberwolves – Tyreke Evans
If the Wolves hang onto this pick, I believe Evans will be the choice. After trading Foye and Miller, the Wolves have an opening at the 2.
Previous Pick: James Harden, Harden, Harden
6. Minnesota Timberwolves – Stephen Curry
New Wolves GM saw firsthand what a shooter like Reggie Miller brought to the table. Curry can run the point for the Wolves and open things up inside with his outside touch.
Previous Pick: Brandon Jennings, Brandon Jennings
7. Golden State Warriors – Ty Lawson
I am going back to Lawson here. He’s looked good in workouts and his blazing speed will translate well in Nellie’s uptempo offense.
Previous Pick: Ty Lawson, Jrue Holliday, Curry
8. New York Knicks – Jordan Hill
I have gone PG with my earlier picks, but an athletic big man would be a nice fit in D’Antoni’s offense.
Previous Pick: Jonny Flynn, Stephen Curry, Brandon Jennings
9. Toronto Raptors – DeMar DeRozan
With Evans gone I go back to DeMar DeRozan. He’ll throw down plenty of Jose Calderon’s lobs.
Previous Pick: DeMar DeRozan, DeRozan, Tyreke Evans
10. Milwaulkee Bucks – Brandon Jennings
Another team I’ve changed my mind on a few times. Jennings has the most upside of the PGs.
Previous Pick: Stephen Curry, Jonny Flynn, Jrue Holliday
11. New Jersey Nets – Earl Clark
With Jefferson gone, the Nets could go for a wing player, but Clark’s size and athleticism make more sense here.
Previous Pick: DeJuan Blair, Blair, Earl Clark
12. Charlotte Bobcats – Gerald Henderson
His Offense is great, but Larry Brown will love his Defense.
Previous Pick: Wayne Ellington, Gerald Henderson, Henderson
13. Indiana Pacers – Jrue Holliday
Holliday slides a bit, which makes the Pacers day. Holliday will need to develop a bit, but his ceiling is high.
Previous Pick: Eric Maynor, Maynor, Jonny Flynn
14. Phoenix Suns – James Johnson
Poor man’s Shawn Marion.
Previous Pick: Earl Clark,Clark, James Johnson
15. Detroit Pistons – Tyler Hansbrough
His energy and toughness should translate in the NBA. Won’t be a star, but will do the little things.
Previous Pick: Tyler Hansbrough, Hansbrough, Hansbrough
16. Chicago Bulls – DeJuan Blair
Blair gives the Bulls a big man that should be able to contribute right away.
Previous Pick: Tyreke Evans, Evans, Blair
17. Philadelphia 76ers – Johnny Flynn
Flynn gets to stay on the East Coast and gives the Sixers a PG that can run the offense and take the shot when needed to.
Previous Pick: Jeff Teague, Ty Lawson, Lawson
18. Minnesota Timberwolves – B.J. Mullens
Who knows what’s going to happen with this pick, but if the Wolves keep it they’ll take the big man here.
Previous Pick: B.J. Mullens, Mullens, Mullens
19. Atlanta Hawks – Eric Maynor
I still like Maynor in this spot. A PG that should be able to play right away. Ceiling isn’t high on him though.
Previous Pick: Patrick Mills, Jeff Teague, Eric Maynor
20. Utah Jazz – Terence Williams
Jerry Sloan will love T-Will’s toughness on D.
Previous Pick: Gerald Henderson, Terrence Williams, Chase Budinger
21. New Orleans Hornets – Jeff Teague
Teague gives the Hornets a combo guard who could backup CP3 or play alongside him.
Previous Pick: Chase Budinger, Budinger, Jeff Teague
22. Dallas Mavericks – Darren Collison
The Mavs need to prepare for life after Kidd. Collison is a good option.
Previous Pick: Jrue Holliday, Darren Collison, Collison
23. Sacramento Kings – Austin Daye
Daye won’t start out of the gate, but is a nice backup to Jason Thompson.
Previous Pick: James Johnson, Johnson, Austin Daye
24. Portland Trail Blazers – Chase Budinger
Budinger gives the Blazers an athletic Wing player with the ability to stretch defenses with his outside touch.
Previous Pick: Darren Collison, Austin Daye, DaJuan Summers
25. Oklahoma City – Sam Young
Young can defend and score. Not a lot of upside, but should contribute right away
Previous Pick: Gani Lawal, Lawal, Sam Young
26. Chicago Bulls – Omri Casspri
Still makes sense for the Bulls. Could develop into a solid NBA player.
Previous Pick: Derrick Brown, Omri Casspri, Casspri
27. Memphis – Taj Gibson
The bottom of the draft is a crapshoot, but Gibson would give Memphis depth in the frontcourt.
Previous Selection: Sam Young, Young, Taj Gibson
28. Minnesota Timberwolves – Derrick Brown
The Wolves added Guards and a Center, so adding an athletic Wing is all that’s left.
Previous Pick: Terrence Williams, DaJuan Summers, Patrick Mills
29. Los Angeles Lakers – DaJuan Summers
Summers gives the Lakers yet another athlete to help defend their title.
Previous Pick: Omri Casspri, Patrick Mills, Derrick Brown
30. Cleveland Cavaliers – Wayne Ellington
Ellington can score, which should help take some pressure off LBJ.
Previous Pick: DaJuan Summers, Nick Calathes, Wayne Ellington
Previous Mock Drafts
Mock Draft #1: 5/21/09
Mock Draft #2: 6/11/09
Mock Draft#3: 6/17/09
June 25th, 2009 at 3:33 pm
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