Here is the lotto mock draft for 2009. We added in picks 15 adn 16 to make the numbers even.
#1 Los Angeles – Blake Griffin (Chris)
I guess Coach Dunleavy’s little slip up in declaring who the Clips would pick kind of makes this one easy, but would there really have been any doubt otherwise? It is obvious Griffin is the best player in this draft. His body size and skills will make it an easy transition to the NBA. The questions surrounding him, in my opinion, are not about his abilities, but how he will fit onto a Clipper team that seems disorganized and pieced together like the Blazers of the Whitsitt era. As someone once said to me, “At least that Blazers team won games.” True. True.
#2 Memphis – Ricky Rubio (traded to Phoenix along with Darko and Buckner for Amare Stoudamire) (Chris)
I’m a big believer and selecting the best available player in the draft, even when that player has publicly said they do not want to play for you. That being said, Rubio should still be selected by Memphis because of his trade value. There are enough teams either looking to unload salaries and/or desperate enough to take a chance on a future stud of a point guard. Phoenix is not desperate for a point guard, but they are sinking under the weight of their heavy salaries. Memphis gets a legit inside scorer and rebounder, taking pressure off Gasol and giving Mayo more room to work with. This would be a good fit for both teams.
#3 OKC – Hasheem Thabeet (Loren)
I don’t think he’ll still be on the board, but if he is then OKC simply can’t pass on him. They need interior defense and that’s what this guy gives you. Any offense is a bonus. I have concerns about Thabeet’s toughness, however. I saw him go down too easily in a number of college games. He’s got to stay on his feet and be a man in the NBA.
#4 Sacramento – Tyreke Evans (traded to Indiana with Kenny Thomas and Beno Udrih for TJ Ford, Marquis Daniels, Brandon Jennings and Brandon Rush) (Philipp)
With Sacramento, their mode is rebuild and cut salary. The best player available at that spot is a SG which would instantly be behind Martin. With this trade they get an upgrade in their veteran PG and a rookie PG who is ready to take over in the future. Jennings is not ready to start but with Ford they get their starter and an expiring contract after a couple years. They also dropped salary with Udrih and can either have Daniels for a year or save 7 million instantly by not taking the team option by July 1st.
#5. Washington - Jordan Hill (Derek)
Washington is set when it comes to shooters. They need a threat down loan and Hill can be that guy. Averaging over 18 points and 11 rebounds a game in the Pac-10 and with the added bonus of being a Junior, he should be able to help out the team right away.
#6 Minnesota – Stephen Curry (Chris)
If Curry is still available, T-Wolves fans can finally celebrate for the first time since Garnett was traded. In a draft overloaded with point guards, he shows the most promise (only because it’s too early to tell for Rubio). It was difficult for me to even find who Minnesota’s point guard was last year, so Curry should be able to make an immediate difference. He creates shots for himself, has an above-average jump shot, and is very quick: all attributes that spell success in the NBA.
#7 GSW – Jrue Holliday (Loren)
I made this pick assuming that the Warriors are intent on keeping Ellis happy and letting him run the team at the point. Holliday gives them a shot-maker for Ellis to find and he can run the court in the Warriors up-tempo style. There were a number of ways to approach this pick, but no one else looks ready enough to contribute points to this high scoring team.
#8 New York – Jonny Flynn (Chris)
Will the Knicks trade this pick? It seems in recent years, the Knicks have gambled with their picks in the draft. They have also made room for a lot of cap space for 2010 free agents and can still add more if they wish to. If they are truly going after “you-know-who” this next season, they will need to start building a supporting cast soon. I’ll be honest. I don’t know much about Jonny Flynn, but I cannot see the Knicks drafting a rookie PG to be a part of the future supporting cast unless it’s Rubio or Curry. Look for a trade from a non-lottery team that will bring in someone with a few years experience.
#9 Toronto – James Harden (Philipp)
Their biggest need is a SG and they have a good SG prospect fall to them at #9 in Harden. Harden was view to be a potential top 5 pick, so getting him at 9 is a steal. After passing on a two time NBA all-star SG (Roy) for Bargnani, this is their chance to make a…ok I won’t finish that thought because it’s not even close and I’m upset I even wrote that. There is no need for Toronto to do much via the draft because they have cap space. They can either resign Marion or go for another SF like Hedo which I think they will.
#10 MIL - DeJuan Blair (Loren)
If any of my picks look to be Nostradamus like, this is the one. With the Bucks apparently shopping Villanueva actively, they’ll need a PF to step in. Blair gives them more toughness and rebounding but they lose some offense. If they trade Villanueva for a wing scorer, this could work out really well for the Bucks.
#11 New Jersey - Demar DeRozan (Derek)
New Jersey has it's point guard, so I went with a long SG/SF to spell and eventually replace Vince Carter. One of the better all around players in the draft he can fill various needs for the Nets. He will need to improve his three point shooting considerably.
#12 Charlotte - Gerald Henderson (Derek)
The Bobcats seem to have PG, SF, and Center down but need some more scoring. How about a Junior from Duke who can score from anywhere on the court.
#13 Indiana – Brandon Jennings (traded to Sacramento with TJ Ford, Marquis Daniels, and Brandon Rush for Kenny Thomas, Beno Udrih and Tyreke Evans) (Philipp)
TJ Ford wasn’t a good fit but with this trade they get a decent veteran PG in return and have a star potential in Evans. Evans will be a great piece to build around with Granger. If the pacers resign Jack, they would have a pretty strong backcourt. Thomas gives them a large expiring contract to use in future dealings.
#14 PHX - Terrence Williams (Loren)
This was the hardest pick for me to make. We have no idea what’s going on with the Suns. Will they move Shaq, Nash, Amare…we don’t know. However, they will lose offense by moving any of those pieces so they need scoring. Williams is super athletic and rebounds like crazy from the SG/SF position. He’s a hard worker but he can also run the floor. Combine that with his quirkiness and you can see the Suns faithful warming up to him quickly, particularly if they lose one or more of the team’s stalwart players.
#15 Detroit – Trade for Jokem Noah (Philipp)
Detroit is another team that doesn’t need to build through the draft. Being a playoff team they don’t have a big need or time to develop a rookie. By trading the pick for Noah, they get a playoff seasoned, 4 year college, and two time NCAA champion. They weren’t going to find any one of that caliber at their draft spot. They are also losing Iverson and Wallace contracts so they have the flexibility to sign a number of free agents.
#15. Chicago (from Detroit) - Earl Clark (Derek)
I don't like Jokem Noah, so I traded him for the 15th pick plus a little extra. However that does leave the Bulls then up front with an old Brad Miller and a still raw Tyrus Thomas. But that does give me two picks in a row to replenish the team. I took Clark with the 15th pick to get some of the length back but the kid can score as well, even knock down the three. He also averaged over 8 boards a game so he should be able to fill Noah's numbers and not look like an idiot.
#16 Chicago - James Johnson (Derek)
I figured Chicago was still set up in the back court (yeah I picked Rose last year) even if they let Gordon go. So I stuck with a bigger guy. Johnson can score adn board 15 and 8, and can even slip behind Deng if needed.
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