2009 NBA Draft Analysis 2.0: Blake Griffin No. 1 Pick, Teams Make Moves on Draft Day

Blake Griffin, the star forward from Oklahoma, will be the No. 1 pick in the draft, according to the 2009 YourFINDit NBA Mock Draft.

However, the remaining picks in the mock draft have fluctuated as teams make last-minute decisions.

The 2009 NBA Draft, which will take place Thursday night at Madison Square Garden, is becoming full of surprises as teams make trades for picks. After the Minnesota Timberwolves locked down the No. 5 pick in a trade with the Washington Wizards, the New York Knicks bought the No. 29 pick from the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Timberwolves have been rumored to be shopping a package deal for two of their picks (No. 5 or No. 6 and the No. 18) for the No. 2 or No. 3 pick to get UConn center Hasheem Thabeet or Spanish point guard Ricky Rubio.

The Knicks were also rumored to be attempting to trade up and with their newfound No. 29 pick, they have more leverage to do so. Knicks fans want Rubio or Stephen Curry, but at No. 8, they are too low for either.

Despite the moves by the Timberwolves and Knicks, the biggest news heading into the draft is the Shaquille O'Neal trade to the Cleveland Cavaliers. O'Neal and LeBron James is a tandem that many are salivating to see, while others believe O'Neal is getting washed up. Either way, all eyes will be on the Cavs this year as they look to get past the Eastern Conference Finals.

To read my first mock draft analysis, please read 2009 NBA Mock Draft Analysis: Blake Griffin Will Be No. 1 Pick by LA Clippers. If all of the picks remain the same, this is the 2009 YourFINDit NBA Mock Draft 2.0, equipped with in-depth analysis for each selection.

1.                  Los Angeles Clippers – Blake Griffin 6-10 PF Oklahoma

This is a no-brainer. Griffin will be the starting power forward as the Clippers figure out what to do with Chris Kaman and Zach Randolph.

2.                  Memphis Grizzlies – Hasheem Thabeet 7-3 C Connecticut

It is uncertain if the Grizzlies will keep this pick. The consensus selections for the No. 2 pick are Thabeet and Ricky Rubio. The Grizzlies have their big man of the future in Marc Gasol and have a young backcourt with Mike Conley and O.J. Mayo. It has been rumored that Rubio will not visit Memphis when he visits the U.S., so it may be unlikely for Memphis to look at him. Thabeet would be great at center, moving Gasol to the power forward, if the Grizzlies keep the pick.

3.                  Oklahoma City Thunder – Ricky Rubio 6-4 PG DKV Joventut (Spain)

The Thunder, like the Grizzlies, would love Thabeet or Rubio, but they would much rather have Thabeet because they are in dire need of a center. However, it looks like Thabeet will be taken No. 2, so Rubio will be their likely. Westbrook is seen as the point guard in the future, Rubio is too hard to pass up, especially if they want to go small..

4.                  Sacramento Kings – Tyreke Evans 6-5 G Memphis

The Kings will more than likely select a guard with this pick and have been looking at Rubio, Curry, Harden, Jonny Flynn, Tyreke Evans and Jrue Holiday. They are leaning towards a point guard after the success of Kevin Martin last season, but at the No. 4 pick, I think they will go with a versatile guard and select Evans. Curry has been moving up the board, but I think Evans would be the best pick for the Kings.

5.                  Minnesota Timberwolves – James Harden 6-5 SG Arizona State

The Timberwolves are looking to bundle one of these two picks and the No. 18 to move up to No. 2 for Thabeet or Rubio. If they keep this pick, it will come down to Harden, Evans, Hill, Stephen Curry and Jonny Flynn. Harden, if available, would give them insurance at the 2 with the trades of Randy Foye and Mike Miller on Tuesday. They need backcourt help, along with a small forward and center.

6.                  Minnesota Timberwolves – Stephen Curry 6-3 G Davidson

Minnesota needs a point guard and a center. Since there are no centers worthy of being picked this high, they will look for a point guard, leaving them with Curry, Flynn, Jennings and Holiday. Flynn would be the best selection as he is a true point guard with avid toughness. However, his size will be a factor. Jennings played with Kevin Love in AAU ball in high school, but his brashness reminds many of Stephon Marbury. Holiday adds height to their small point guard roster, but Curry is the best at this pick for Minnesota as they look to replace shooting with the trades of Randy Foye and Mike Miller on Tuesday.

7.                  Golden State Warriors – Jordan Hill 6-10 PF Arizona

With Golden State’s fast paced offense, Jennings would be perfect as their true point guard, the only glaring hole Golden State needs to fill. He is flashy, quick and can start their high-powered offense. The issue comes from Monta Ellis, who has been told he is the point guard of the future, despite being better suited at the two-guard. If Ellis makes his voice known loudly, Stephen Curry may be the pick, adding yet another undersized shooting guard to claim the point guard position for the Warriors.

8.                  New York Knicks – Jrue Holiday 6-4 G UCLA

The Knicks have holes at every position, so with this pick, they could go many directions. However, Holiday is the versatile guard that can flourish under Mike D’Antoni. The question is can he be an NBA point guard? Jordan Hill could also be selected with this pick as the Knicks figure what to do with David Lee.

9.                  Toronto Raptors – DeMar DeRozan 6-6 G/F USC

The Raptors need insurance as Anthony Parker and Shawn Marion enter free agency as unrestricted. DeRozan reminds many of a young Vince Carter, something Toronto had missed since Carter left for New Jersey. Hopefully DeRozan can make a big enough impact to keep Chris Bosh in Toronto next year.

10.              Milwaukee Bucks – Jonny Flynn 6-0 PG Syracuse

Milwaukee just made a blockbuster trade to dish off their best player Richard Jefferson, but they gain Bruce Bowen, one of the league’s best defenders. They are still looking for insurance in case either Charlie Villanueva or Ramon Sessions leaves, so they will select between Holiday, Flynn or Hill with this pick. Flynn would be the best pick here, but Hill might be the pick if he is available.

11.              New Jersey Nets – Gerald Henderson 6-6 G/F Duke

After last year’s bevy of post players, the Nets should look for a nice wing player. However, reports say that they are looking for a bull down low, so their best pick would be a player who can play both forward positions. However, they will look for a good small forward to replace Vince Carter in the future and will choose between Gerald Henderson and Terrence Williams. Henderson is a winner and comes from a structured system with great coaching. He gets the nod over Williams.

12.              Charlotte Bobcats – Terrence Williams 6-6 G/F Louisville

The Bobcats need to address their wing position with no depth at the two-guard position. Reports say that Williams has wowed head coach Larry Brown and can aid the aging Raja Bell at the two, as well as Gerald Wallace at the three. Henderson would’ve been a great pick here, but Williams’ athleticism puts him over the edge.

13.              Indiana Pacers – Brandon Jennings 6-1 PG Lottomatica Roma (Italy)

The Pacers have a young frontcourt and an inconsistent backcourt. They will look to address their shaky point guard position as Jarrett Jack enters free agency and T.J. Ford handles his consistency issues. Brandon Jennings brings the talent to be the point guard of the future for the Pacers.

14.              Phoenix Suns – Earl Clark 6-10 F Louisville

The Suns could go many directions with this pick, but they may look to shore up their wing players, something they were known for this decade. Henderson would be perfect for their team if they look for a wing. If they look for a big man, they will look at Johnson and Daye.

15.              Detroit Pistons – Austin Daye 6-11 F Gonzaga

Rasheed Wallace and Allen Iverson are free agents, so the Pistons are in an influx as to where they want to head. They need some insurance in the paint, just in case Wallace does not return. Daye would be a good pick with his versatility, especially if Wallace leaves.

16.              Chicago Bulls – B.J. Mullens 7-1 C Ohio State

The Bulls need a low-post presence. James Johnson would be a good pick for them here, but the ability to have a bonafide seven-footer is too much to pass on at the No. 16 pick. The Bulls will likely go after Mullens, a raw center with a nice upside. He will have time to develop, but his ceiling is too much to pass on.

17.              Philadelphia 76ers – Eric Maynor 6-3 G VCU

Maynor is one of the most ready-to-play players in this draft and can step in with the free agency of Andre Miller.

18.              Minnesota Timberwolves – James Johnson 6-8 PF Wake Forest  

The Timberwolves need an athletic forward. While Terrence Williams, Gerald Henderson and Earl Clark taken, Johnson is the best pick. Johnson can add scoring and rebounding to Minnesota.

19.              Atlanta Hawks – Jeff Teague 6-2 PG Wake Forest

The Hawks will finally address the biggest hole in their roster for years by drafting a quality point guard. The trade for Jamal Crawford, in my mind, was to help in the backcourt but I don't expect Crawford to play the point unless they lose Mike Bibby to free agency. Crawford will be the starting shooting guard, pushing Joe Johnson to the small forward for a strong, scoring wing tandem. With that said, they will draft the best point guard available with this pick this year. That player is Jeff Teague.

20.              Utah Jazz – Tyler Hansbrough 6-10 PF North Carolina

The Jazz loves scrappy forwards and Hansbrough is the scrappiest in this draft. He can be a perfect compliment or replacement for Carlos Boozer, bringing intensity, defense and rebounding to the Jazz. He is a great value at this pick with this team.

21.              New Orleans Hornets - Sam Young 6-7 F Pittsburgh

New Orleans is just one year away from being the second best team in the NBA. They are looking to keep their nucleus and add ready-to-play players, especially in the paint. Young is a great pick for them as he can play both forward positions.

22.              Dallas Mavericks – Ty Lawson 6-1 G North Carolina

The Mavs are getting older, but they are stacked in many areas. With the aging of Jason Kidd and Jason Terry, they could also go for a point guard and Ty Lawson would be a good pick in that direction.

23.              Sacramento Kings – Omri Casspi 6-9 SF Spain

After drafting a point guard, the Kings could look to fill some depth in their wing positions. Casspi is a very tough small forward to add to a mix of players who could use his grit.

24.              Portland Trail Blazers - DeJuan Blair 6-7 PF Pittsburgh

Outside of Steve Blake, the Blazers do not have a pure point guard. However, they could use a strong rebounder in the post to go with the fleet of athletic forwards. DeJuan Blair would be a good pick to add to the post game and get a lot of garbage points for this high-scoring team.

25.              Oklahoma City Thunder – Chase Budinger 6-7 SG Arizona

The Thunder needs other shooters besides Kevin Durant and Budinger is a great pick. He can complement Russell Westbrook in the backcourt and has the size to guard small forwards.

26.              Chicago Bulls – Toney Douglas 6-2 G Florida State

The Bulls need some insurance in case Ben Gordon leaves the team in free agency. Douglas is one of the best scorers in the draft and can play both backcourt positions.

27.              Memphis Grizzlies – Dajuan Summers 6-8 F Georgetown

The Grizzlies need some depth in their forwards and Summers can provide that. He can shoot from the three but has the size to play the 4 at times in the league. He already has an NBA body and comes from a very team-oriented system at Georgetown.

28.              Minnesota Timberwolves - Jonas Jerebko 6-9 SF Angelico Biella (Italy)

The Timberwolves already have three rookies so they most likely will select an international player with potential, so he can go back to Europe and develop for a couple of years and return. Jerebko best fits this notion.

29.              New York Knicks – Derrick Brown 6-8 F Xavier

The Knicks just received this pick from the NBA champion Lakers. With their first pick, they selected a versatile guard. I think they will select a versatile forward with the No. 29 pick, selecting Derrick Brown from Xavier. He can play both forward positions for a team with no definitive positions roles.

30.              Cleveland Cavaliers – Taj Gibson 6-8 F USC

The Cavaliers are focused on re-signing LeBron James next summer, in addition to alleviating his pressure next year. They lost Ben Wallace in the trade for Shaquille O'Neal and Anderson Varejao may be gone this year to free agency, so they need a power forward that is solid on defense. Gibson would be a very good pick, but the Cavs may go with Xavier’s Derrick Brown, if he is available.

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