2009 NBA Mock Draft – Version 3.0 from ATS

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The NBA Draft will happen on June 25th in New York’s Madison Square Garden. The Clippers, this year’s lottery winner, will have the first selection.

You can check out our initial NBA Mock Draft Part I and NBA Mock Draft Part II., as well our NBA Mock Draft version 2.0.

Team Pos/Player School/Country Size

1. L.A. Clippers: PF Blake Griffin, Oklahoma 6-10, 252
Comment: The best player in the draft-by far. Who cares if he has short arms? His athleticism is unreal, even if his vertical leap matched Tyler Hansbrough. Griffin also suffered from a bad back during testing.

2.  Memphis C Hasheem Thabeet, Connecticut 7-3, 265
Comment: The most imposing defensive player in the draft. Thabeet is light-years away from contributing much on the offensive end. He hasn’t even worked out at the combine for the physical testing, but teams know what he can do. He’s a mechanical offensive player, but there are so few true centers in the draft or even in the league, he’s worth a shot. This just shows you how weak this draft is.

3. Oklahoma City SG James Harden, Arizona State 6-5, 215
Comment: Harden is a very good player who can come in and play right away. He showed at the combine that he’s much more athletic (37 inch vertical) than people thought. He’s a smart player who knows how to use his body to get to the line. Similar to Mitch Ritchmond with a thick body and long arms.

4. Sacramento PG Ricky Rubio, Spain 6-4, 180
Comment: He keeps dropping because teams are afraid of his contract. Here’s where it gets interesting. Rubio is a tremendous talent, who lacks size, a pure jumper and great quicks. But what a passer. Problem is, he doesn’t want to play with Memphis or Oklahoma City and has a $7 million buyout. He’s also just 18 and won’t turn 19 until October. Sacramento and several other teams would trade up to get him.

5. Washington PF Jordan Hill, Arizona 6-10, 235
Comment: Hill is the next best big man available, though the Wiz will probably try to trade the pick. He’s athletic with long arms and should fill out more. Measured taller than expected. Wiz have no cap room and are maxed out. What they do need is somebody who is tough underneath and can rebound.

6. Minnesota PG Tyreke Evans, Memphis 6-5, 221
Comment: Evans has all the physical tools and instincts to be a very good point guard or even shooting guard. Let’s call him a combo guard at this point. Since he played just one season, he is still raw but he does have the body and athletic ability to play from Day One.

7. Golden State PG Jonny Flynn, Syracuse 6-0, 196
Comment: Another guy that’s rising in a great draft for point guards. Could look at Brandon Jennings here, but he appears to be an enigma. Flynn is a little like a younger, shorter Baron Davis. Has 40 inch vertical.

8. New York PG Stephen Curry, Davidson 6-3, 181
Comment: Curry is moving up on the charts and the Knicks may have to trade up to get him. He’s 6-3 in shoes? Has a 35.5 inch vertical and benched 185 ten times? Ok, he must have hired a trainer to elevate those numbers. But he’s not going to use his speed to get past people like Leandro Barbosa. He can use his savvy and jump shot. Another combo guard.

9. Toronto SG DeMar DeRozan, USC 6-6, 220
Comment: DeRozan is one of the best athletes in the draft and a tremendous talent. He struggled some in agility drills and has had questionable workouts. He can jump but isn’t super fast. He’s just a bit raw and will need to work on his jumper and overall game. Minnesota has Mike Miller and Rodney Carney, so they can bring him along slowly.

10. Milwaukee PG/SG Jrue Holiday UCLA 6-4, 199
Comment: Here’s another point guard in the Russell Westbrook/Gilbert Arenas mode. In other words, he’s a combo guard with tremendous talent, who could have used another year in school. But he’s moving up on a lot of team’s lists because he has star potential.

11. New Jersey PF DeJuan Blair Pittsburgh 6-6, 277
Comment: One of the high-risers on the board. He has a 7-2 wing span, which makes up for his lack of height. Blair adds rebounds and size inside to a team that needs to get more physical. Similar to Elton Brand in terms of wingspan, but not in terms of offensive moves. Big-time rebounder.

12. Charlotte SF Earl Clark Louisville 6-9, 220
Comment: This will be a Larry Brown pick, who loves guy who can play multiple positions and defend. Clark was very impressive in the agility workouts, though he needs to get stronger. The Bobcats need a shooting guard, but this is too high to take another UNC grad in Wayne Ellington, and they don’t need Ty Lawson.

13. Indiana PG Brandon Jennings Lottamatica Roma 6-1, 170
Comment: The Pacers have Jarrett Jack and fragile T.J. Ford, but Jennings has more upside. They can bring him along slowly if they draft him here. He has the talent to be a big-time point guard down the road.

14. Phoenix SG Gerald Henderson, Duke 6-4, 215
Comment: Some say this is too high for Henderson. We say it’s too low. He’ll come in as one of the best perimeter defenders and athletes. He measured at 6-5 in shoes and has a 35 inch vertical with long arms. He’s lacks a consistent jumper, but at times, took over games for Duke. He’s not Grant Hill in his prime, but is very underrated. Maybe teams are scared off by players from Duke, usually not making great pro’s.

15. Detroit SF Austin Daye, Gonzaga 6-10, 192
Comment: Can you say Tayshaun Prince? They are almost the same size, but Daye has a better jumper. Daye obviously needs to get stronger and is just an average athlete. But you can’t teach his skills and his basketball IQ. Father Darren was a standout at UCLA and was a solid role player in the NBA.

16. Chicago PF/SF James Johnson Wake Forest 6-8, 255
Comment: One of the most talented big men in the draft, Johnson tended to disappear at times last year. Should not have much of a problem scoring. He’ll need to improve his defense and effort once he gets in the NBA. Better athlete than expected and already has the NBA body.

17. Philadelphia PG Eric Maynor, VCU 6-3, 164
Comment: Now he doesn’t have all the measurables you are looking for. Needs to get bigger. Not a great leaper. Good, but not great athlete. He can play. Will take the big shot when needed, but can also be a pure point guard and with Andre Miller expected to leave, he can step in right away and at least play some minutes behind Lou Williams.

18. Minnesota C B.J. Mullens, Ohio State 7-0, 260
Comment: Minnesota lacks a true center. Mullens won’t help right away as he didn’t even start at Ohio State. He’s very raw and a gamble, but could eventually pay off if Kevin McHale is still around to teach him some post moves. You can’t teach his size and pontential. Also very good athlete for a big man.

19. Atlanta PG Ty Lawson, North Carolina, 6-0, 197
Comment: Do these guys grow after college? Here’s a guy that could go from 11-25. Teams are worried about the toe injury he suffered during the season and think he might just be a backup. Great luck for the Hawks if Lawson falls here who failed with Acie Law. Has great speed and can really push the ball as well as anybody in the draft. Also improved his jumper to be more than serviceable.

20. Utah PF Tyler Hansbrough North Carolina 6-10, 234
Comment: Is he the next David Lee? More like Paul Milsap, who could be gone (as well as Carlos Boozer). It’s hard to believe he’s the same size as Blake Griffin with a longer wingspan. We wonder about those combines and whether these guys do yoga or pilates for a month. He is a very hard worker and can step in and be a rotation player with Boozer likely gone. Will rebound and score some, but don’t expect him to produce like he did in college.

21. New Orleans SG Chase Buddinger, Arizona 6-7, 206
Comment: Tough pick. Between Buddinger and Wayne Ellington. The Hornets are desperate for a shooting guard. Buddinger has been on the radar screen for awhile. He’s Mike Miller with better hops. He can play shooting guard or small forward. Not much of a defender and has short arms.

22. Dallas PG/SG Jeff Teague, Wake Forest 6-1, 175
Comment: Dallas was hoping for Nick Calathes here, but he’s hopping to Greece (it’s true). He’s a talented scorer, who’s stock fell last season after Wake Forest collapsed last in the season. He can play some shooting guard since Portland has so many good ballhandlers. Similar to Devin Harris.

23. Sacramento SF Omri Casspi, Isreal 6-9, 211
Comment: Solid blue collar-type who has moved up on some draft boards. Similar to a Andre Noccioni, but lacks strength. Good enough athlete to play small forward and will likely play overseas for another year or two. Just 20 years old.

24. Portland PG Darren Collison, UCLA, 6-1, 165
Comment: Portland drafted Jerryd Bayless last year, another Pac-10 player, but he’s more of a combo guard. Collison is another good point guard, though thin, will play some defense and run a team off the bench (kind of like Brevin Knight).

25. Oklahoma City PF Gani Lawal, Georgia Tech, 6-9, 220
Comment: Lawal is a raw athlete who should have stayed in school for two more years. He is seriously considering a return to college. He has great upside though and Oklahoma City can afford to sit him for a year or two to learn the game.

26. Chicago SG Sam Young, Pittsburgh 6-7, 223
Comment: The Bulls should package this pick to move up or trade their higher pick. Young, who can rebound and defend from the wing spot to get a look here. He’s a great athlete who has made himself into a decent shooter.

27. Memphis SF/PF DaJuan Summers Georgetown 6-9, 243
Comment: Summers was a zone-buster at Georgetown. He’s has a big body, but plays like a wing player. He was held back by the Hoyas’ Princeton offense. Decent enough athlete for his size. Very talented and could be a sleeper if he learns to play more physical and crash the boards.

28. Minnesota SG Wayne Ellington, North Carolina 6-5, 202
Comment: Could go anywhere from 15-30. Just depends on team needs. Very good shooter who hasn’t proven he can create his own shot. Decent athlete who needs a screen or a strong point guard like Rubio to get him the ball.

29. L.A. Lakers SG Toney Douglas, Florida State 6-2, 184
Comment: Solid player and decent but not great athlete. Can really stroke the ball and looks like a good fit in the Triangle (assuming Phil Jackson stays). He’s more of a dynamic scorer off the bench on most teams than a true starter. But here he could be a nice fit.

30. Cleveland SF/SG Terrence Williams, Louisville 6-6, 220
Comment: The Cavs need talent and will get a steal if Williams works out. Very versatile wing who can also play the point. There are some red flags here about off-the-court issues. Might be worth taking a chance on this late in a poor draft. Nobody doubts the talent and potential, though he never realized it in college.

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Second Round
31. Sacramento PG Patrick Mills St. Mary’s (CA) 5-11, 175
Comment: Speedy point guard who should have stayed in the draft and would have been a potential lottery pick next season. He missed most of last season with a broken hand, but was considered a lottery player before the injury.

32. Portland G Marcus Thornton, LSU 6-4, 205
Comment: A big-time scorer at LSU, he’s a little undersized for the two-guard spot. Very questionable ball handling. Needs screens and a set offense to score.

33. Washington PF Jeff Adrien, UConn 6-7, 245
Comment: Undersized power forward who can play some small forward. Has very long arms. Wiz are desperate for toughness. He can also shoot it well for a big guy.

34. Denver PF Jeff Pendergrph, Arizona State 6-10, 235
Comment: A lunch-pail type of guy who is also extremely agile and athletic. Decent size for a power forward, but could get stronger. Very good rebounder.

35. Memphis SF/PG DeMarre Carroll, Missouri 6-8, 208
Comment: Former power forward who made transition to the wing. Runs the floor very well and can finish. Not an elite athlete for a wing but is agile enough to run the floor and board.

36. Detroit PF Taj Gibson, USC 6-9, 225
Comment: An athletic shot blocker who will do the dirty work inside. Needs to get bigger and not much of an offensive force.

37. San Antonio SF/PF Jonas Jerebko, Angelico Biella 6-9, 210
Comment: Spurs love to look overseas. Swedish forward who has bulked up from 192 pounds. Has very long arms and plays a bit like Andrei Kirilenko and “Bird Man” Andersen. Could be a very good role player.

38. Portland SF Danny Green, North Carolina 6-6, 210
Comment: Portland looking for some bench help. Green is a very athletic wing who can shoot the ball. But mostly, he’ll provide energy and spark off the bench.

39. Detroit SG Dionte Christmas, Temple 6-5, 211
Comment: An underrated player who can get his shot off against most people. Physical guard. Not very athletic, which is why he’ll go second round. Needs to improve his handle.

40. Charlotte PG Curtis Jerrells, Baylor 6-1, 195
Comment: Very fast lefty point guard who is underrated because he played at Baylor. Average shooter. Has the physical strength to play in the league.

41. Milwaukee C Josh Heytvelt, Gonzaga 6-11, 245
Comment: Big man who has been through off-the-court and injury issues. Is very skilled but lacks explosion. Worth the risk this late. Very strong and was more athletic than expected in workouts.

42. LA Lakers SF Derrick Brown, Xavier 6-8, 225
Comment: Very athletic small forward who needs to work on his range on his jumper. Is most likely a tweener who will play both positions in the NBA.

43. Miami SG Jermaine Taylor, Central Florida 6-4, 203
Comment: Taylor can really stroke it from deep. Isn’t a pure two but is powerfully-built. Problem is he can’t create off the dribble, but that’s why he’s a second-rounder.

44.Detroit SF/PF Robert Dozier, Memphis 6-10, 215
Comment: Lanky forward who needs to bulk up to play power forward. Has some potential as a rebounder and defender.

45. Minnesota PG Greivis Vasquez, Maryland 6-5, 200
Comment: Very talented player who carried the Terps to the NCAA’s. Scored 35 against North Carolina. Can play the point but looks too often for flashy play instead of basic pass. Size makes him intriguing but could go back to college.

46. Cleveland PG A.J. Price, UConn 6-2, 190
Comment: Strong point guard from Connecticut who had an outstanding senior season. Some red flags on a knee injury two years ago and character issues.

47. Minnesota SF Dante Cunningham, Villanova 6-8, 230
Comment: Another hard working, undersized power forward. He’ll have to play small forward in the pro’s, though he did improve his accuracy from beyond 15 feet this year at Villanova.

48. Phoenix PG Rodrigue Beaubois, France 6-2, 180
Comment: Looking for the next Leandro Barbosa? More like Steve Nash, but is a few years away. Thin point guard with very long arms, making up for his lack of size. Very good shooter.

49. Atlanta SF Tyler Smith, Tennessee 6-7, 210
Comment: Great athlete who can really defend. Could go overseas if he doesn’t get a guarantee. Also has a very quick first step and can get to the basket as a slasher. Big question on ball handling ability.

50. Utah PF Milan Macvan, Croatia 6-9, 265
Comment: Big man who is just 19-years old. Has great basketball IQ and just needs to refine body. Average athlete at best. Very strong. Will need at least another year overseas.

51. San Antonio SF Damion James, Texas 6-7, 225
Comment: James may still go back to college and he needs to. Does have a strong body with excellent leaping ability. Has to improve his shooting ability.

52. Indiana SG Jodie Meeks, Kentucky 6-4, 205
Comment: What year for Meeks at Kentucky. He went from 8.8 points per game to 24.2 ppg. Lack of height hurts his stock.

53. San Antonio SG Wesley Matthews, Marquette 6-5, 215
Comment: Powerful shooting guard who is decent athletically. Needs to improve his handle like most players who play small forward in college.

54. Charlotte PG Sergio Llull, Spain 6-3, 176
Comment: Very solid combo guard who can shoot it, but will have to play the point in the NBA. Uses pick-and-roll very well.

55. Portland PF Alade Aminu, Georgia Tech 6-10, 235
Comment: Has a 7-3 wingspan and tremendous potential. Should have stayed another year in college. He came off the bench in the team’s final 12 games, which says a lot about how far he is from being a productive player.

56. Portland PF Jon Brockman, Washington 6-7, 255
Comment: A semi-local banger, who will rebound like gangbusters when given a chance. Lacks a dependable offensive move and lack of height will make him a role player at best.

57. Phoenix PG Jack McClinton, Miami (FL) 6-0, 185
Comment: Another small shooting guard, who will have to adjust to the point in the NBA. Can really shoot it and loves taking the clutch shot.

58. Boston PG Tyreese Rice, Boston College 6-0, 190
Comment: A local player who is very explosive. Can flat out score, but can he play point at the next level?

59. LA Lakers PF Leo Lyons, Missouri 6-9, 235
Comment: Big man who can run the floor. Nearly 6-10, but just average wing span at 6-10.75. Javon Crudup anyone?

60. Miami PF Henk Norel, Holland 6-11, 212
Comment: Very thin big man who needs to seriously bulk up. Can shoot it from deep. Worth taking a shot this late.

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