2009 NBA Mock Draft: April Edition

(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

This is a rather long mock draft, so let's just jump right in.

1. Sacramento Kings - Oklahoma F Blake Griffin

He’ll be treated and paid like a "king" in Sacramento, but unfortunately, he’ll have to play as one, too.

2. Los Angeles Clippers - Connecticut C Hasheem Thabeet

The Clippers suck at interior defense and rebounding. Thabeet doesn’t.

3. Washington Wizards - Arizona F Jordan Hill

I’m sure President Barack Obama will have some SportsCenter mock draft himself, but he probably won’t select a player for Washington from a red state, especially John McCain’s. 

4. Oklahoma City Thunder - Arizona State G James Harden

Harden kept his beard growing as his Sun Devils won games this season. Guess if he’s drafted by Oklahoma City, he’ll be clean-shaven for a long, long while (though the Thunder will be a solid team in the coming years).

5. Minnesota Timberwolves - North Carolina G Ty Lawson

If Minnesota is the "Land of 10,000 Lakes," then the Wolves appear to have built their foundation in the middle of one; their players seem more fragile than a celebutante after 14 mai-tais. Adding another “Mr. Glass” in Lawson could exponentially increase the "this-squadron-will-self-destruct-in-15-seconds" potential, but, should they all stay healthy, their team could sneak up on you like HIV*.

* courtesy of John Gorman, check out his archive here

6. Memphis Grizzlies - Arizona G/F Chase Budinger

Chase, seriously, check this out, since I’ve got you heading to Memphis. Who knows, you may enjoy it more than playing for the Grizzlies.

7. Golden State Warriors - Louisville F Earl Clark

Clark’s shot selection is frequently poor, but he has tremendous upside. Yep, definitely a fit in Golden State.

8. New York Knicks - USC G Demar DeRozan

The Knicks had the No. 6 pick a year ago and wanted a USC freshman guard. Now, they get their "hot dog," just with less Mayo.

9. Toronto Raptors - Duke G Gerald Henderson

Figures that a Duke guard will play in another country. But wait, this one did make it as an NBA player? 

10. Milwaukee Bucks - Memphis G Tyreke Evans

Evans earned McDonald’s All-American High School Basketball Game MVP honors a little over a year ago, and it was at the Bradley Center, the Bucks’ home court. Why not continue the hot streak in that building 41 times a year?

11. New Jersey Nets - Lottomatica Roma G Brandon Jennings

I’m being very generous to you, Brandon, placing you this high in the draft. But remember: If you make another big mistake (similar to not going to Arizona), you’re only about 14 hours away from some Italian league...again

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