2009 NBA Lottery Picks Mock Draft

(Photo by Joe Murphy/Getty Images)

The 2009 NBA draft is one of the weakest draft classes in recent years. Even though this years draft isn't loaded with talent as drafts in previous years, the 2009 draft may be the hardest one to predict, with nothing guaranteed after Blake Griffin at No. 1 overall.

So here's the order, in which I think Commissioner David Stern will call up the lottery picks in this Thursday's NBA draft.

1. LA Clippers—Blake Griffin, 6'10" PF, So., Oklahoma. On May 19 after the Clippers officially won the lottery, the Blake Griffin sweepstakes was offficially over, as the athletic bulldog Griffin, who has been compared to Karl Malone, was unofficially named an L.A. Clipper.

2. Memphis Grizzlies—Hasheem Thabeet, 7'2" C, Jr., Conneticut. The Grizzlies need to add size and what better way to do this then by drafting the biggest center available in the entire draft?

3. Oklahoma City Thunder—Ricky Rubio. 6'4" PG, DKV Joventut. The Thunder must draft Rubio because the lightning-quick point guard would help create more shots for Kevin Durant. The 18-year-old Spaniard would make a great guard combination with Russell Westbrook, giving the Thunder two playmakers on the court for the first time since they have been in the NBA.

4. Sacramento Kings—Tyreke Evans 6'5" PG, Fr., Memphis. The Kings are in desperate need of a point guard, and with Rubio most likely gone Evans would be the next best point guard available for Sacramento to take with their pick.

5. Minnesota Timberwolves (from Washington Wizards)- Jordan Hill 6'10" PF, Jr., Arizona. By trading up, the Timberwolves are able to secure a good athletic power forward in Hill, who would definitely be a huge upgrade from their current starting power forward, Brian Cardinal.  

6. Minnesota Timberwolves—James Harden, 6'5" SG, So., Arizona State. After trading their two shooting guards in Mike Miller and Randy Foye it would make sense for Minnesota to draft the explosive Harden after he slips out of the top five.

7. Golden State Warriors—Stephen Curry, 6'3" PG, Jr., Davidson. By trading Jamal Crawford to the Hawks, it makes sense for the Warriors to take a point guard, with the All-American Curry as the next best available floor leader.

8. New York Knicks—Gerald Henderson, 6'5" SG, Jr., Duke. Since Rubio and Curry likely will be gone Mike D'Antoni will look to add a versatile wing player in the former Blue Devil.

9. Toronto Raptors—DeMar DeRozan, 6'6" SG, Fr., USC. The Raptors could use an explosive shooting guard like DeRozan to help Chris Bosh & Co. make a playoff run this season.

10. Milwaukee Bucks—Jrue Holiday, 6'4" PG, Fr., UCLA. By drafting Holiday the Bucks are able to pick up a good floor general who has tremendous upside.

11. New Jersey Nets—Jonny Flynn 6'1" PG, Soph., Syracuse. Flynn will fit in great with Nets, and be a good combo with Devin Harris as the Nets get an excellent pick after Flynn drops out of the top 10.

12. Charlotte Bobcats—Earl Clark, 6'10" PF, Jr., Louisville. Clark was really able to develop under Rick Pitino, and is an athletic forward who could be an impact player in Charlotte right away.

13. Indiana Pacers—Brandon Jennings, 6'2" PG, Virtus Roma. Larry Bird is looking to trade his starting PG T.J. Ford, and if he deals Ford it would make perfect sense for the Pacers to draft the very talented Jennings,who skipped college to play one season professionally in Italy.

14. Phoenix Suns—James Johnson, 6'8" PF, Wake Forest. Johnson is a superior athlete with a black belt and a 20-0 record as a kickboxer who will be a good wing in Phoenix, as Grant Hill is nearing retirement.

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