2009 NBA Mock Draft with Analysis: Round One

The NBA regular season is coming to an end. Most teams have only two or three games left to play.

It seems like only a few weeks ago that the Celtics were hanging up their championship banner. Boy, how time goes by!

I thought I would give a shot at my first NBA mock draft on Bleacher Report.

The order will be based on overall record for the 2008-2009 season as of Apr. 12, 2009.


1. Sacramento Kings (16-64)- Blake Griffin, Forward, Oklahoma

Without a doubt, Blake Griffin is the best player to come out in this years draft. Blake won the Associated Press player of the year award. He had 30 double-doubles in his sophomore season. Griffin would be a great fit for the lowly Kings.

2. Washington Wizards (19-61)- Ricky Rubio, Point Guard, DKV Joventut

There is no telling whether or not Gilbert Arenas will be on the Wizards next year. He missed 80 percent of this seasons games. Ricky Rubio is a talented and quick point guard who would be a tremendous replacement for Arenas.

3. Los Angeles Clippers (19-61)- Jordan Hill, Power Forward, Arizona

The Clippers have been a very disappointing team this year. Baron Davis hardly saw the court, and the team overall is pretty bad. Jordan Hill might stay in school, but if he comes out he would be a great pick for the Clippers.

4. Oklahoma City Thunder (22-58)- Hasheem Thabeet, Center, Connecticut

The Thunder need a dominant center for next season. They have three talented players in Russell Westbrook, Kevin Durant, and Jeff Green. Hasheem Thabeet would be the inside presence that they need.

5. Memphis Grizzlies (23-57)- Brandon Jennings, Point Guard, Lottomatica Roma

The Grizzlies need depth at the point guard position. Mike Conley hasn't exactly been the superstar he was expected to be. Brandon Jennings is a tremendous ball-handler and outside shooter. Look him up on YouTube, you are sure to be impressed.

6. Minnesota Timberwolves (24-56)- James Harden, Shooting Guard, Arizona St.

James Harden is a great player that the Timberwolves desperately need. Randy Foye will likely start at the point next year over Sebastian Telfair. If that happens, Minnesota will need a shooting guard like Harden.

7. Golden State Warriors (29-51)- Willie Warren, Shooting Guard, Oklahoma

This is basically the only position that the Warriors need help with. Willie Warren was not recognized for how good he was, because Blake Griffin was the star. Golden State will draft him to realize his true potential.

8. New York Knicks (31-50)- Tyreke Evans, Guard, Memphis

Nate Robinson is a free-agent and he might not be back on the team next year. New York traded away their best guard in Jamal Crawford. The Knicks must find their replacement for him.

9. Toronto Raptors (31-49)- Demar DeRozan, Shooting Guard, USC

The Raptors main weakness is a true shooting guard. The rest of their starting positions are fine as they are. Toronto must find that shooting guard that is able to bring a strong presence to the back-court.

10. Milwaukee Bucks (33-47)- Stephen Curry, Guard, Davidson

Maurice "Mo" Williams was traded in a three-team deal during the offseason. The Bucks lack a strong point guard that can run the court. Stephen Curry might be only a role player in his rookie season.

11. New Jersey Nets (33-47)- Earl Clark, Forward, Louisville

After trading away Richard Jefferson, the Nets lost a key part to their team. Bobby Simmons was acquired in a trade, but he only averages 8 points a game. Earl Clark is a great player that the Nets would chomp at the bit to get.

12. Indiana Pacers (35-45)- Ty Lawson, Point Guard, North Carolina

Jamaal Tinsley didn't play a single game all year long. He likely will be traded in the off-season. T.J. Ford is a good point guard, but the Pacers need depth. Ty Lawson, the ACC player of the year, would be a great fit.

13. Charlotte Bobcats (35-45)- Gerald Henderson, Shooting Guard, Duke

The Bobcats have a very young team that is improving each and every year. Raja Bell is Charlotte's current starter at shooting guard. Despite the fact that he is a good player, Charlotte needs a player for the future.

14. Phoenix Suns (44-36)- Terrence Williams, Small Forward, Louisville

Grant Hill is almost 37 years old. He likely won't be on the team for much longer. There is even a strong chance that he will hang up his shoes after this year. Terrence Williams is a 6'7" stud from Louisville. I would love to have him on the Suns.

15. Detroit Pistons (39-41)- DeJuan Blair, Power Forward, Pittsburgh

Rasheed Wallace might be on his way out of Detroit after this season. The Pistons need depth at the forward and center positions. DeJuan Blair is only 6'7", which might lead him to playing small forward instead.

16. Chicago Bulls (40-40)- Jeff Teague, Guard, Wake Forest

Ben Gordon's chances of remaining in a Bulls uniform next year, are very slim. Chicago needs to find their future shooting guard if Gordon doesn't stay. Jeff Teague may be under-sized, but he makes up for it with power.

17. Philadelphia '76ers (40-40)- James Johnson, Power Forward, Wake Forest

Elton Brand was injured for the majority of this season. He could be on the trade block even after only one season with the '76ers. James Johnson is a very under-rated power forward.

18. Minnesota Timberwolves from Miami- B.J. Mullens, Center, Ohio State

Behind Al Jefferson, at center, Minnesota has no talent whatsoever. The Timberwolves need depth behind "Big" Al. B.J. Mullens is a talented center who would be a great fit for Minnesota.

19. Atlanta Hawks (46-34)- Al-Farouq Aminu, Forward, Wake Forest

Josh Smith's character issues have gotten in the way in the past. It appears as though those days are over. With that said, Atlanta needs a solid backup small forward to him.

20. Utah Jazz (47-33)- Craig Brackins, Power Forward/Center, Iowa State

Carlos Boozer's days as a Utah Jazz player might be over. He was brought up in several trade rumors. Utah must try and look for his replacement if he is traded to another team.

21. Dallas Mavericks (48-32)- Jonny Flynn, Point Guard, Syracuse

Jason Kidd won't be around for much longer. Dallas needs to realize that he's well into his 30's. Jonny Flynn at this point would be a steal. He's a good floor-general, and a knock-down shooter.

22. New Orleans Hornets (49-31)- Jrue Holiday, Guard, UCLA

Can you name the New Orleans Hornets starting shooting guard? Times up. The answer is Rasual Butler. He is normally a small forward. Jrue Holiday is a good combo guard that the Hornets could use.

23. Portland Trail Blazers (52-28)- Eric Maynor, Point Guard, VCU

The Blazers only weakness is at point guard. Steve Nash and Sergio Rodriguez has spent most of the time starting there this year. Portland needs to find a solid starter like Eric Maynor.

24. Sacramento Kings from Houston- Patrick Patterson, Power Forward, Kentucky

More depth at power forward for the Kings. The Kings have a lot of depth at both guard positions. Small forward is also not a major need. Sacramento might look to trade this pick.

25. Oklahoma City Thunder from San Antonio- Chase Budinger, Shooting Guard/Small Forward, Arizona

Another talented player for the Thunder. This pick is strictly for depth behind Kevin Durant, who plays over 40 minutes per game on most nights.

26. Chicago Bulls from Denver- Tyler Hansbrough, Forward, North Carolina

The reason that Hansbrough has slipped so far in the draft is because he has been plagued as somebody who won't be a good pro player. I, however, disagree with that. He might not be an all-star, but he will be a key role player.

27. Orlando Magic (58-22)- DaJuan Summers, Forward, Georgetown

Orlando has very few needs on this team. A strong back-up forward is all that they're missing. DaJuan Summers will be the perfect player to fit that need.

28. Minnesota Timberwolves from Boston- Darren Collison, Point Guard, UCLA

Darren Collison's stock has slipped compared to last year because his team, UCLA, had a somewhat disappointing campaign. Despite that fact, Collison would be a good fit for the T'Wolves.

29. Los Angeles Lakers (64-17)- Wayne Ellington, Shooting Guard, North Carolina

Kobe Bryant will still be around for the next few years. This pick would make sense because the Lakers need to build a project for the future. Wayne Ellington would be a solid fit.

30. Cleveland Cavaliers (65-15)- Nick Calathes, Guard, Florida

The best team in the league has no cons whatsoever. This pick will only make the Cavaliers a better and deeper team. Nick Calathes will hardly see the court though, I hate to say it.