Mocking a Supposedly Weak 2009 NBA Draft

Scouts, analysts and NBA executives alike have agreed that this year's draft class is very weak. The draft is a crapshoot, which is especially true with this year's weak class. Which makes it that much more fun to make a mock draft!

1. Los Angeles Clippers

Blake Griffin PF/Oklahoma, 6'10" 245 lbs

Griffin has been the Clippers choice since they were awarded the pick during the draft lottery, and rightfully so. Griffin is the best player in this draft by far and he is the early front runner for Rookie of the Year honors. Extremely and freakishly athletic, Griffin can run the floor, is a dominant rebounder, and a surprisingly good passer. The selection likely means the Clippers will look to shop one of their veteran big men.

2. Memphis Grizzlies

Hasheem Thabeet C/UConn, 7'3" 267 lbs

Thabeet has pretty much said he doesn't want to play in Memphis (who does honestly), but sources have said the team will most likely select him. They could use his defensive presence inside, as they feel their perimeter is set with OJ Mayo, Rudy Gay and Mike Conley, which is why I don't think they draft Ricky Rubio.

There has been plenty of talk of Memphis trading this pick to interested teams such as Boston and Minnesota, and there is a good chance it will happen. Minnesota wants Rubio and if they can package two of their three first rounders, they might be able to get him here.

3. Oklahoma City Thunder

James Harden SG/Arizona State, 6'5" 220 lbs

It is a tough choice for the Thunder between Harden and Rubio, but I honestly think Harden is the better fit on the wing alongside Russell Westbrook. Westbrook is their point guard of the future and I don't think Rubio and Westbrook is a good fit. Harden is a true scorer who can shoot and is a consistent player who could have a good season right off the bat.

4. Sacramento Kings

Ricky Rubio PG/DKV Joventut (Spain), 6'4" 180 lbs

Although it's been known that Kings brass has soured on Rubio, there's no way they can pass him up if he's available. He truly is a phenom and although he struggles with his jump shot, he simply makes others better because he is a tremendous passer and a good defender with good size. It may take him time to develop -- which with many Kings personnel people entering the last year of their deals may not be a good thing-- but there is no doubting he is a top notch talent who played at a higher level of competition than anyone else in the draft.

5. Washington Wizards

Stephen Curry PG/Davidson, 6'3" 180 lbs

The likely outcome is that the Wizards trade this pick in order to get some veteran help and shed the salaries of Etan Thomas and or Mike James. They are actively shopping this pick, but for the sake of the mock draft, let's just say they don't. Curry could contribute from the get-go because he is a pure shooter with tremendous range and he is more athletic and strong than scouts once thought.

6. Minnesota Timberwolves

Tyreke Evans G/Memphis, 6'6" 220 lbs

This is assuming the Timberwolves don't trade up to snag Rubio or Thabeet, which I've heard is likely. Evans really lit up workouts because of his strength and ability to get to the basket with ease, plus an improved jump shot. He probably could contribute more in his first year than any other point guard, so he fits in Minnesota as the best player available at this point.

7. Golden State Warriors

Jordan Hill PF/Arizona, 6'10" 260 lbs

History shows the Warriors are wacky come draft day, so even though they spent their last two selections on either small or true power forwards (Brandan Wright and Anthony Randolph), they probably take the best player available. Randolph is a natural 3 and Wright is a bust so far, so taking Hill makes sense. Hill is strong and quick, plus he's still developing and is extremely athletic.

8. New York Knicks

Brandon Jennings PG/Lottamica Roma (Italy), 6'2" 167 lbs

The Knicks made it known early on that they wanted Stephen Curry, a perfect fit for their system, or Jordan Hill, but since they're both gone they take the trend-bucking Jennings, who is also a good fit. Jennings surprised the Knicks in workouts in a good way, and his athleticism and passing skills make him the likely pick if the Knicks don't trade up.

9. Toronto Raptors

Demar DeRozan SG/USC, 6'7" 220 lbs

The Raptors don't have a shooting guard under contract for next season (Anthony Parker, Kapono traded), so it makes sense to take one here. DeRozan is the most boom or bust prospect this year, but his athleticism makes him enticing along with his prototypical size for the position.

10. Milwaukee Bucks

Jrue Holiday G/UCLA, 6'4" 190 lbs

The Bucks should take the best point guard available in a draft heavy with them, and that means Holiday. He's a better fit than Jonny Flynn because he's bigger and can play defense, a must under head coach Scott Skiles, so he's the pick here. Holiday has a lot of potential and could prove to be a steal down the road.

11. New Jersey Nets

Tyler Hansbrough PF/North Carolina, 6'10" 230 lbs

The Nets have discussed trading this to Chicago for picks no. 16 and 26 because they targeted Hansbrough, so we assume they intend to select him. Hansbrough is a good fit because he is as strong as advertised, plays extremely hard and is a good offensive player who gets to the line and converts. I personally believe he will be a solid NBA player.

12. Charlotte Bobcats

Gerald Henderson SG/Duke 6'5" 210 lbs

Henderson has been high on the 'Cats list for a long time, and despite a late surge from Louisville's Terrence Williams, I think they stick to their man. Henderson plays above the rim at both ends of the floor and is an athletic player with a solid jumper. His solid defensive ability helps in playing under Larry Brown.

13. Indiana Pacers

DeJuan Blair PF/Pittsburgh, 6'6" 277 lbs

The Pacers are one of a few teams high on Blair, and after his knee injuries were cleared up, they will probably select him. Blair has a ridiculous 7'2" wingspan to make up for his lack of height, but he's plenty bulky and physical on both ends. Blair is a solid rebounder and should help the Pacers improve defensively.

14. Phoenix Suns

Terrence Williams SG/Louisville, 6'6" 220 lbs

The Suns are happy to see Williams fall and I think they take him over his teammate Earl Clark. Williams is a versatile combo guard who can play the 1,2, and 3. An adept passer, Williams is strong and a good slasher with a streaky jump shot. He takes over for Grant Hill and gives the Suns a threat on the wing.

15. Detroit - Earl Clark F/Louisville, 6'9" 235 lbs

16. Chicago - James Johnson PF/Wake Forest, 6'8" 255 lbs

17. Philadelphia - Ty Lawson PG/North Carolina, 6'0" 195 lbs

18. Minnesota - BJ Mullens C/Ohio State, 7'0" 275 lbs

19. Atlanta - Jonny Flynn PG/Syracuse, 6'0" 190 lbs

20. Utah - Omri Casspi SF/Israel, 6'8" 220 lbs

21. New Orleans - Taj Gibson PF/USC, 6'9" 230 lbs

22. Dallas - Eric Maynor PG/VCU, 6'3" 205 lbs

23. Sacramento - Wayne Ellington SG/North Carolina, 6'5" 205 lbs

24. Portland - DaJuan Summers SF/Georgetown, 6'11" 230 lbs

25. Oklahoma City - Chase Budinger SF/Arizona, 6'7" 225 lbs

26. Chicago - Jeff Teague PG/Wake Forest, 6'2" 190 lbs

27. Memphis - Nick Calathes PG/Florida, 6'5" 195 lbs

28. Minnesota - Sam Young SF/Pittsburgh, 6'6" 210 lbs

29. LA Lakers - Darren Collison PG/UCLA, 6'2" 190 lbs

30. Cleveland - Derrick Brown SF/Xavier, 6'9" 230 lbs