Lester's 2009 NBA Mock Draft #4

Here’s my fourth 2009 NBA Mock Draft.

1.  Los Angeles Clippers – Blake Griffin
No doubt.
Previous pick:  Blake Griffin, Griffin, Griffin

2.  Mempis Grizzlies – Hasheem Thabeet
He’s slipping a little, but with such a short supply of big men, he’ll go #2 (maybe tot he Wolves) and learn to play Offense on the fly while he provides a defensive presence.
Previous Pick:  Jordan Hill, Hasheem Thabeet, Thabeet

3.  Oklahoma City – James Harden
Though he doesn’t fill an immediate need, Harden is a polished scorer who should take some pressure off of Durant.
Previous Pick:  Hasheem Thabeet, Jordan Hill, Hill

4.  Sacramento Kings – Ricky Rubio
The Wolves may trade up to get Rubio, but if he’s there at four, he’ll be a King.
Previous Pick:  Ricky Rubio, Rubio, Rubio

5. Minnesota Timberwolves – Tyreke Evans
If the Wolves hang onto this pick, I believe Evans will be the choice. After trading Foye and Miller, the Wolves have an opening at the two.
Previous Pick:  James Harden, Harden, Harden

6.  Minnesota Timberwolves – Stephen Curry
New Wolves GM saw firsthand what a shooter like Reggie Miller brought to the table.  Curry can run the point for the Wolves and open things up inside with his outside touch. 
Previous Pick: Brandon Jennings, Brandon Jennings 

7.  Golden State Warriors – Ty Lawson
I am going back to Lawson here.  He’s looked good in workouts and his blazing speed will translate well in Nellie’s uptempo offense.
Previous Pick:  Ty Lawson, Jrue Holliday, Curry

8.  New York Knicks – Jordan Hill
I have gone PG with my earlier picks, but an athletic big man would be a nice fit in D’Antoni’s offense.
Previous Pick:  Jonny Flynn, Stephen Curry, Brandon Jennings

9.  Toronto Raptors – DeMar DeRozan
With Evans gone I go back to DeMar DeRozan.  He’ll throw down plenty of Jose Calderon’s lobs.
Previous Pick:  DeMar DeRozan, DeRozan, Tyreke Evans

10.  Milwaulkee Bucks – Brandon Jennings
Another team I’ve changed my mind on a few times.  Jennings has the most upside of the PGs.
Previous Pick:  Stephen Curry, Jonny Flynn, Jrue Holliday

11.  New Jersey Nets – Earl Clark
With Jefferson gone, the Nets could go for a wing player, but Clark’s size and athleticism make more sense here.
Previous Pick: DeJuan Blair, Blair, Earl Clark

12.  Charlotte Bobcats – Gerald Henderson
His Offense is great, but Larry Brown will love his Defense.
Previous Pick:  Wayne Ellington, Gerald Henderson, Henderson

13.  Indiana Pacers – Jrue Holliday
Holliday slides a bit, which makes the Pacers day. Holliday will need to develop a bit, but his ceiling is high.
Previous Pick:  Eric Maynor, Maynor, Jonny Flynn

14.  Phoenix Suns – James Johnson
Poor man’s Shawn Marion.
Previous Pick:  Earl Clark,Clark, James Johnson

15.  Detroit Pistons –  Tyler Hansbrough
His energy and toughness should translate in the NBA.  Won’t be a star, but will do the little things.
Previous Pick:  Tyler Hansbrough, Hansbrough, Hansbrough

16. Chicago Bulls – DeJuan Blair
Blair gives the Bulls a big man that should be able to contribute right away.
Previous Pick:  Tyreke Evans, Evans, Blair

17.  Philadelphia 76ers – Johnny Flynn
Flynn gets to stay on the East Coast and gives the Sixers a PG that can run the offense and take the shot when need be.
Previous Pick:  Jeff Teague, Ty Lawson, Lawson

18.  Minnesota Timberwolves – B.J. Mullens
Who knows what’s going to happen with this pick, but if the Wolves keep it they’ll take the big man here.
Previous Pick:  B.J. Mullens, Mullens, Mullens

19.  Atlanta Hawks – Eric Maynor
I still like Maynor in this spot.  A PG that should be able to play right away. The ceiling isn’t high on him though.
Previous Pick: Patrick Mills, Jeff Teague, Eric Maynor

20.  Utah Jazz – Terence Williams
Jerry Sloan will love T-Will’s toughness on D.
Previous Pick:  Gerald Henderson, Terrence Williams, Chase Budinger

21.  New Orleans Hornets – Jeff Teague
Teague gives the Hornets a combo guard who could backup CP3 or play alongside him.
Previous Pick:  Chase Budinger, Budinger, Jeff Teague

22.  Dallas Mavericks – Darren Collison
The Mavs need to prepare for life after Kidd.  Collison is a good option.
Previous Pick: Jrue Holliday, Darren Collison, Collison

23.  Sacramento Kings – Austin Daye
Daye won’t start out of the gate, but is a nice backup to Jason Thompson.
Previous Pick:  James Johnson, Johnson, Austin Daye

24.  Portland Trail Blazers – Chase Budinger
Budinger gives the Blazers an athletic Wing player with the ability to stretch defenses with his outside touch.
Previous Pick:  Darren Collison, Austin Daye, DaJuan Summers

25.  Oklahoma City – Sam Young
Young can defend and score.  Not a lot of upside, but should contribute right away
Previous Pick:  Gani Lawal, Lawal, Sam Young

26.  Chicago Bulls – Omri Casspri
Still makes sense for the Bulls.  Could develop into a solid NBA player.
Previous Pick: Derrick Brown, Omri Casspri, Casspri

27.  Memphis – Taj Gibson
The bottom of the draft is a crapshoot, but Gibson would give Memphis depth in the frontcourt.
Previous Selection:  Sam Young, Young, Taj Gibson

28.  Minnesota Timberwolves – Derrick Brown
The Wolves added Guards and a Center, so adding an athletic wingman is all that’s left.
Previous Pick:  Terrence Williams, DaJuan Summers, Patrick Mills

29.  Los Angeles Lakers – DaJuan Summers
Summers gives the Lakers yet another athlete to help defend their title.
Previous Pick:  Omri Casspri, Patrick Mills, Derrick Brown

30.  Cleveland Cavaliers – Wayne Ellington
Ellington can score, which should help take some pressure off LBJ.
Previous Pick:  DaJuan Summers, Nick Calathes, Wayne Ellington

Previous Mock Drafts
Mock Draft #1:  5/21/09
Mock Draft #2:  6/11/09
Mock Draft#3:  6/17/09

Originally published at LestersLegends.com.