2009 NBA Draft: Best and Worst

(Above: Shaq wasn't drafted, but he was the biggest deal.)

Plenty of teams improved themselves in one way or another. Some chose financial freedom; unloading costly players for cap room, or shipping unwanted picks and/or talent for some extra cash.

While several teams made an impact with some solid selections in the draft, there were also quite a few trades that went down on or around draft night that factor into the equation.

Here are the top and bottom five teams for the 2009 Draft:

Top Five

1. Cleveland Cavaliers

Cleveland added Christian Eyenga (Congo) with the final pick in the first round, but they made their biggest splash via trade.

While Eyenga is an athletic and intriguing prospect for the future, he is likely to spend more time overseas, and it may be years before Cleveland sees him contributing.

The Cav's made, quite arguably, the move of the draft by trading for Shaquille O'Neal and giving up almost nothing for him.

While O'Neal is 37, last season's numbers and solid play showed the world he can still dominate when needed. Now that he's teamed with the explosive LeBron James, he won't be relied on as much as he was in Phoenix.

O'Neal still demands double-teams, and is still a beast inside the paint, which adds a few dimensions that Cleveland has been severely lacking: inside scoring and defense.

The Cavaliers may not have built their team for the future in 2009, but considering James could opt out next year, this was the perfect move—one that could find the Cavs reaching the NBA Finals for the second time in this decade.

2. Chicago Bulls

Chicago added depth to it's wing, as well as in the paint, by drafting James Johnson and Taj Gibson.

Both players have excellent size and build, and should be able to contribute immediately.

This could spell several moves for Chicago in the near future.

Even with the loss of Ben Gordan via free agency, Chicago is still a young team on the rise with two more underrated prospects.

Johnson's athleticism and offensive abilities could allow the Bulls to run him on the floor with Luel Deng and Derrick Rose, or it could even put Deng on the trading block.

Taj Gibson could have the same affect on Tyrus Thomas, while also carrying the potential for a potent inside-duo.

The Bulls suddenly have a lot of size, length, and athleticism.

3. Washington Wizards

Like the Cavaliers, the Wizards didn't make this list because their drafting wizardry (pun intended).

They passed on the likes of Ricky Rubio and DeMar DeRozan, simply because the offer Minnesota had on the table was too good to refuse.

Washington shipped out a few no-name players and their first round pick, while landing a rising star in Randy Foye, and a reliable outside shooter in Mike Miller.

Foye, also a good shooter, has the ability to either start alongside Gilbert Arenas, or possibly even be groomed as his successor.

Miller, on the other hand, is likely to come off the bench as an electric 6th man, while his versatility and elite offensive abilities will undoubtedly be put to good use.

Throw in the fact that Washington has Flip Saunders running the show, and you could be looking at a rebound team that could qualify for the playoffs after a disastrous 2008.

4. Memphis Grizzlies

The Grizzlies got excellent value with all three of their picks, as they selected Hasheem Thabeet, DeMarre Carroll, and Sam Young.

Both Carroll and Young were slightly underrated prospects, while Young, a predicted first rounder, slipped into the second round, and could go down as a huge steal.

The Grizzlies arguably got a steal with Young, but also grabbed the best defensive presence in the draft, Hasheem Thabeet.

Thabeet will be able to step in immediately and change the dynamic of the Grizzlies defense, while also helping out on the boards on both sides of the court.

While they weren't competitive last season, Memphis could be in for a quick turnaround with a solid lineup headed into 2009, backed by young, rising stars Rudy Gay and O.J. Mayo.

5. Milwaukee Bucks

Before the Bucks made their controversial/sexy pick of Brandon Jennings, they swung a huge trade that gives them some instant cap relief, and also removes over $15 million for their books for next season.

Milwaukee lost a great scorer and defender in Richard Jefferson (to San Antonio), but got some much-needed breathing room in the financial department, and even received a quality young player, Amir Johnson, in the deal.

The Bucks went on to draft the aforementioned Jennings, who is the definition of a boom-or-bust pick, as he has excellent physical tools, but doesn't have the ideal attitude or personality.

Milwaukee also nabbed Kentucky phenom Jodie Meeks in the second round. Meeks was severely under-valued heading into the draft, and gives the Bucks great outside shooting, as well as a player with a lot of potential, both offensively and defensively.

The Bucks' front office did a solid job with their selections, while making sure they'd have some financial elasticity when the big 2010 free agency period hits.

This flexibility could allow Milwaukee to pursue former Marquette star Dwyane Wade, as well as others.

Bottom Five

1. Miami Heat

The Heat got it right the first time when they drafted Marcus Thornton, but then instantly traded him away to New Orleans.

While adding Memphis's Robert Dozier at the end of the second round was solid, it still was nothing short of a failure, overall.

Miami did nothing to add talent through the draft or through trade, furthering the rumors and speculation that Dwyane Wade may not return after 2009.

Wade was recently questioned about his future, and he said that if the Heat aren't contenders, he doesn't want to be with them.

Judging by this draft, Wade is as good as gone.

2. Dallas Mavericks

While the re-signing of Jason Kidd is good news, the end result of the 2009 draft was not.

Dallas failed to land any prospects that could potentially make an immediate impact, and they also didn't unload any hefty contracts.

The Mavericks are still a playoff contender, but they are aging quickly. Without some solid young talent to groom, their window for a championship will soon be closed, sending them into a full rebuilding phase.

3. Houston Rockets

With everything that is going wrong in Houston, even the most casual fan in Texas would hope they'd come away with at least one good thing from draft day.

Well, they kind of did.

After trading for the rights to Chase Budinger, the Rockets now have a possible star on their hands. Budinger is a fantastic offensive talent, and possesses good athleticism and versatility.

However, landing Budinger in the second round doesn't save Houston.

With a rain cloud hanging over Yao Ming's future, a still-ailing Tracy McGrady, and the loss of Ron Artest, things are looking bleak for the Rockets.

4. Minnesota Timberwolves

While the collection of talent is mind-blowing, and likely is having several Minnesota fans salivating, it's not necessarily good management.

The Timberwolves originally drafted four point guards, and ultimately traded away Ty Lawson.

When it was all said and done, they had Ricky Rubio, Jonny Flynn, Wayne Ellington, and Nick Calathes on their draft roster.

Again—a fine collection of prospects. But what to do with them?

Minnesota's front office continues to parade the crazy idea of starting Rubio and Flynn together, while Rubio hasn't even said whether or not he'll play in Minnesota.

There are too many questions surrounding the future of these picks to deem this a successful draft.

Interesting? Yes.

Successful? No.

5. Los Angeles Lakers

We're cutting them some slack and listing them at the five spot. They did just win the NBA championship, after all.

Still, the Lakers are without Trevor Ariza, might be without Lamar Odom, and could easily use upgrades and youth at several positions.

Then again, the old adage "if it ain't broken, don't fix it" might ring especially true here.

But how does adding Ron Artest to the team factor into that equation?