The Los Angeles Clippers earn the right to draft Blake Griffin with the first overall pick of the 2009 NBA Draft. The last time the Clippers had the top selection was in 1998, when they drafted disappointing big man, Michael Olowokandi. However, Griffin is commonly regarded as the best player in the draft by far, with great size, strength, athleticism, skill and upside.
1. LA Clippers selects PF Blake Griffin, Oklahoma -- The Clippers have a number of above average big men, including Chris Kaman, Marcus Camby and Zach Randolph. With several young prospects developing, such as Al Thornton and Eric Gordon, Griffin should help this team greatly in the future.
2. Memphis Grizzlies selects PG Ricky Rubio, International -- Mike Conley finished the season well, but Rubio's passing ability, leadership and intensity could really get the Grizzlies rolling.
3. Oklahoma City Thunder selects C Hasheem Thabeet, Connecticut -- This would be a match made in heaven. GM Sam Presti is trying to build a defensive-minded squad. They attempted to trade for Tyson Chandler during the season, but rescinded the deal after Chandler didn't pass his physical.
4. Sacramento Kings selects F Jordan Hill, Arizona -- Sacramento has two young, promising big men in the paint in Spencer Hawes and Jason Thompson, but adding Hill would help make them stronger in the paint.
5. Washington Wizards selects PG Brandon Jennings, International -- Gilbert Arenas isn't a true point guard, and nobody's really sure if he'll be able to make a full recovery. Therefore, if the Wizards can't find a big man, they'll opt for a point guard prospect.
6. Minnesota Timberwolves selects SG James Harden, Arizona -- Harden's the ideal fit for the Wolves, who already have Al Jefferson and Kevin Love in the paint. Harden would pair well with Randy Foye and Mike Miller on the perimeter.
7. Golden State Warriors selects F Earl Clark, Louisville -- Golden State needs to get bigger, and at 6-9, Clark has the kind of versatility Don Nelson loves.
8. New York Knicks selects G Stephen Curry, Davidson -- Rumor has it that the Knicks love Curry. There are lots of question marks with him, but nobody questions his ability to score. NBA Comparison: Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf.
9. Toronto Raptors selects G DeMar DeRozan, USC -- DeRozan could use a bit of polish, but few in this draft have more raw upside than him. The Raptors like to get out and run, which would serve DeRozan well.
10. Milwaukee Bucks selects G Tyreke Evans, Memphis -- Evans can do a lot with the ball and has great upside. Though a bit unpolished, he may be too good to pass up at this point. The Bucks may opt to blow this team up during the summer and start fresh.
11. New Jersey Nets selects G Gerald Henderson, Duke -- The Nets may want insurance at the two spot with Vince Carter getting older. NBA Comparison: Jason Richardson.
12. Indiana Pacers selects PG Ty Lawson, North Carolina -- The Pacers don't really need a point guard with Jarrett Jack and T.J. Ford already on the roster. It's likely they could trade down. If they do make a selection, Lawson could be it. He's short, but he's strong for his size, and extremely quick.
13. Charlotte Bobcats selects G Terrence Williams, Louisville -- Williams is an awful shooter, but he's athletic and versatile, as well as a tough defender. That might be enough to get him picked this high. The Bobcats need a center in the worst way. Since there's nothing available here, they may opt to add depth to their shooting guard spot.
14. Phoenix Suns selects PG Jonny Flynn, Syracuse -- Flynn's small, but has great leadership ability and can score in bunches. If the Suns lose Steve Nash, they'll want some insurance at the point guard spot.
15. Detroit Pistons selects F DuJuan Blair, Pittsburgh -- This pick makes a lot of sense. Rasheed Wallace wants $8 million next season, and it's unlikely the Pistons will want to cough that up. Blair's short, but he's deceptively athletic and between him and Jason Maxiell, the Pistons could be solid in the middle.
16. Chicago Bulls selects G Chase Budinger, Arizona
17. Philadelphia 76ers selects PG Eric Maynor, VCU
18. Minnesota Timberwolves selects F James Johnson, Wake Forest
