The 2009 NBA is fast approaching, and players are working hard to increase their draft stock.
1. LA Clippers selects PF Blake Griffin, Oklahoma -- The Clippers will likely try to move Marcus Camby and Zach Randolph to make room for Griffin. Regardless of who's on the roster, however, Griffin will get his minutes.
2. Memphis Grizzlies selects C Hasheem Thabeet, Connecticut -- Rubio's contract buy-out is a major concern, and the Grizzlies may not want to risk picking him after two other Spaniards (Pau Gasol and Juan Carlos Navarro) has subpar experiences in Memphis. Thabeet would give the Grizzlies a much-needed shot blocker.
3. Oklahoma City Thunder selects G James Harden, Arizona State -- The Thunder are going to be a difficult team to figure out with GM Sam Presti calling the shots. Rubio's an enticing pick, but with Westbrook under contract and a need for a shooting guard who can play defense and help Kevin Durant at the offensive end, Harden seems like a good fit.
4. Sacramento Kings selects PG Ricky Rubio, International -- This is the player Sacramento probably wanted anyway. They have a pressing need for a point guard and Rubio's thought to have the potential to become the best point guard in the world.
5. Washington Wizards selects G Stephen Curry, Davidson -- This pick is almost certainly for another team. The Wizards aren't happy with anyone at this spot, and will try to dump salary to free up cap space. The Knicks, Trail Blazers and Bobcats are among the likely suitors.
6. Minnesota Timberwolves selects SG Tyreke Evans, Memphis -- Evans' stock is steadily rising, so don't be surprised if he gets picked higher than this. The Wolves need someone who can play alongside Randy Foye, and since both Evans and Foye are combo guards, they could get along quite well.
7. Golden State Warriors selects PG Brandon Jennings, International -- Golden State needs a big man in the worst way, but they could also use a pass-first point guard. Don Nelson will likely try to move one of his guards to get a veteran big man rather than find one in the draft, even though Jordan Hill is available.
8. New York Knicks selects PG Johnny Flynn, Syracuse -- Mike D'Antoni is said to really like Ty Lawson, but this might be too high a pick for him. Holiday's available, but the Knicks would likely be more drawn to Flynn's offensive polish and shooting ability.
9. Toronto Raptors selects SG 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 PG Jrue Holiday, UCLA -- The Bucks will likely take a point guard here, and are said to like Johnny Flynn and Jeff Teague, as well. Holiday didn't have a stellar workout with them, but they did like his size and said he was the best on ball defender in the draft.
11. New Jersey Nets selects PF Jordan Hill, Arizona -- Hill could go much higher than this, but he could also slip. He still has a lot of work to do, and needs to get stronger. He would be a potential steal at 11.
12. Indiana Pacers selects PG Jeff Teague, Wake Forest -- Word is that the Pacers are looking for a point guard with this pick. Eric Maynor or Ty Lawson are possibilities, but Lawson's height is working against him and Maynor doesn't have nearly as much upside as other point guards in this draft.
13. Charlotte Bobcats selects SG Gerald Henderson, Duke -- Many think Henderson will be a top 10 pick, but if he falls this far, he'd be a good fit for the Bobcats. After losing Jason Richardson, they could use help at two guard.14. Phoenix Suns selects SF Earl Clark, Louisville -- College teammate, Terrence Williams, could be a possibility here, but Clark's versatility makes it hard to believe he'll fall out of the lottery.
15. Detroit Pistons selects SG Terrence Williams, Louisville -- Williams shot under 40% from the field last season, but there's no questioning his toughness or versatility. Detroit will be looking to build for the future, and Williams can play multiple positions.
