2009 NBA Draft Guide

By: Josh Leighton

Normally, an NBA draft preview would consist of a 1^st round mock and reasons as to why what team picks whom.  Well, this years NBA draft is possibly the shallowest, and least talented in years.

The economic recession has hit NBA teams hard.

The number one pick belongs the Clippers.

And the only thing that really matters is this time next year (summer 2010).

So, instead of a mock draft board, I have written what is a “guide” to the 2009 NBA Draft.

Sure Things, or moves that won’t be surprising:

-Blake Griffin at #1, impending death of his career follows.

-Some team will trade with the Wizards for the #5 spot.

-The Knicks will draft either Jordan Hill or Stephen Curry- no matter how much they talk about Rubio or Thabeet.

-Phoenix will trade their pick for financial reasons (otherwise known as being very cheap).

-Seasoned college players will be more valued in the first round than expected. This includes Young, Blair, Flynn, Clark, Henderson, Thabeet, Lawson, Maynor.

Who/What will be intriguing?

-OKC: Thabeet wants to play for them, but they could also go with a point guard and move Westbrook back to the shooting guard position.

-Ricky Rubio’s freefall potential.

-Jrue Holliday, BJ Mullens, and DeMar DeRozan- your typical NBA lottery picks-on-potential becoming less attractive.

-Omri Casspi - Could make an immediate impact, as the 6-8 Israeli has been gifted with very good athleticism. He has also played at a relatively high level of basketball with Maccabi Tel-Aviv.

-Austin Daye - 2^nd round steal if he every lives up to the potential he once had as a high schooler.

-Dajuan Summers - late 1^st round steal if he can overcome his lockerroom issues.

-Tyler Hansbrough - Sean May stiff or not?

Key teams to watch for:

Cleveland - Do they trade the pick and give Lebron help? Or do they draft someone with enough experience to help out next season?

Minnesota- 3 picks in the 1^st round and not a lot of talent to go around…

New York- If Curry is gone at #8, the next likely pick is Jordan Hill, who is expected to fill in for David Lee once Lee bolts for free agency. However, what if they are both gone, or if Walsh gets all Rubio-crazy and trades up?

Toronto- Rumored to be looking to sign-and-trade Bosh, will they look at a center in this draft?

New Jersey- Although they clearly won the Jason Kidd trade after Devin Harris’ breakout year, they seemed to be enamored by Ricky Rubio and a chance to pick another guard. Will they trade away their up and coming point guard, or Vince Carter (if that’s even possible anymore) to land a prospect this year?

Indiana- Because I said so.

My big board of prospects:

1. Blake Griffin

2. Ricky Rubio

3. James Harden

4. Jordan Hill

5. Brandon Jennings

6. Ty Lawson

7. Stephen Curry

8. Hasheem Thabeet

9. Jrue Holiday

10. Earl Clark

11. DeMar DeRozan

12. Tyreke Evans

13. Gerald Henderson

14. DeJuan Blair

15. Omri Casspi

The key to the 2009 NBA draft will be drafting on need and fit, not on talent or potential.