Austin Collins' 2009 NBA Mock Lottery Draft

Austin Collins' 2009 NBA Mock Draft Lottery

In my mock draft I will give my selection for each team along with why they selected that player, and I will also give an opinion on if that team will make any moves on draft night or in the rest of the offseason.

1. LA Clippers – Blake Griffin - the Player of the Year, he is 6-10, athletic, and is just skilled. He is going to be a star; the Clippers will not pass him up. With the Clippers loaded with big men do to the selection of Griffin, I expect a trade of Kaman, Randolph, or Camby.


2. Memphis Grizzlies – Jordan Hill – with his great athletic ability, his great ability to score, and his post defense, he fits in great with all the young guys in Memphis. Not too sure if the Grizzlies will make any moves other than picks in the draft, but I feel Jordan Hill would be perfect for the Grizzlies.


3. Oklahoma City Thunder – Hasheem Thabeet – he has the size and the defense to be a dominant force on defense. He has long arms, great jumping ability, and can block many shots inside. And to go a young Thunder team in need of a center, he will fit in well. And for the Thunder making any moves, I would also expect them to look for another big man in a trade.


4. Sacramento Kings – Ricky Rubio – the best point guard in the draft, and he goes where he is needed. He has a great feel for the game, great passing skills, and the ability to know where his teammates are going. He needs some improvement on his jump shot, but otherwise this pick fits for the Kings. I don’t expect the Kings to make a lot of moves, but Andres Nocioni has a chance of being traded.


5. Washington Wizards – James Harden – has the ability to shoot the ball very well, and can score inside. With his ability to shoot the ball, he should fit in with the Wizards. This pick for the Wizards does have a chance of being traded.

6. Minnesota Timberwolves – Brandon Jennings – spending time in the Euro League should have improved Jennings game. The Timberwolves may look to trade Mike Miller, or Brian Cardinal.

7. Golden State Warriors – Jonny Fynn – Has quickness, can shoot from 3, and will fit in with run and gun style of play that the Warriors run. The Warriors are going to look to trade one of their many slashers.


8. New York Knicks – Stephen Curry – can shoot the ball from anywhere, amazing from behind the arc, and can drive in the paint and score. His height may be a problem playing in the NBA, but in a Mike D’Antoni style of play he can get shots off like Nate Robinson. The Knicks will likely be looking to gain more cap space for the big summer of 2010, so expect trades from the Knicks.

9. Toronto Raptors – DeMar DeRozan – the Raptors will probably look at a slasher and shooter after the trade of Jamrio Moon who was an explosive player. DeRozan has the potential to turn into a Richard Jefferson, Vince Carter type player. As for other moves for the Raptors, from reports they are shopping Chris Bosh and could be traded on draft day or some other time in the offseason.

10. Milwaukee Bucks – Chase Budinger – can shoot the ball very well, he reminds me of an Andres Nocioni with his shooting ability and defense. Hopefully he can turn out unlike Joe Alexander who was a bust. Other roster moves for the Bucks could be a trade of Michael Redd or Richard Jefferson. They also are going to have a tough decision in free agency with Ramon Sessions and Charlie Villanueva.

11. New Jersey Nets – DeJuan Blair – one of the best rebounders I have seen in college, he has a great game on the block down low, and can get a mountain of rebounds. He is very similar to Charles Barkley; Blair should be able to play well with Brook Lopez. With the Nets likely looking for ways to clear cap space for 2010, they are going to shed some salary like a Bobby Simmons or Eduardo Najera.

12. Charlotte Bobcats – Tyreke Evans – after trading Jason Richardson and the possibility of Raymond Felton going elsewhere in free agency, they will likely look for a guard in the draft. Evans can be an explosive scorer and can play well with DJ Augustin. If the Bobcats decide they do not want to keep Felton, they may work out a sign and trade.

13. Indiana Pacers – Gerald Henderson – Henderson can do a little bit of everything, he can score and defend. And he has good leadership skills. The Pacers will likely look for backcourt help. And in other movers for the Pacers, they will likely look for a big man if they decide not to keep Rasho Nesterovic.

14. Phoenix Suns – Wayne Ellington – great shooting ability, will be able to be a good spark off the bench which is needed for the Suns after trading Raja Bell. The Suns are likely going to be shopping Amare Stoudemire to see what they can get for the All-Star.

-Austin Collins