NBA mock draft: Harden sneaks up to No. 3
ASU guard figures to be a solid choice, while Spain’s Rubio is dropping
Harry How / Getty ImagesJames Harden was the Pac-10 player of the year.
NBA MOCK DRAFT
By Steve Alexander
updated 5:49 p.m. ET June 14, 2009
Here is Version 3 of what the NBA Draft may look like on Thursday, June 25. Gani Lawal is surprisingly going back to Georgia Tech, while nothing seems to be set in stone after Blake Griffin and Hasheem Thabeet are taken as the No. 1 and 2 overall picks this year.
1. Los Angeles Clippers: Blake Griffin, PF, Oklahoma
It's looking more and more certain that the Clippers will keep the pick and take Griffin at No. 1 overall.
2. Memphis Grizzlies: Hasheem Thabeet, C, UConn
Thabeet makes the most sense for Memphis here, and owner Michael Heisley wants him. That's good enough for me.
3. Oklahoma City Thunder: James Harden, SG, Arizona St.
Ricky Rubio could go here, but it sounds like the Thunder are thinking shooting guard instead of another point guard. Harden is a guy they like, and happens to be the best shooting guard in the draft.
4. Sacramento Kings: Ricky Rubio, PG, Spain
If Rubio falls to No. 4, the Kings will be psyched. They fill a need with the best point guard (potentially) in the draft, and Rubio appears to be open to playing in Sacto.
5. Washington Wizards: Jordan Hill, PF, Arizona
Washington could use a true power forward and Hill better hope he's taken here. If not, he could fall all the way down to the Bucks or Nets at 11. Harden or Stephen Curry will probably go here if the Wiz pass on Hill.
6. Minnesota Timberwolves: Stephen Curry, G, Davidson
There's been too much talk about Curry falling to the Knicks, which would make both parties very happy. But it appears Curry may be off the board before the Knicks roll around at No. 8. Both the Wizards and Wolves could use a diverse guard, who can play either backcourt position. It's also possible the Knicks will try to trade up (or down) if they don't like the idea of missing out on Curry.
7. Golden State Warriors: Jrue Holiday, PG, UCLA
I'm not sure the Warriors are set on Monta Ellis over the long haul — especially as a point guard. Holiday is a true point and could make an immediate impact, though it's important to remember that Don Nelson is not a fan of playing rookies.
8. New York Knicks: Tyreke Evans, SG, Memphis
Chris Duhon's second-half collapse is a concern and the Knicks would like to come out of the draft with a point guard. Evans is NBA ready, but it's also possible the Knicks could trade up to get Stephen Curry, or down and roll with Ty Lawson. They also may consider Brandon Jennings.
9. Toronto Raptors: DeMar DeRozan, SG, USC
The Raptors have to find a replacement for Anthony Johnson and DeRozan looks like as good a choice as any at No. 9.
10. Milwaukee Bucks: Brandon Jennings, PG, USA
The Bucks have Michael Redd, Luke Ridnour, and Charlie Bell in their backcourt, but could lose Ramon Sessions to free agency. They also need a power forward, which makes DeJuan Blair a strong possibility. Jennings' stock is on the rise and he could end up being the best NBA player in this draft, meaning he could be gone long before the Bucks pick.
11. New Jersey Nets: DeJuan Blair, PF, Pitt
With the jury still out on Ryan Anderson and Yi Jianlian, the Nets could take a swing at Blair. But if they draft by need, a smaller forward, like Earl Clark or James Johnson, could be the call.
12. Charlotte Bobcats: Gerald Henderson, SG, Duke
With Raymond Felton, D.J. Augustin and Raja Bell around, Henderson may not make much noise as a rookie if he plays for Larry Brown. But he really came on in his junior season at Duke and should make for a solid pro. For those of you scoring at home, I finally got the fact the team playing in Charlotte is the Bobcats.
13. Indiana Pacers: Jonny Flynn, PG, Syracuse
Jarrett Jack appears to be Indy's point guard of the future, but they could still use some depth. Brandon Rush and Danny Granger have the wings covered, Roy Hibbert looks like a solid center prospect and Troy Murphy is their power forward. Point guard has to be the pick for the Pacers, but the only question is which one? Ty Lawson and Eric Maynor also are possibilities.
14. Phoenix Suns: Ty Lawson, PG, North Carolina
Steve Nash can't play forever, right? And Goran Dragic doesn't look like a long-term solution. However, Lawson does — even if many experts doubt that he's a lottery pick. Lawson is a proven winner and a true point guard. He's worth a lottery pick.
15. Detroit Pistons: B.J. Mullens, C, Ohio State
Detroit has to make up for the loss of Rasheed Wallace, Kwame Brown and Antonio McDyess, so Mullens makes a lot of sense. He could be the next Chris Kaman, though that may not be a good thing after what Kaman’s lackluster season.
16. Chicago Bulls: Earl Clark, F, Louisville
Clark can play either forward slot (presumably) and No. 16 looks like the right place for him to go.
17. Philadelphia 76ers: Eric Maynor, PG, VCU
Andre Miller is as good as gone. Time to plan for the future at point guard. This is a point-guard heavy draft, and Maynor may be the only good one left by now.
18. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Miami): Terrence Williams, SG, Louisville
I'm not sure what the Wolves need — and they may be just as clueless. Another forward wouldn't hurt, but if they get Curry, a back-up for Randy Foye makes sense. And that's what Williams would be.
19. Atlanta Hawks: Jeff Teague, PG, Wake Forest
Why, oh why didn't they just take Chris Paul instead of Marvin Williams? Speedy? Bust. Acie Law? Bust. Mike Bibby? Solid, but may be headed elsewhere. Teague is athletic as they come and has been compared to Monta Ellis. He's a steal this late.
20. Utah Jazz: James Johnson, SF, Wake Forest
Johnson seems to make sense since the future of Andrei Kirilenko is always up in the air.
21. New Orleans Hornets: Marcus Thornton, SG, LSU
Shooting guard was a disaster for the Hornets last season, with Morris Peterson and James Posey leaving plenty to be desired. Thornton's size and shooting range make him a good fit.
22. Dallas Mavericks: Chase Budinger, SF, Arizona
Budinger could be a prize if Dallas is tired of Josh Howard’s shenanigans, but Howard’s offseason surgery should mean he’s finally healthy. Then again, Howard could also end up playing at SG. Tyler Hansbrough also is a possibility.
23. Sacramento Kings (via Houston): Austin Daye, SF, Gonzaga
Maybe Daye can help make up for the loss of John Salmons and help back up Francisco Garcia and Andres Nocioni at the same time. I had Derrick Brown here initially, but his stock appears to be falling, despite his insane athleticism.
24. Portland Trail Blazers: Darren Collison, PG, UCLA
Collison wasn’t in my first mock, but appears to be a first-round lock. If the Blazers don't want to take a point guard, Tyler Hansbrough or Chase Budinger may be the pick.
25. Oklahoma City (via San Antonio): Tyler Hansbrough, PF, North Carolina
If the Thunder select a point guard at No. 3, a power forward makes sense here. There's a decent chance that Hansbrough will be off the board by now, but he shouldn't fall any further than this.
26. Chicago Bulls (via Denver, via Oklahoma City): Wayne Ellington, SG, UNC
Ellington could be a one-dimensional player (shooter/scorer), but would look good in a Bulls uniform. I’m still not sure he won’t go higher than this, but I also don’t think he’ll be picked around the time the Bulls make their first selection.
27. Memphis Grizzlies (via Orlando): Nick Calathes, PG, Florida
The Grizzlies would love to see Budinger or Hansbrough here, but they should be gone. If that's the case, grabbing Calathes (or Patty Mills) might offer some nice insurance for both Mike Conley and O.J. Mayo.
28. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Boston): Sam Young, SF, Pitt
If the Wolves go small with their first two picks of the first round, taking Young makes sense. The only problem is they already have a "Sam Young," in the form of Ryan Gomes.
29. Los Angeles Lakers: Patrick Mills, PG, Saint Mary's
Jordan Farmar isn't the point guard of the future in L.A., giving Mills a legitimate shot at being taken by the soon-to-be-crowned World Champions.
30. Cleveland Cavaliers: DaJuan Summers, SF, Georgetown
Too bad he'll never see the light of day behind you-know-who. He will be primarily a jump-shot specialist in the pros, unless he does a lot of work on his rebounding skills
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