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Steve Alexander
Offseason Beat
June 16, 2009
NBA Mock Draft - Version 3
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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.

Check me out on Twitter at docktora for some hoops- (and non-hoops) related chatter. I've also got some new updates on my Driftwood Blog.

Lottery Picks

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 that's who I'm going with.

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. Harden or Stephen Curry will probably go here if they 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 that Curry may be off the board before the Knicks ever get a shot at him. And both the Wizards and Wolves could such 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 still 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, although it's important to remember that Don Nelson is not a fan of playing rookies.

8. New York Knicks – Tyreke Evans, G, 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 looks NBA ready, but it's also possible the Knicks could trade up to get Stephen Curry, or down and roll with Ty Lawson. They would also strongly consider Brandon Jennings here if Curry is gone.

9. Toronto Raptors – DeMar DeRozan, SG, USC

The Raptors have to find a replacement for Anthony Parker and DeRozan looks like as good a choice as any at No. 9.

10. Milwaukee Bucks – Brandon Jennings, G, Italy

The Bucks have Michael Redd, Luke Ridnour, and Charlie Bell in their backcourt, but could lose Ramon Sessions to free agency. They are looking for a power forward or point guard here, so if the pick isn't Jennings, PF DeJuan Blair is also 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 here. 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, he 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 have emerged as a possible point guard of the future in Indy, but they could still use some depth at the position. 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 are also possibilities here.

14. Phoenix Suns – Ty Lawson, PG, UNC

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, and I still think he's worth a lottery pick.
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Steve "Dr. A" Alexander is the senior editor for the NBA and PGA Tour for Rotoworld.com. The 2009-10 NBA season marks his eighth year of covering fantasy hoops for Rotoworld.com, and he was a Top 3 finalist for NBA Fantasy Writer of the Year in 2008-09. Follow him on Twitter at docktora.
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