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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Tuesday, June 23, 2009

NBA: Mock draft for lottery picks


By Alan Hahn
Newsday

Alan Hahn’s NBA mock draft
Projections for the lottery picks in Thursday night’s NBA draft, based on reports, sources and tossing a few darts at the wall:

1.
Los Angeles Clippers
Blake Griffin, PF, Oklahoma
With an NBA-ready 6-10 body, far and away the best prospect in the class.

2.
Memphis Grizzlies
Ricky Rubio, PG, Spain
This pick is very likely to be traded and the Spanish point guard is the target.

3.
Oklahoma City Thunder Hasheem Thabeet, C, Connecticut
Add a 7-3 fly-swatter to a solid young core, led by Kevin Durant.

4.
Sacramento Kings
Jonny Flynn, PG, Syracuse
Athletic floor general skyrocketed after impressive workouts.

5.
Washington Wizards
Stephen Curry, PG, Davidson
Another pick that could be dealt, possibly to the Knicks.

6.
Minnesota Timberwolves
James Harden, SG, Arizona State
Might move up for Rubio or consider Tyreke Evans instead.

7.
Golden State Warriors
Jordan Hill, PF, Arizona
Wanted Curry, but Hill fills a critical need at power forward.

8.
Knicks
Tyreke Evans, PG, Memphis
Knicks would gladly take this option if Curry can’t be had.

9.
Toronto Raptors
DeMar DeRozan, SG, USC
Vince Carter-like leaper could be the new Air Canada.

10.
Milwaukee Bucks
Ty Lawson, PG, North Carolina
They wanted Flynn, but underrated Lawson is just as good.

11.
New Jersey Nets
Brandon Jennings, PG, Italy
Looking for a complementary backup for Devin Harris.

12.
Charlotte
Bobcats
Terrence Williams, SG, Louisville
Versatile guard is a Larry Brown type of player.

13.
Indiana Pacers
DeJuan Blair, PF, Pittsburgh
Consider him the eventual upgrade over Troy Murphy.

14.
Phoenix Suns
Jrue Holiday, PG, UCLA
Suns are looking for Steve Nash’s successor; young Jrue would have time to grow.