by: David Kay
All your NBA Draft needs including my Final Mock Draft, prospect profiles, position rankings, and NBA team off-season needs are just a click away.
1. L.A. Clippers– Blake Griffin, PF, Oklahoma, 6-10, So.
Poor Blake Griffin. This has to be the worst case scenario for him. The Clips are a destination where players just do not thrive. They already have some talented big man in Chris Kaman, Marcus Camby, and Zach Randolph. Maybe Griffin can be the spark and hard worker the Clipper franchise has been longing for for the past decade-plus.
Think: Amare Stoudamire
2. Memphis– Hasheem Thabeet, C, UConn, 7-3, Jr.
Since it appears the Griz are not trading this pick to Minnesota, Thabeet is the guy. He could be the defensive presence Memphis badly needs. I maintain Ricky Rubio is the second best prospect in the draft and the Griz will regret not selecting him or trading down to gain more assets.
Think: Ben Wallace, but six inches taller
3. Oklahoma City– Ricky Rubio, PG, Spain, 6-4, 1990
I get the feeling the Thunder GM Sam Presti is far too intelligent to let Rubio pass them. Drafting the Spanish sensation means Russell Westbrook shifts to the two which may not be the ideal fit, but is worth doing to land Rubio. P.S. Is it me or are the Thunder the best young team in the NBA if they land Rubio?
Think: Steve Nash
4. Sacramento– Tyreke Evans, G, Memphis, 6-5, Fr.
I am very high on Evans and apparently so are the Kings. Sacramento needs a point guard which Evans played at Memphis, but is probably better suited as a two-guard in the NBA. I would be curious to see how Evans and Kevin Martin would co-exist in the same backcourt. If the Kings decide to take a more pure point guard, Jonny Flynn, Jrue Holiday, and Stephen Curry are all options.
Think: Manu Ginobli
5. Minnesota (from Washington)- Stephen Curry, G, Davidson, 6-3, Jr.
The T-Wolves have to be massively disappointing that they traded into this spot and didn’t land Rubio, Thabeet, OR Evans. I’ve had more than one person say to me that Curry is in a way, a Randy Foye Part 2 which makes the trade with the Wiz a bit of a head scratcher. Regardless, they need a point guard prospect with one of their top 6 picks. Yeah, I know Curry isn’t even a real point guard. Ish.
Think: Jason Terry
Here is the rest of my mock draft (don’t worry, you need not be an Insider like ESPN.com to access it)
Click here for prospect profiles.
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