MLive.com 2009 NBA Mock Draft

NBA mock draft: Pistons to get Earl Clark at No. 15
by A. Sherrod Blakely
Monday June 22, 2009, 11:00 PM



Louisville's Earl Clark has an inside-outside game that could fit nicely in Detroit.Everyone appears to be in agreement Blake Griffin will be the No. 1 overall pick in Thursday's NBA draft.

After that, the draft remains a mystery, which is a bit unusual because, by now, most lottery teams have a pretty good feel for the two or three players they're most interested in when it's their time to pick.

"Not this year," said an Eastern Conference scout. "After the first two or three picks, there's really no consensus on who should go where. This year, maybe more than any year I can remember, it's about who floats your boat."

The uncertainty surrounding the top portion of the draft will have a domino effect on non-lottery teams such as the Detroit Pistons, who are picking 15th in the first round.

But here's my best guess how it will unfold.

1. L.A. Clippers -- Blake Griffin, PF, Oklahoma
Has size, strength and toughness to make an immediate impact.

2. Memphis -- Hasheem Thabeet, C, Connecticut
Grizzlies need interior defense and shot blocking badly.

3. Oklahoma City -- James Harden, SG, Arizona State
Excellent shooter who should take some of the scoring pressure off Kevin Durant.

4. Sacramento -- Ricky Rubio, PG, Spain
Buyout concerns will have him slip to the one team among top 5 that needs him most.

5. Washington -- Jordan Hill, PF, Arizona
Already loaded with scorers, Hill gives the Wizards a high energy big man off the bench.

6. Minnesota -- Tyreke Evans, G, Memphis
Tremendous athlete who can play both guard spots.

7. Golden State -- Stephen Curry, PG, Davidson
Prolific college scorer should thrive in Don Nelson's shooter-friendly system.

8. New York -- Brandon Jennings, PG, Italy
Would have preferred Curry, but will settle on the flashy, ultra-quick Jennings.

9. Toronto -- Demar DeRozan, SG, USC
Long, athletic wing player who excels at finishing around the basket.

10. Milwaukee -- Jonny Flynn, PG, Syracuse
An undersized playmaker with exceptional quickness and leaping ability.

11. New Jersey -- Tyler Hansbrough, PF, North Carolina
Silenced many critics during workouts with better-than-expected athleticism.

12. Charlotte -- Gerald Henderson, SG, Duke
Just imagine Raja Bell, but with a better jumpshot. That's why Larry Brown loves this guy.

13. Indiana -- DeJuan Blair, PF, Pittsburgh
An undersized power forward, repeatedly beats players with strength and toughness.

14. Phoenix -- Austin Daye, SF, Gonzaga
Suns could use a backup point guard here, but Daye's impressive shooting skills and size are too good to pass on.

15. Detroit -- Earl Clark, F, Louisville
Talented inside-outside game, but it remains to be seen if he's willing to put in the work needed to become a great NBA player.

16. Chicago - B.J. Mullens, C, Ohio State
Raw talent, but has size and better-than-average athleticism for a 7-footer.

17. Philadelphia -- Ty Lawson, PG, North Carolina
Sixers need insurance at the point in case they can't re-sign Andre Miller.

18. Minnesota -- Eric Maynor, PG, VCU
His size, floor vision and defense will give him a shot at contributing right away.

19. Atlanta: Terrence Williams, SG, Louisville
Could use a point guard, but will do what the Hawks always do and draft a wing player instead.

20. Utah: Jrue Holiday, PG, UCLA
Every year a player with lottery-pick talent drops inexplicably. Holiday will be that player.

21. New Orleans -- Jeff Teague, PG, Wake Forest
Talented combo guard with great range, leaping ability.

22. Dallas -- Wayne Ellington, SG, North Carolina
One of the draft's best shooters, needs to improve his ball-handling and defense.

23. Sacramento -- James Johnson, PF, Wake Forest
Classic tweener whose game is similar to ex-King and former Piston Corliss Williamson.

24. Portland -- DaJuan Summers, SF, Georgetown
A solid all-around player, Summers would be nice addition to the Blazers' roster.

25. Oklahoma City -- Derrick Brown, PF, Xavier
Best big man still on the board, Brown can help immediately.

26. Chicago -- Toney Douglas, SG, Florida State
Will need a scorer to replace the huge void if Ben Gordon signs with another team.

27. Memphis -- Omri Casspi, SF, Israel
Gritty player should help a Grizzlies team short on toughness.

28. Minnesota -- Victor Claver, SF, Spain
If not for missing most of season with leg fracture, the buzz around Claver would be a lot higher.

29. L.A. Lakers -- Chase Budinger, SG, Arizona
A steal this late in the first round.

30. Cleveland -- Taj Gibson, PF, USC
Athletic big man who can inject some youthful energy into an aging Cavaliers frontcourt.