2009 NBA Lottery Draft Revamp

By Brian Kalchik

2009 NBA Lottery Draft Revamp

Blake Griffin College — If NBA general managers had the gift of hindsight, how would the lottery selections of the 2009 draft be re-selected? Here now is my revamp of the 2009 NBA Draft lottery picks.

1. Los Angeles Clippers: Stephen Curry

Stephen Curry Davidson

1. Los Angeles Clippers: Stephen Curry

Stephen Curry Davidson — Original Pick: Blake Griffin

The NBA MVP of the 2014-2015 season is the best pure shooter in NBA history in my opinion, and he led the Warriors to 67-wins this season. To top it off, Curry helped give Golden State their first NBA Championship in over 40 years.

2. Memphis Grizzlies: James Harden

James Harden Arizona State

2. Memphis Grizzlies: James Harden

James Harden Arizona State — Original Pick: Hasheem Thabeet

Harden was the runner up to Curry for the 2014-15 MVP award, but has had a great career so far. Harden started in Oklahoma City, and was part of the Thunder's 2012 NBA Finals team. Since being traded to Houston, Harden's offensive game has expanded, and he helped get the Rockets to the Western Conference Finals for the first time since the 1996-97 season.

3. Oklahoma City Thunder: Blake Griffin

Blake Griffin Clippers

3. Oklahoma City Thunder: Blake Griffin

Blake Griffin Clippers — Original Pick: James Harden

After missing his rookie season to injury, Blake Griffin has been one of the most explosive big men in the game. His offensive game has expanded, and he's also added a mid-range jump shot to compliment his explosiveness around the rim. Griffin has helped lead the Clippers' resurgence, but he hasn't appeared in the Western Conference Finals yet.

4. Sacramento Kings: DeMar Derozan

DeMar Derozan USC

4. Sacramento Kings: DeMar Derozan

DeMar Derozan USC — Original Pick: Tyreke Evans

DeMar Derozan has been an underrated scorer in Toronto (17.2 ppg in six seasons), and has helped turn the Raptors into a respectable franchise. Evans has been a good player, but was poisoned by the Kings' poor culture. Derozan might've suffered the same fate that Evans had, but Derozan has proved that he is the better player.

5. Minnesota Timberwolves: Jeff Teague

Jeff Teague Wake Forest

5. Minnesota Timberwolves: Jeff Teague

Jeff Teague Wake Forest — Original Pick: Ricky Rubio

Jeff Teague didn't stand out early on in his career, but has turned into one of the league's best young point guards in these last two seasons. This past season, Teague was the floor leader for the Hawks, who went from the eight-seed in 2013-14 to the top-seed in the Eastern Conference in 2014-15.

6. Minnesota Timberwolves: Wesley Matthews

Wesley Matthews Marquette

6. Minnesota Timberwolves: Wesley Matthews

Wesley Matthews Marquette — Original Pick: Jonny Flynn

The Timberwolves drafted three point guards in the first round, but the most disappointing was Flynn, who didn't last long. Instead, the Timberwolves compliment Teague with Wesley Matthews, one of the league's up-and-coming two-way guards. Now in Portland, Matthews has thrived, but once he was lost for the year, the Trail Blazers completely imploded.

7. Golden State Warriors: Jrue Holiday

Jrue Holiday Pelicans

7. Golden State Warriors: Jrue Holiday

Jrue Holiday Pelicans — Original Pick: Stephen Curry

Jrue Holiday was a solid point guard for the Philadelphia 76ers, but once the Sixers decided to go into "tanking" mode, he was shipped off to the New Orleans Pelicans. In New Orleans, Holiday's development has been stunted by injuries, and he's played in just 74 games in two seasons. The Warriors were sure lucky that Curry slid to No. 7.

8. New York Knicks: Ty Lawson

Ty Lawson North Carolina

8. New York Knicks: Ty Lawson

Ty Lawson North Carolina — Original Pick: Jordan Hill

Ty Lawson has turned into not only a very good scoring point guard, but he was also a terrific passer for the Denver Nuggets. Although his character raises some concerns (Arrests in 2013 and 2015), he would've been an instant upgrade over what the Knicks have had at the point guard position.

9. Toronto Raptors: Tyreke Evans

Tyreke Evans Memphis Tigers

9. Toronto Raptors: Tyreke Evans

Tyreke Evans Memphis Tigers — Original Pick: DeMar Derozan

Tyreke Evans has been a good scorer since entering the league, but his stats have mostly come as part of losing teams. The Raptors originally drafted Derozan, but take a similar wing scorer here in Evans.

10. Milwaukee Bucks: Brandon Jennings

Brandon Jennings Bucks

10. Milwaukee Bucks: Brandon Jennings

Brandon Jennings Bucks — Original Pick: Brandon Jennings

Milwaukee got this pick right. The team selected Brandon Jennings even though didn’t go to college, instead electing to go play overseas. Jennings played four seasons with the Bucks, averaging a career high 19.1 points in 2011-12. Jennings has since been traded to Detroit while the Bucks earned the No. 6-seed in the East this past season.

11. New Jersey Nets: Taj Gibson

Taj Gibson USC

11. New Jersey Nets: Taj Gibson

Taj Gibson USC — Original Pick: Terrence Williams

Taj Gibson was a steal at the end of the first round and was drafted by the Chicago Bulls with the 26th overall pick. Gibson has been an excellent back up big man, and has proved to be a capable starter when called upon.

12. Charlotte Bobcats: Danny Green

Danny Green North Carolina

12. Charlotte Bobcats: Danny Green

Danny Green North Carolina — Original Pick: Gerald Henderson

Bobcats owner Michael Jordan, a North Carolina Tar Heel alum, drafted Henderson, a Duke alum, in 2009, but the results haven't been favorable. Henderson hasn't found a niche yet, and is just a scrub as of now. This time around, Jordan drafts another former Tar Heel in Danny Green. While he may not have turned around the franchise, his shooting could help a team that has struggled to score recently.

13. Indiana Pacers: Ricky Rubio

Ricky Rubio Spain

13. Indiana Pacers: Ricky Rubio

Ricky Rubio Spain — Original Pick: Tyler Hansbrough

The Pacers drafted yet another North Carolina Tar Heel with the 13th overall pick, but Tyler Hansbrough was a flop with the Pacers. Instead, the Pacers don't pass up a talented point guard like Ricky Rubio. He has been a solid point guard for the Timberwolves, but hasn't fully developed due to coaching instability and player instability.

14. Phoenix Suns: Patty Mills

Patty Mills Australia — Original Pick: Earl Clark

Clark played in just 60 games for the Suns, and was a complete flop. Instead, the Suns upgrade their backcourt with Patty Mills. Originally drafted with the 55th overall pick by Portland, Mills has blossomed as a reserve point guard for the San Antonio Spurs. The Suns back in the day wouldn't pass up a young guard who can shoot it from distance.

Brian Kalchik is a Houston Texans writer and featured writer for www.RantSports.com. He also covers the NBA, College Basketball, Fantasy Sports, Clubhouse and College Football for the site. Follow him on Twitter, like him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google+.

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