2009 NBA Draft Grades

June 26, 12:30 PMNBA ExaminerSherron Shabazz

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Blake Griffin, Getty Images

Grade:B+
The Hawks may lose Mike Bibby in free agency. Adding Jeff Teague fills the void left by Bibby. Gladyr gives the Hawks another shooter besides Joe Johnson.
Grade:C
Lester Hudson is a decent guard who may have a hard time making the C's roster.
Grade:A-
Charlotte added Gerald Henderson who will boost their offense from the wing and Derrick Brown who can play both forward positions.

Grade:B+
My Chicago Bulls drafted James Johnson and Taj Gibson to compensate for the inconsistencies and injuries of Tyrus Thomas and Luol Deng. I like both players as insurance policies.
Grade:C
Cleveland got a fist full of wing players they may never step foot in Ohio.

Grade:B+
Detroit picked up three versatile forwards in Austin Daye, DaJuan Summers and Jonas Jerebko. The post Rasheed era has begun.
 Grade:A-
Tyler Hansbrough is a Larry Bird kind of guy. In an up-tempo offense Hansbrough will do the dirty work for Indiana. A.J. Price can become a quality back up to T.J. Ford.
Grade:B
Miami picked up Robert Dozier and Patrick Beverly in the second round. These are low paid guys who can make the roster and contribute from the wing for the Heat.
Grade:B
Milwaukee came away with Brandon Jennings in the first round and Jodie Meeks in the second. I guess this means bye-bye to Ramon Sessions.
Grade:B+
Terrence Williams should fit right into Vince Carter's old spot.
Grade:B+
The Knicks got a competent big man in Jordan Hill and a guard in Toney Douglas. The Big Apple is movin' on up.

Grade:Inc.
No picks meant no moves for the Magic. But they did make a draft day trade for Vince Carter!
 Grade:A
Jrue Holiday may be a steal for Philly at the 17th pick. Andre Miller will likely not return to the City of Brotherly Love.

Grade:A
The Raptors picked up DeMar DeRozan who was much needed in Canada. Anthony Parker is a solid player but won't push the Raptors over the top. DeRozan may get the job done.
Grade:Inc.
The Wiz traded the 5th overall pick before the draft for Mike Miller and Randy Foye.

Grade:B
Dallas picked up two point guards in Rodrigue Beaubois and Nick Calathes, and a power forward in Ahmad Nivins. Dallas is trying to fill the one spot in case Jason Kidd leaves Big D.
Grade:A
With no picks in the 2009 Draft the Nuggets traded next year's first round pick for Ty Lawson. Ty will be the perfect back up to Chauncey Billups.
Grade:A
Stephen Curry is the real deal, I just wonder how he'll fit in with Monta Ellis?
Grade:B+
Houston had no picks and walked away with 3 second rounders. Chase Budinger, Jermaine Taylor, and Sergio Llull all have a shot at making the Rockets roster.
Grade:A+
The Clippers got the best player in the draft in Blake Griffin. Now let's hope they don't blow it.
Grade:C-
L.A. traded their first round pick for cash and took Chinemelu Elonu in the second round. What does the best team in the NBA really need though?

Grade: A
The Grizz walked away with the biggest player in the draft in Hasheem Thabeet in addition to Sam Young and DeMarre Carroll. They are slowly building a competitive team in Memphis.

Grade:B
I thought Kevin McHale got released? Minnesota picked two point guards back to back. HUH? Ricky Rubio and Jonny Flynn better be prepared to guard the Kobe's, Durant's, and McGrady's of the west. Good luck. Wayne Ellington was a good pick at 28 and Henk Norel has a cool name.

Grade:B
The New Orleans Hornets picked up two guards to help out Chris Paul, good job.


Grade:A-
Phoenix is in rebuilding mode. Steve Kerr drafted Earl Clark and Blake Griffin's brother. I think Griffin's brother should fit in nice with Brook Lopez's brother. Clark will be a very good player in Phoenix as Grant Hill calls it quits.

Grade:C
Once again the Blazers picked a bunch of guys who may not even make their team. This was an underwhelming draft for Kevin Pritchard.

Grade:B-
The Kings needed a point guard and walked away with 2 wing players and a big. Tyreke Evans, Omri Casspi, and Jon Brockman are all good players who will contribute, but are repetitive on the current Kings roster.
Grade:B-
With no first round picks the Spurs lucked into DeJuan Blair as well as Jack McClinton and Nando De Colo who like Henk Norel, has a cool name.

Grade:A
The Jazz came away with the perfect back up for Deron Williams in Eric Maynor and Goran Suton is the prototype Jerry Sloan player.

 Grade:A+
The Thunder were the second biggest winner of draft night behind the Clippers. Oklahoma came away with James Harden, B.J. Mullens and Robert Vaden. They have two quality scorers and their center of the future to pair up with Russell Westbrook, Jeff Green, and Kevin Durant.

For more info: NBA Draft Coverage