2009 Examiner NBA Mock Draft: Wolves take a chance on DeRozan with sixth pick

June 17, 9:42 PMMinnesota Pro Basketball ExaminerPatrick Rogers

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DeMar DeRozan (AP/Danny Moloshok)

With the sixth pick in the 2009 Examiner.com NBA mock draft, the Minnesota Timberwolves select:

DeMar DeRozan SG, USC

DeMar DeRozan has been compared to everyone from Darius Miles to Vince Carter. And at this point, both ends of the spectrum might be equally likely to be accurate.

Possibly the biggest boom- or- bust prospect in the draft, DeRozan features measureables that make scouts go crazy. Adequately sized for the shooting guard position in the NBA, the 6’7” DeRozan is also freakishly athletic. DeRozan showcased a 38” vertical in pre- draft workouts, and that leaping ability helped him become one of the most electrifying dunkers in the college game last year. Despite coming into college with somewhat of a showboating, me- first reputation, DeRozan surprised many by arriving at USC with a positive attitude and work ethic that helped him develop as player as the year went on. After getting off to an extremely slow start, DeRozan came on strong toward the end of the year, and was playing his basketball of the season when USC won the Pac- 10 tournament in March. He showed off his above- the- rim skills while also demonstrating a good mid- range jump shot that kept defenses from being able to cheat back in attempt to keep him away from the rim.

But on the flip side, DeRozan also has some glaring weaknesses that need to improve for him to become an effective NBA player. Even with his dependable mid- range game, DeRozan needs to develop much more as a shooter. He has absolutely no ability as a long- range shooter, having shot less than 20% from 3- point range during his year in college. To his credit, he seems to know his weakness from long- range, so he doesn’t take a lot of three- pointers. In that sense, his 3- point deficiencies don’t hurt the team as much as they could because he isn’t continuously hoisting them up. DeRozan also needs to improve from the free throw line, as the 64% clip he shot at last year will not cut it in the NBA, especially for a player who plays around the rim as much as he does.

Adding to what has been a recurring theme with this Wolves team, DeRozan is also weak defensively. His length and athleticism allowed him to create the occasional turnover during his freshman season, but overall he just doesn’t have the skills and instincts of better perimeter defenders. However, unlike some of his peers, DeRozan’s defensive deficiencies are not due to lack of effort. With his physical tools and solid work ethic, DeRozan does have the potential to be a serviceable defender in the NBA. He’ll never be Bruce Bowen, but I don’t think it’s fair to assume that he will always be a liability on that end of the floor, either.

DeRozan is a project at best, and a bust waiting to happen at worst. But honestly, I hope the Wolves take the gamble. Sitting at #6 in a relatively weak draft, there isn’t a lot to choose from. So why not go for the high ceiling? When I wrote about not wanting Hasheem Thabeet a while back, it wasn’t because I think Thabeet will be a bad player, it was just that I don’t think he’ll be anything better than a shot- blocking defensive specialist in the NBA. And while that may sound nice on a team that lacks defense, we just don’t need anymore role players on this team. Al Jefferson is star in the making, but he can’t make this team a legitimate contender on his own. Surrounding Al with a bunch of safe bets and role players might get you the seven or eight seed someday, but it’s not going to get you to championship. Once in a while, you have to take a shot, and I think DeRozan presents the Wolves with a chance to do just that. He won’t contribute next year, but let’s face it: the Wolves aren’t winning anything next year anyway.

Ideally, Minnesota would love to trade out of this pick. Whether packaging the pick to move up into the top 5 or looking to add a veteran, they would be very interested if the right deal came along. Tyreke Evans is another name to watch for when the Wolves pick comes up, but he was not available at the sixth pick in this mock. Brandon Jennings is the other name that I really considered here, but there are some high quality point guard prospects (Eric Maynor, Jeff Teague and Ty Lawson to name a few) that will be available for Minnesota’s second first- round pick so there was no need to reach for one here.