Here's how the 2009 NBA Draft may go:

1. L.A. Clippers - Blake Griffin, F, Oklahoma: Here's hoping he's more Danny Manning than Michael Olowokandi. Although coach/GM Mike Dunleavy was in Europe looking at Ricky Rubio when the lottery took place, it's pretty clear that the Clippers don't mind adding Griffin to their glut of forwards, dreaming of an Al Thornton/Griffin pairing for years to come.

2. Memphis - Hasheem Thabeet, C, Connecticut: In going this route, the Grizzlies would simultaneously be expressing their confidence in Mike Conley as their point guard of the future, passing up on Rubio. Thabeet would be an asset because he can run the floor, rebound and mask many defensive mistakes with his defense and 7-3 frame.

3. Oklahoma City - Ricky Rubio, G, DKV Joventut (Spain): The Thunder could just be running interference by retaining a reputable Barcelona law firm to assist with a potential buyout, but they could be crossing their t's, too. Given Rubio's potential and the fact that Westbrook can indeed  move off the ball, it wouldn't be surprising to see OKC gamble on the 18-year-old Spaniard.

4. Sacramento - Tyreke Evans, G, Memphis: Moving up draft boards with impressive workouts and looks like he might be the best player available at this point in the draft given his versatility. If he had a better jumper at this point, he'd be a top-three lock, but he can hone his game getting minutes behind Beno Udrih and Kevin Martin. 

5. Minnesota (from Washington) - Stephen Curry, G, Davidson: The Wolves have a lot of power with these next two picks, and it wouldn't be entirely surprising if they're not done dealing. Curry could yield another piece if the Wolves choose to trade him, or he could be groomed as the team's point guard for the next decade. We'll find out.

6. Minnesota - James Harden, G, Arizona State: Quick, name the last decent shooting guard Minnesota has employed? Harden fits a major need and would be able to contribute immediately.

7. Golden State - Jordan Hill, F, Arizona: The Warriors could really go in any number of directions here, though it would take some reassuring of Monta Ellis if they go point guard. Golden State was impressed by Hill enough to add him to the frontcourt mix, putting the heat on the development of Brandan Wright and Anthony Randolph.

8. New York - Brandon Jennings, G, Roma (Italy): In a point guard-laden draft, Mike D'Antoni is going to end up with a good one to mold. There are other options, but Jennings' ability to create off the dribble and his vast upside make him a likely choice if Curry and Hill are gone.

9. Toronto - DeMar DeRozan, G/F, Southern Cal: The Raptors are in need of athleticism and a wow factor on the wing, and this is their best option. His defense will be ahead of his offense early, but there's a chance he winds up becoming a very nice player given the upside his physical gifts afford him.

10. Milwaukee - Jonny Flynn, G, Syracuse: The Bucks are looking to upgrade their defense and Flynn, although raw, has really proven he can be a pesky on-ball defender. Look for him to play immediately and push Ramon Sessions for the starting job if the Nevada product remains in Milwaukee.

11. New Jersey - Earl Clark, F, Louisville: Although Devin Harris has said he wouldn't mind seeing another point guard in the mix, getting another big wing into the mix looks like the way to go, especially since Clark is a New Jersey native with massive potential. The Nets did well with Brook Lopez around this spot last year and rack up another interesting pickup in '09.

12. Charlotte - Terrence Williams, G/F, Louisville: The Bobcats really like Williams' versatility and temperament and will make it back-to-back Cardinals, selecting the Seattle native ahead of local products Ty Lawson, James Johnson and Gerald Hederson.

13. Indiana - Jrue Holiday, G, UCLA: A perfect fit as the athletic, defensive-minded larger point guard Indiana wants behind T.J. Ford.  He could be better than all the guys drafted ahead of him, but there's a learning curve ahead. 

14. Phoenix - Ty Lawson, G, North Carolina: Ready to run a high-tempo offense and emerge as the quality backup Steve Nash hasn't had -- Leandro Barbosa doesn't count -- Lawson will be the choice to aid the Suns' last stand before blowing everything up. Earl Clark would've been nice, but reaching for Austin Daye in a draft with so many nice PG prospects isn't something Steve Kerr can afford.

15. Detroit - James Johnson, F, Wake Forest: Seems to have turned the corner from a maturity standpoint and should be a strong pro who does whatever it takes to win. Detroit could go point guard here or bigger with Ohio State's B.J. Mullens, but based on skill level, takes the plunge that the Wake forward will get his body into shape and become a legitimate NBA combo forward.

16. Chicago - B.J. Mullens, C, Ohio State: Believe the tweet. The athletic 7-footer thinks he's headed to the Bulls to help Joakim Noah become a stronger player, which appears to be top priority for a team trying to break into the Eastern Conference's top four.

17. Philadelphia - Gerald Henderson, G, Duke: He seems like the kind of player who is going to become a rotation guy for a playoff team for many years, always striving to do the right thing out on the floor. Putting him in a lineup next to Thaddeus Young and Andre Iguodala sure would make the Sixers athletic.

18. Minnesota - DeJuan Blair, F, Pittsburgh: Putting him behind Kevin Love and Al Jefferson would make Minnesota formidable inside in terms of young talent. Of course, Minnesota GM David Kahn could package this pick to move up.

19. Atlanta - Eric Maynor, G, VCU: Four-year standout has a great mid-range game and is fearless getting into the paint, but the Hawks could also go with Gonzaga's Austin Daye. Picking either choice would be proof Acie Law hasn't done enough to leave the point guard situation settled, especially given Mike Bibby's pending free agency.

20. Utah - Tyler Hansbrough, F, North Carolina: The Jazz have a lot of questions to answer during this free agency period, so expect them to go with the player who best fits the philosophy of the organization and be able to help immediately. Yeah, Hansbrough playing for Jerry Sloan before he hangs it up seems fitting.

21. New Orleans - Marcus Thornton, G, LSU: Not only does he fit a need for the hometown Hornets, he's the kind of kid who you don't have to worry about being too close to home. Can turn himself into a capable defender, but the lure early will be his offensive skills, particularly his range.

22. Portland (from Dallas) - Austin Daye, F, Gonzaga: Versatile 6-foot-10 forward is still mostly all upside, but has great potential that may have him long gone by this point. Perennial draft thief Kevin Pritchard won't be able to pass him up.

23. Sacramento - Omri Casspi, F, Maccabi Tel Aviv (Israel): Hard-nosed hustler has put his hustle on display everywhere he's been, which bodes well for his chances of finding a home somewhere in the 18-25 range.

24. Dallas (from Portland) - Jeff Teague, G, Wake Forest: J.J. Barea has proven how necessary a change-of-pace penetrator is to the Mavs, so why not stock up on the position in a draft loaded with them. Teague has to mature, but does have tools to work with.

25. Oklahoma City - Patrick Mills, G, St. Mary's: The Australian international could be a major asset for the Thunder once they're playoff-worthy. Among the pieces missing in OKC is a change-of-pace guard off the bench to combat offensive lulls.

26. Chicago - Chase Budigner G/F, Arizona: Even if the Bulls aren't making this selection, Budinger's slide shouldn't last much longer than this spot, as he does have NBA-caliber long-range shooting skills. Chicago has had him in and reportedly came away impressed.

27. Memphis - Darren Collison, G, UCLA: Has proven he's a capable floor general and will make a living in this league as a pesky defender. If he ever becomes more than a marginal offensive player, he'll wind up being a great value pick, whether he's pushing Conley or elsewhere.

28. Minnesota - Jonas Jerebko, F, Angelico Biella (Italy): This Swede figures to be selected in the first round since he's going to be shelved in Europe for at least a few years, but a handful of teams are intrigued by his frame, mindset and raw skills.

29. New York (from L.A. Lakers) - Sam Young, F, Pittsburgh: The Knicks bought this pick because they feel someone worthwhile will slip here, and the best player on the board would be Young if he remains available. He's got the drive to be successful and beat the odds as a late first-rounder.

30. Cleveland - Wayne Ellington, G, North Carolina: The Cavs could use a relentless perimeter defender like Syracuse's Paul Harris, but taking him here would be a reach. Ellington, a borderline first-rounder who will need to shoot his way on to the court, is another option.

Tony Mejia is senior writer for Pro Basketball News. He can be reached at mejia@probasketballnews.com.