2009 NBA Draft: Positions still matter

The Clippers (Blake Griffin), Warriors (Stephen Curry), and Raptors (DeMar Derozan) got franchise cornerstones. So did the Thunder with James Harden, but they eventually traded him away in a much-maligned move. Minnesota controversially stocked up on point guards, and unfortunately for the Wolves, none of those point guards were named Steph Curry.

Seven years later, we look back on the 2009 NBA Draft—grading the top 10 picks, identifying the hidden gems, and reflecting on some lessons we learned. If you want a fun, related read, check out our 2007 NBA draft recap.

2009 NBA Draft Grades: TOP 10 PICKS

1. Los Angeles Clippers: Blake Griffin

Grade: A

Griffin missed his first season due to injury, but once healthy he became an instant stud in the Clippers’ frontcourt, electrifying fans with his dunking and posting 21.5 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game in six seasons. He has the chance to become an unrestricted free agent after the 2016-17 season. Griffin was the conventional pick for the Clippers and has lived up to the hype, even if his star doesn’t shine as bright as that of the top player in this draft, Curry. Some criticize his game for having more style than substance, but together with Chris Paul he has elevated the Clippers to relevance…just not further than the second round of the playoffs.

2. Memphis Grizzlies: Hasheem Thabeet

Grade: F

The 7-foot-3 big man was a certified bust, putting up paltry stats in just a season and a half in Memphis and never catching on in subsequent stops in Houston, Portland, and Oklahoma City. Even worse, the Grizzlies chose Thabeet despite having their current star center, Marc Gasol, already on the roster. Memphis still become a perennial playoff team, but missed the chance to become an even stronger contender by striking out on the second overall pick.

3. Oklahoma City Thunder: James Harden

Grade: A

Before becoming the superstar he is today, Harden was the Sixth Man of the Year and made it to an NBA Finals with the Thunder. Attempting to avoid the luxury tax, OKC dealt The Beard to Houston for a package of players and picks that yielded only one valuable contributor for the Thunder—defensive-minded center Steven Adams. Like Griffin, Harden isn’t quite the superstar that Curry is, but he’s an elite all-around player (on the offensive end) and was the right pick for OKC’s emerging young core at the time. So for the pick itself, they get an A. In trading Harden three years later, the Thunder misjudged the future spike in the NBA salary cap. Looking back, the big bucks they paid to retain big man Enes Kanter in restricted free agency could’ve gone to Harden. At least they salvaged Adams, who is likely their starting 5 for years to come, from a draft pick they received in the Harden deal.

4. Sacramento Kings: Tyreke Evans

Grade: B-

Evans showed great potential as a tall point guard in his first season, averaging solid all-around numbers of 20.1 points, 5.8 assists, and 5.3 rebounds a game. With Blake Griffin injured, he even won the Rookie of the Year award. Yet Evans peaked early, maintaining decent all-around stats throughout his seven seasons but never surpassing his rookie campaign. After four seasons, Sacramento shipped him to New Orleans in a sign-and-trade deal that netted no major pieces for the Kings. Though the 2009 draft pick looked good at first, Sacramento might’ve been better off choosing a more pure distributing point guard.

5. Minnesota Timberwolves: Ricky Rubio

Grade: B

The Spanish point guard spent two more years overseas before joining the Wolves. Once in the NBA, he instantly became an effective and entertaining distributor at the 1, but has struggled to stay healthy and has never improved his weak shooting. Minnesota scores some points on the draft grade for still retaining Rubio today. Even though drafting point guard Kris Dunn with their latest selection means the franchise is essentially pulling the plug on the Rubio experiment, Rubio is a tradable asset on a reasonable contract (4 years, $56 million).

6. Minnesota Timberwolves: Jonny Flynn

Grade: F

After choosing Rubio, the Wolves shockingly selected another point guard one pick later. Too bad it wasn’t Curry, who enters the next NBA season as the two-time defending league MVP. Curry’s historically great 3-point shooting would look pretty good next to the shooting-deficient Rubio in Minnesota’s backcourt right now, wouldn’t it? Flynn got to start as a rookie while Rubio stayed overseas, averaging 13.5 points a game that season but quickly flaming out in his second year—even before Rubio arrived to take his place. Perhaps it’s too easy to blast the Wolves for not choosing Curry. Their real mistake was picking point guards with back-to-back selections (not to mention another 1, Ty Lawson, with the 18th pick before trading him to Denver). Getting help at a different position would’ve been the sensible thing to do.

7. Golden State Warriors: Stephen Curry

Grade: A+

Two MVPs, one championship, the best regular season in NBA history, and possibly already the best shooter in league history after only seven seasons. Need we say more? Oh right, forgot one thing…he’s making $12 million this coming season. That’s $3 million less than Timofey Mozgov.

8. New York Knicks: Jordan Hill

Grade: D-

With their fans demoralized after missing out on Curry by one spot, there isn’t much the Knicks could’ve done here to soften the blow. It was true on draft night and it’s even more true seven years later, given how Curry’s career has played out. Jordan Hill is far from exciting, but he has developed into a decent role player in this league at either frontcourt position. It’s hard to give the Knicks an F because they didn’t choose to miss out on Curry. But the minus attached to their D is for trading him just 24 games into his New York career. Hill wouldn’t have been the Knicks’ game-changer, but dealing with so quickly means they got nothing from this pick.

9. Toronto Raptors: DeMar Derozan

Grade: A

The swingman has averaged 18 points a game in seven years with the Raptors, including a career-high 23.5 last season. The franchise locked him up for the long run with a new contract this summer, following an appearance in the Eastern Conference Finals. Looking back, there wasn’t a better player than Derozan selected after the ninth pick in 2009, so there’s no criticizing any aspect of this choice for the Raptors.

10. Milwaukee Bucks: Brandon Jennings

Grade: A-

Like Tyreke Evans, Jennings didn’t see much progress after his productive rookie season (15.5 points, 5.7 assists per game). Most disconcerting is a .390 shooting percentage for his career. So what earns the Bucks an A- grade here? After four seasons, they turned Jennings into Brandon Knight and Khris Middleton in a sign-and-trade deal with the Pistons. They later turned Knight into Michael Carter-Williams and Miles Plumlee. The jury is still out on Carter-Williams and Plumlee, but Middleton is now a fixture in the Bucks’ starting lineup as a solid 3-point shooter with great size (6-foot-8) at either swingman position.

2009 NBA DRAFT PICK HIDDEN GEMS

19. Jeff Teague: 12.1 points and 5.2 assists per game for his career; traded to Indiana in the offseason after previously playing only for Atlanta, the team that drafted him.

21. Darren Collison: Another productive point guard in this point guard-rich draft; 12.6 points and 4.9 assists per game while alternating between starting and backup roles; should start in Sacramento this season after Rajon Rondo departed in free agency.

23. Omri Casspi: The Israeli forward bounced around the league for a few years but returned to the Kings, the team that drafted him, and just enjoyed his best season (11.8 points and 5.9 rebounds per game, 40.9 percent shooting from 3-point range).

26. Taj Gibson: 9.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game for his career—so far all with Chicago—while alternating starting and backup roles; this will be a contract year for the power forward, and his time with the retooling Bulls may soon come to an end.

27. DeMarre Carroll: 3-and-D small forward who bounced around the league before breaking out as a starter in his fifth and sixth seasons, including a campaign of 12.6 points and 5.3 rebounds per game during the Hawks’ surprise 60-win season in 2014-15; cashed in with a long-term contract in Toronto.

42. Patrick Beverley: Now entrenched as the starting point guard in Houston; won’t stuff the stat sheet, but is a pesky defender and decent 3-point shooter (37.3 percent for career).

46. Danny Green: After one season in Cleveland, found a long-term home in San Antonio and turned himself into the Spurs’ starter at shooting guard, nailing 40.3 percent for his career from 3-point range and hitting a scorching 55 percent from deep in the 2013 Finals against Miami; won a title in a 2014 Finals rematch with the Heat.

55. Patty Mills: Another point guard and another Spurs’ mainstay; plays a starring role on Australia’s national team and a solid backup role in the NBA; 10.2 points in less than 20 minutes per game during San Antonio’s 2013-14 title campaign; 39-percent shooter from 3 for his career.

2009 NBA DRAFT ANALYSIS: LESSONS LEARNED

Positions matter

Versatility is highly valued in today’s NBA, the Warriors have dominated the league with an unconventional small-ball “Death Lineup,” and teams are often advised to draft the “best player available regardless of position. But the 2009 draft reminds us that conventional NBA positions exist for a reason and that positional fits shouldn’t be completely ignored in the draft. The Grizzlies were enticed by Hasheem Thabeet’s size even though Marc Gasol was already showing flashes of being their long-term answer at center. Minnesota’s stunning selection of back-to-back point guards is probably the most memorable—and infamous—moment of this draft. If one of those selections were Steph Curry, the Wolves inefficient drafting could have been forgiven. But as it stands, they passed up a transformational superstar for not one, but two lesser players at the same position, while failing to help their roster at multiple spots.

Continuity matters

While player movement is all the rage in the NBA offseason and at the February trade deadline, the 2009 draft produced some stars who have bucked that trend. For Curry and Golden State, Griffin and Los Angeles, and Derozan and Toronto, continuity has been a benefit for player and team alike. Curry’s Warriors won a title and built a superteam, while the Clippers and Raptors aren’t elite teams, but are consistent playoff contenders with the help of Griffin and Derozan.

Don’t judge a player by his rookie season

Tyreke Evans looked like a star as a rookie, but never progressed. The same goes for Brandon Jennings. Curry was also solid as a rookie (17.5 points and 5.9 assists per game), yet nobody could have imagined the scope of his current superstardom. Jordan Hill looked like a bust with the Knicks, who swiftly traded him, but he turned into a serviceable big man. Danny Green and Patty Mills looked irrelevant as rookies in Cleveland and Portland, respectively, but became valuable contributors with San Antonio.

A quick analysis of each team’s first round draft pick and their effect on the team’s performance in the 2009-2010 season:

1. Blake Griffin (1st Pick, Clippers) – “The Blake Show” was just getting started! As a rook, Blake put up monster numbers of 22.5 ppg and 12.1 rpg, making him the unanimous Rookie of the Year. The Clippers were a lowly 19-63, but Griffin’s play gave Clipper Nation hope for the future.
2. Hasheem Thabeet (2nd Pick, Grizzlies) – The Tanzanian Tower was touted as the next great defensive force, but his offensive skills never materialized. Thabeet was a bust in Memphis and ended up bouncing around the league, never living up to his draft position.
3. James Harden (3rd Pick, Thunder) – “The Beard” was just a backup in his rookie year, but still showed flashes of brilliance, putting up 9.9 ppg and shooting at a solid 45% clip. The Thunder finished the season at 50-32, but James’ play would only get better from here on out.
4. Tyreke Evans (4th Pick, Kings) – Tyreke took the league by storm, winning Rookie of the Year with 20.1 ppg, 5.8 rpg, and 5.3 apg. The Kings were still struggling as a team, finishing 17-65, but Evans’ play gave Kings fans something to look forward to.
5. Ricky Rubio (5th Pick, Timberwolves) – Ricky was still playing overseas during the 2009-2010 season, but his potential was sky-high. Wolves fans were already drooling over the thought of Rubio’s slick passing and playmaking abilities.
6. Jonny Flynn (6th Pick, Timberwolves) – Flynn was a solid contributor in his rookie year, putting up 13.5 ppg and 4.4 apg. He split time with veteran PG Ramon Sessions, but showed promise for the future. The Wolves finished the season at 15-67, but Flynn’s play gave them some hope.
7. Stephen Curry (7th Pick, Warriors) – Steph was a marksman from deep in his rookie year, putting up 17.5 ppg and shooting at a blazing 43% from beyond the arc. The Warriors were still a subpar 26-56, but Curry’s scoring prowess gave them a bright spot.
8. 8th Pick: Jordan Hill, New York Knicks – Hill showed some promise as a rookie, putting up solid numbers off the bench for the Knicks. However, his role on the team was limited, and he was eventually traded mid-season to the Houston Rockets.
9. 9th Pick: Demar DeRozan, Toronto Raptors – DeRozan quickly established himself as a cornerstone player for the Raptors, averaging 8.6 points per game as a rookie. He continued to develop over the years and became one of the top scorers in the league.
10. 10th Pick: Brandon Jennings, Milwaukee Bucks – Jennings burst onto the scene as a rookie, putting up 55 points in just his 7th career game and earning Rookie of the Month honors in November. He helped lead the Bucks to a surprising playoff appearance that season, and he remains one of the top point guards in the league to this day.
11. 11th Pick: Terrence Williams, New Jersey Nets – Williams had a solid rookie season for the Nets, putting up decent numbers as a bench player. However, his career has been plagued by inconsistency, and he has bounced around the league over the years.
12. 12th Pick: Jrue Holiday, Philadelphia 76ers – Holiday was a steady contributor for the 76ers as a rookie, averaging 8.0 points and 3.8 assists per game. He has continued to develop over the years and is now considered one of the top point guards in the league.
13. 13th Pick: Tyler Hansbrough, Indiana Pacers – Hansbrough was known for his tough, physical play in college, and he brought that same energy to the Pacers as a rookie. He played limited minutes but made the most of his opportunities, and he has become a fan favorite in Indiana.
14. 14th Pick: Earl Clark, Phoenix Suns – Clark played limited minutes for the Suns as a rookie, but he showed flashes of the athleticism and versatility that have become hallmarks of his game. He has since played for several other teams and has established himself as a solid role player in the league.
15. 15th Pick: Austin Daye, Detroit Pistons – Daye had a quiet rookie season for the Pistons, playing limited minutes and averaging just 3.0 points per game. However, he has shown flashes of his potential over the years, and he continues to be a valuable contributor for whichever team he is playing for.

Here are 10 shocking facts about the 2009 NBA draft:

1. Blake Griffin was selected 1st overall by the Los Angeles Clippers. He missed the entire 2009-2010 season due to a knee injury but went on to win Rookie of the Year in 2011.
2. James Harden was picked 3rd by the Oklahoma City Thunder. He is now an NBA superstar and MVP with the Houston Rockets.
3. Stephen Curry was surprisingly picked 7th by the Golden State Warriors. He has since become a 2-time MVP and 3-time NBA champion.
4. DeMar DeRozan was selected 9th by the Toronto Raptors and spent 9 seasons with the team, becoming their all-time scoring leader.
5. Tyreke Evans won Rookie of the Year after being drafted 4th by the Sacramento Kings. His career fizzled out early though due to injuries.
6. Greek star Giannis Antetokounmpo was drafted 15th overall, the lowest pick to become an NBA MVP. He won MVP in 2019 and 2020 with the Bucks.
7. Jrue Holiday was picked 17th by the Philadelphia 76ers and is now an NBA champion and All-Star with the Milwaukee Bucks.
8. Future All-Stars like DeMarre Carroll, Ty Lawson, Danny Green and Patty Mills were all second-round picks.
9. Taj Gibson (26th) and Patrick Beverley (42nd) became key contributors on playoff teams despite being drafted low.
10. Only 3 players from the 2009 NBA draft class have made an All-NBA First Team: Blake Griffin, James Harden and Stephen Curry.

8 Important players who went undrafted in the 2009 NBA Draft:

1. Wesley Matthews – Went undrafted out of Marquette in 2009 but has gone on to have a very solid NBA career, averaging 13.1 PPG over 12 seasons. Has played for Utah, Portland, Dallas, Indiana and Milwaukee.
2. Jeremy Lin – The famous “Linsanity” player went undrafted out of Harvard in 2009 and was not even considered for the 2009 NBA draft! He exploded onto the scene with the Knicks in 2012 and has had a decent career as a spark plug point guard.
3. Fred VanVleet – Has become a key player for the Toronto Raptors, helping them win the 2019 NBA championship. Went undrafted out of Wichita State in 2016.
4. Kent Bazemore – After going undrafted out of Old Dominion in 2012, Bazemore became a reliable 3&D player for the Hawks and various teams. Has career averages of 8.5 PPG and 3.4 RPG.
5. Jose Juan Barea – Undrafted out of Northeastern in 2006, Barea went on to have a nice career as a bench spark for the Mavericks, winning a championship in 2011.
6. Udonis Haslem – Despite a solid college career at Florida, Haslem went undrafted in 2002. He’s spent his entire 19 year career with the Miami Heat.
7. Brad Wanamaker – After being undrafted in 2011 out of Pittsburgh, Wanamaker worked his way to a solid reserve PG role with the Celtics and Warriors.
8. Garrett Temple – Temple went undrafted out of LSU in 2009 but latched on as a role player with various teams over his 12 year career.

12 Shocking statistics and facts about the 2009 NBA draft:

1. The 2009 draft produced 5 future MVPs: Blake Griffin, James Harden, Stephen Curry, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Jrue Holiday. This is the highest number of MVPs from any draft since 1984.
2. Stephen Curry winning MVP in 2015 made this draft the only one ever to produce the first unanimous MVP selection.
3. DeMar DeRozan was selected 9th in this draft and was one of only 5 players from this draft to make an All-Star game. The others were Griffin, Harden, Curry and Jrue Holiday.
4. 5 players from the 2009 draft have won NBA championships: Curry (3), Harden (1), Holiday (1), Danny Green (2), Patty Mills (1).
5. The 2009 draft class has the most career Win Shares of any draft class since 2003 with 578. James Harden leads the class with 170.8 career Win Shares.
6. DeMar DeRozan is the 2009 draft’s all-time leading scorer with 20,010 career points so far. Stephen Curry is 2nd with 19,006 career points.
7. Stephen Curry broke Ray Allen’s NBA record for most 3-pointers made in a career. He now has over 3,100 made 3s, far exceeding Allen’s previous record of 2,973.
8. Giannis Antetokounmpo was the lowest draft pick (15th overall) to ever win NBA MVP. The previous lowest pick was Steve Nash who was drafted 15th in 1996.
9. This draft class has 3 players who have won the NBA scoring title – James Harden (3 times), Kevin Durant (4 times), Stephen Curry (2 times).
10. Russell Westbrook, DeMarcus Cousins and Rudy Gobert were notable players eligible for but not selected in the 2009 draft. They went in 2008, 2010 and 2013 respectively.
11. Jonny Flynn was drafted 6th by the Timberwolves but only played 3 NBA seasons. He’s considered one of the biggest draft busts over Curry.
12. 18 players from the 2009 draft class have played at least 10 NBA seasons so far,

2009 NBA Draft References & Sources:

• https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_2009.html
• https://www.nba.com/news/history-mvps-nba-draft
• https://www.nba.com/stats/draft/combine-anthro/?SeasonYear=2009-10
• https://www.forbes.com/sites/tommybeer/2020/04/12/the-2009-nba-draft-featured-two-mvps-and-produced-five-future-all-stars/?sh=24b3c8f01f1c
• https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_2009.htmlhttps://www.statmuse.com/nba/ask/which-nba-draft-class-has-the-most-win-shareshttps://www.nba.com/stats/draft/combine-anthro/?SeasonYear=2009-10