Rick Bonnell’s NBA mock draft

Team, Player, school, position, comment
1. L.A. Clippers: Blake Griffin, Oklahoma, PF, Comment: He’s the only sure thing in this draft; an athletic and rugged power forward. Will the Clippers trade one of their other big men?
2. Memphis Grizzlies: Hasheem Thabeet, Connecticut, C, Comment: It’s what he does, not how well he does it; he’s the only defensive center in this first round.
3. Oklahoma City Thunder: Ricky Rubio, Spanish PG, Comment: Would pair with Russell Westbrook in a blowout backcourt.
4. Sacramento Kings: Tyreke Evans, PG, Comment: Syracuse’s Jonny Flynn is also a strong possibility here.
5. Minnesota Timberwolves: James Harden, Arizona State SG, Comment: Remaking the backcourt following the trade with the Washington Wizards.
6. Minnesota Timberwolves: Stephen Curry, Davidson PG, Comment: Buy a good parka, Steph; you’re not in Charlotte anymore.
7. Golden State Warriors: Jordan Hill, Arizona PF, Comment: Unorthodox Warriors can live with Hill’s lack of bulk at the position.
8. New York Knicks: Jonny Flynn, Syracuse, PG, Comment: The Knicks want Curry, but Flynn’s dribble-penetration fits what coach Mike D’Antoni wants to do.
9. Toronto Raptors: DeMar DeRozan, Southern Cal. SG-SF, Comment: They need wing players and DeRozan is a great athlete, but he needs to improve his jump shot.
10. Milwaukee Bucks: Brandon Jennings, European pro, PG, Comment: They would love for Flynn to get to them, but that seems unlikely.
11. New Jersey Nets: Tyler Hansbrough, North Carolina PF, Comment: Terrence Williams is also on the Nets’ short list.
12. Charlotte Bobcats: Terrence Williams, Louisville, SG-SF, Comment: They’ll be happy if either Williams or Gerald Henderson is still there to back up Raja Bell.
13. Indiana Pacers: Ty Lawson, North Carolina PG, Comment: DeJuan Blair also makes some sense at this spot.
14. Phoenix Suns: Gerald Henderson, Wake Forest SF, Comment: A value pick at this spot in the draft.
15. Detroit Pistons: DeJuan Blair, Pitt PF, Comment: They get the best rebounder in a draft short on big men.
16. Chicago Bulls: James Johnson, Wake Forest SF, Comment: He has a wide spectrum of offensive skills.
17. Philadelphia 76ers: Jrue Holiday, UCLA PG, Comment: They need a playmaker; they’d love for Lawson to get to them.
18. Minnesota Timberwolves: Earl Clark, Louisville SF, Comment: Continuing the mass makeover of the Timberwolves’ roster.
19. Atlanta Hawks: Jeff Teague, Wake Forest PG-SG, Comment: Ideally, Teague evolves into a Flip Murray-like combo guard.
20. Utah Jazz: Sam Young, Pitt SF, Comment: He’s just the sort of tough, gritty player coach Jerry Sloan has always valued.
21. New Orleans Hornets: Eric Maynor, VCU PG, Comment: The Hornets would be open to selling this pick to avoid another guaranteed salary.
22. Dallas Mavericks: Chase Budinger, Arizona SF, Comment: Mavericks are in win-now mode, so no rookie figures to play much.
23. Sacramento Kings: B.J. Mullens, Ohio State C, He’s a center, but he’s a long way off from being an NBA rotation player.
24. Portland Trail Blazers: Austin Daye, Gonzaga PF, Comment: He has plenty of skill, but needs to fill out his body considerably.
25. Oklahoma City Thunder: Derrick Brown, Xavier SF, Comment: Still assembling talent, so they could go for any position with this pick.
26. Chicago Bulls: Wayne Ellington, North Carolina SG, Comment: Bulls could lose backcourt scoring if Ben Gordon leaves in free-agency.
27. Memphis Grizzlies: Toney Douglas, Florida State PG, Comment: Not yet a true point guard, but he has the makings of an NBA player.
28. Minnesota Timberwolves: Marcus Thornton, LSU SG, He’s small for his position, but this guy can flat-out shoot and score.
29. Los Angeles Lakers: Omri Casspi, Israeli SF, They could leave him overseas to continue developing on another team’s payroll.
30. Cleveland Cavaliers: DaJuan Summers, Georgetown SF, Comment: Good luck finding much time, playing behind LeBron James.