Written by Sam Amico

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The deeper Sam Amico delves into the 2009 NBA Draft, and the more he talks to people who are even more deeply involved than he is, the more he realizes no one really knows anything. At least, if they do know something they sure aren't telling him. And if they do tell him, they usually sound like they're guessing. And guess what? That's what the draft is all about. It's one gigantic guess. So here's Sam's. And he has the Cavs tabbing a North Carolina Tarheel at #30.

The deeper I delve into the 2009 NBA Draft, and the more I talk to people who are even more deeply involved than I, the more I realize no one really knows anything. At least, if they do know something they sure aren't telling me. And if they do tell me, they usually sound like they're guessing.

And guess what? That's what the draft is all about. It's one gigantic guess.

Eight years ago I wrote a book about how NBA teams try to build through the draft and free agency in the summer. I conducted extensive interviews with former NBA general managers such as Pete Babock and Carroll Dawson. They all said pretty much the same thing -- that mock drafts were for players, agents and especially, fans. General managers and other members of NBA scouting departments put little stock in them, as it's typically one big smokescreen.

But readers love them. And that's what I'm here for -- readers. So without further ado, here is my final mock draft of 2009. All I ask is that you don't get too worked up over it. After all, it's clear that no one really knows too much.

FIRST ROUND

1. L.A. Clippers: Blake Griffin, F, Oklahoma

2. Memphis: Hasheem Thabeet, C, Connecticut

3. Oklahoma City: James Harden, G, Arizona State

4. Sacramento: Ricky Rubio, G, Spain

5. Washington: Tyreke Evans, G, Memphis

6. Minnesota: Stephen Curry, G, Davidson

7. Golden State: Jordan Hill, F, Arizona

8. New York: Jonny Flynn, G, Syracuse

9. Toronto: DeMar DeRozen, G/F, USC

10. Milwaukee: Jrue Holiday, G, UCLA

11. New Jersey: Terrence Williams, F, Louisville

12. Charlotte: Gerald Henderson, G/F, Duke

13. Indiana: Tyler Hansbrough, F, North Carolina

14. Phoenix: Ty Lawson, G, North Carolina

15. Detroit: DeJuan Blair, F, Pittsburgh

16. Chicago: James Johnson, F, Wake Forest

17. Philadelphia: Brandon Jennings, G, U.S./Italy

18. Minnesota: B.J. Mullens, C, Ohio State

19. Atlanta: Darren Collison, G, UCLA

20. Utah: Earl Clark, F, Louisville

21. New Orleans: Marcus Thornton, G, LSU

22. Dallas: Eric Maynor, G, Va. Commonwealth

23. Sacramento: Sam Young, F, Pittsburgh

24. Portland: Austin Daye, F, Gonzaga

25. Oklahoma City: Chase Budinger, SG, Arizona

26. Chicago: DeJuan Summers, F, Georgetown

27. Memphis: Omri Casspi, F, Israel

28. Minnesota: Jonas Jerebko, F, Sweden

29. L.A. Lakers: Jeff Teague, G, Wake Forest

30: Cleveland: Wayne Ellington, G, North Carolina

SECOND ROUND

31. Sacramento: Patrick Mills, G, St. Mary's

32. Washington: Taj Gibson, F/C, USC

33. Portland: Toney Douglas, G, Florida State

34. Denver: Jermaine Taylor, G, Central Florida

35. Detroit: Jeff Pendergraph, F/C, Arizona Stat

36. Memphis: Rodrigue Beaubois, G, France

37. San Antonio: Josh Heytvelt, F, Gonzaga

38. Portland: Nick Calathes, G, Florida

39. Detroit: Danny Green, G/F, North Carolina

40. Charlotte: DeMarre Carroll, F, Missouri

41. Milwaukee: Lester Hudson, G, Tenn.-Martin

42. L.A. Lakers: Jon Brockman, F, Washington

43. Miami: Paul Harris, F, Syracuse

44. Detroit: Ahmad Nivins, PF, St. Joseph's

45. Minnesota: Dionte Christmas, G/F, Temple

46. Cleveland: Jack McClinton, G, Miami

47. Minnesota: Victor Claver, G, Spain

48. Phoenix: Garret Siler, F/C, Augusta State

49. Atlanta: Slava Kravstov, C, Ukraine

50. Utah: Goran Sutton, F/C, Michigan State

51. San Antonio: Nando De Colo, G, France

52. Indiana: Jodie Meeks, G, Kentucky

53. San Antonio: Josh Okognon, F, Cal State Fullerton

54. Charlotte: Chris Johnson, C, LSU

55. Portland: Henk Norel, F, Netherlands

56. Portland: A.J. Price, G, Connecticut

57. Phoenix: Tywain McKee, G, Coppin State

58. Boston: Alade Aminu, F, Georgia Tech

59. L.A. Lakers: Alex Barnett, G, Dartmouth

60. Miami: Sergio Llull, G, Spain

Sam Amico is the editor of Pro Basketball News and is a regular contributor for Sportstime Ohio and TheClevelandFan.com. He can be reached at amico@probasketballnews.com.