Minnesota Timberwolves: Grading the 2009 NBA Draft

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The 2009 NBA Draft was one the Minnesota Timberwolves will continue to rue for years to come, letting a two-time MVP go at the seventh pick.

The Minnesota Timberwolves had a total of six draft picks, four of which fell in the first-round nearly eight years ago, but many will still be asking the question “what if?”

Exactly half of those six players are currently playing NBA basketball, with just a sole point guard still residing in Minneapolis.

That man is Ricky Rubio, drafted as the fifth overall pick, who would go on to star for the Timberwolves since 2011 to the present day.

Jonny Flynn, Ty Lawson and Wayne Ellington completed the remaining trio of players to be drafted in the first 30 picks, with the latter two still playing basketball in the United States.

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Second round picks fell to two overseas players – Nick Calathes and Henk Norel – neither of which have registered any minutes in the blue and white jersey of Minnesota.

All of the grades are handed out based on the following criteria: 1. How the player has performed thus far in their NBA career and 2. How they have performed compared to other players drafted at their position in the past.

Generally, it takes about three years at a minimum to discern whether or not a draft is a successful one.

Obviously, we will continue to gather more information as time goes on.

For now, though, we have enough knowledge to assign grades to each of the 2009 selections and take a peek at where they are at today.