The Best 2nd Round Pickups of the 2009 NBA Draft

For every time that a GM comes under fire for making a terrible decision for a 1^st round selection in the NBA Draft, another man gets another scratch on his personal win column for scoring the next man's perceived trash and ending up with treasure in the dregs that we know as the 2^nd round. The 2009 NBA Draft was full of guys that could've made the 1^st round, but for a variety of dubious reasons, were relegated to the second half of the gala affair. Here are those wondrous scoop-ups:

Sam Young to the Memphis Grizzlies

Granted, Memphis should've scooped him up in the late first round, but then DeMarre Carroll might not have been available to the team with the 36^th pick. Either way, getting a mature, athletic, hard-working, ever-improving small forward with starter's talent is a great way to end the draft.

DeJuan Blair to the San Antonio Spurs

Teams worried about him lacking anterior cruciate ligaments in both knees, despite the fact that he never missed a practice at Pittsburgh. Said teams continually worried about his potential long-term health with aforementioned knees; but here's my question: How far off is the "long-term"? If that means 3 years, fine, taking him high would've been a high risk, but if that vague statement meant 6 to 8 years, then spending a first-round pick on him in most areas of the first round would've been a valid place for him, and because of that, the Spurs won the entire draft based on luck and guile alone. Blair is a potential game-changer who could aid in San Antonio's renewed focus for a championship with a revitalized roster, and maybe become a future All-Star himself.

Chase Budinger to the Detroit Pistons

Most times during his tenure at Arizona from 2006 to 2009, Budinger was a first-round prospect. Unfortunately, he failed to be the alpha dog on a depleted Wildcats squadron for the vast majority of his collegiate career, despite his talents and natural abilities. The Pistons made a wonderful move in acquiring his services, and the former McDonald's All American should be able to make a good impact as a reserve player with future teammates Arron Afflalo, Will Bynum and Rodney Stuckey in the reserve guard rotation.

Patrick Mills to the Portland Trail Blazers

Mills was considered a consensus first-round selection all year prior to the draft as a sophomore at St. Mary's, and for the (again) dubious explanation that he's a scoring point guard, he slipped to the 55^th pick in a draft where he could've reasonably been the 19^th pick; but don't cry for Milly, considering the fact that he has great options. He can hone his skills and command a very reasonable contract with the Blazers as a potential backup (or starter?) or capitalize on his fame in Australia and Europe and be the big man there, or be both in time. Portland doesn't have a great need for him, but considering their penchant for acquiring uber-talented prospects, Mills makes a lot of sense.