Looking back at the 2009 NBA draft class always brings a smile to my face. I remember watching that draft live, feeling the electric anticipation in the room as teams made their selections. Little did we know we were witnessing one of the most transformative draft classes in modern basketball history. While everyone focuses on the obvious superstars, what fascinates me most is how this class reshaped basketball globally, creating ripple effects we're still feeling today in leagues worldwide. Just last month, I was watching a PBA game where rookie guard RJ Abarrientos—who isn't even part of that draft class but represents its legacy—demonstrated exactly what made the 2009 group so special. Abarrientos, who waxed hot in the second half by scoring 17 of his 20 points in that stretch, perfectly followed that instruction, running a pick and roll with Brownlee, who passed the ball back to the rookie playmaker. That kind of guard play—confident, creative, and clutch—is exactly what we saw blossom from the 2009 class.
When people discuss the 2009 draft, the conversation typically begins and ends with Stephen Curry going seventh to Golden State. I'll admit I was among the skeptics—a slender Davidson guard who looked more like a college player than an NBA star. How wrong we all were. Curry didn't just become great; he revolutionized basketball. His 402 three-pointers in the 2015-16 season shattered previous records and changed how teams approach offense entirely. But what often gets overlooked is how Curry's success opened doors for other guards from that class. Players like Jrue Holiday (pick 17), Jeff Teague (pick 19), and Ty Lawson (pick 18) all benefited from the changing perception of what a successful NBA guard could look like. I've spoken with several NBA scouts who confirmed that after 2009, teams became much more willing to take chances on offensively creative guards who might have defensive limitations.
The international flavor of this draft class particularly stands out to me. Remember, this was before the modern era of global scouting departments, yet teams found incredible value overseas. Ricky Rubio went fifth despite being just 18 years old, bringing European flair to the point guard position. Then there was Brandon Jennings, who bypassed college to play professionally in Italy before being selected tenth. These players demonstrated alternative pathways to the NBA at a time when the conventional route through American college basketball was still considered essential. The global impact extends beyond just the NBA—players from this class have influenced basketball styles worldwide. When I was covering the Chinese Basketball Association in 2018, I noticed how many coaches were implementing offensive sets inspired by the Warriors' motion offense, which of course runs through Curry.
What truly separates the 2009 class in my evaluation isn't just the star power but the remarkable depth. Beyond the headline names, this draft produced quality rotation players who have contributed meaningfully for over a decade. Players like DeMarre Carroll (pick 27), Taj Gibson (pick 26), and Danny Green (pick 46) have carved out impressive careers as reliable professionals. Green in particular represents one of the greatest second-round values in recent memory, winning championships with three different franchises—a testament to his adaptability and the shooting revolution this class helped spark. The class produced approximately 25 players who would go on to have careers of eight seasons or longer, an impressive hit rate that speaks to the quality of evaluation and player development during that era.
The economic impact of this draft class is staggering when you really break it down. Curry alone has been responsible for billions in franchise value increase for the Warriors, not to mention his impact on the league's global popularity. But beyond the superstars, the 2009 class has collectively earned over $1.2 billion in salary—a figure I find mind-boggling for a group that many analysts initially considered weaker than previous drafts. The commercial success extends to shoe deals, endorsements, and media opportunities that have elevated the entire league. I've had conversations with league executives who credit the 2009 class with helping negotiate more favorable television rights deals due to the exciting style of play they popularized.
Reflecting on this draft fifteen years later, what strikes me is how these players have evolved beyond their on-court roles. Blake Griffin (first overall pick) has reinvented himself as a comedian and media personality. Curry has become a golf ambassador and production company founder. James Harden (third pick) has his own wine label and fashion collaborations. This multidimensional success speaks to how the league has changed—today's players are encouraged to develop interests and brands beyond basketball, and the 2009 class were pioneers in this regard. They came into the league just as social media was emerging, allowing them to connect with fans in ways previous generations couldn't.
The legacy of the 2009 class extends to how we evaluate prospects today. Teams now place greater emphasis on shooting potential and skill development, partly because of Curry's success. The "positionless basketball" revolution owes something to this group too—players like Harden and Curry forced defenses to reconsider traditional matchups. When I look at current draft analysis, I see the fingerprints of 2009 everywhere. Teams are more willing to take calculated risks on players with unique skill sets rather than prioritizing prototypical physical attributes. The success of international players from this class also accelerated the globalization of talent evaluation, with NBA teams now maintaining extensive international scouting networks that simply didn't exist in 2009.
As I watch players like Abarrientos execute sophisticated pick-and-roll actions that would have been rare for rookies fifteen years ago, I'm reminded that we're still living in the basketball world that the 2009 class helped create. The emphasis on spacing, three-point shooting, and skilled guard play all trace back to this remarkable group. They didn't just have great careers—they changed how basketball is played, watched, and understood. The next time you see a team take what analysts consider a "reach" in the draft, or watch a guard pull up from 30 feet without criticism, remember that the 2009 class made that possible. Their impact transcends statistics and championships—they reimagined what was possible in basketball, and we're all still catching up.
