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As expected, University of Oklahoma center Blake Griffin was the first selection in the NBA Draft held Thursday night in New York, selected by the Los Angeles Clippers.

Memphis chose second and took Connecticut center Hasheem Thabeet and Oklahoma City scooped up guard James Harden from Arizona State. Tyreke Evans was taken by Sacramento fourth and Minnesota took 18 year old guard Ricky Rubio fifth.

The Orlando Magic pulled off the biggest trade of the night, acquiring Florida native Vince Carter from New Jersey in exchange for guard Rafer Alston, Courtney Lee and Tony Battie. The move saves millions in salary cap money for the Nets and the Magic are able to replace free agent Hedo Turkoglu as well.

There were some other trades as Miami acquires former Arkansas star Patrick Beverley with the 42nd pick, from the Los Angeles Lakers. Former LSU star Marcus Thornton was acquired by the New Orleans Hornets after being selected with the 43rd pick by Miami; he is traded for two future second round selections.