NBA Mock Draft 2012: A Complete Prediction of the First Round

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

Pro hoop fanatics have to be excited about this June. It's not just because of the NBA Finals, but because of the NBA draft.

This year's class is expected to be the best since 2003, back when LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and other big names entered the league

You'll likely see college stars like Anthony Davis, Thomas Robinson and Jared Sullinger walk across the stage to shake commissioner David Stern's hand.

Like every class, there will be players who will turn out to have an impact in the pros, while some will become flat-out busts.

Here's a look at how the first round might play out on June 28 in Newark, New Jersey.    

1. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

School: Kentucky

Position: Power Forward

Class: Freshman

 

Saying Davis is a shot-blocking machine is an understatement. Only a freshman, the Chicago native is one of college basketball's greatest shot-swatters of all time.

Davis is obviously a beast when it come to defense, and his offensive game isn't weak either.

If he decides to declare, it's basically a guarantee that he'll go No. 1. He would give the Bobcats a franchise big man to build around for many years to come.

2. Washington Wizards: Harrison Barnes

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

School: North Carolina

Position: Small Forward

Class: Sophomore 

Barnes could've been a top-three pick if he had chosen to come out last year. And there's no doubt that he'll be drafted high if he declares for the draft this year.

Barnes has the skills to become a top-notch scorer and could team with John Wall to give the Wizards a dangerous young duo.

3. New Orleans Hornets: Thomas Robinson

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

School: Kansas

Position: Small Forward/Power Forward

Class: Junior

 

The talented Robinson has carried the Jayhawks all the way to the Final Four this year.

And he can also help the post-Chris Paul Hornets become a respectable ball club.

Robinson is definitely NBA ready, although it's unclear whether he's better suited at the 3 or the 4.    

4. Portland Trail Blazers: Andre Drummond

Jim Rogash/Getty Images

School: Connecticut

Position: Power Forward/Center

Class: Freshman

 

As everybody knows, the Trail Blazers have had a little bit of bad luck when it comes to drafting big men. Bill Walton got hurt, Sam Bowie got hurt, and more recently, of course, Greg Oden.

Maybe Drummond, who has an enormous amount of potential, could come in and make Blazer fans forget about the past.

5. Toronto Raptors: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

School: Kentucky

Position: Small Forward

Class: Freshman

 

You know the saying: Defense wins championships. With that said, no team should pass up a lockdown defender like Kidd-Gilchrist.

The star freshman possesses crazy athleticism as well.  

6. Sacramento Kings: Jared Sullinger

Jim Rogash/Getty Images

School: Ohio St.

Position: Power Forward

Class: Sophomore

 

Sullinger isn't exactly the quickest player in the world, but he can score down low and grab a lot of rebounds.

He and DeMarcus Cousins would make a nice frontcourt combo for the Kings.

7. Detroit Pistons: Jeremy Lamb

Jim Rogash/Getty Images

School: Connecticut

Position: Shooting Guard

Class: Sophomore

 

This season, Lamb took over for Kemba Walker as Connecticut's main go-to scorer.

The Pistons need help up front, but they simply can't pass up a gifted scorer like Lamb.  

8. Cleveland Cavaliers: Bradley Beal

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

School: Florida

Position: Shooting Guard

Class: Freshman

 

Beal would give Cavs' alpha dog Kyrie Irving a sharp-shooting backcourt mate.

9. Utah Jazz: Austin Rivers

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

School: Duke

Position: Point Guard/Shooting Guard

Class: Freshman

 

Rivers isn't a true point guard and is considered too short to play 2-guard.

Isn't that what people were saying about Dwyane Wade when he came out of college?

Not saying that Rivers is the next D-Wade, but he could very well blossom into something special.

10. Milwaukee Bucks: Arnett Moultrie

Patrick McDermott/Getty Images

School: Mississippi St.

Position: Power Forward/Center

Class: Junior

 

Moultrie is an extremely athletic big men, just what the Bucks need.

11. Portland Trail Blazers: Damian Lillard

Ethan Miller/Getty Images

School: Weber St.

Position: Point Guard

Class: Junior

 

Grabbing a franchise big man in Drummond early on, the Blazers get their point guard of the future with this pick.

12. New Orleans Hornets: Meyers Leonard

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

School: Illinois

Position: Center

Class: Sophomore

 

With Chris Kaman most likely leaving as a free agent this summer, Leonard could step in and be a nice replacement for the Hornets.

13. Utah Jazz: Kendall Marshall

Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

School: North Carolina

Position: Point Guard

Class: Sophomore

 

Second in the nation in assists this season (9.7 APG), Marshall is the ultimate pass-first point guard.

He's been compared to both Jason Kidd and Mark Jackson. 

14. Phoenix Suns: Perry Jones III

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

School: Baylor

Position: Small Forward/Power Forward

Class: Sophomore

 

At one point last year, Jones was projected to go No. 1. Obviously, things have changed. 

Inconsistency  is the reason for the slide. However, Jones has the potential to be a superstar and emerge as the Suns' top player once Steve Nash decides to retire.  

15. Houston Rockets: Tyler Zeller

Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images

School: North Carolina

Position: Center

Class: Senior

 

Zeller had a phenomenal game against Ohio in the NCAA Tournament, scoring 20 points and pulling down 22 rebounds.  

He could blossom into a solid big man in Houston, especially with Kevin McHale getting the opportunity to work with him.

16. New Jersey Nets: Moe Harkless

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

School: St. John's

Position: Small Forward

Class: Freshman

 

Harkless has a remarkable 7'2" wingspan and has the ability to run the floor.

17. Boston Celtics: John Henson

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

School: North Carolina

Position: Power Forward

Class: Junior

 

Lacking a great deal of strength and a polished offensive game, Henson is a superb shot-blocker and rebounder.

18. Denver Nuggets: Dion Waiters

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

School: Syracuse

Position: Shooting Guard

Class: Sophomore

 

Waiters can give any team instant offense off the bench.

19. Atlanta Hawks: Terrence Jones

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

School: Kentucky

Position: Small Forward/Power Forward

Class: Sophomore

 

Jones doesn't have NBA scouts drooling like they do for his Kentucky teammates Anthony Davis and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, but don't be surprised to see him become a solid player at the next level.

20. Philadelphia 76ers: Terrence Ross

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

School: Washington

Position: Shooting Guard

Class: Sophomore

 

Ross can shoot and has the ability to get to the rim with ease.

21. Houston Rockets: Tony Wroten

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

School: Washington

Position: Point Guard/Shooting Guard

Class: Freshman

 

Wroten is blessed with outstanding ball-handling skills and knows how to pass the rock.  

22. Indiana Pacers: Festus Ezeli

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

School: Vanderbilt

Position: Center

Class: Senior

 

The 6'11", 255-pounder would be the perfect fit for the Pacers, giving All-Star Roy Hibbert an above-average backup. 

23. Memphis Grizzlies: Tony Mitchell

School: North Texas

Position: Small Forward

Class: Freshman

 

Mitchell is projected to go somewhere in the first round despite playing for an unknown school like North Texas. 

That must mean that he's pretty good.

24. Boston Celtics: Royce White

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

School: Iowa St.

Position: Small Forward/Power Forward

Class: Sophomore

 

The Celtics will likely rebuild soon, and Mr. White could be in the team's long-term plans.

25. Orlando Magic: John Jenkins

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

School: Vanderbilt

Position: Shooting Guard

Class: Junior

 

Orlando loves great shooters, and that's just what Jenkins is.

26. Cleveland Cavaliers: Jeffery Taylor

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

School: Vanderbilt

Position: Small Forward

Class: Junior

A terrific shooter who also possesses a quick first step, Taylor could be a reliable reserve for the Cavaliers. 

27. Golden State Warriors: Andrew Nicholson

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

School: St. Bonaventure

Position: Power Forward

Class: Senior

 

Nicholson is an the athletic forward who has been compared to Leon Powe. The Warriors get a solid player with this selection.

28. Miami Heat: Fab Melo

Chris Trotman/Getty Images

School: Syracuse

Position: Center

Class: Sophomore

 

Melo could turn into a valuable role player for a dynasty down in South Beach.

29. Oklahoma City Thunder: Doron Lamb

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

School: Kentucky

Position: Point Guard/Shooting Guard

Class: Sophomore

 

Lamb makes it four Wildcats in the first round.

Wow, no wonder Kentucky is considered the best team in college basketball right now.

30. Chicago Bulls: Draymond Green

Rob Carr/Getty Images

School: Michigan St.

Position: Small Forward/Power Forward

Class: Senior

 

Going to Chicago, Green would be staying in the Midwest and could provide the Bulls with depth at both forward spots.