2012 NBA Mock Draft: Projecting Picks for Entire First Round

The 2011-'12 NBA regular season has concluded, and while there are 16 teams preparing for the playoffs, the 14 other teams are already making offseason plans to prepare for the 2012 draft.

We know Anthony Davis will go first overall, but how will the chips fall now that we know where teams could use an upgrade on the roster?

Some desperate teams will really need to draft well to turn around the franchise, while others won't be afraid to reach for a prospect who fits the current construction of the roster.

We're certain to see a lot of activity, and it will be very interesting to watch how the first round ultimately plays out.

As we enter the postseason, here is an early look at what could transpire on draft day

1. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky

Anthony Davis is going to be the first overall selection when it's time to get the ball rolling, and the Charlotte Bobcats need to add talent to the roster.

After clinching the worst regular season in league history, the 7-59 Bobcats will be looking to implement an entirely new plan moving forward.

Davis should be the focal point of anything Charlotte does in the future if the Bobcats land the top overall selection.

2. Washington Wizards: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, Kentucky

It's not a secret that Kidd-Gilchrist would fit the picture in Washington.

The Wizards desperately need another wing player capable of running the floor at a fast pace alongside John Wall, and the Kentucky product fits that description rather well.

He's unafraid of attacking the rim in transition, and he would really benefit by playing with Wall, a point guard who could really do wonders for Kidd-Gilchrist's game at the pro level.

3. Cleveland Cavaliers: Bradley Beal, SG, Florida

If the Cavs are able to nab Beal to pair with Kyrie Irving, Cleveland could have a very special backcourt for an incredibly long time.

Beal is a fantastic scorer who should have no problem transitioning to the league, and he's a solid contributor on the glass for someone of his size.

He won't need to do much handling of the ball with Irving in Cleveland, and that should play to Beal's strengths as he looks to leave a mark during his rookie season.

4. New Orleans Hornets: Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas

The New Orleans Hornets need to retool the entire roster.

Robinson represents a monumental step in the right direction.

Despite being slightly undersized, Robinson plays with 110 percent intensity every single night and has shown that he has no trouble playing against bigger opponents on a variety of occasions.

Emeka Okafor is a candidate for the amnesty clause, Chris Kaman is unlikely to return and Carl Landry is also set to hit free agency.

5. Portland Trail Balzers: Andre Drummond, PF/C, UConn

Some Portland fans see Drummond and fear that he could be another bust in the big man department, but it's time for the Trail Blazers to make a bold move.

Drummond's potential is off the charts, but the concern here is that he didn't display his explosive talent nearly as often as he should during his collegiate tenure.

He has the ability to be a force alongside LaMarcus Aldridge for a long time, and in a Western Conference stacked with size, Portland needs to bulk up inside through the draft.

6. Sacramento Kings: Harrison Barnes, SF, UNC

Barnes has been projected in a variety of places inside the top 10, and despite all of the wing players in Sacramento, the Kings have to be looking at the UNC prospect extremely closely.

Although we didn't see what we expected to from Barnes at times this season, there is undeniable talent here and Barnes would make the Kings a better team.

Sacramento really needs to decide what the future holds for Tyreke Evans, but nobody should be surprised if Barnes is the pick on draft day.

7*. Golden State Warriors: Kendall Marshall, PG, UNC

Although Marshall was forced to sit out UNC's March Madness run this season, there is no reason to believe that it should hamper his draft stock whatsoever.

There are multiple teams looking for a point guard of the future, and although Stephen Curry is still in the fold, the Warriors have to proceed with caution because of Curry's injury history.

The Warriors could also seek to trade Curry next season if the team feels uncomfortable committing to him long term, and Marshall already has a great floor vision which could really help Mark Jackson's team into the future.

8. Toronto Raptors: Damian Lillard, PG, Weber State

Jose Calderon will be in the final season of his contract next year and the Raptors will also be looking to fill the backup point guard role in the offseason.

Could Damian Lillard fit this roster? The short answer is yes.

He proved that he could score in bunches at Weber State, and that will serve him well as he looks to anchor the attack in the second unit in the NBA.

The one thing Lillard must do is improve his ability to run an offense, but that should come in time and he could really have a big career ahead of him.

9. Detroit Pistons: John Henson, PF, UNC

It's fascinating to me that Henson isn't more readily talked about when discussing the UNC prospects, but the Pistons should be doing back flips if he slides in the draft.

Detroit already has a center of the future in Greg Monroe, and the ability to pair him alongside Henson would create a dynamic element that this team has never had beneath the basket.

With Charlie Villanueva a surefire amnesty candidate in the offseason, Henson really makes a ton of sense for the Pistons.

10. New Orleans Hornets: Austin Rivers, SG, Duke

There is a serious divide in opinion when it comes to discussing how Rivers will fare in the NBA, but the Hornets would be a good situation if able to grab him in the lottery.

If New Orleans can come out of this draft with both Rivers and Thomas Robinson, it has to be considered a major win for Monty Williams and his coaching staff.

Rivers needs the ball in his hands to play his best basketball, and he should have no problem getting an opportunity in the second unit and could even emerge as a very serviceable sixth man during his rookie season.

11. Portland Trail Blazers: Tyler Zeller, PF/C, UNC

Both Kendall Marshall and Damian Lillard are off the board here, so the Trail Blazers won't be finding a point guard of the future in this slot.

In Zeller, Portland would get a big man with legitimate size and skill, and it's important that the Blazers get some youth on the roster along the frontline.

LaMarcus Aldridge is coming off of hip surgery, and the team still needs a backup big man capable of contributing in the second unit.

12. Milwaukee Bucks: Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois

Leonard could very well prove not to have the same success he enjoyed in college in the NBA, but the Bucks need to target a center after the Andrew Bogut trade.

If Milwaukee keeps Drew Gooden in the fold, Leonard would be a nice complement in the middle, although it's tough to see him starting during his rookie season under Scott Skiles.

He does have impressive length and could eventually be a force on the glass, but he needs to bulk up to go head-to-head against bigger opposition.

13. Phoenix Suns: Perry Jones III, F, Baylor

If desire wasn't a question mark with Jones, he would be a no-brainer pick inside the top five.

Unfortunately, there are questions about how much "heart" he puts into his approach when he's on the floor.

Phoenix needs to add youth on the wing, and if Alvin Gentry can get Jones to tap into his massive potential, the Baylor standout could very well be the biggest value pick of the entire class.

14. Houston Rockets: Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State

Sullinger could very well wind up falling out of the lottery if a couple of teams reach for unexpected targets, but the importance of where prospects are selected is often overblown.

Houston has previously shown a willingness to move Luis Scola (he was in the failed Chris Paul trade), and it wouldn't be surprising to see him be mentioned in trade rumors again during the offseason.

Sullinger doesn't have the upside some other prospects do, but his college resume speaks for itself and he has been a double-double machine.

He'll have to slim down a bit and improve on the defensive end, but I don't think his lack of athleticism will hinder him as much as some have out previously.

15. Philadelphia 76ers: Jeremy Lamb, SG, UConn

The Sixers need to target a shooting guard.

Jodie Meeks is inconsistent, Evan Turner could very well be traded this summer, and Philadelphia needs a player who can contribute to the future.

Lamb needs to bulk up in order to stay in front of the opposition at the defensive end of the floor, but he'd really help stretch the floor and would give the Sixers solid size at the two-guard position.

16. Dallas Mavericks: Terrence Jones, SF, Kentucky

If the Mavericks can scoop up Jones in this spot, Mark Cuban should be very happy about how the draft played out.

He doesn't do any one thing particularly outstanding, but he has a versatile game that could really help the Mavericks on the wing.

His length would be a nice complement to Dirk Nowitzki, and Jones could flourish if utilized properly and playing alongside the right group of guys.

17. Minnesota Timberwolves: Dion Waiters, G, Syracuse

Waiters is an explosive guard with very real skill, but his biggest problem is that he needs to find a position.

He's very clearly not a point guard, but Waiters could struggle at shooting guard in the NBA if forced to defend opponents who are taller and stronger immediately during his rookie season.

The Syracuse standout could present himself as a solid young player under Rick Adelman, but it's unlikely he finds himself in any starting lineup right off the bat.

18. Houston Rockets: Terrence Ross, SG, Washington

The Rockets tend to draft well under Daryl Morey, and if Ross is still available when Houston is on the clock here, it's hard to envision the Washington guard being passed over.

Kevin Martin will enter the final season of his contract next year, and he's a definite trade candidate during the summer.

Ross brings youth to a Rockets roster that could look a lot different next season, and it's going to be difficult to find a better player at this stage of the game.

19. Orlando Magic: Arnett Moultrie, PF, Mississippi State

Moultrie deserves to go in the lottery, but he's a candidate to slip because of a couple of factors.

Coming out of Mississippi State and a tad older than some of his fellow prospects, Moultrie might be overlooked due to those "concerns."

Orlando shouldn't be fooled.

Ryan Anderson is a restricted free agent who will be seeking a major pay upgrade, and the Magic don't have much financial flexibility at this time.

If Moultrie is available, Orlando should spend all of 15 seconds contemplating this pick.

20. Denver Nuggets: Tony Wroten, G, Washington

Wroten would have been a top-tier selection if he came out in the 2013 class, and he's going to be a major steal if he lasts into the final third of the first round.

He's still finding his way in the backcourt, but this kid can score and create his own offense—two things that will definitely appeal to several teams.

For Denver, Wroten could be a spark plug in the second unit and has the ability to become much more than that if he develops as expected.

21. Boston Celtics: Andrew Nicholson, PF, St. Bonaventure

Nicholson got better every single season he was in school, and that's a trait that's going to instantly appeal to both Doc Rivers and Danny Ainge.

Although Ainge has an affinity for scorers, Nicholson fits a need as a big body around the rim, and that's a definite area of focus for the Celtics.

Boston needs to add a big man who has the potential to be an impact player, and Nicholson is a great value this late in the draft.

22. Atlanta Hawks: Royce White, SF, Iowa State

White has the talent to go a lot higher than this, but it's going to take a decision-maker with verve to nab him before the 20th overall spot.

A fantastic wing player with the ability to become a contributor immediately, Hawks fans should be hopeful that he falls their pick.

It wouldn't be surprising to see him play early and often during his rookie season, and Atlanta needs serious help at small forward behind Marvin Williams.

23. Boston Celtics: Doron Lamb, SG, Kentucky

The emergence of Avery Bradley has been phenomenal to watch in Boston this year, but the Celtics will need someone behind him with Ray Allen likely to move on after the year.

Lamb is someone who could have benefited by staying in school another year, but the same was said about Bradley when he declared for the draft.

As mentioned previously, Danny Ainge loves scorers, so it's very possible he reaches a bit and tabs Lamb with his second first-round pick.

24. Cleveland Cavaliers: Moe Harkless, SF, St. John's

Harkless isn't a prospect that many like to talk about, but he's someone who could really find himself on the radar over the next couple of seasons.

The Cavs failed with the Omri Casspi experiment at small forward, and adding a young wing player like Harkless would really help Kyrie Irving (and potentially Bradley Beal) in the future.

Harkless is unlikely to grab the starting small forward spot out of the gate, but he's got potential to outproduce his draft slot much sooner than some might suspect.

25. Memphis Grizzlies: Jeffery Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt

Memphis is a young playoff team that has done a good job accumulating depth, but finding a backup to Rudy Gay remains a priority.

Quincy Pondexter hasn't exactly thrived in that role this season, and adding Taylor, who comes with experience, could be an appealing option for the Grizzlies.

He won't be asked to do much initially, and that should allow him to come into his own as an NBA player.

26. Indiana Pacers: Marquis Teague, PG, Kentucky

Indiana fans have to be happy with the progress the Pacers have made in recent seasons, but in no way is this team complete.

The point guard spot is still an issue for the future, and adding Teague at 26 could be a very smart pick.

Indiana has done a good job adding depth and developing its draft picks, and between George Hill hitting (restricted) free agency and Darren Collison's inconsistency, point guard should be an area of focus for the Pacers.

27. Miami Heat: Fab Melo, C, Syracuse

Miami will never need to add much through the draft with Dwayne Wade, LeBron James and Chris Bosh around, but the center position could certainly be upgraded.

Melo's got some red flags, but it's pretty difficult to find a prospect with as much upside as he has at this juncture of the first round.

Developing his game under James and Wade could be exactly what Melo needs to fulfill his lofty potential, and the Heat could come away with a massive steal.

28. Oklahoma City Thunder: Festus Ezeli, C, Vanderbilt

Although Oklahoma City is committed to Kendrick Perkins, adding a backup who is not named Cole Aldrich wouldn't be the worst idea.

Ezeli is going to take some time to develop, but there is no need for him to contribute to the rotation right away.

It's going to be difficult to pass on Ezeli's raw talent if he's available this late, and Sam Presti is always looking to maximize value with his draft picks.

29. Golden State Warriors: Kris Joseph, SF, Syracuse

One of my favorite prospects who could sneak into the first round is Joseph, and he fits an area of need for the Warriors.

Golden State does not have cap space to mess around with in free agency, and Joseph could really help bolster the attack at both ends of the floor in the second unit.

Dorell Wright's future with the team is up in the air, but Brandon Rush, who played very well for the Warriors this season, is a restricted free agent and probably won't be back with the team.

30. Chicago Bulls: John Jenkins, SG, Vanderbilt

Rip Hamilton has been playing well for the Bulls now that he's healthy, but Chicago learned early this season that the veteran is anything but a sure bet to hold up over a full season.

The Bulls are blessed with impressive depth, but upgrading the backup shooting guard spot is something this team could definitely do in the draft.

Jenkins does not possess immense upside, but the Bulls would know what they're getting in Jenkins, and that might be enough for him to leap up into the first round and head to Chicago.