2012 NBA Mock Draft: Rawest Prospects of This Year's Class
The NBA draft is not only about looking at prospects' respective skill sets, it's about projecting them moving forward.
Every year, teams "reach" for players based on their potential at the next level, hoping they can develop into stars in due time.
The 2012 NBA draft offers plenty of intriguing prospects who still need to develop.
Here's my latest 2012 NBA mock draft, complete with the rawest first-round prospects.
1. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky
Anthony Davis does need to work on his perimeter game, but his explosiveness around the rim, leaping ability, rebounding and potential to be an elite shot-blocker at the next level makes him the unquestioned top prospect in the 2012 class. The Bobcats need all the help they can get.
2. Washington Wizards: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, Kentucky
Adding a do-it-all prospect like Michael Kidd-Gilchrist is just what the Wizards need. Kidd-Gilchrist may be 18 years old, but he plays well beyond his years and has the desire to be a star in the NBA.
3. Cleveland Cavaliers: Bradley Beal, SG, Florida
The Cavaliers could go with Connecticut center Andre Drummond here, but Bradley Beal is more of a sure thing. Beal can handle the ball, get to the rim and score both inside and outside. He's also a pesky defender.
4. New Orleans Hornets: Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas
The Hornets have been searching for a star at power forward since David West left town. Thomas Robinson has the explosiveness around the rim and elite rebounding ability to create havoc in the paint.
5. Sacramento Kings: Andre Drummond, C, Connecticut
Raw prospect No. 1: Andre Drummond. Drummond has such incredible athletic ability and explosiveness, that it's hard to envision him not being a Top-10 pick—but, the fact of the matter is, he was very inconsistent at UConn and his motor ran hot and cold. Then again, DeMarcus Cousins carried similar concerns, and look what's happened to him. They could form a dominant pair inside.
6. Portland Trail Blazers (via NJ): Damian Lillard, PG, Weber State
Damian Lillard still needs to work on locating his teammates, but his elite scoring ability, combined with his ability to get into the paint almost at will, makes him hard to pass up here.
7. Golden State Warriors: Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina
Harrison Barnes does carry concerns. He was noticeably a different player when Kendall Marshall was injured in the NCAA tournament, but Barnes has the ability to be an elite scorer, and his length could make him a disruptive defender, as well. This is a dream scenario for the Warriors, who need to fill the small forward spot.
8. Toronto Raptors: Kendall Marshall, PG, North Carolina
Adding Kendall Marshall at a position of need would be a wise decision by the Raptors. Marshall is the best pure point guard in the draft—he has the ability to make everyone around him better, and he plays well beyond his years.
9. Detroit Pistons: Perry Jones III, F, Baylor
Raw prospect No. 2: Perry Jones III. Jones, like Drummond, has the athleticism and explosiveness to be a star, either at small forward or power forward, but he was inconsistent at Baylor. The Pistons must be envisioning his explosiveness next to Greg Monroe down low.
10. New Orleans Hornets (via MIN): Tyler Zeller, C, North Carolina
I don't think Tyler Zeller is going to be a star, but he does have the potential to be a solid player. His touch around the rim, combined with his ability to run the floor and rebound the basketball, could make him the Hornets' next starting center.
11. Portland Trail Blazers: Jeremy Lamb, SG, Connecticut
Pairing Jeremy Lamb up with Lillard could give the Trail Blazers a dynamic one-two punch in the backcourt. Lamb is a silky-smooth athlete and shooter, and his length and athleticism make him a pesky defender.
12. Milwaukee Bucks: Terrence Jones, F, Kentucky
Terrence Jones is a Top-10 prospect in my mind. He's previously had questions about his maturity and consistency, but that all went out the window with his impressive performance in the NCAA tournament. He has the potential to be the next Lamar Odom (when he was with the Lakers).
13. Phoenix Suns: Austin Rivers, SG, Duke
Raw prospect No. 3: Austin Rivers. Rivers needs to play more within the game, and I think at this point we can say he's not point-guard material. Still, his scoring potential is hard to miss, and the Suns need a shooting guard. I expect Rivers to grow in time.
14. Houston Rockets: Arnett Moultrie, PF, Mississippi State
Arnett Moultrie's potential is off the charts, and is the reason he could be a lottery pick. He needs to add strength, but his elite athletic ability and dominance on the glass could make him a scary player in the NBA. He would provide depth for the Rockets in the beginning.
15. Philadelphia 76ers: Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State
Jared Sullinger's lack of explosiveness is concerning, but it's not like you have to be an elite athlete to make an impact in the NBA. The good news is he has a very good post game, and he knows how to rebound the basketball. He could become the successor to Elton Brand in Philly.
16. Houston Rockets (via NY): Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois
Raw prospect No. 4: Meyers Leonard. Leonard is inconsistent when it comes to scoring the basketball inside, but he has the tools to be a threat in that area. He also is a true seven-footer who can rebound and block shots. He has the potential to be a solid starting center in the pros.
17. Dallas Mavericks: Dion Waiters, SG, Syracuse
Dion Waiters needs to work on his jump shot, but he's incredibly explosive getting to the rim and creates havoc on defense. He needs a little work, but he has the potential to be an impact player in the NBA. The Mavericks need to get younger just about everywhere.
18. Minnesota Timberwolves (via UTAH): Terrence Ross, SG, Washington
The Timberwolves need to find a shooting guard to pair up with Ricky Rubio. Terrence Ross would be a great pick. He has the ability to be dangerous from three-point range, and he can also drive to the rim with his athleticism. Combined with his disruptive defensive ability, he makes a lot of sense in Minnesota.
19. Orlando Magic: Fab Melo, C, Syracuse
Dwight Howard appears headed out of town. In that case, the Magic need to find their next starting center. Fab Melo may never develop a consistent offensive game, but his defensive ability alone, combined with his elite shot-blocking ability, could make him a solid anchor in the paint.
20. Denver Nuggets: Quincy Miller, SF, Baylor
Raw prospect No. 5: Quincy Miller. Realistically, Miller shouldn't have declared for the draft this year. He has so much room to grow, and is clearly not consistent enough to make an immediate impact in the NBA. Nonetheless, he could provide depth for the Nuggets early on with his overall game, and he does have a lot of potential.
21. Boston Celtics: John Henson, PF, North Carolina
The Celtics would love to see John Henson fall to them. His athletic ability around the rim, paired with his defensive ability, could make him a better overall prospect than Sullinger.
22. Boston Celtics (via LAC): Doron Lamb, SG, Kentucky
Some are thinking the Celtics should go with a small forward here and move Paul Pierce to shooting guard if Ray Allen leaves town. But Pierce is a better small forward than shooting guard, and Doron Lamb can flat-out shoot the basketball. He also has the focus to make an impact right away.
23. Atlanta Hawks: Jeff Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt
Jeff Taylor has a lot to like. He plays solid man-to-man defense and can score both inside and outside (he shot 42 percent from downtown at Vanderbilt). He would be a nice successor to Josh Smith.
24. Cleveland Cavaliers (via LAL): Moe Harkless, SF, St. John's
Moe Harkless needs work on his perimeter game, but he's an explosive scorer going to the hoop and has tremendous defensive ability. Something to keep in mind: He just played one year at St. John's and is already a first-round prospect.
25. Memphis Grizzlies: Tony Wroten Jr., G, Washington
I think Tony Wroten Jr. would be a good fit in Memphis. They need depth at point guard, and shooting guard O.J. Mayo is a restricted free agent after the season. Wroten, with his passing skills and explosive scoring ability, has the potential to play at either spot.
26. Indiana Pacers: Royce White, F, Iowa State
Royce White isn't exactly raw, he's just inconsistent because of an off-and-on motor and well-documented anxiety disorder. Nonetheless, if he can stay focused, he's the point-forward type player every team loves, and he has the ability to defend both forward spots with his size.
27. Miami Heat: Festus Ezeli, C, Vanderbilt
I continue to struggle with who to put here. If Miami is concerned about Norris Cole, the Heat could go with a point guard like Marquis Teague, a small forward like Draymond Green to add depth or a center.
The Heat need to find their next center of the future, and I believe in Festus Ezeli. Ezeli didn't put up big numbers in the regular season coming off a back injury, but he did prove a lot in the NCAA tournament, showing he could be a solid rebounder and elite shot-blocker on the big stage. He has great size (6'11", 255 pounds) and an emerging offensive game, to boot.
28. Oklahoma City Thunder: Evan Fournier, SG, France
Raw prospect No. 6: Evan Fournier. The Thunder really need to just add depth. They have the luxury as a sure-fire playoff contender, to wait for 19-year-old Evan Fournier. Fournier projects as a solid scorer, with an impressive set of moves once he gets into the paint, and he's also an intelligent player and good passer.
29. Chicago Bulls: Will Barton, SG, Memphis
If the Bulls passed up on Will Barton, I think it would be a shame. I've been trumpeting Barton's name for a while now, and I'm not letting up on the gas. He can score both inside and outside, has elite rebounding ability for his position and has the length and athleticism to be a pesky defender. He would look great developing next to Derrick Rose in Chicago.
30. Golden State Warriors (via SA): Andrew Nicholson, PF, St. Bonaventure
If Andrew Nicholson fell to the Warriors, you would have to think they'd be ecstatic. Like Moultrie, Nicholson needs to add strength, but he has the athleticism, explosiveness, rebounding, defense and shot-blocking ability to be one of the steals in the draft. Not a bad player to back up David Lee.
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