2012 NBA Mock Draft: Lottery Surprises and Stars Who Will Tumble

With the 2012 NBA playoffs in full swing, it’s time to start breaking down possible draft scenarios for the teams not good enough to make the big dance.

There will be surprises all over the board, but whether they are good or bad, you know you won’t be able to turn away from all of the heart-stopping action of draft day.

Note: NBA mock draft standings are fluid—from lottery teams to playoffs, things will change. Order is based on a mix of current standings and projected finishes.

1. Charlotte Bobcats (7-59): Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky

There is no doubt that Anthony Davis goes No. 1 overall this season. The only question left to answer is who picks at No. 1. We’ll find out on draft lottery day.

2. Washington Wizards (20-46): Andre Drummond, C, Connecticut

After one of the most underwhelming seasons imaginable, UConn center Andre Drummond has hurt his draft stock with most teams. Not all teams, though.

Wherever the Washington Wizards pick in the first round, their need for a center will force the team to take a kid with tremendous upside but serious question marks throughout his game.

This selection is a huge risk, but it’s the kind of feast-or-famine pick that may pay off big in the end. Or it could destroy the franchise; definitely one of those possibilities.

3. Cleveland Cavaliers (21-45): Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, Kentucky

Since LeBron James left Cleveland, the Cavaliers haven’t put a stellar small forward on the court. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist isn’t LBJ, but he is damn good.

4. New Orleans Hornets (21-45): Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas

My pick for Rookie of the Year and the star from the 2012 draft with the most pure talent is Kansas forward Thomas Robinson. He will be the new David West for New Orleans.

5. Sacramento Kings (22-44): Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina

While the Kings' backcourt and frontcourt are both solid, they have a real lack of depth and talent at small forward. That’s where Harrison Barnes comes in.

6. Portland Trail Blazers (via 22-44 New Jersey Nets): Kendall Marshall, PG, North Carolina

Portland has solid pieces in place, but it needs a player that can play half-court basketball efficiently from the point. Kendall Marshall is the court general the Blazers need.

7. Golden State Warriors (23-43): Brad Beal, SG, Florida Gators

While Monta Ellis was a serious scoring threat, Brad Beal is more efficient on the offensive end and a much better defender than Ellis ever was in Golden State.

8. Toronto Raptors (23-43): Austin Rivers, SG, Duke

With a shooting pair like Austin Rivers and DeMar DeRozan, the Toronto Raptors will be an offensive powerhouse. They still won’t defend well, but one problem at a time.

9. Detroit Pistons (25-41): Perry Jones, PF, Baylor

While Perry Jones has a ton of upside, his lack of production this season has many scouts concerned. The Pistons aren’t scared.

10. New Orleans Hornets (via 26-40 Minnesota Timberwolves): Damian Lillard, PG, Weber State

To go along with the Thomas Robinson selection, the Hornets will find the best shooting point guard in the draft. Lillard is no Chris Paul, but he can make his own shots and find the open man.

11. Portland Trail Blazers (28-38): Tyler Zeller, C, North Carolina

With the Greg Oden experiment officially over, it’s time to try again. Portland will land another serious center project in Tyler Zeller.

12. Milwaukee Bucks (31-35): Jeremy Lamb, SG, Connecticut

While this may be a bit far-fetched, I think the Bucks are the perfect team to take Jeremy Lamb and turn him into the small forward many experts think he can be.

13. Phoenix Suns (33-33): Terrence Ross, SG, Washington

The need for a shooter that can get his own shots will be even more important if Steve Nash takes his talents elsewhere. Terrence Ross is a perfect fit.

14. Houston Rockets (34-32): Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois

Not since Yao Ming have the Houston Rockets had a solid center. Long-term project Meyers Leonard is exactly what they need.

15. Philadelphia 76ers (35-31): Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State

While the Philadelphia 76ers have looked better than most expected this postseason, the odds are that they will lose Spencer Hawes via free agency. Add in the lack of consistency from Elton Brand, and the low post is not looking great.

That’s where Jarred Sullinger and his plummeting draft stock fit into this puzzle.

With Philadelphia’s love for tweener forwards and its need down low, the easiest selection of the draft will be at No. 15. With a coach like Doug Collins, Sullinger has the chance to be a star.

16. Houston Rockets (via 36-20 New York Knicks): Dion Waiters, SG, Syracuse

To go along with their new center, the Houston Rockets will grab the shooting guard that can make his own shots that they need off the bench.

17. Dallas Mavericks (36-30): John Henson, PF, North Carolina

The hope is that John Henson will provide what Lamar Odom was supposed to for the Dallas Mavericks.

18. Minnesota Timberwolves (via 36-30 Utah Jazz): Moe Harkless, SF, St. John's

While the Timberwolves substituted some of their power forwards at small forward, they still need that pure scorer at the 3 spot. Moe Harkless could be that guy.

19. Orlando Magic (37-29): Quincy Miller, SF, Baylor

It has become abundantly clear that Orlando will be keeping Dwight Howard for as long as it can. To alleviate some of the pressure on the star, the Magic will select a shooting small forward in Quincy Miller.

20. Denver Nuggets (38-28): Terrence Jones, SF, Kentucky

With the ability to play efficient basketball at both ends of the court, Terrence Jones may be the raw talent that the Denver Nuggets need at small forward.

21. Boston Celtics (39-27): Arnett Moultrie, PF, Mississippi State

With the size and skill set to be the heir apparent to Kevin Garnett’s throne in Boston, nothing would be better for Arnett Moultrie than a year or two learning on the fly with KG.

22. Boston Celtics (via 40-26 Los Angeles Clippers): John Jenkins, SG, Vanderbilt

While John Jenkins isn’t Ray Allen (who is?), he is the kind of replacement that can step in and offer more than Ray can at his age.

23. Atlanta Hawks (40-26): Royce White, SF, Iowa State

As one of the biggest enigmas of the 2012 NBA draft, Iowa State small forward Royce White is arguably the most talented all-around player.

While he won’t usually put up LeBron James numbers, he is the only player in this draft that can come close to filling a stat sheet on a nightly basis like James. With little hype from a smaller school, White could be a poor man’s LBJ.

White will have his best chance to succeed on a team with no shortage of shooters. If the small forward can commit to feeding the ball to others, the Hawks will be finding more open shots than ever.

24. Cleveland Cavaliers (via 41-25 Los Angeles Lakers): Tony Wroten, PG/SG, Washington

With Kyrie Irving settling nicely into his role as the shooting guard, the Cavaliers will go for a point guard that could fit the up-tempo offense the Cavaliers are going after.

25. Memphis Grizzlies (41-25): Marquis Teague, PG, Kentucky

The need for a more efficient ball-moving point guard like Marquis Teague in Memphis was exposed during the Grizzlies' first-round playoff loss this season.

26. Indiana Pacers (42-24): Doron Lamb, SG, Kentucky

The Pacers are an incredibly talented team, and Doron Lamb can add speed, scoring and depth off the bench.

27. Miami Heat (46-20): Andrew Nicholson, PF, St. Bonaventure

With Chris Bosh’s injuries proving to be the Heat's weakness, it’s time to start drafting backup plans like St. Bonaventure star power forward Andrew Nicholson.

28. Oklahoma City Thunder (47-19): Evan Fournier, SF, France

Evan Fournier is a long-term project for Oklahoma City, but it could be a risk worth taking if he manifests into a great scorer.

29. Chicago Bulls (50-16): Draymond Green, SF, Michigan State

With the need for a leader on the court in case of trouble (i.e. Derrick Rose’s knee injury), Draymond Green is exactly that type of person.

30. Golden State Warriors (via 50-16 San Antonio Spurs): Fab Melo, C, Syracuse

The need for a defensive center is obvious for Golden State, and the Warriors' lack of success will give Fab Melo time to adjust to the NBA and develop into a real star.

Check back for more on the National Basketball Association as it comes, and check out Bleacher Report’s NBA page to get your fill of all things basketball.

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