2012 NBA Mock Draft: 1st-Round Teams That Will Draft into Title Contention

It's rare that a team can use the draft to automatically propel themselves into title contention a season later, but it's not unheard of.

The San Antonio Spurs had the NBA's third-worst record during the 1996-97 season after losing David Robinson for much of the season and subsequently won the draft lottery. They selected Tim Duncan, made the Western Conference semifinals the following year and won the NBA title during the 1998-99 season.

So don't be shocked if a few teams draft themselves into title contention. Some may only be a piece or two away from being contenders next season; others may be building a foundation through the draft in the model of the Oklahoma City Thunder and will compete for a title in a few years.

But the teams highlighted will drastically improve themselves through this draft, one way or another.

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

The Bobcats have too many holes for Davis to dramatically improve them next season. But eventually, Davis will change this organization for the better.

2. Washington Wizards: Thomas Robinson, PF (Kansas)  

The Wizards won't be able to pass up a perennial All-Star like Robinson, whose tenacity and work ethic will instantly rub off in Washington.

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

The Cavs will run to the podium to make this selection. They'll be firmly on the Oklahoma City Thunder rebuilding plan after landing MKG.

With Rookie of the Year Kyrie Irving and promising rookie Tristan Thompson already in two, the Cavs will be landing the future locker-room leader and a true all-around talent in MKG. He'll influence the game in every possible way, be an elite defender and dominate in transition.

He'll need to refine his offensive game and improve his jump shot, but he's the sort of player who will work his butt off to do so. The Cavs may not make the playoffs next year, but look out—they're building a title contender through the draft, and they'll be making noise shortly.

4. New Orleans Hornets: Andre Drummond, C (Connecticut)  

This is not the smartest pick for the Hornets, but more and more, I'm thinking it's the pick they'll make. While Drummond is incredibly athletic and could be a dominant center someday, he's a huge risk. Still, the best player on the board (Bradley Beal) plays the same position as Eric Gordon, a player the Hornets will desperately try to keep.

5. Sacramento Kings: Perry Jones III, PF (Baylor)

Remember how all of the talk surrounding DeMarcus Cousins two years ago centered around how talented he was but how many character issues he had?

This year, Cousins averaged 18.1 points and 11.0 rebounds per game, solidifying himself as one of the game's most dominant young centers.

So forgive the Kings for feeling a bit lucky when they take the gamble of Jones as well.

His potential is unmistakable, and he could end up being one of the best players in this draft. He'll slot in to a need position for the team at power forward, and with Cousins, Tyreke Evans and Marcus Thornton handling the scoring load, he'll be eased into the offense.

But he should play big minutes for the team next year. The Kings may not be a playoff team next year, but the foundation for a title contender has been built in Sacramento.

6. Portland Trail Blazers (via New Jersey): Bradley Beal, SG (Florida) 

Portland won't believe it's luck when the top shooting guard drops to them at No. 6. Point guard may be a bigger need—and Wesley Matthews was a solid option at the 2 this year—but the team won't be able to pass on Beal.

Beal may not have quite lived up to the huge expectations placed on him during his freshman year at Florida, but he still averaged 14.6 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. He's one of the draft's best shooters and combines huge upside with the ability to contribute instantly next season.

He, LaMarcus Aldridge and Nicolas Batum will be the core of a team that will compete for a playoff spot next year, and be a title contender not long after that.

7. Golden State Warriors (from Utah): Harrison Barnes, SF (North Carolina)

Golden State could use a scoring option on the wing, and Barnes fits the bill. He'll have trouble creating his own shot, but if Golden State is willing to run plays for him, his excellent spot-and-shoot game will make him a valuable weapon.

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

The Raptors should take the best player left on the board. I think that's Rivers, who could come off the bench as a combo guard for the team next season and give the team a spark with his scoring abilities.

9. Detroit Pistons: Jared Sullinger, PF (Ohio State)

His upside is limited, but he'll be a hard worker and solid compliment to Greg Monroe on the block.

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

The Hornets need a point guard upgrade, and they'll know they can wait until this pick to select one. Lillard is a score-first point, and he should be able to step in immediately and make an impact in his rookie year.

11. Portland Trail Blazers: Kendall Marshall, PG (North Carolina)

Portland is having one hell of a draft, adding the best passing point guard in the draft after surprisingly landing Beal. Marshall is the sort of player who will make his teammates better, and he should do so immediately next season.

Marshall should be an Andre Miller-type player, and the young guns on the Blazers will never want again for a crisp pass.

The Blazers would be the winners of this draft—well, other than the Bobcats—if they landed these two players.

12. Milwaukee Bucks: Tyler Zeller, C (North Carolina) 

This is the right spot to snag Zeller, who the team will hope can be the replacement for Andrew Bogut.

13. Phoenix Suns: Jeremy Lamb, SG (Connecticut)  

A no-brainer this far down the draft, Lamb is a silky shooter who works hard to off the ball and could be a Richard Hamilton clone at the next level.

14. Houston Rockets: Arnett Moultrie, PF (Mississippi State)     

He averaged a double-double last year (15.8 PPG, 10.6 RPG), and his game continues to evolve. He's a nice pick here for the Rockets.

15. Philadelphia 76ers: John Henson, PF (North Carolina)

If Henson drops this far, he's absolutely the perfect fit for Philadelphia. His offensive game has improved, he's a defensive presence and he should work well in Doug Collins' system. He needs some meat on the bones, but he'll contribute immediately.

16. Houston Rockets (via New York): Terrence Jones, PF (Kentucky)

There is too much talent here for the Rockets to pass on Jones. To be truly effective in the NBA, he'll need to improve his jump-shot from distance, but he's an excellent athlete and he'll bang on the boards.

17. Dallas Mavericks: Dion Waiters, SG (Syracuse)

If the Mavs land Deron Williams, Waiters would be perfect either coming off the bench as the team's sixth man or slotting into the 2-guard role so Jason Terry could come off the bench.

18.  Minnesota Timberwolves (via Utah): Terrence Ross, SG (Washington)  

The Timberwolves are a legitimate two-guard away from being a young, scary team next season.

Enter Ross.

He's an electric scorer who averaged 15.3 points and 6.5 rebounds per game last season. He has ideal size for the position (6'6") and has the potential to be solid defensively.

This team has a solid young foundation led by Kevin Love and Ricky Rubio—Ross will step in and help them take the next step from day one.

19. Orlando Magic: Meyers Leonard, C (Illinois) 

I have a feeling the Magic will be losing Dwight Howard. They should prepare for the worst and draft his successor.

20. Denver Nuggets: Quincy Miller, SF (Baylor)   

The Nuggets can afford to take on a long-term project. Miller's unquestioned upside could pay huge dividends down the line.

21. Boston Celtics: Moe Harkless, PF (St. John's)  

Harkless averaged 15.3 points and 8.6 rebounds as a freshman, making him the rare one-and-done player that is a pretty safe pick at the next level. His versatility at the forward position makes him dangerous, and I wouldn't be surprised if he went higher than this.

22. Boston Celtics (via Los Angeles Clippers): Jeffrey Taylor, SG (Vanderbilt)  

He's the perfect Celtic—he's got good size, plays great defense, puts the ball on the floor effectively, finishes well at the rim and shoots well from the perimeter. His upside is limited, but he'll fit perfectly in Boston.

23. Atlanta Hawks: Tony Wroten, Jr., PG (Washington)

There is a ton of upside here. There is also a fair amount of risk, and Wroten will never be a great distributor at the position. Atlanta can afford the risk.

24. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Los Angeles Lakers):  Fab Melo, C (Syracuse)

The prospect of Melo and Tristan Thompson manning the frontcourt in the future is an intriguing prospect.

Melo brings a solid defensive presence, having been named the Big East Defender of the Year last season after averaging 2.9 blocks per game.

Sure, he needs to improve his rebounding game, and his offensive repertoire is limited and a work-in-progress at this point. No matter—he'll be a solid defensive center at the next level, and he won't need to be a primary scorer for this team.

25.  Memphis Grizzlies:   Royce White, SF (Iowa State) 

White brings some risk, with some character concerns and a well-documented anxiety disorder and a fear of flying. But he also brings a lot of talent at the small forward position, averaging 13.1 points and 9.3 rebounds last season. The Grizz can afford to take a chance.

26.  Indiana Pacers: Marquis Teague, PG (Kentucky)

At some point, the Pacers need to add a pure point guard. Teague made the transition from a scoring machine in high school to a game-manager at Kentucky last season, and I think he's only skimmed the surface of his ability at the point guard position.

27. Miami Heat: Draymond Green, PF (Michigan State)

He's a winner, he'll do a bit of everything for a team and he'll never stop working. He's a 'tweener, but in an unorthodox Miami system, he'll fit in.

28.  Oklahoma City Thunder:  Andrew Nicholson, PF (St. Bonaventure)  

Hey, why not draft the guy that averaged 18.4 points and 8.5 rebounds per game last season as senior and add another instant-impact player in the draft? That's just what OKC does, right?

29. Chicago Bulls: Will Barton, SG (Memphis)

Barton is a solid player on the wing and was this year's Conference USA Player of the Year after averaging 18.1 points, 8.1 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.4 steals last season. He does a little bit of everything for a team, and he'll fit in with the Bulls.

30. Golden State Warriors (via San Antonio): Doron Lamb, SG (Kentucky)

They improved the wing with Barnes. Now, they'll look to add a potential replacement for Monta Ellis with the talented Lamb.

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