2012 NBA Mock Draft: NBA-Ready Stars Set to Shine Immediately

The NBA hires and fires coaches and GM’s at such an alarmingly rate nowadays, the term “rebuilding” is no longer in their rhetoric.

Fans are expecting to win now and if you had a bad season the year before, the team better draft a player who can step in and be a big-time contributor right off the bat.

The good news for bad teams with an impatient fan base is that this year’s draft class is loaded with players who are prepared to play 20-plus minutes a night right away.

As we go through the latest mock draft, the focus is on players who will be making a major impact with their new team instantly, while saving their coach and GM’s job in the process.

(Players who will have instant impacts are highlighted in italics)

1. Charlotte Bobcats—Anthony Davis, PF—Kentucky

Davis is going to be one of the league leaders in blocks from the day he steps foot onto an NBA court.

His anticipation and discipline to avoid falling for pump fakes can’t be taught, and it’s a skill that directly translates to the NBA.

I do worry about Davis offensively at first. His 6’10’’ and 220-pound frame suggests he’ll be getting pushed around rather frequently by stronger players. His 1-of-10 shooting performance in the championship game was a preview of coming attractions his rookie season.

Regardless of his offensive shortcomings, Davis has the potential to be a premier player on the defensive end right off the bat.

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

I love the heart and intensity MKG brings to the table, but I’m not sure he’ll provide much of a difference for the Wizards in Year 1.

He is incredibly versatile, but doesn’t have a part of his game that screams instant success. Kidd-Gilchrist will be a terrific player, but needs some time to develop.

3. Cleveland Cavaliers—Bradley Beal, SG—Florida

Beal has the task of being a prolific shooting guard with a 6’4’’ frame. While I love the mechanics of his shot and believe he can be a very pesky defender, I saw his shot get blocked in college one too many times to believe he’ll be a prolific scorer right off the bat.

4. New Orleans—Andre Drummond, PF/C—UConn

This is the exact opposite of players we are talking about.

His 6’10’’ and 270-pound frame makes scouts drool, but Drummond is a big-time project that could take 2-to-3 years before the Hornets get a return on their investment.  

Whoever drafts Drummond better have some serious job security.

5. Sacramento Kings—Thomas Robinson, PF—Kansas

Kansas had no business playing in the championship game and a ton of the credit should go to Robinson.

He made the jump from an average player to a star in his junior season, and enters the draft with quite possibly the most polished post-game of anybody.

He has an incredibly high motor that allowed him to grab 11.8 rebounds per game despite standing at 6’9’’.

I don’t love his potential to be an All-Star, but there is little doubt he’ll be able to help right away.

6. Portland Trail Blazers (from Brooklyn)—Jeremy Lamb, SG—UConn

Lamb connected on 48 percent of his shots last season as one of the best pure shooters in the nation. He is creative in finding ways to attack the basket and has the foot speed to develop into a great defender.

But until he adds bulk to his 6’5’’, 180-pound body, he’ll get knocked around any time he tries to attack the basket.

7. Golden State Warriors—Harrison Barnes, SF—North Carolina

When you are 6’8’’, weigh 225 pounds and can handle the ball and shoot three’s…there is a spot for you in the NBA.

Instantly.

His stock has dropped a bit because of his lackluster performance in the tournament, but don’t let that fool you. He is still on track to become an elite scorer that can attack you from anywhere on the floor.

He has the strength to post up inside, the shooting touch to keep defenses honest and the vision to be an outstanding playmaker. I’m a big fan of Barnes’ NBA future.

8. Toronto Raptors—Kendall Marshall, PG—North Carolina

Has anybody’s stock ever shot through the roof because they were injured?

When Marshall went down with a broken wrist, the Tar Heels' offense became a shell of its former self.

Without his vision, precision and leadership, the offense fell apart.

Marshall has the speed, intelligence and toughness to be a starter right off the bat…something the Raptors could certainly use.

9. Detroit Pistons—Jared Sullinger, PF—Ohio State

Did Sully regress in his sophomore year? His numbers suggest as much, but he did lead his team further in the tournament.

Either way, it’s a question we shouldn’t be asking ourselves about a player with his talent.

10. New Orleans (from Minnesota)—Meyers Leonard, C—Illinois

The 7-footer weighs a solid 240 pounds, but he was still pushed around quite a bit in college. Until he develops a mean streak, he’ll be a human piñata.

11. Portland Trail Blazers—Dion Waiters, SG—Syracuse

Waiters will be a star down the road, but after coming off the bench for Syracuse last season, it will take him time to adjust to playing big minutes.

He’s a perfect candidate to get buried on the bench for the first half of the season, only to start putting up terrific numbers in March and April.

Waiters’ stock is rising by the day.

12. Milwaukee Bucks— John Henson, PF—North Carolina

You gotta love a 6’10’’ guy with a 7’4’’ wingspan.

He averaged 3.2 BPG and would have gotten much more credit for the havoc he caused on the defensive end of the floor if it wasn’t for Davis.

An outstanding rebounder that still needs to develop his offensive game, Henson would be the perfect pick for Milwaukee.

13. Phoenix Suns—Perry Jones III, PF—Baylor

Jones needs to be humbled in the NBA before he truly “gets it.”

He’ll be a star eventually, but not next season.

14. Houston Rockets—Tyler Zeller, C—North Carolina

Zeller is relentless on the boards, but doesn’t have a very high ceiling. This is a safe pick.

15. Philadelphia 76ers—Arnett Moultrie, PF—Mississippi State

He’ll get drafted high because he is 6’11’’, but after transferring from UTEP to Mississippi State for only one season, it will take time for his game to develop at the next level.

Right now his basketball IQ is not where it should be.

16. Houston Rockets (from New York)—Royce White, SF/PF—Iowa State

White is one of the most underrated players in this draft.

He has an ultra-thick 6’8’’, 248-pound frame that allows him to be an absolute bulldozer in the lane. White has tremendous speed for his size and a terrific crossover dribble that keeps defenders on their toes.

White scored 23 points on 9-of-12 shooting while grabbing nine rebounds and three steals against Kentucky in the tournament. He played his best when his team needed him most and I expect that to translate into a strong NBA career instantly.

17. Dallas Mavericks—Austin Rivers, SG—Duke

Rivers is too frail to have an instant impact, and too immature to figure it out this year.

The raw talent is there, but picking Rivers won’t pay off this season.

18. Minnesota Timberwolves—Jeffery Taylor, SF—Vanderbilt

Taylor is a fascinating pick.

He is a seasoned college veteran that can help a team in a hurry, but will he ever find his niche?

At 6’7’’ and 226 pounds, he isn’t going to have a natural position and that could lead to early growing pains.

19. Orlando Magic—Tony Wroten, PG—Washington

Wroten can be a premier scoring point guard in this league one day, but has to grow up before he can do it. Few players in this draft have the pure quickness of Wroten.

There is a lot of Russell Westbrook in Wroten...including his wild personality.  

20. Denver Nuggets—Moe Harkless, SF—St. John’s

When a 6’8’’ guard averages over 15 points and eight rebounds as a freshman, the world should take notice. Unfortunately for Harkless, few did.

Harkless has star potential if he lands in a situation where he can slowly ease into the starring role.

21. Boston Celtics—Terrence Ross, SG—Washington

Ross is a great utility player that could help the Celtics in a variety of ways. The big issue I have with Ross is his inconsistent release, which can be a death sentence in the NBA unless he straightens it out.

22. Boston Celtics (from LA Clippers)—Andrew Micholson, PF—St. Bonaventure

He’s too small to do real damage in the post, and must continue to develop his midrange jumper if he plans on sticking with an NBA team.

Not a huge fan of Micholson.

23. Atlanta Hawks—Marcus Teague, PG—Kentucky

The Hawks are seemingly always in need of a point guard. While Teague may not be a great shooter, he is physically gifted with speed, quickness, strength and agility.

Teague has an outstanding first step and can be a strong point guard in due time.

24. Cleveland Cavaliers (from LA Lakers)—Terrence Jones, SF—Kentucky

The 6’9’’ hybrid will do anything the Cavs ask. Jones can do the dirty work inside, and can run out on the break with Kyrie Irving.

The Cavs are quietly building something special, and landing a versatile player like Jones would be a perfect fit.

25. Memphis Grizzlies—Will Barton, SG—Memphis

The Grizz are in need of more shooters and landing Barton would help alleviate those woes.

Bonus: plenty of fans in the area already love Barton from his days at the University of Memphis.

26. Indiana Pacers—Damian Lillard, PG—Weber State 

This would be a match made in heaven.

The Pacer point guard woes were one of the main reasons Indiana was bounced from the playoffs, and they need a guy like Lillard who can step in right away.

His is brimming with confidence and uses his strong frame to absorb contact in the paint to finish a play. He is an above-average passer that creates open looks with his terrific play-making ability.

27. Miami Heat—Quincy Miller, SF—Baylor

A small forward with a 7’3’’ wingspan, Miller can be a strong scoring forward with the proper time to develop.

Miami is one of the few teams that can afford to wait.

28. Oklahoma City Thunder—Draymond Green, SG—Michigan State

Green is an NBA-ready player that could make a huge impact in the right situation. If he gets drafted by the Thunder…he won’t get that opportunity his rookie season.

29. Chicago Bulls—John Jenkins, SG—Vanderbilt

The Bulls suddenly have multiple issues to address, and depth at shooting guard should be one of the priorities.

Richard Hamilton sure isn’t the answer.

30. Golden State (from San Antonio Spurs)—Fab Melo, C—Syracuse

The Warriors need bulk and drafting a 7-footer who weighs 255 pounds is the perfect solution. Melo may not shine right away, but is more than capable of developing into a defensive force in due time. 

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