2012 NBA Mock Draft: Late-Round Steals Sure to Thrive as Rookies

If I said the names Tony Parker and Rajon Rondo, many people would instantly would connect them as two of the best point guards and players in the NBA, but both of them are also clear examples of late-round steals.

Parker had a MVP-caliber season for the Spurs this year and is having a Hall of Fame-caliber career, yet he was the 28th selection overall in the 2001 NBA draft.

Rondo has turned into a triple-double machine for the Celtics, and he was the 21st pick in 2006.

Those two players are also arguably the best players on two of the final four teams remaining in the NBA playoffs. There are times where teams can find valuable contributors and even elite players late in the draft.

This is my newest first round mock draft with a concentration on players that could be late-round steals.

(Spotlighted players and teams will be italicized.)

1. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky

Previous Mock: Same

Davis' production and success seems to have him locked in at the top spot. If the Bobcats win the lottery, they may want to go safe, and Davis is the safest pick in the draft.

2. Washington Wizards: Andre Drummond, PF/C, UConn

Previous Mock: Same

Drummond would be my choice with the top pick in the draft. I wouldn't dare pass up on his combination of size and athleticism. But as of now, I don't think the Bobcats will go that way, and Washington should be happy to team him with John Wall.

3. Cleveland Cavaliers: Bradley Beal, SG, Florida

Previous Mock: Same

I still believe the Cavs take Beal here. Having drafted Tristan Thompson last year, it doesn't make sense to take Thomas Robinson—though I believe he is the better player.

Beal fits a need at the 2-guard, but if things shake out like this, the Cavs may be better suited trading down.

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

Previous Mock: Same

I'm staying put with Robinson to the Hornets. New Orleans needs production and character, and Robinson will bring plenty of both. He is my early choice for NBA Rookie of the Year 2013.

5. Sacramento Kings: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, Kentucky

Previous Mock: Same

MKG is the best do-it-all style player in the draft, and the Kings will be fortunate if he falls to them here. The Cavs could go MKG at No. 3, but I think they favor a guard. That should give MKG to the Kings, and it would be a great pick.

6. Portland Trail Blazers (via Brooklyn Nets): Damian Lillard, PG, Weber State

Previous Mock: Kendall Marshall 

My first change of this edition is with Portland's pick. I still see them going point guard, but Lillard is looking like one of those spectacular players that you can't afford to pass on.

There may be some concerns about the position he plays, but as time goes by, it seems clear he's a player. ESPN's Chad Ford tweeted this while watching Lillard's latest workout:

"

Great workout today for @Dame_Lillard Such a hard worker, Great shooter, Good athlete. Strongly believe he's a Top 10 pick.

— Chad Ford (@chadfordinsider) May 26, 2012"

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

Previous Mock: Same

Barnes' all-around game and his ability to shoot from deep still makes him attractive to the Warriors. He could supplant Dorell Wright as the starter from day one. 

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

Previous Mock: Perry Jones III

I had PJ3 here for the last mock, but with Marshall presumably left on the board, I think the Raptors would go for him here. It may enable them to move Jose Calderon, or to have two very capable point guards.

It's a win-win situation.

Check out Marshall in action here:

9. Detroit Pistons: Perry Jones III, SF, Baylor

Previous Mock: Jeremy Lamb

My shakeup continues as PJ3 now falls to the Pistons, who could have a very versatile frontcourt. Greg Monroe and PJ3 are two players at least 6'11" with good athleticism and the ability to create matchup problems.

10. New Orleans Hornets (from Minnesota): Austin Rivers, SG, Duke

Previous Mock: Same

I still believe in Rivers to the Hornets. His scoring and marketability is too much to turn down for a franchise in the Hornets' current state.

11. Portland Trail Blazers: Tyler Zeller, C, North Carolina

Previous Mock: Same

It would be tempting for the Blazers to take Jeremy Lamb here, but big men with a motor are hard to come by, so they stay with Zeller.

It's still a solid pick.

12. Milwaukee Bucks: John Henson, PF/C, North Carolina

Previous Mock: Same

You have to love Henson to the Bucks. His length, college experience and defensive prowess would get him minutes early under Scott Skiles in Milwaukee. If he goes to the Bucks, he'll make the All-Rookie team.

13. Phoenix Suns: Jeremy Lamb, SG, UConn

Previous Mock: Damian Lillard

With Lillard and Marshall off the board, the Suns still need help at guard.

Their backcourt is underwhelming at both positions. They would probably prefer a point guard, but the 2 worthy of taking this high will likely be gone.

Lamb is still an instant upgrade over what they have at the 2-guard now.

14. Houston Rockets: Arnett Moultrie, PF/C, Mississippi State

Previous Mock: Same

I am staying put with the Rockets' pick. Moultrie is talented, big and potentially a low-post scoring option. That is something the Rockets have needed since Yao Ming retired.

15. Philadelphia 76ers: Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State

Previous Mock: Same

Sullinger still fits the Sixers at No. 15.

I expect the Sixers to look a little different come next season. The ceiling for this current group isn't that high. They can't be deceived by their deep playoff run, because it never would have happened without injuries to Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah in the first round.

Moving Brand and one of their swingmen would help, and Sullinger can replace Brand as the low-post scoring option.

  

16. Houston Rockets (from N.Y. Knicks): Dion Waiters, SG, Syracuse

Previous Mock: Same

As far as a potential splash pick, Waiters is still the man here. He can score, but his attitude is questionable. If he is disciplined, he could be one of the real impact players in this draft.

  

17. Dallas Mavericks: Terrence Ross, SF, Washington

Previous Mock: Same

I still love this pick for the Mavericks, and I love Ross' game. I'm really close to saying he is my favorite SG in the draft. The Mavs need some explosiveness and youth, and Ross can deliver those things.

Check out this highlight of a recent workout:

  

18. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Utah Jazz): Terrence Jones, SF, Kentucky

Previous Mock: Same

I made no changes for the Wolves either; Jones' versatility and ability to take players off-the-dribble and into the post could be an asset—and he can shoot the three.

This would be a solid pick for Minnesota.

  

19. Orlando Magic: Jeffery Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt

Previous Mock: Same

The Magic have made some whopping changes in the past week, but I think Taylor still fits in with a rebuilding project. He's athletic, he defends and he's strong.

20. Denver Nuggets: Quincy Miller, SF, Baylor

Previous Mock: Same

In about three years, if Miller's body and mind matures, he could be one of the five best players in this draft. The problem with him now is that he isn't quite ready to contribute. He needed at least one more year at Baylor.

As it is, he is definitely a first-round pick, and on talent alone he could be a lottery selection. He's a 6'8" forward with legit playmaking ability.

He has very long arms and good athleticism, but right now he is rail thin. Before he can play regularly with any impact in the NBA, he must gain some muscle mass.

If all goes right, Miller is a potential star.

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

Previous Mock: Same

Nicholson still has Boston Celtics written all over him. He has the post-game and length to contribute from day one. If the C's lose Kevin Garnett in free agency, Nicholson would be an even better pick.

But I believe he makes sense even if Garnett stays in Boston.

Nothing Nicholson does looks flashy, but he's a very effective scorer and rebounder. He reminds me of a right-handed Zach Randolph.

In the Celtics offense, he could be a 12-and-seven guy from day one, with more to offer in two or three years.

22. Boston Celtics: Fab Melo, C, Syracuse

Previous Mock: Same

Melo is still a solid pick for the Celtics because they still need size. They are a terrible rebounding team, and Melo could help there. He also offers insurance if Garnett bolts in free agency.

23. Atlanta Hawks: Moe Harkless, SF, St. John's

Previous Mock: Same

Harkless' best attribute is probably his length on defense, and that could get him on the floor early. He needs to improve his handle and shooting, but he's still a good pick for Atlanta.

They need to find a way to let go of Marvin Williams, and Harkless could be his replacement.

24. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Los Angeles Lakers): Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois

Previous Mock: Same

Leonard is still the pick here for Cleveland, but he's a project with solid upside. He's a good athlete with a decent mid-range touch. He needs a couple years, but he could be a solid big man in the NBA.

25. Memphis Grizzlies: Tony Wroten, PG/SG, Washington

Previous Mock: Same

I can't see the Grizzlies retaining restricted free agent O.J. Mayo, so they will need a guard. Wroten can play either account position, and he is still my pick for Memphis.

26. Indiana Pacers: Doron Lamb, SG, Kentucky

Previous Mock: Same

The Pacers have big bodies on the block, but they need more consistent perimeter shooters. Lamb is a lights-out three-point shooter, and that skill keeps him here in my opinion.

He could be a valuable sixth man for the Pacers.

He shoots 47 percent from the three and over 80 percent from the line. He has a high basketball IQ, and the Pacers could lose George Hill to free agency.

Lamb would be a great pick here.

27. Miami Heat: Festus Ezeli, C, Vanderbilt

Previous Mock: Same

This is still a no-brainer pick for the Heat. If Ezeli is available, they must do whatever they can to shore up the inside. The Heat need size in the worst way, and Ezeli is a legit seven-footer.

ESPN's Chad Ford reported that Ezeli looked great in recent workouts so Miami must hope that another team doesn't take him first. He said:

"

Festus Ezeli looked, for the first time since the start of the college season, healthy and explosive again. These types of workouts rarely showcase big men. But Ezeli moved well, played with power and looked like he was in terrific shape. Given his size and the dearth of big men in the draft, he too has a good shot at the first round.

"

If the Heat can find a way to have a defensive presence in the middle, along with consistent shooters, they could be even better next year.

28. Oklahoma City Thunder: Marquis Teague, PG, Kentucky 

Previous Mock: Same

Even though Eric Maynor could make a full recovery from his knee injury, the Thunder could still use depth at PG. If either he or Russell Westbrook go down next season, they would be in a pinch again.

That is why Teague is still a solid pick. He is blazing fast, and playing behind Maynor and Westbrook will allow him to learn the position.

29. Chicago Bulls: John Jenkins, SG, Vanderbilt

Previous Mock: Same

Jenkins is a pure shooter, and the Bulls are still trying to find a 2-guard. If he is still on the board when Chicago selects, they may not have to look any further.

He would be in the rare situation where a rookie finds a good team that needs a player at his position, with his skill set. The Bulls will start the season without Derrick Rose so they will need as much scoring as possible.

ESPN's Chad Ford had great things to say about Jenkins' workout as well:

"

John Jenkins looked terrific. He was lights out in the shooting drills, going 13-of-15 from the college 3-point line and 12-of-15 from NBA range.

That won't surprise anyone. Most scouts believe Jenkins is the best shooter in the draft (a few give Kentucky Wildcats guard Doron Lamb the edge). The question is whether Jenkins can be more than a spot-up shooter.

The work he's done over the past few months suggests that he may. He's put on noticeable muscle and has worked on his explosiveness. He looked much stronger and bouncier than he did at Vanderbilt.

If he can tighten up the handle, he could have a long career in the NBA. Right now we have Jenkins as a bubble first-rounder.

"

It's great that he's working to add muscle, which could make him better at taking the ball to the rim against contact. That is also something the Bulls also need. Here is a highlight of Jenkins in action:

30. Golden State Warriors (via San Antonio Spurs): Draymond Green, PF/SF, Michigan State

Previous Mock: Same

Green stays here to round out the mock. I think he will be a solid player no matter where he goes. His attitude, willingness to defend and pass will be an asset.

Green could help change the culture with the Warriors' franchise.

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