2012 NBA Mock Draft: Who Will Gamble on Austin Rivers?

Ladies and gentlemen, it's time for a mock draft! This will be my first 2012 mock draft this year, and I'm sure it's bound to change from here until the draft actually happens this July, but how much.

First, I've got a few notes on some of the prospects that are looking like they'll declare for the draft this season.

My biggest concern out of the top players in this draft is Jared Sullinger. Even though I'm an Ohio State fan I see him as the player most likely to be a bust. He's got the footwork, but he's a bit slow and nonathletic for the NBA in this day and age.

In the middle of the pack, Austin Rivers, Marquis Teague, Tony Wroten Jr. and Arnett Moultrie seem like they could have some potential to be very good players, while the big white guys (anyone named Zeller or Plumlee) I don't have very high hopes for.

The most interesting thing for this year's draft is how late international players seem to be mocking. If some of these guys (like Evan Fournier) make it to the second round there could be a number of steals this year.

So with no lottery set and only half an NCAA season (and a third of an NBA season) in the past already, let's take a look at my first mock draft, which is sure to be wrong! Feel free to mock my mock, which I'm sure everyone plans on doing.

The Top Three

Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis, Kentucky

Anthony Davis is playing out of his mind right now for the best team in the country. Even while playing alongside four other players that could be first-rounders should they all decide to enter the draft he's averaging 14 points and 10 boards a game, not to mention nearly five blocks. With his imacculate consistency and his hard-working mentality I'd say he's the obvious number one choice at this point, despite his frightening eyebrow (that's right, it's singular).

New Orleans Hornets: Andre Drummond, UConn

If you want to start talking about potential, look nowhere else but to Andre Drummond to kick off that conversation. He's not doing anything particularly well except blocking shots (2.6 a game), but there's something about him when you watch him play. He's still learning the finer points of the game, but he's got the body and the motor to be a great player.

Washington Wizards: Harrison Barnes, North Carolina

Any other year and Harrison Barnes is a number one pick, so the Wizards would be happy to get him this low. This kid is the total package and should fit nicely with John Wall, giving him a player who's actually capable of playing basketball with confidence and a sound mind, unlike the rest of their team.

It seems that these three guys are the top three players in this year's draft and will be taken in some order. At this point with teams this bad at the top it makes sense to see size be the main factor in picking, as these three players all have superstar potential.

The East Continues to Gobble Up Lottery Picks

Detroit Pistons: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Kentucky

With a point guard and a center (Brandon Knight and Greg Monroe) already populating this young team, they might as well go with a wing man to start to fill out that roster.

Toronto Raptors: Jeremy Lamb, Kentucky

Can DeMar DeRozan switch to playing small forward full time? I'd think so with his size. If that were the case Toronto could eventually boast a starting lineup of Jose Calderon, Lamb, DeRozan, Andrea Bargnani and Jonas Valanciunas next season. Not too shabby.

New Jersey Nets: Thomas Robinson, Kansas

While the Nets need someone to fill the two or three slot at this point, bringing in the best player available seems to make more sense than reaching here. Throb gives them toughness in the post.

Sacramento Kings: Perry Jones, Baylor

Jones has the athleticism to play the three spot but the height to play the four, giving the Kings options. Plus, he's the player with the most potential left on the board at this point.

This Is the Point Where We Realize the East Has Seven of the Top Ten Picks

Utah Jazz via Golden State Warriors: Bradley Beal, Florida

Although he may be a bit undersized, Beal is a quick guard who can get to the rim. He'd be great coming off the bench for the Jazz. Utah only gets this pick if Golden State finishes outside of the bottom seven in the lottery.

Cleveland Cavaliers: Terrence Jones, Kentucky

It seems like the Cavs are pretty happy with their bigs at this point, and while Jared Sullinger has more potential, Jones would fit better into their lineup.

Houston Rockets, via New York Knicks: Jared Sullinger, Ohio State

With the Rockets holding onto dead weight when it comes to big men (Hasheem Thabeet and Jeff Adrian?) it would be good to get a little competition going between Patrick Patterson, Jordan Hill and Sullinger who could be a boom or a bust.

Phoenix Suns: John Henson, North Carolina

Phoenix needs, well...everything. John Henson would make for a nice start to a rebuild for the Suns as he would be able to play either forward position.

The Rest of the Lottery

New Orleans Hornets: Terrence Ross, Washington

A guard/forward who would run well with the young team that the Hornets have brewing. Putting him together with Andre Drummond and Eric Gordon would make for an interesting trio.

Memphis Grizzlies: Meyers Leonard, Illinois

A true center with a fuller frame than the rest of the big men left on the board at this point, the Grizzlies would pick up some more beef for their lineup, which every team would like.

Utah Jazz: Quincy Miller, Baylor

The freshman forward is showing off some nice shooting skills down in Texas and would be a nice addition to Utah's burgeoning young team. Utah sends this pick to Minnesota if they make the playoffs.

The Worst of the Best

Milwaukee Bucks: Tyler Zeller, North Carolina

As much as everyone loves Ersan Ilyasova and Drew Gooden, it seems like the Bucks need themselves a guy with some potential at power forward (Luc Richard Mbah a Moute seems more like a small forward, despite playing a handful of minutes at the four-spot this season).

Portland Trail Blazers: Cody Zeller, Indiana

The Trail Blazers are going to need someone who isn't approaching retirement (and I'm talking eating off the 65 and over menu at Bob Evans retirement) and a young (possibly better than his older brother) Cody Zeller would be just the ticket at this spot.

Los Angeles Lakers: Austin Rivers, Duke

Who better to learn the two-guard spot from than Kobe Bryant. With the Mamba getting up there in age and the Lakers could use another guy that could score a bucket or two off the bench.

New Jersey Nets, via Houston Rockets: Arnett Moultrie, Mississippi St.

With the Rockets holding onto dead weight when it comes to big men (Hasheem Thabeet and Jeff Adrian?) it would be good to get a little competition going between Patrick Patterson, George Hill and the grizzled Arnett Moultrie, the athletic forward/center who has been rocketing (pun intended) up draft boards.

Another Four Young Fellows

Denver Nuggets: Tony Wroten Jr., Washington

The Huskie combo guard is lighting up the Pac-12 recently and draft experts are taking notice (should experts be in quotes there?). Wroten is athletic and can pass, plus he's a lefty, which always seems to freak people out.

Dallas Mavericks: Marquis Teague, Kentucky

It seems like Dallas would be a team that would be willing to go out on a limb with Teague in this year's draft. The young point guard shows oodles of potential, it's just a matter of whether he can put it all together or not. Good news with this pick, if Dallas picks 20th (or earlier) then they don't have to ship it to Los Angeles.

Boston Celtics: Patric Young, Florida

Boston picking up Patric Young here makes too much sense. He's a big, strong fellow who can play as a power forward or a small center and just muscle people out of his way.

Orlando Magic: Fab Melo, Syracuse

One of the few true centers in this draft (which Orlando will most likely need after this season) and could be a pretty good player down the line.

The First Overseas Player Goes

Boston Celtics via Los Angeles Clippers: Dion Waiters, Syracuse

Another strong guy for the Celtics to pick up is the Syracuse combo guard. He can shoot the ball and seems to be ready to produce in the NBA.

Atlanta Hawks: Jeff Taylor, Vanderbilt

An athletic, defensive minded forward would go a long way toward helping the Hawks' bench.

San Antonio Spurs: Evan Fournier, France

Who would have thought it would have taken this long to get to an international player in a draft, that hasn't happened in ages. Fournier is a two-guard who has great instincts and knows how to handle the ball. Think of him as a mixture between Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili.

Indiana Pacers: Kendall Marshall, North Carolina

An oversized guard who could legitimately play either spot. Marshall is one of the best passers at the bottom of the first round.

The Last of the First Rounders

Philadelphia 76ers: Tony Mitchell, North Texas

Mitchell could be a steal this low in the draft as he was one of the top 20 players in the 2010 high school class but fell because of eligibility issues. If he can overcome his attitude he could be a great player.

Miami Heat: Damian Lillard, Weber St.

If the Heat want to take a flyer on another guard from a mid-major team, Lillard would be the pick, without a doubt. 

Chicago Bulls: Doron Lamb, Kentucky

Doron has been mocked anywhere from a low lottery pick to a mid-second round pick, but he seems to be too good a talent to fall that low. A good shooting guard with a nice jumper, Lamb could be a good player one day.

Oklahoma City Thunder: Festus Ezeli, Vanderbilt

It's kind of hard to pass on a seven-footer this late in the draft who has played state-side, and Festus Ezeli has made at least an argument to be picked in the first round this year. Why not give him a shot?

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