2012 NBA Mock Draft: Lottery Picks Sure to Make Immediate Impacts

Struggling teams ending up with a lottery pick hope to hit a home run in the NBA draft, but only a select few are truly ready to excel upon first arriving to the league. 

A lot is expected from these lottery picks and oftentimes players will be a huge bust. However, there are those athletes that were made for the NBA, and they'll waste no time in dominating their opponents. 

As with ever year, certain players are going to get a ton of hype as the season goes on, and some of them actually deserve it. 

With that said, here's my early 2012 NBA mock draft with info on each pick and more in-depth look at the lottery picks that are sure to make immediate impacts. 

2012 NBA Mock Draft 

No. 1 – Charlotte Bobcats – Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky

Davis has been taking college basketball by storm this year and he'll do just the same once he joins the NBA. 

The 6'10", 220-pound power forward is the top player for the Wildcats, averaging 14 points, 9.9 rebounds and 4.9 blocks per game. 

Despite being just a freshman, Davis is ready to thrive in the NBA and will be a great addition no matter where he ends up. 

Davis will continue to dominate for Kentucky, and he would be very wise to depart for the NBA since he'd be the top overall pick and he won't have much trouble succeeding right away.  

No. 2 – Detroit Pistons – Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina

Barnes could always opt to return to college like he did last year. But he'll be an even higher-rated pick this year, meaning he's better off leaving after this season. 

The 6'8", 2215-pound forward is very ready for the NBA after gaining another year of college experience. 

He can shoot with the best of them and the struggling Pistons will absolutely love that. Detroit desperately needs a big scorer, and Barnes is exceptionally good at putting points on the board. 

Barnes will step into the NBA and contribute a great deal wherever he lands. 

No. 3 – Washington Wizards – Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, Kentucky

A relentless player, Kidd-Gilchrist will be a warm welcome to a Washington team in dire need of more skilled athletes.  

No. 4 – New Orleans Hornets – Andre Drummond, C, UConn

The Hornets will love that Drummond falls their way, as they desperately need a powerful big man capable of big things. Drummond does have big bust potential, which is something to be cautious about. 

No. 5 – Sacramento Kings – Perry Jones, PF, Baylor

Jones would have been a lottery pick last year and he'll be one this year should he choose to leave school. He's been inconsistent at times, so he'll have to make sure that part of his game stays in college. 

No. 6 – Toronto Raptors – Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas

Robinson is having one heck of a season, averaging 17 points and 12 rebounds per game. He's the star for the Jayhawks, and would give the Raptors some much-needed firepower. 

No. 7 – New Jersey Nets – Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State

Sullinger is dominating his college opponents and that won't stop when he gets to the NBA. He's a powerful force down low and that doesn't back down. 

Averaging 17 points and nine rebounds per game, Sullinger will keep playing at a high level to help Ohio State achieve big things this season. 

His game translates very well to the NBA, and he is sure to the court early and often for whatever team drafts him. 

No. 8 – Utah Jazz – Jeremy Lamb, SG, UConn

Lamb is a solid player that will give the Jazz a huge boost in scoring. 

No. 9 – Phoenix Suns – Marquis Teague, PG, Kentucky

Teague is the real deal and the Suns are going to love having him on their team should he fall their way. 

Phoenix will likely lose Steve Nash via free agency (if the Suns are smart they'll trade him), which means they're going to need another point guard. 

The Suns certainly have the option to look through free agency, but going young with Teague is their best bet. 

Teague is a great leader despite being a freshman and his ball handling skills on the court will help him find early success in the NBA. 

No. 10 – Houston Rockets – Brad Beal, SG, Florida

Beal is a very talented shooter and the Rockets won't pass up on his skillset. 

No. 11 – Cleveland Cavaliers – Terrence Ross, SG, Washington

The Cavaliers need scorers and Ross will be a great addition to a backcourt that has Kyrie Irving. Cleveland's future will be very bright with those two working together. 

No. 12 – New Orleans Hornets – Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois

The Hornets take another big men to strengthen the roster and get insurance should one end up being a bust. Listed at 7’1”, 245-pounds, Leonard fills a big need for New Orleans. Plus, the Hornets could always trade one of their big men away. 

No. 13 – Memphis Grizzlies – Doron Lamb, SG, Kentucky

The Grizzlies are likely to move on from O.J. Mayo and Lamb will be a perfect replacement. 

No. 14 – Houston Rockets – Terrence Jones, SF, Kentucky

Another Kentucky player departing for the NBA, Jones would be smart to take the early leap as he is sure to be a lottery pick.  

No. 15 – Milwaukee Bucks – Dion Waiters, G, Syracuse

Waiters is 6'4", 215-pounder that can play either guard position, which the Bucks will definitely love.  

No. 16 – Boston Celtics – Austin Rivers, G, Duke

Doc Rivers drafts his son (if he leaves early) to backup and eventually replace Rajon Rondo, who Boston has never been crazy about building a team around. 

No. 17 – Orlando Magic – Tyler Zeller, PF/C, North Carolina

The Magic have to draft a big man since Dwight Howard is likely to leave via free agency. Zeller is the best available here. 

No. 18 – Portland Trail Blazers – Quincy Miller, SF, Baylor

Miller is a skilled swingman that will be perfect off the bench right away. 

No. 19 – Los Angeles Lakers – Tony Wroten, G, Washington

The Lakers need better guard play and Wroten is their best bet with this pick. He's 6'5", 205 pounds and would be an excellent fit in Los Angeles. 

No. 20 – Minnesota Timberwolves – Kris Joseph, SF, Syracuse

The Timberwolves have a lot to think about in this draft, but getting a solid swingman like Joseph would be a smart move. 

No. 21 – San Antonio Spurs – Arnett Moultrie, PF, Mississippi St

Moultrie is a guy who could see his stock rise greatly as the season goes on and into tournament play. At 6'10", 240-pounds, Moultrie could learn from and eventually replace Tim Duncan. 

No. 22 – Los Angeles Lakers – Kendall Marshall, PG, North Carolina

The Lakers picked up a scoring guard earlier, and here they'll land a strong point guard in Marshall who will see great action right away. Marshall's career will greatly benefit from playing with Kobe Bryant. 

No. 23 – Denver Nuggets – Patric Young, PF, Florida

Young would give the Nuggets another big body to work with, which would definitely help them down the stretch and on into the postseason. 

No. 24 – Boston Celtics – James McAdoo, PF, North Carolina

There's a chance he returns to college, since he'd be the big star on campus. But landing with an elite team would be perfect for this strong power forward. 

No. 25 – Indiana Pacers – Mason Plumlee, PF, Duke

The Pacers need to add more size and Plumlee will give the a big body to help shut down opposing teams down low. 

No. 26 – Atlanta Hawks – Myck Kabongo, PG, Texas

The Hawks would prefer a big man, but they won't find one here. Settling for Kabongo isn't a bad though, because the Hawks need better point guard depth too. 

No. 27 – Philadelphia 76ers – Tony Mitchell, SF, North Texas

He's only a freshman, but Mitchell is going to keep sky-rocketing as the season goes on. He averages 16 points and 10 rebounds per game. 

No. 28 – Miami Heat – Damian Lillard, PG, Weber St

Miami would love a legitimate center here, but it's not going to happen. Instead, they'll add to the point guard depth by selecting Lillard, who averages 25 points per game. 

No. 29 – Chicago Bulls – Jeffery Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt

The Bulls biggest issue is staying healthy, which means they're going to use their draft pick to add depth. Chicago is likely to just take the best available here, which is Taylor. 

No. 30 – Oklahoma City Thunder – Draymond Green, F, Michigan State

Averaging 15 points and 10 rebounds per game, Green is a workhorse for Michigan State, and he'll be a great role player for the Thunder.