2012 NBA Draft: Portland Trail Blazers' Early Mock Draft

A once promising season has begun to resemble a disaster out in Portland. Fans of the Portland Trail Blazers are calling for trades of their most recent big-name acquisitions.

With the chances of a playoff berth beginning to dwindle, it may be time to look forward and find a new route of success. More specifically, it may be time to evaluate the prospects in the upcoming NBA Draft and build around LaMarcus Aldridge.

For Blazers' fans and scouts alike, I have put together a mock draft to ease everyone into the draft process.

First Round, Pick 13: Austin Rivers, Guard, Portland Trail Blazers

This isn't a pick I'd suggest, but it's a pick I thoroughly expect.

Austin Rivers is a combo guard who hasn't found a true position yet. While most teams would see that as a negative aspect to his game, it actually works into the Trail Blazers' favor.

With needs at the point and 2, Rivers could replace either Brandon Roy or Andre Miller -- because we know Raymond Felton hasn't succeeded in that aspect.

Austin Rivers is an excellent shooter with deep range. He also has elite-level ball handling abilities and is a decent facilitator when not playing isolation basketball. The problem is, he often plays selfish, isolation basketball.

In Portland, where LaMarcus Aldridge and Nicolas Batum's talent alone demands the ball, Rivers would have an opportunity to prove to the world that he can play team basketball. Whether or not he actually can is another question.

Second Round, Pick 43: Jeff Withey, Center, Kansas Jayhawks

Jeff Withey is not a franchise player, nor is he a future star. What he is, however, is a hard worker who positively influences everyone around him.

Withey is one of the few seven-footers in this draft class, making him an attention-grabber for that alone. When paired with his shot blocking ability and ability to score around the basket, it's hard to imagine a better fit as a second round draft choice.

While most fans will look for someone with a more powerful game, Withey is a very nice compliment who can be a role player for years to come.