10 NBA Teams That Need Anthony Davis in the Middle Right Now

Each and every year a front-runner for the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA draft emerges throughout the college basketball season, and this year is no different.

The clear-cut front-runner for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2012 NBA draft is none other than Kentucky big man, Anthony Davis.

Heading into the 2012 NCAA Tournament, Davis has accounted for 154 blocks on the year, which is more, by himself, than all but 37 teams in Division-I basketball this year.

Aside from his uncanny ability to block shots, Davis also is an athletic big man who has the offensive skill-set to play like a slashing forward or shooting guard. While there are 30 NBA teams that could benefit from having Anthony Davis on their roster, there are a number of teams that absolutely need him on their team next season.

Ahead is a list of 10 NBA teams that could use the talents of Anthony Davis right now. While a few teams on the list have no chance of getting him in the 2012 NBA draft, they need his talents nonetheless.  

Charlotte Bobcats

The Charlotte Bobcats can improve in nearly every facet of the game, as they are arguably the absolute worst team in the NBA this season.

One major way the Bobcats need to improve is their performance on the glass, as they currently rank 28th in the NBA in rebounding, with an average of only 39.9 rebounds per game.

While there are doubts surrounding Davis' ability to transition his undersized frame at 6'10'' and 220 pounds into the ranks of the NBA, there's no doubt that his average of 10 rebounds per game this season would be a nice addition to a Bobcats' team whose highest rebounder is Boris Diaw, with an average of 5.6 rebounds per game.

As of now, the Bobcats have the highest likelihood of ending up with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2012 draft, which means Anthony Davis might just be their guy heading into the 2012-13 NBA season.  

Cleveland Cavaliers

Anderson Varejao isn't a slouch at the center position for the Cleveland Cavaliers, with averages of 10.8 points and 11.5 rebounds per game on the year, while missing the past few weeks with a wrist injury.

There's no doubt, though, that if the Cavaliers have a chance to take Davis in this year's draft, they would be wise to do so, as Davis would bring a versatility to the Cavaliers' front court that they certainly don't have now.

Cleveland has a solid young talent at the power forward position in Tristan Thompson, but there's no doubt that with Antwan Jamison on the last year of his contract, the Cavaliers would be wise to add depth to their front court by adding Davis to their roster.

The Cavaliers are one of the most talented, young teams in the NBA, and with Anthony Davis in their lineup, they could become a legitimate playoff contender in the Eastern Conference this year, and in the years to come.  

Golden State Warriors

The Golden State Warriors have one of the most explosive offenses in the league, currently averaging 97.8 points per game, which ranks eighth overall in the NBA.

Unfortunately for the Warriors, they also have one of the worst defenses in the league, ranking 26th in both rebounding with 40.4 rebounds per game and in total defense, giving up an average of 99.7 points per game on the year.

Those are two areas, though, that Anthony Davis could come in and make an immediate impact in.

Davis has shown an impressive ability to block shots, with an average of 4.7 blocks per game, and an ability to rebound the ball with an average of 10 rebounds per game so far this season.

Anthony Davis also has the athleticism to run in Golden State's fast-paced offense, which is an impressive feat for a guy his size, at 6' 10'' and 220 pounds. The Warriors will have an outside shot at Davis, and if they can manage to draft him this June, they would undoubtedly be smart to do so. 

Sacramento Kings

While the Sacramento Kings, maturity wise, would benefit more from bringing in a veteran big-man this season, there's no doubt that the thought of having DeMarcus Cousins and Anthony Davis in the same front court is exciting to say the least.

Sacramento doesn't need another young, raw talent like Anthony Davis, but they could undoubtedly benefit from his defensive presence in the paint, which has been an area of weakness for them so far this season.

The Kings rank dead last in team defense, giving up an average of 102.5 points per game, while also giving up the most points in the paint, with an average of 47.9 points in the paint per game.

Anthony Davis could help put an end to the Kings' weak interior defense, by bringing his 88-inch wingspan and his 6'10'' frame to a somewhat undersize front court. With a little luck on their side, the Sacramento Kings could end up with the No. 1 overall pick in the draft, and then Anthony Davis would be theirs.   

Washington Wizards

Imagine if the Washington Wizards could add Anthony Davis to their lineup right now for the rest of the 2011-12 NBA season.

They would have one of the most freakishly athletic and over-sized front courts in the entire NBA, with JaVale McGee and his 90-inch wingspan at the center position, and Anthony Davis and his 88-inch wingspan at the power forward position.

Just imagine being an opposing guard driving into the lane and trying to get a shot off over those twin towers. In all honesty, it would be a pretty difficult task, which is why, if the Wizards have the chance during the 2012 draft, they need to pull the trigger on drafting Anthony Davis.

I know the Wizards are young, and they need some veteran leadership, but the thought of having McGee and Davis in the same front court is just too exciting to pass up.

If the Wizards can manage to land Davis in the upcoming draft, Washington will be a force to be reckoned with in the coming years, at least when it comes to interior defense.  

Detroit Pistons

The Detroit Pistons already have an impressive talent at the center position who they can build around in sophomore Greg Monroe.

At the power forward position, though, it's a different story for the Pistons, who have quite a few average players, including Jonas Jerebko, Jason Maxiell and Charlie Villanueva, once he returns.

While adding another somewhat undersized power forward in Anthony Davis to that lineup might seem foolish, Davis has much more raw talent and higher upside than all of those players listed above combined.

If the Pistons are able to get their hands on Davis in this year's draft, they would have a legitimate front court for the first time in awhile, with Greg Monroe at the center position and Anthony Davis at the power forward position.

With Davis' versatility on the offensive side of the ball and his ability to step out and hit three-point shots, the Pistons could utilize his skills outside of the paint, which would undoubtedly create mismatches that he could exploit. 

Boston Celtics

It's no secret that the foundational talent of the Boston Celtics, with Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen, isn't exactly in their prime anymore.

While it might not be time just yet to blow up the Celtics' big three, it's certainly time to start getting the right pieces in place in Boston so that their transition from the big three can be that much easier.

The Celtics don't necessarily have a legitimate shot at getting Anthony Davis in the draft, as their draft position won't be nearly high enough, but that doesn't mean they don't need a player like him on their roster. Boston is already thin at the power positions, aside from Brandon Bass and Kevin Garnett, and that's right where Anthony Davis would fit it.

If in some miraculous event the Celtics could draft Anthony Davis, he would be able to learn behind Garnett for a year or two, which would be an absolutely amazing opportunity for the raw and unpolished talent that exists within Davis' game.

Boston would be an ideal, albeit unrealistic, landing spot for Davis, as he would help solidify the Celtics frontcourt for the future, while having the opportunity to learn from one of the best forwards in the game in Kevin Garnett. 

New Orleans Hornets

The New Orleans Hornets are in an interesting place, with not much left to play for this season, and no clear direction to go this upcoming offseason.

With guys like Eric Gordon, Chris Kaman and Carl Landry in the final year of their contracts, the Hornets could look like a very different team next year, and that could be a very good thing for the city of New Orleans.

The Hornets have played well defensively this year, but the offensive side of the ball has been a completely different story, as the Hornets currently rank 29th in the NBA in total offense, with an average of 88.9 points per game.

If the Hornets don't sign Chris Kaman this offseason, they would be wise to go after the talents of Anthony Davis, as he could be a very nice option coming off the bench behind both Emeka Okafor and Carl Landry, assuming the Hornets re-sign him.

With the Hornets, Davis would have the opportunity to step in immediately and make an impact for New Orleans while still being able to learn from veterans like Okafor and Landry, which would be good for Davis' transition into the speed and physicality of the NBA game. 

Portland Trailblazers

The Portland Trailblazers are still in contention in the Western Conference, but ever since the 2012 NBA All-Star break, they haven't exactly been playing top-notch basketball, winning only two of their first seven games since the break.

A large piece of the Trailblazer's inconsistent production, especially on the offensive side of the ball, is their lack of an interior presence, outside of All-Star power forward, LaMarcus Aldridge.

With the best second options in the paint—aside from Aldridge—being Marcus Camby, Joel Przybilla and Craig Smith, the Trailblazers post game isn't all that intimidating.

There's no doubt that Anthony Davis would be able to help solidify the Trailblazers' frontcourt, with his versatile offensive skill-sets, as well as give Portland one of the most dangerous and athletic frontcourt tandems in the league.

LaMarcus Aldridge and Anthony Davis play the game in a very similar way, and it would be absolutely amazing to see both of them on the same team this upcoming season. While it's unlikely that will actually come to fruition, as the Trailblazers' draft position won't give them a chance at Davis, it's at least exciting to stop and think about.  

Miami Heat

Here's a team that has absolutely no shot at landing the talents of Anthony Davis, but could still really use his talents in their rotation.

If there's one thing the star-studded Miami Heat don't have on their roster, it's a legitimate offensive presence at the center position, and that's something that Anthony Davis could bring to their team immediately.

WIth his 88-inch wingspan, Anthony Davis has the potential to make an immediate impact on any NBA roster in the paint. While Davis' small frame is a concern, there's no doubt that with the right coaching he can become a legitimate presence in the paint, and that's something that the Miami Heat could definitely use.

While Miami has zero to no chance of getting Anthony Davis, it's at least interesting to think about just how well he would fit in a lineup with LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.

Thanks for checking out the article, and don't forget to follow me on Twitter @peteremerick.