2012 NBA Mock Draft: Andre Drummond and Stars Who Will Be Big Busts

This year's NBA draft class has an enormous amount of talent and depth, but like every year, there will be busts in the first round that teams will swing and miss on.

Many of these busts are big men, primarily because they take more time to develop than guards do. Let's look at the possible busts from this year's class.

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

A power forward with Anthony Davis' athleticism is quite rare. Not only is Davis NBA-ready in terms of scoring and rebounding, but he has the potential to be far better as his body gets stronger and his game develops.

He's a perfect choice for the Charlotte Bobcats with the top overall pick.

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

Harrison Barnes does everything pretty well and has few weaknesses. He can score in several different ways and has the versatility needed to excel at the small forward or shooting guard spot. 

No. 3 – Washington Wizards – Andre Drummond, C, UConn

Andre Drummond is a talented big man, but his game isn't polished enough to be worthy of a top-three pick, especially for the Washington Wizards, a franchise that needs to get better ASAP.

However, Drummond should not be that guy. He doesn't have a good mid-range shot and there are questions about his drive and willingness to become a great player.

His offensive game also needs to improve, and Drummond must develop a better post game and not rely too much on his athleticism to score.

No. 4 – New Orleans Hornets – Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, Kentucky

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist is an exceptional on-the-ball defender and has tremendous athleticism. He also rebounds very well and while his scoring ability isn't elite, it's good enough for the NBA and will continue to improve.

He's also a high-character kid who would be a great pick for New Orleans.

No. 5 – Sacramento Kings – Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas

Thomas Robinson could go in the top three, but the Kings cannot pass on him at No. 5 given his tremendous scoring and rebounding skills. Robinson is a strong player who can dominate in the paint at both ends of the floor.

No. 6 – Toronto Raptors – Perry Jones III, PF, Baylor

Perry Jones has enormous talent, but he's terribly inconsistent. Some games he plays like a first overall pick while the next night he looks like a second-round talent.

While his athleticism is elite, Jones still lacks the post game needed to dominate at the NBA level. Defensively, he has a lot of work to do. He's not very strong and needs to add more muscle in the summer.

Jones won't block shots either, and one-on-one post defending is not one of his strengths. By drafting him, the Raptors could find a superstar talent or an all-time bust. Are they willing to take that gamble?

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

A strong player who can dominate at both ends of the floor, Jared Sullinger is arguably the most NBA-ready player in this draft. Sullinger can score in the paint with an impressive repertoire of post moves and is a legitimate shot-blocker.

No. 8 – Utah Jazz – Brad Beal, SG, Florida

The Utah Jazz need a sharpshooting 2-guard who can also defend well, which is exactly what Brad Beal of Florida would give them. Beal also has a high basketball intelligence.

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

A talented point guard with a ton of athleticism, Marquis Teague is a point guard who can not only run an offense effectively, but his scoring skills are better than most points guards.

He would be a great replacement for Steve Nash in Phoenix.

No. 10 – Houston Rockets – Jeremy Lamb, SG, UConn

A smart, talented scorer, Jeremy Lamb would be able to step into the NBA and play big minutes thanks to his experience and good coaching at UConn.

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

The Cavaliers really need an athletic shooting guard who can pair well with likely Rookie of the Year point guard Kyrie Irving. Washington star Terrence Ross is a perfect fit for this role.

No. 12 – New Orleans Hornets – John Henson, F, North Carolina

North Carolina forward John Henson is a tremendous defensive player with his elite shot-blocking skills. He also has an improving offensive game in which his mid-range jumper is much better now than what it was when he was a freshman.

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

With the future of 2-guard O.J. Mayo uncertain, Doron Lamb would be a solid addition to the Memphis Grizzlies thanks to his ability to shoot well from the outside and defend on the perimeter.

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

Terrence Jones is a versatile forward who does a little bit of everything, whether it's scoring, rebounding, or making plays. He's an NBA-ready player that is perfect for the Rockets' offensive system.

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

A talented scorer and defender, Dion Waiters would be a perfect backup for new Milwaukee Bucks shooting guard Monta Ellis next season.

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

Austin Rivers shouldn't come out because he needs to fine tune his skills some more at Duke, but if he does enter the draft, it will be hard for the Celtics to pass on him, given his huge potential plus the fact his dad, Doc Rivers, is the Celtics head coach.

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

Tyler Zeller is a very good college player, but against stronger and more athletic big men in the NBA, it's hard to imagine him having much success. If he continues to develop his post game, his offense will make him a valuable player.

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

Quincy Miller can score the basketball consistently and is a strong player who can defend and bang on the boards. A perfect fit for the Blazers.

No. 19 – Cleveland Cavaliers – Royce White, SF, Iowa State

Royce White's versatility that allows him to play either the small or power forward positions makes him a valuable player in this draft class. He's also a reliable scorer with good shooting range.  

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

An athletic forward with a high basketball intelligence, Kris Joseph of Syracuse would fit in perfectly with the high-tempo offense the Minnesota Timberwolves run.

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

Arnett Moultrie is a talented scorer with great size, strength and length. With Tim Duncan close to retirement and little depth at center, the San Antonio Spurs must consider drafting the Mississippi State big man in the first round.

No. 22 – Houston Rockets – Patric Young, F, Florida

Patric Young's experience and ability to score the ball in the paint would really help the Rockets fill a need for an offensive minded forward. Young is one of the more NBA-ready forwards in this draft class

No. 23 – Denver Nuggets – Kendall Marshall, PG, North Carolina

North Carolina playmaker Kendall Marshall is an experienced player who is a tremendous passer and ball handler. He would be a solid point guard off the bench for the Nuggets.

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

The Celtics are in dire need of a power forward of the future, and I don't think JaJuan Johnson out of Purdue was a smart pick last season. McAdoo is a strong player in the paint and would really improve the Celtics' rebounding struggles.

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

Mason Plumlee was a double-double threat in college, and he will be in the NBA because of his work ethic and fundamentally strong game.

No. 26 – Atlanta Hawks – Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois

The lack of any real effective post moves will hurt Meyers Leonard's ability to be a quality big man at the NBA level.

He also doesn't have a lot of size, which he will need to add if he wants to play well against bigger and more athletic big men in the pros.

Leonard also doesn't move well without the ball and can also cause turnovers with silly mistakes. The Hornets need a center of the future, but Leonard shouldn't be that guy.

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

The 76ers could really use a forward with strength and size and the 3-spot, which makes Tony Mitchell a solid choice at No. 27. Philadelphia already has enough athleticism.

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

Despite some nice performances by Norris Cole this season, the Miami Heat still need some more point guard depth with Mario Chalmers' future uncertain. Lillard is a reliable point guard with solid playmaking skills.

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

Jeffery Taylor is an NBA-ready forward whose size and strength will make him able to play well on a team like the Bulls who are in win-now mode.

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

Draymond Green is an experienced forward who can score, rebound well and defend on the low block. He would be a solid role player on the Thunder as a rookie.