2012 NBA Mock Draft: Latest Analysis of Expected Lottery Selections

The 2012 NBA Draft class may be the most stacked we’ve seen in years. There are so many young men worthy of going in the lottery and many that should have gone there in any other year will fall out of the Top-14.

Here’s a look at our most recent mock as the NCAA Tournament is in full swing and guys are still trying to make a name for themselves in big moments.

1. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis, Kentucky

It would be foolish for the Bobcats not to select this beast with the No. 1 overall pick, if they luck out with the Ping-Pong balls during the lottery.

He’s without question the top prospect in the stacked 2012 class and will be a perennial All-Star in the NBA.

2. Washington Wizards: Harrison Barnes, North Carolina

Barnes is a born scorer who would make an excellent sidekick for John Wall. He’s absolutely killing it for UNC and that talent will translate to the next level.

3. New Orleans Hornets: Thomas Robinson, Kansas

Robinson is a solid guy who scouts expect to immediately make an impact. He’s a much safer pick for the league-owned Hornets than this next guy.

4. Portland Trail Blazers (via New Jersey): Andre Drummond, Connecticut

Since the Blazers shipped away Marcus Camby and cut Greg Oden, they’ll need to gamble on a high-upside big man in Drummond.

5. Toronto Raptors: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Kentucky

It’s rare that a college freshman cares about defense as much as MKG does. He gives it his all every possession and could be the star the Raptors have been looking for since Chris Bosh left.

6. Sacramento Kings: Jared Sullinger, Ohio State

Sullinger is perhaps the most NBA-ready player in the draft, and would immediately make an impact on a young Kings team.

7. Detroit Pistons: John Henson, North Carolina

Henson is a lengthy 6’10”, 210-pound PF that would help add size to an up-and-coming Detroit frontline.

8. Cleveland Cavaliers: Jeremy Lamb, Connecticut

Lamb’s poor NCAA tournament showing may have hurt him in some scouts eyes, but his incredible talent is too much for the Cavs to pass up, and they will be rewarded by pairing him up with Kyrie Irving.

9. Utah Jazz (via Golden State): Brad Beal, Florida

Beal is an elite shooter and extremely strong. Any team could use a player like this and the Jazz will not let him slip past No. 9, even if they drafted a SG in the lottery in 2011.

10. Milwaukee Bucks: James McAdoo, North Carolina

McAdoo had a chance to prove himself when John Henson went down with an injury and did exactly that.

His performances coupled with his upside make him a lottery talent if he declares.

11. Portland Trail Blazers: Damian Lillard, Weber State

Lillard should quickly become a contributor at the PG position if the Blazers draft him.

Raymond Felton is clearly not the answer and is on his way out, meaning a young stud like Lillard has a chance to make an immediate impact.

12. New Orleans Hornets (via Minnesota): Tyler Zeller, North Carolina

By adding Robinson earlier in the draft, New Orleans can get even bigger by going with a center like Zeller here.

13. Utah Jazz: Kendall Marshall, North Carolina

Marshall is the best pass-first PG in the nation and becomes a young, promising player at the position for a team loaded with upcoming stars at other spots.

14. Phoenix Suns: Austin Rivers, Duke

The Suns need a PG if Nash leaves, but Marshall and Lillard are off the board here and there is no one worth taking at No. 14.

Rivers is the best available player and has a promising future.

15. Houston Rockets (via New York): Meyers Leonard, Illinois

Leonard will be another big body on a Houston frontline that could sorely use some productive minutes.

16 New Jersey Nets (via Houston): Quincy Miller, Baylor

Miller is a rangy SF who is still recovering from a high school ACL tear. Regardless, if he declares, it’s best to snatch him here than watch him go in the top-ten next season.

17. Boston Celtics: Perry Jones, Baylor

This is a huge fall for PJIII and the size-starved Celtics will eagerly snatch up this young man and his incredible potential.

18. Denver Nuggets: Terrence Ross, Washington

Ross is a solid shooter, and will help space the floor for a Nuggets team that loves to do just that.

19. Atlanta Hawks: Moe Harkless, St. Johns

Harkless is worth a gamble here for the Hawks, who need to add another potential star to ever have a chance of making the Finals out of the East.

20. Philadelphia 76ers: Terrence Jones, Kentucky

Jones has the potential to be a lottery pick, but often has lapses during games. If he can ever put it all together, he’s a steal at No. 20.

21. Houston Rockets (via Dallas): Jeffrey Taylor, Vanderbilt

Taylor is an insane athlete who is continually working on his jumper to round out his offense.

He’ll be able to play defense at the next level too, with his 6’7”, 225-pound frame.

22. Indiana Pacers: Dion Waiters, Syracuse

The Orange SG has an explosive game, and his willingness to get into the paint and slash to the hoop will help out the Pacers when he comes off the pine.

23. Memphis Grizzlies: Tony Wroten, Washington

This unheralded PG would make a great backup to Mike Conley and potentially even surpass him as a starter because of his upside.

24. Boston Celtics (via Los Angeles Clippers): Arnett Moultrie, Mississippi State 

Some mocks have Moultrie as a lottery pick, but it simply took him too long to become a solid college player and his development isn’t guaranteed.

Regardless, the Celtics will snatch up size.

25. Orlando Magic: C.J. Leslie, NC State

Leslie can play both small and power forward, and his versatility will help a good Orlando team that needs to make a deep playoff run to force Dwight Howard to consider staying in town.

26. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Los Angeles Lakers): Tony Mitchell, North Texas 

He’s been called a poor man’s Kevin Durant and that isn’t such a bad thing for the No. 26 pick in the draft.

Mitchell can score with the best of them, although playing at North Texas hurts him a bit and scouts will be skeptical.

27. Golden State Warriors (via San Antonio): Draymond Green, Michigan State

Green is killing it in the NCAA Tournament and doing all the little things to help his team win.

Golden State would be getting a proven talent late with this pick.

28. Miami Heat: Andrew Nicholson, St. Bonaventure

The 22-year-old Bonnies PF is a bit undersized at 6’9”, 222-pounds, but he has a mid-range game and keeps improving every year.

29. Oklahoma City Thunder: Festus Ezeli, Vanderbilt

Ezeli is a big man that can be sent to the D-League to develop for the Thunder.

30. Chicago Bulls: Kris Joseph, Syracuse

Chicago may elect to go with a foreigner here they can stash in Europe, rather than a senior forward, but Joseph is a solid talent.