2012 NBA Mock Draft: 5 Players Ready to Contribute from Day 1

The 2012 NBA draft is stacked, and teams looking for immediate help are extremely lucky this year.

From surefire guys like Anthony Davis early in the lottery down to the late teens and early 20s, there are tons of prospects that should be able to step in and start playing critical roles for their new franchises from the outset.

Let’s take a look at them in the latest 2012 NBA mock draft. 

 

*Order Based on Projected Finish and Current Records

1. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis, Kentucky

The Bobcats will be getting an instant starter if they luck out in the lottery and land UK’s Davis.

He’s clearly a great collegiate player and his tenacious ability as a defender and finisher will make him just as good as a pro.

2. Washington Wizards: Harrison Barnes, North Carolina

Barnes has spent two years at UNC polishing his game and should elect to turn pro to continue working on it now that the Tar Heels are eliminated from the tournament.

He’d make an excellent option for John Wall to distribute the ball to in Washington and would help return this Wizards team to prominence. 

3. New Orleans Hornets: Thomas Robinson, Kansas

Robinson’s numbers as a junior are incredible and it’s clear he is ready to jump to the NBA. The Hornets would be getting a proven winner here.

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

Drummond has yet to figure out how to harness his immense athleticism and size, but his upside is too much for the Trail Blazers to pass up on after cutting Greg Oden and trading Marcus Camby.

5. Toronto Raptors: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Kentucky 

MKG’s offensive game is still relatively raw, but he’s going to be a lockdown defender at any level because of his size, strength and hustle.

The Raptors would be getting an incredibly talented SF capable of shutting down opposing wings and someone who may eventually become an elite scorer too.

6. Sacramento Kings: Jared Sullinger, Ohio State

Sullinger is the most NBA-ready prospect in the class, and now that Ohio State is in the Final Four, he’s a proven winner as well—a perfect fit for the Kings.

7. Detroit Pistons: John Henson, North Carolina

Henson’s length and athleticism will bolster the Pistons' backcourt and help add size to a team that is on the cusp of being competitive again.

8. Cleveland Cavaliers: Jeremy Lamb, Connecticut

Scouts may be skeptical of his heart and inability to lead a talented UConn team to a great record or tournament performance, but his skill is undeniable and he should not fall past the Cavs at No. 8.

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

Beal can simply shoot the lights out, and he would give the Jazz a talented rotation at the 2-guard position when paired with last year’s lottery pick, Alec Burks.

10. Milwaukee Bucks: James McAdoo, North Carolina

McAdoo vaulted himself into the lottery, if he elects to turn pro, because of his upside and size as well as his play when John Henson was out with an injury.

11. Portland Trail Blazers: Damian Lillard, Weber State

Lillard is an extremely talented point guard that would mesh with a Portland squad that needs to replace the ineffective Raymond Felton.

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

Zeller would make a great backup to Chris Kaman in New Orleans, if he elects to stay, and could eventually be groomed to start.

13. Utah Jazz: Quincy Miller, Baylor

Miller has a chance to become an elite scorer in this league, and the Jazz would love to have an athletic talent like him on the wing.

14. Phoenix Suns: Kendall Marshall, North Carolina

Steve Nash is likely to leave in the offseason to sign with a contender, but even if he stays this pick makes too much sense.

Marshall is the leading assist man in all of college and could immediately help run the Suns’ offense off the bench or as a starter.

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

Houston could always use more size after losing Yao Ming to retirement and failing to land Pau Gasol via trade. Leonard is a good pick to fill that need.

16. New Jersey Nets (via Houston): Perry Jones, Baylor

PJIII is an interesting prospect because he has yet to fully grasp his incredible natural talents. If he is someday able to, he’s a steal at No. 16.

17. Boston Celtics: Austin Rivers, Duke

The Duke star SG announced he would turn pro and it would be a great fit and also a great story if he were to join the C’s.

He is the son of coach Doc Rivers and fills a need at the 2-guard, especially if Ray Allen elects to move on from Boston.

18. Denver Nuggets: Terrence Ross, Washington

Ross is a solid swingman who is both an athlete and shooter; he just needs to polish his game to become a real force.

19. Atlanta Hawks: Moe Harkless, St. Johns

Harkless has been skyrocketing up the draft boards of many scouts and his potential is really what people like about him.

He could someday become a star, and Atlanta could gamble on someone with this kind of upside.

20. Philadelphia 76ers: Terrence Jones, Kentucky

If Jones were more consistent he would be a lottery pick. He’s a steal for Philly if he eventually figures out how to bring it on a regular basis.

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

The Vandy star can jump out of the gym and has an improving jumper to boot. He projects to be a solid role player, and Houston can’t seem to get enough of those types.

22. Indiana Pacers: Dion Waiters, Syracuse

Waiters can slash to the rim with the best of them and could be an explosive option off the bench for the Pacers.

23. Memphis Grizzlies: Tony Wroten, Washington

Wroten has insane upside and could become a star PG in this league if he pans out. Worse case scenario is he becomes a solid backup to Mike Conley Jr. in Memphis.

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

The Celtics desperately need size, as evidenced by how this season has gone and the fact that Kevin Garnett’s contract is up this summer.

Moultrie has a ton of value here and will be a contributor early on.

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

Leslie has the athleticism to play both forward positions even though he is just 6’8”. He’s not going to convince Dwight Howard to stick around past the 2012-13 season, but he’s definitely going to complement the team and fill some needs.  

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

Mitchell has the upside of a Top-10 pick and the Cavaliers would love to take a gamble on that this late in the draft. He could become the elite SF the team has lacked since LeBron James left town.

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

Green had a monster 2012 NCAA Tournament run and proved himself worthy of a first-round pick as a winner and character guy alone who will do anything to get his team a W.

28. Miami Heat: Andrew Nicholson, St. Bonaventure

The Bonnies' PF would be an ideal backup for Chris Bosh because of his excellent mid-range jumper and NBA-ready game.

29. Oklahoma City Thunder: Festus Ezeli, Vanderbilt

Ezeli has the potential to become another young, capable player on a team loaded with them like the Thunder.

30. Chicago Bulls: Kris Joseph, Syracuse

The leading scorer for the Orange projects to be a solid backup in the NBA.