NBA Mock Draft: How Austin Rivers Reshapes the First Round

The declaration of Duke freshman Austin Rivers to enter the 2012 NBA draft after only one season as a Blue Devil continues to add talent to what promises to be a very deep draft.

Rivers has a ton of talent and should become a very good NBA scorer, but right now he sits behind shooting guards Jeremy Lamb from Connecticut and Bradley Beal of Florida on most big boards.

He's an interesting prospect, whom some have rated as high as the top five and some have rated closer to 30. Rivers falls right in between that number on our big board.

Let's take a look at how his inclusion shapes up the latest mock draft.

As usual, the Charlotte Bobcats are on the clock.

1. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis, Kentucky

Davis should instantly help change the mentality in Charlotte, at least on the defensive end of the floor, where his rebounding and shot-blocking abilities should make an immediate impact for the Bobcats, who are currently 28th in the NBA in allowing 100.7 points per game.

2. Washington Wizards: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Kentucky

Kidd-Gilchrist is another great athlete coming out of Kentucky and is a high-character guy to pair with former Wildcat John Wall.

He can do it all. MKG is a scorer, rebounder, defender, etc. Most notably, he's a winner, and Washington needs guys like that.

3. New Orleans Hornets: Thomas Robinson, Kansas

Robinson stands 6'10" and is an NBA-ready power forward. He's strong enough to bang with you on the block, but he's athletic enough to play way above the rim. His work ethic is tremendous, and his motor is always running.

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

Portland passes on Harrison Barnes this time, not giving into temptation, and drafts for need.

Drummond has the potential to become a superstar. He's long and a great athlete and should be a solid defender and rebounder, but he also has a good back-to-the-basket game.

5. Toronto Raptors: Harrison Barnes, North Carolina

Toronto gets their wing player they really need with Barnes. His stock has dropped a bit with a lackluster tournament performance, but he's still got a ton of talent and could add some scoring punch to a team that's only averaged 91.2 PPG (27th in NBA) during the season.

6. Sacramento Kings: Jared Sullinger, Ohio State

Sullinger answered the bell on whether or not he could play against top competition and has the Buckeyes in the Final Four. He's got a nice offensive game. Sullinger's strong on the block and has a very nice touch around the rim.

7. Detroit Pistons: John Henson, North Carolina

A bit of a reach here for the Pistons, but Henson is exactly the type of player the Pistons need—a high-energy forward who would slide in nicely next to Greg Monroe. He's a good shot-blocker and rebounder and runs the floor very well.

8. Cleveland Cavaliers: Bradley Beal, Florida

For the first time this season, Beal has leapfrogged Lamb and is the top 2-guard on the board after an NCAA tournament that saw him average 15.8 PPG and 8.3 RPG. He not only gives Cleveland much-needed shooting, but he's the best rebounding guard in the draft.

9. Utah Jazz (via Golden State): Jeremy Lamb, Connecticut

Utah could use production from the 2-guard spot, and Lamb is going to be a very good NBA scorer who has the potential to be a team's No. 1 scoring option for years.

10. Milwaukee Bucks: Tyler Zeller, North Carolina

The older Zeller is a solid pick for the Bucks. Zeller's stock is up after a solid tournament in which he averaged 15.0 PPG and 12.3 RPG. He's a good athlete with great leaping skills and could turn into a franchise-type post player in Milwaukee.

11. Portland Trail Blazers: Damian Lillard, Weber State

Portland has a lot of holes to fill and filled one of them with Drummond—the other gets filled with the point guard of the future in Lillard. He's exciting and explosive, and Portland could come out with a very nice draft. 

12. New Orleans Hornets (via Minnesota): Cody Zeller, Indiana

Already adding Robinson, the Hornets also nab the younger Zeller here and nab their frontcourt for the future all in one draft.

13. Phoenix Suns: Austin Rivers, Duke

Solid 2-guard who can shoot it as well as get to the rim. He's got a scorer's mentality and has the ability to become a team's No. 1 scoring option. Rivers is a good pick here for the Suns. If they re-sign Steve Nash, Rivers should have a field day playing with the two-time MVP.

He's got nice size at 6'4" and is a better-than-average athlete with better-than-average explosiveness. He's got a great first step, which helps him get to the rim pretty easily.

As a shooter, he's got NBA range and a very nice stroke. He can shoot the three off the dribble as well as come off screens, which could make him deadly in the NBA. Plus he has no fear and doesn't shy away from the moment, which should make him very attractive to NBA scouts.

He probably could use another year at Duke, though. He's not great at playing without the ball and needs to work on playing with his teammates better, but overall the talent is there, and Rivers has the chance to turn into an outstanding pro.

14. Denver Nuggets: Arnett Moultrie, Mississippi State

Moultrie should fit in nicely with Denver's fast-paced attack. He runs the floor like a guard but is strong enough to play the 4 or the 5. He's a very explosive leaper and can score from the inside or outside.

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

Leonard is a true seven-footer with a long wingspan and an evolving offensive game. He's got nice footwork already and is both strong enough to battle in the post and quick enough to get by slower defenders.

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

Jones has the ability to be a top-five pick, but his inconsistent play has had him sliding down the board. At No.16, you have to take the risk and hope the talent comes out on a consistent basis.

17. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Utah): Terrence Ross, Washington

By Utah making a run and being in the playoff picture, the Wolves could land a first-round pick and get the shooter they need in Ross. Add a consistent perimeter option to the Wolves' current cast, and they could be very tough. It's a good situation for Ross to land in.

18. Boston Celtics: Terrence Jones, Kentucky

The Celtics could use a solid big man here, but with the top big guys already off the board, they can't go wrong with grabbing a player like Jones.

He's loaded with talent and can score at all three levels. He's especially good scoring and rebounding in traffic and could be a replacement for Paul Pierce down the road.

19. Memphis Grizzlies: Dion Waiters, Syracuse

Waiters' stock will keep rising after a very good tournament. He's a solid combo-guard who can give Memphis some additional scoring punch. With a solid core already in place, adding a guy like Waiters, who can contribute immediately, helps the Grizzlies continue on the right path

20. Houston Rockets (via Dallas): Tony Wroten, Washington

Already landing a solid big man, the Rockets get some backcourt depth with Wroten. Primarily a point guard, he's likely a combo-guard in the NBA with the ability to score, defend, rebound and pass the ball. 

21. Boston Celtics (via Los Angeles Clippers): John Jenkins, Vanderbilt

This is a need pick, as the Celtics get a replacement for Ray Allen, and they can't go wrong with Jenkins, who can flat-out shoot the basketball. He's the best shooter in the college game and has unlimited range with a smooth-looking, effortless stroke and a lightning-quick release.

22. Philadelphia 76ers: Moe Harkless, St. John's

The Sixers can't go wrong by going with the potential of Harkless. He's an explosive scorer and a very good rebounder. He's got the chance to be real good.

23. Indiana Pacers: Kendall Marshall, North Carolina

There are some questions about his offensive ability and his commitment to the defensive end of the floor, but there's no doubting Marshall's a true floor general with a high basketball IQ who can transform a team.

He's got that ability to make everyone else on the floor better and excels in both transition and the half-court game.

24. Atlanta Hawks: Draymond Green, Michigan State

The Hawks need better production from the 3, and Green does almost everything on the court very well.

25. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Los Angeles Lakers): Jeffrey Taylor, Vanderbilt

Solid wing player with the ability to become an outstanding perimeter defender who has a developing offensive game.

26. Orlando Magic: Royce White, Iowa State

Has the ability and the strength to play either the 3 or 4, but handles the ball and runs the floor like a point guard. White plays with a lot of heart and battles all the time. He could be a nice fit and grow into major minutes in Orlando.

27. Golden State Warriors (via San Antonio): Kris Joseph, Syracuse

Joseph is a great athlete who can jump out of the gym and should help the Warriors. They need production at the 3, and Jospeh's scoring should increase at the NBA level. he's an active player who's always in the right spots and a solid player at both ends of the floor.

28. Miami Heat: Festus Ezeli, Vanderbilt

He could turn into a great pick this late. He's got shot-blocking and rebounding skills and his offense is a work in progress, but you can't have enough big bodies with talent. 

29. Oklahoma City Thunder: Andrew Nicholson, St. Bonaventure

Solid rebounder and scorer who has a bright NBA future and would serve as a nice depth piece in OKC right off the bat.

30. Chicago Bulls: Alex Young, IUPUI

Solid scorer who could eventually turn himself into a second option behind Derrick Rose in the Bulls offense, which could turn into a huge need in the future in Chicago.

Young does a lot of things very well, but he has a knack for putting the ball in the basket.