2012 NBA Mock Draft: Best Possible Pick for Every First-Round Team

As the NCAA tournament prepares to wind down, more and more attention is going to be paid to the upcoming 2012 NBA draft in June.

This promises to be a deep draft loaded with talent. Teams high up in the lottery should find instant help, but players available in the mid-to-late first round cannot be overlooked. 

With that being said, let's take a look at our latest mock draft and the best possible first-round pick for each team.

The Charlotte Bobcats are on the clock.

1. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis, Kentucky

The Bobcats can't go wrong with the best player on the board. Davis is a franchise-changing type of player, especially at the defensive end of the floor.

Paired with last year's first-round pick, Bismack Biyombo, he will help the Bobcats suddenly become very difficult to score on in the paint.

2. Washington Wizards: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Kentucky

Kidd-Gilchrist is almost the perfect pick for Washington, a team that needs toughness and leadership in a big way.

He's not only a gifted offensive threat, but willing to dedicate himself to becoming an outstanding defensive player as well.

3. New Orleans Hornets: Thomas Robinson, Kansas

If the Hornets elect to go with a player who's NBA-ready right now, it will be hard to pass on Robinson.

He's a double-double machine who brings toughness, physicality, energy and athleticism. More importantly, Robinson's a winner, taking a mediocre Kansas team and leading them into the Final Four.

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

Drummond had a disappointing 2012 season, but he's got enormous upside. He's got an NBA-type body and should be a good rebounder and shot-blocker. He's also got a decent back-to-the basket game.

It's hard to pass on his potential here.

5. Toronto Raptors: Harrison Barnes, North Carolina

Barnes may see his stock drop some after a disappointing tournament, but the Raptors have had a need for a productive small forward for a very long time now, making Barnes their best option. 

Despite the rough tournament, he's a great all-around player with the potential of become a team's No. 1 scorer down the road.

6. Sacramento Kings: Jared Sullinger, Ohio State

Sullinger needs to finish strong to keep his stock where it's at, but he fills a huge need for the Kings.

A physical player on the block is a must, and if he's paired with DeMarcus Cousins, the Kings suddenly become talented down low.

7. Cleveland Cavaliers: Bradley Beal, Florida

The Cavaliers need athletes and outside shooters, and Beal fits both of those roles. What's more, he is a complete off-guard who can rebounding and play defense in addition to his scoring. 

8. Detroit Pistons: Cody Zeller, Indiana

Zeller has quickness, toughness and a pretty polished overall game for a freshman. He's a good grab for Detroit if he decides to declare, as the Pistons desperately need size and athleticism in their frontcourt. Pairing him with Greg Monroe makes them better instantly.

9. Utah Jazz (via Golden State Warriors): Damian Lillard, Weber State

Utah has the choice of going point guard or shooting guard here, but the point guard need is the most flaring and this draft isn't loaded with them.

Lillard's probably the best of the group, and realistically, he can play both positions because he's an explosive scorer. He does a lot on the court and Utah can't go wrong taking him here.

10. Milwaukee Bucks: Tyler Zeller, North Carolina

His stock is up after a very good tournament. Zeller runs the floor like a guard and he has excellent leaping skills. He may not turn into a star, but he has the talent to be a double-double guy for years.

11. Portland Trail Blazers: Jeremy Lamb, Connecticut

Already landing the big guy they really need in Drummond, the Blazers turn to his college teammate in Lamb.

He's a versatile swingman and has the athleticism to excel at both ends. He's going to be a solid NBA scorer that has the ability to both get to the rim and use his solid mid-range game as a weapon.

12. New Orleans Hornets (via Minnesota Timberwolves): Kendall Marshall, North Carolina

Already landing Robinson, the Hornets can nab their point guard of the future by taking Marshall. It may be a bit high for Marshall, given his limited ability to score and the fact that he's just an average defender, but he's a true floor general.

He's got a high basketball IQ and is the type of point guard that makes everyone around him better, a trait made especially evident by looking at how badly his Tar Heels struggled without him in the lineup last weekend.

13. Phoenix Suns: Perry Jones III, Baylor

Jones has the best skill set of anyone in the draft. If he had put things together while at Baylor, he could have had the potential to be a No. 1 overall pick.

It's a risk here for the Suns, but he's way too talented to pass on, especially if they have Steve Nash back in the fold next season to be a leader.

14. Denver Nuggets: Terrence Jones, Kentucky

Jones fits in perfectly with the Nuggets. He's a versatile forward that can play either position, and he can shoot the ball from anywhere. He can score at all three levels and runs the floor very well, so he would have no problem fitting in with Denver's up-tempo attack.

15. Houston Rockets (via New York Knicks): John Henson, North Carolina

Henson falling to the Rockets is a gift. They need a solid big guy on the block and he brings production at both ends of the floor.

Defensively, he has great court coverage and will be an outstanding shot-blocker and rebounder. Offensively, he runs the floor great and has a decent mid-range game for a big man. His post game may need some work, but getting to work with Kevin McHale every day could make him a star.

16. New Jersey Nets (via Houston Rockets): Arnett Moultrie, Mississippi State

The Nets are probably going to be in another rebuilding mode, so taking Moultrie makes sense. He's long and very athletic and has the tools to become a star.

He can score on the block as well as the perimeter, and should become a solid rebounder as well. He may take some time to develop, but he could become a star and New Jersey has the time to be patient with him.

17. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Utah Jazz): Austin Rivers, Duke

The Wolves get the shooter they covet in Rivers only one pick before his father would almost certainly make a case for Danny Ainge to draft him.

With everything that's going good in Minnesota this year, the team could use some production from the two-guard spot. That's something Rivers certainly can bring. He's a good shooter with a quick first step and a creative finisher around the rim.

He's got some growing to do as a player, but he's instant help for the Timberwolves.

18. Boston Celtics: James McAdoo, North Carolina

It's not known what McAdoo intends to do yet, but his stock is soaring after a breakout game against Kansas. He's super-athletic, versatile and has enormous upside. With the top big guys already off the board at this point, McAdoo's a pretty safe pick here given Boston's needs.

19. Atlanta Hawks: Dion Waiters, Syracuse

The Hawks may have some other needs, but it's hard to ignore the ability of Waiters to not only get to the basket with ease, but also score effectively in transition.

The Hawks would probably like a true point guard if selecting a guard, but the athleticism and talent of Waiters are hard to pass on.

20. Philadelphia 76ers: Terrence Ross, Washington

The Sixers don't have much other than Jodie Meeks in terms of consistent three-point shooting, so Ross is a great fit in Philadelphia. Not only does he upgrade their perimeter attack, but he's skilled at putting the ball on the deck and getting into the paint as well.

21. Memphis Grizzlies: Tony Wroten, Washington

Wroten will turn into a steal for Memphis here. If he returns to school for another season, he could be a top-five pick next season. That's how talented he is.

He's a gifted scorer who also makes an impact finding teammates, rebounding and on the defensive end of the floor. Ultimately, he will turn out to be the best point guard in this class.

22. Indiana Pacers: Andrew Nicholson, St. Bonaventure

He's gotten better every season and brings athleticism and toughness along with him. The Pacers love their tough forwards and Nicholson could be a good fit here, especially given Jeff Foster's mid-season retirement.

23. Houston Rockets (via Dallas Mavericks): Doron Lamb, Kentucky

The Rockets already grabbed a big man in Henson, and now they look to add scoring punch in Lamb. He's assassin-like when he's on a roll and will give Houston solid production at both ends of the floor. With Kevin Martin entering the last year of his contract next season, looking to the future makes sense this late.

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

Jenkins is a no-brainer here. He's the best shooter in the collegiate game and the Celtics will have a need for one given that Ray Allen is probably going to walk. He's lights out from the perimeter with unlimited range and a lightning-quick release.

25. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Los Angeles Lakers): Moe Harkless: St. Johns

As mentioned before with their first pick, the Cavaliers need shooters and athletes, and Harkless this late is a steal. He's a gifted scorer and defender and has a tremendous amount of upside.

26. Orlando Magic: Meyers Leonard, Illinois

While it may not be next season, the Magic may have to start preparing for the day that Dwight Howard isn't around.

Leonard surprisingly fell this week after being around the top 10 for most prior mocks. It's a good fit as any considering the Magic have a need for a backup center and possibly a center of the future.

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

The Warriors have a need here, and getting Green to fill the small forward spot is a gift. His stock is high after a great season and spectacular NCAA tournament run.

He's the type of player that does everything well at both ends of the floor, which is the type of player that Mark Jackson wants in Golden State—experienced and ready to go.

28. Miami Heat: Festus Ezeli, Vanderbilt

Solid pick here for the Heat as Ezeli is a big body that can step in and improve the team's interior defense right away. His offensive game is still developing, but the Heat have time to wait on that to come.

29. Oklahoma City Thunder: Jeffrey Taylor, Vanderbilt

Taylor is an elite athlete who can rise way above the rim, and his perimeter shot has improved greatly this season. He's also a very good perimeter defender who will fit in very nicely with all of the talent currently in Oklahoma City.

30. Chicago Bulls: Royce White, Iowa State

To get a guy like White with the final pick of the first round is a steal for the Bulls. There are questions about some off-court issues and an anxiety disorder that includes the fear of flying, but talent-wise, White may have as much as anyone in the draft.