2012 NBA Mock Draft: Harrison Barnes and Players That Will Be Stars

The NBA is about to get a whole lot more interesting as some of the best talent in the nation take their skills to the next level. 

It's been a magical season with superb play all around, and that means an influx of remarkable young players will hit the professional ranks. 

Here is our latest mock draft in which we highlight the best and brightest from this latest cast. 

Of course, there are no certainties in life, but some of the players in the 2012 NBA Draft are as close to a sure thing as you can get. 

Standings are fluid. Order based on current standings and projected finish.

1. Charlotte Bobcats – Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky

STAR

There is one good thing about the Bobcats' awful season and that is locking up one of the best players we have seen in a few years. 

Davis is a big man that can carry a team with his length in the middle and ability to finish at the rim on offense. 

He plays like a small forward that can handle the rock with ease and will be a beast on defense as he changes shots or just plains sends them the other way. 

2. New Orleans Hornets – Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, Kentucky

Kidd-Gilchrist is had a brilliant tournament and is rocketing up draft boards. He has the star quality that is sorely lacking for the Hornets. 

3. Washington Wizards – Andre Drummond, C, UConn

I still have Drummond in the lottery and a top-five pick. You simply can't ignore size and the promise he has as a solid center at the next level. 

4.  Sacramento Kings – Harrison Barnes, SF, UNC

STAR

There is a ton to love about the forward who plays defense with passion and tenacity. The best part is that he is ready to play immediately. 

He will still need work on his ball handling and creating his own shot, but he can score from anywhere on the court and has great mind for the game.

Put simply, he is a lock-down defender that can score and that is a rarity the Kings would be mad to let slip by. 

5. Toronto Raptors – Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State

Size and athleticism will be question marks leading up to the draft, but there is no denying his versatile skill set. He is a forward that can stretch the floor with his perimeter game. 

6. Cleveland Cavaliers – Bradley Beal, SG, Florida

STAR

I am excited to see if he can duplicate his scoring ability at the next level. He comes in as a tweener that may be undersized for the 2, but I am ready to buy in that he is the next big thing.

He has the confidence to make an immediate impact for a team that continues to build out with youthful stars in the post-LeBron Jame era.  

7. New Orleans Hornets (via LAC from MIN) – Damian Lillard, PG, Weber St.

This pick gets better and better, but we have an issue. I love the Hornets to get a point guard with this pick, but it may be a reach nabbing Lillard here, although he has great prospects as a guard that can score. Kendall Marshall may be of more value later in the draft. 

8. Portland Trail Blazers (Via NJ) – Jeremy Lamb, SG, UConn

Lamb is taking a bit of a hit on draft boards, but I say that he is the quintessential shooting guard you want on an NBA team. He wants the ball in big situations and that fearless disposition will pay dividends.  

9. Utah Jazz (via GS from NJ) – Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas

STAR

It may not be the biggest need, but duty calls. Robinson would be the best player at this point and you can't pass up this kind of player. 

The more the tournament went on, the more confident I became that Robinson has the mental makeup to go along with his already stout NBA frame. 

He plays with a constant tenacity no matter the game. 

10. Portland Trail Blazers – Arnett Moultrie, PF, Mississippi State

The Blazers get a big man that may be on the raw side, but is still one of the most versatile players in the paint. Depth down low will no longer be an issue. 

11. Detroit Pistons – Tyler Zeller, C, UNC

He isn't going to be a perennial All-Star, but he will certainly be a hard working big that will continue to refine his game and fit in with what the team needs—perfect for the Pistons.

12. Phoenix Suns – Austin Rivers, SG, Duke

Not sure if this a reach, largely because his game never quite fit in with Duke's sensibilities. Sure, he needs consistency on his shot, but he is definitely a lottery gamble worth taking. 

13. Milwaukee Bucks – Perry Jones III, F, Baylor

His draft stock took a hit when he delivered inconsistent production down the stretch. The book on him is that he will sometimes get lost in the shuffle. I still don't see this big man with the total package of goods to slip any farther. 

14. Utah Jazz – Kendall Marshall, PG, UNC

There is hardly a better player in the draft at seeing the court and making the right plays. 

15. Houston Rockets (via NYK) – Terrence Jones, SF, Kentucky

STAR  

Jones is teetering on the lottery precipice and we say that he is a no-brainer pick here. 

He may need some consistency on his shot, but that will come with regular work at the next level. Once he puts some polish on his game, you will have a sleek forward that can hit from anywhere and passes extremely well. 

He continues to show a knack for rebounding and is as close to a full package at this point in the draft.

16. New Jersey Nets (via HOU) – Jeffery Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt 

He dedicates himself to grabbing the boards and doing the little things that matter. He showed marked improvement, which speaks volumes to his dedication. 

17. Denver Nuggets – Tony Wroten, G, Washington

He has great court vision and comes with a natural ability to score. Down the stretch, he proved himself to be a great leader for the Huskies as well. 

18. Philadelphia 76ers – Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois

It's a reach now, but there is always a heavy importance placed on quality big men at the draft and Leonard will show that he is one of the best. He moves extremely well considering his size. 

19. Memphis Grizzlies – John Jenkins, SG, Vanderbilt

There is hardly a better shooter in the draft, period. 

20. Atlanta Hawks – Tony Mitchell, F, North Texas

This may be a reach but his perimeter game is sparking the interest of scouts making him a versatile star that may very well sneak into the first round. 

21. Houston Rockets Via (Dallas Mavericks) – John Henson, PF, UNC

John Henson is a conundrum of a prospect. There is no questioning his drive or defense, both things making him a first round shoe-in. 

His inconsistencies on offense makes him tough to peg at this point in the process. 

22. Indiana Pacers – Moe Harkless, SF, St. John’s

He is raw, but he can be a beast to handle on the wings and is dedicated on defense. He would fit perfectly on the Pacers. 

23. Boston Celtics – Dion Waiters, SG, Syracuse

Waiters tends to force the issue on offense, which highlights the fact that he is still a work in progress. I like him on the Celtics where he will have time to mature. 

24. Boston Celtics (via LAC from OKC) – Fab Melo, C, Syracuse

The Celtics need a big man and Melo is the best available at this point. The downside is that he will need a couple seasons until we will know for sure whether his offensive game can match his defensive talents.   

25. Orlando Magic – Marquis Teague, PG, Kentucky

This just shows you how flooded with talent this draft will be. Teague needs some work on how he runs the offense and his decision-making skills, but there rest is golden. 

26. Cleveland Cavaliers (via LAL) – Mason Plumlee, PF, Duke

Mason Plumlee is big an athletic, now if we can just get him to show that in the form of consistent scoring.  

27. Golden State (via SA) – Doron Lamb, SG, Kentucky

With Monta Ellis gone, I am intrigued about Lamb landing with the Warriors. I am not about to say he is the second coming, but his confidence is off the charts and he can finish at the rim remarkably well. 

28. Miami Heat – Festus Ezeli, C, Vanderbilt

He can rebound and block shots, something that that the Heat are dying for. 

29. Oklahoma City Thunder – Draymond Green, F, Michigan State

He is a natural leader that will put everything he has into getting better and doing the same for his teammates. 

He will fit in beautifully with the Thunder. 

30. Chicago Bulls – Kevin Jones, PF, West Virginia

If you are going to take a shot in the dark at the end of the first round, you might as well go with a big man that can also score from distance. 

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