2012 NBA Mock Draft: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Players That Will Shine

The 2012 NBA draft is flooded with future stars.

I haven’t seen this sort of influx of talent since the legendary 2003 class headlined by LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and Dwyane Wade.

This is great news for teams drafting in the 10-to-20 range, as they will be getting players that typically would be in the top 10 most seasons.

In the latest mock draft, let’s look at players who’ll be looking at multiple appearances in the All-Star game sooner or later in their NBA career.

(Future All-Stars are highlighted in italics.)

1. Charlotte Bobcats - Anthony Davis, PF - Kentucky

Is Davis the next Tim Duncan?

No, he has better range on his jump shot.

Davis is a can’t-miss prospect that is a point guard trapped in a 6’10" frame. His late growth spurt allowed him to have the mentality of a guard while towering over the competition. His instincts on the defensive end of the floor are absolutely incredible. He led the country in blocks at over 4.5 per game and misdirected countless others as well.

I’d be shocked if he didn’t make at least five trips to the midseason classic.

2. New Orleans Hornets - Andre Drummond, PF/C - UConn

He may have finished his collegiate career with a two-point disappointment, but there is no doubt he is a superb athlete and tremendous shot-blocker. Having a 7’0" wingspan certainly helps.

But I have a problem with his energy level at times, and love of the game. Does he want to be great?

3. Washington Wizards - Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF - Kentucky

The Wiz need a selfless talent that is OK with teammates hoisting up bad shot after bad shot. Kidd-Gilchrist has made some major sacrifices this season at UK and it’s one of the biggest reasons the Wildcats are the best team in the country.

He plays relentless defense because he has ultra-quick feet and a real passion to be great. He is the sort of natural-born leader that John Wall is not.

This would be a perfect fit.

4. Toronto Raptors - Thomas Robinson, PF - Kansas

Robinson’s stock has been steadily rising all season long, but I’m not sure the All-American is an All-Star at the next level. At 6’9" he is going to enter the league undersized and without a ton of range on his jumper.

He’s going to be good, but certainly not great.

5. Cleveland Cavaliers - Bradley Beal, SG - Florida

The 6’4" gunner displays great mechanics on his shot and has impeccable fundamentals overall. The Cavs already have their point guard and power forward of the future, now it’s time to fill the other holes in a roster that still has plenty of them.

6. Sacramento Kings - Harrison Barnes, SF - North Carolina

Barnes had a bumpy tournament, but once he begins the pre-draft process where his measurements and athleticism are on full display, he’ll rise back up to the top six.

He has an outstanding handle for being 6’8" and three-point range as well. He has proven to be a clutch player that is relatively ego free and willing to do what it takes to win.

He was the No. 1 prospect in his class two years ago, and I’m certainly not giving up on him just yet.

7. Portland Trail Blazers (from New Jersey) - Jeremy Lamb, SG - UConn

At 6’5", with the shooting abilities of Lamb, this guy can easily become the next Brandon Roy.

He has sound athleticism and great explosiveness, all that’s missing is a bit more bulk. He is still raw, but there is little doubt this guy has the ability to average 20 points a game for a team like Portland.

8. Detroit Pistons - Jared Sullinger, PF - Ohio State

Sully, like Robinson, is not going to see the sort of success in the pros that he had in college (assuming he declares). At 6’9", unless he magically grows another inch or two he’ll be a solid starter, but not an All-Star.

9. Utah Jazz (from Golden State) - Arnett Moultrie, PF - Mississippi State

The Jazz are an impossible team to project right now, but grabbing a strong rebounder that is extremely versatile and unusually quick for a big man certainly isn’t a bad idea.

10. Milwaukee Bucks - Kendall Marshall, PG - North Carolina

The Bucks are in desperate need of a true point guard and will likely trade Brandon Jennings in the offseason. Marshall is a terrific table-setter that has an outstanding handle and is extremely intelligent.

He is ready to play now and would be just the player Milwaukee needs to jump start an offense that has been one of the worst units in the league for the last three seasons now.  

11. New Orleans (from Minnesota) - Meyers Leonard, C - Illinois

Leonard is a great rebounder that at 7’0" tall can average 10 a game right off the bat. His limited offensive skills make him more of a specialist though.

12. Portland Trail Blazers - Perry Jones III, PF - Baylor

Sorry, Joel Przybilla, the Blazers have to bolster their front line in a huge way. Jones III’s stock plummeted this season, but he still holds plenty of potential to become elite. It’s certainly a gamble though.  

13. Phoenix Suns - Dion Waiters, SG - Syracuse

Waiters may have come off the bench for a loaded Syracuse squad, but he is more than capable of suiting up for multiple NBA All-Star games.

At 6’4", he has the ball-handling skills to run an offense, but is better off as a slasher that can come off screens. He has outstanding agility and is able to run the floor with top-notch speed.  

Waiters has fantastic athleticism and is going to be a load to stop in transition. He is Big East battle tested and would thrive for a team like Phoenix that needs a scorer desperately.  

14. Utah Jazz - Austin Rivers, SG - Duke

You know the draft is loaded when the top freshman entering last season, who had an above-average freshman season, is pushed all the way back to outside of the lottery.

15. Houston Rockets (from New York) - Damian Lillard, PG - Weber State

With Goran Dragic likely to cash-in elsewhere in free agency, drafting a point guard is going to be essential.

16. New Jersey Nets (from Houston Rockets) - Tyler Zeller, C - North Carolina

Zeller is a high-energy guy that makes up for his lack of quickness with a very workman-like approach in the paint that nets him a ton of rebounds.

The Nets aren’t landing Dwight Howard, so might as well go with a center in the draft.

17. Denver Nuggets - Moe Harkless, SF - St. John’s

The Nuggets are stuck in no man’s land with these late first-round picks; they need a star and should trade this pick in a package to get one.

18. Philadelphia 76ers - John Henson, PF - North Carolina

Henson is a traditional back-the-basket scorer that stands at 6’10" with a 7’4" wingspan. His elongated arms are going to make him a very active defender in the paint and passing lane, and it will help his offensive game as well.

He runs like a gazelle on the floor and is deadly for a big man on the fast break.

Henson doesn’t have much range, but makes up for it with his tireless effort on the offensive glass (3.2 this year) and a bevy of low-post moves highlighted by a fabulous spin near the baseline.

19. Memphis Grizzles - Mason Plumlee, PF - Duke

Plumlee is a sound backup that can help relieve Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph when they’re resting/nursing an injury. His ceiling is very limited though because of his lack of versatility and athleticism.

20. Houston Rockets (from Dallas) - Royce White, SF/PF - Iowa State

The past month has vaulted White to first-round status and landing with the Rockets could net him a decent amount of playing time right off the bat.

21. Atlanta Hawks - Terrence Jones, SF - Kentucky

The 6’9" versatile forward is overshadowed by some of his teammates, but there is no doubt he is a premier prospect.

He can dribble the ball with ease, create his own shot off the dribble and shoot the ball at a high percentage. He has been a 49 percent shooter in his career with an outstanding pump fake that will translate to the next level. Jones has been forced to be more of a post player because of the ridiculous Kentucky backcourt, but there is little doubt he can become an All-Star on the wing.

If anything, the past year has forced Jones to have a more versatile offensive attack that will only help him at the next level.

22. Boston Celtics - Terrence Ross, SG - Washington

Ross is a proven scorer that can excel playing alongside Rajon Rondo.

He has a silky-smooth jumper with a quick release and killer first step. His bulk at 6’7" certainly helps as well.

23. Boston Celtics (from LA Clippers) - Andrew Micholson, PF - St. Bonaventure

Kevin Garnett is likely on his way out the door and shoring up the depth upfront is essential for Boston in the 2012 draft. Micholson is a dominate rebounder that can fit into the defense-first mentality of the Celtics rather quickly.

24. Indiana Pacers - Marcus Teague, PG - Kentucky

The Pacers are a solid point guard away from being a serious title contender. Teague is the best available at No. 24.

25. Orlando Magic - Jeffery Taylor, SF - Vanderbilt

With the cap restrictions the Magic are facing, securing the most-NBA ready player is the way to go with such a late pick.  

26. Cleveland Cavaliers (from LA Lakers) - Tony Wroten, SG - Washington

He was madly inconsistent his freshman year of college, but possesses the explosiveness to eventually become a premier playmaker off the bench.

27. Golden State (from San Antonio Spurs) - Fab Melo, C - Syracuse

Gotta go defense here and Melo is just what the doctor ordered.

28. Miami Heat - Doron Lamb, SG - Kentucky

It appears as if the Heat still aren’t sold on Mario Chalmers and drafting Lamb would make for a very strong competition between the two. Sorry, Norris Cole.

29. Oklahoma City Thunder - Draymond Green, SG - Michigan State

The All-American had an incredible career with the Spartans and can be a strong contributor with a championship-caliber team right off the bat.

This would be a perfect fit.

30. Chicago Bulls - John Jenkins, SG - Vanderbilt

Adding depth at shooting guard is the only real need for the Bulls right now. Well, that and a healthy Derrick Rose.  

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