NBA Mock Draft 2012: No-Brainer Picks for Each Team in 1st Round

With the NCAA season all wrapped up, the next step for potential NBA prospects will be to get themselves ready for the pre-draft camps and determine whether or not they feel they are NBA ready.

For NBA general managers, June's draft will be here before you know it and one bad early pick can play a big part in setting a franchise back.

With that being said, here's a look at no-brainer picks for each team in the first round.

1. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis, Kentucky

It doesn't get easier than this for the woeful Bobcats. Davis will step in and improve Charlotte on the defensive end of the floor from day one. 

2. Washington Wizards: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Kentucky

The Wizards need to get John Wall some help and Kidd-Gilchrist is a guy that will improve the team instantly at both ends of the floor.

He's a very good defender and has an explosive offensive game, with the ability to get to the rim at will.

 3. New Orleans Hornets: Thomas Robinson, Kansas

Robinson can step in and contribute right away for the rebuilding Hornets. His game is NBA-ready right now and he's just going to get better.

 4. Cleveland Cavaliers: Bradley Beal, Florida

Beal's stock has been on the rise and he gives the Cavs a solid backcourt mate to pair with Kyrie Irving to form a dominant young backcourt for years to come.

The Cavs need athletes and Beal is certainly that. He can shoot the ball very well and is possibly the best rebounding guard in the draft.

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

Drummond has world's of potential and has the chance to be a dominant big man in the NBA. The Blazers need a big man and it might be more tempting to go with a sure thing, but they can't pass on the upside of Drummond.

6. Sacramento Kings: Jared Sullinger, Ohio State

Sullinger has bounced around the board as of late, but he's still a solid pick for Sacramento at No. 6. Paired with DeMarcus Cousins in the Kings frontcourt and you can see that the pieces are starting to come together in Sacramento.

7. Toronto Raptors: Harrison Barnes, North Carolina

Despite his poor NCAA tournament finish, Barnes is still a more than capable NBA scorer and the Raptors have been in need of some production from the wing for quite some time now.

Getting a potential No. 1 scoring option at No. 7 could turn out to be a steal for Toronto.

8. Detroit Pistons: John Henson, North Carolina

There are several big guys that could fit Detroit's needs, but they need to get more athletic and Henson helps them there.

He runs the floor well and is an outstanding rebounder and shot-blocker with tremendous court coverage.

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

The Jazz get the opportunity to land their point guard of the future here and Lillard is the top one on the board. He's a great athlete and high-volume scorer who can make an impact for the Jazz.

10.New Orleans Hornets (via Minnesota): Perry Jones III, Baylor

The Hornets already nabbed Robinson and can make it a tremendous draft by adding Jones as well, who is suited to play the 3 in the NBA.

He's got the talent to be a top three pick and if he can find a way to bring it out consistently, he will be a very dangerous player.

11. Portland Trail Blazers: Jeremy Lamb, Connecticut

Portland adds both UConn stars who will go in the first round by taking Lamb with their second first-round pick. 

He will be a productive 2-guard in the NBA and could emerge into Portland's No. 1 scoring option before long.

12. Milwaukee Bucks: Cody Zeller, Indiana

Zeller becomes the replacement for Andrew Bogut if he declares for the draft, and he's got the chance to be very good.

He's got a great feel for the game with a nice touch around the rim and a solid mid-range game.

13. Phoenix Suns: Kendall Marshall, North Carolina

Marshall becomes the heir-apparant for Steve Nash, which ultimately could come sooner, rather than later.

There are questions about his scoring and defense, but he's the best floor general in the draft and is an effortless passer. He's the type of guy that makes everyone else on the floor better and it will be tough for the Suns to pass on him here.

14. Utah Jazz: Austin Rivers, Duke

Already with a talented frontcourt in place, the Jazz can shore up their backcourt for the immediate future by taking Rivers with their second first-round pick.

He's a natural scorer who not only has a nice jumper, but is a creative finisher around the rim as well.

15. Houston Rockets (via New York Knicks): Arnett Moultrie, Mississippi State

Moultrie has size and strength and has the potential to play the 4 or the 5 at both ends of the floor.

He's big, but runs like a guard and has the chance to become an explosive scorer from both the inside or outside.

16. New Jersey Nets (via Houston Rockets): Terrence Jones, Kentucky

It could be another rebuild for the Nets and they can start with Jones who's athletic and versatile.

He's a very good scorer and rebounder in traffic and can have success scoring at all three levels.

17. Denver Nuggets: Dion Waiters, Syracuse

The Nuggets can add quality depth with Waiters, who projects as a combo-guard in the NBA.

He could excel in the Nuggets up-tempo system and brings energy. He's not the best shooter, but he has the ability to put the ball on the deck and get to the rim with ease.

18. Philadelphia 76ers: Terrence Ross, Washington

The Sixers need a real 2-guard and Ross is a good fit here.

He can not only help shooting behind the arc, where the Sixers really don't have much other than Jodie Meeks, but he's also talented in getting to the rim.

19: Dallas Mavericks: Tony Wroten, Washington

After already landing a big man, Houston could target backcourt depth here and Wroten is a steal this late.

He could end up the best guard in this draft, but is a complete player already. Wroten just isn't a talented scorer, but he's a good passer, rebounder and defender as well.

20. Atlanta Hawks: Royce White, Iowa State

The Hawks could use better production from the small forward position and White is very talented.

He's a guard in a small forward's body and excels at getting to the basket. He has the talent to go much higher in the draft, so the Hawks getting White at No. 20 should work out very well.

21. Memphis Grizzlies: Tyler Zeller, North Carolina

Zeller makes sense for Memphis as they need depth behind Marc Gasol. At this point Memphis is just going with the best available on the board and that's Zeller.

He's a good athlete who runs the floor well and has great leaping skills. He'll be a very good rebounder and could possibly be a decent scorer in the NBA.

22. Boston Celtics: Meyers Leonard, Illinois

Leonard slips a little bit and Boston could be the perfect fit as they need a young, athletic big.

He's got some skills and his offensive game is still developing, but while he could serve to add some muscle, Leonard is still strong enough to bang on the block, but is also athletic enough to put the ball on the floor and get by defenders.

23. Orlando Magic: Andrew Nicholson, St. Bonaventure

The Magic need a lot, but one need is for a good, young, athletic big man to play next to Dwight Howard on the block.

Ryan Anderson is a great shooter but being able to use a guy like Nicholson at times, who's a good scorer and rebounder, could take some pressure off Howard and help change the identity of Orlando to a team that can have success playing inside-out more often.

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

We love Jenkins to Boston. 

The Celtics will need a replacement for Ray Allen and Jenkins is the best shooter in the college game. He's got unlimited range and a quick release. Jenkins can light it up.

25. Indiana Pacers: Moe Harkless, St. Johns

Harkless has tremendous upside and at No. 25 the Pacers take the best player on the board.

He's a good defender who has the potential to become an explosive scorer and rebounder in the NBA.

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

We mentioned before that Cleveland needs athletes and they can get another great one in Taylor.

He is very good at getting to the rim and his jump shot got much better over the past couple of seasons. Even more important, Taylor has the potential to become a shutdown perimeter defender.

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

After the Warriors landed Bogut and got the big man they desperately needed, they now need to add a productive small forward.

Green could be the perfect fit. He's the type of player who just does everything well and a guy that Mark Jackson could get a lot out of.

28. Miami Heat: Fab Melo, Syracuse

The Heat could use a big man and Melo makes a lot of sense as Miami can take time developing him.

He can come in and contribute on the glass and blocking shots right off the bat and while his offensive game needs time to develop, you can see he has the talent to become a solid NBA center.

29. Oklahoma City Thunder: Tony Mitchell, North Texas

The Thunder really don't need much except athletic depth guys and Mitchell would be a nice pick.

He has size and length and is an outstanding on-ball defender, which would please Thunder head coach Scott Brooks. Mitchell also has a decent jumper and would be able to contribute at both ends of the floor.

30. Chicago Bulls: Doron Lamb, Kentucky

Lamb could be a perfect fit in Chicago and could become the secondary scoring option the Bulls really need.

When he's on, his jumper is near assassin-like and can carry an offense for stretches. While a little bit undersized, getting a player of Lamb's talents this late could be an absolute steal.