NBA Mock Draft 2012: Highlighting Biggest Stars and Busts of the First Round
June's NBA draft will be coming around the corner and it's loaded with talent. This promises to be a deep draft loaded with good players.
However, only a few will turn into stars, and there will be a few busts along the way as well.
Like any draft, there will tons of reaches. Some will pan out, some won't. Here's a look at who could be the biggest stars and the biggest busts on the first round.
1. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis, Kentucky
Davis will be the No. 1 overall pick and has the chance to be a star in the NBA. The guy can dominate a game without even needing the ball in his hands, and there aren't many in the league like him.
He needs to add strength and refine his post game a bit, but he's got great footwork and instincts that can't be taught. Davis has insane length and will be able to rebound and block shots at will. But think about how many shots he will alter on a nightly basis.
That alone will result in him making an impact.
2. Washington Wizards: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Kentucky
Kidd-Gilchrist has the talent to become the best player in this draft class, and while the Wizards could go with anyone here, including Thomas Robinson, going with the best guy on the board makes sense.
The Wizards have a ton of holes to fill, and adding a guy like Kidd-Gilchrist, who's extremely versatile, will improve Washington a great deal.
He can get to the rim easily and is a tremendous rebounder. Kidd-Gilchrist will put up good numbers off the bat, but it's his intensity on the defensive end of the floor that separates him from the rest of the class.
3. New Orleans Hornets: Thomas Robinson, Kansas
Robinson is going to be an NBA star.
He can play the game effectively above the rim or bang down on the block. He's a relentless rebounder and his offensive game is evolving and just getting better. Robinson just used to be a dunker, but now has more of a complete package.
His motor never stops and he's a winner.
4. Cleveland Cavaliers: Bradley Beal, Florida
Beal's stock is very high after a good freshman season, and he would be a good fit in Cleveland next to Kyrie Irving, but the Cavs need to be careful here.
The book on Beal is that of a shooter, but he only connected near 34 percent of the time from behind the arc this season at Florida.
He's a scorer who can get to the rim, as well as having a good mid-range game. He's also a great rebounding guard, but he may not turn out to be the long-range threat the Cavs need.
5. Portland Trail Blazers (via New Jersey Nets): Andre Drummond, Connecticut
Drummond has more upside than anyone in this draft class, but if he comes out now, it may be too soon and he could turn into a bust.
But Portland has to roll the dice on the potential of Drummond. He's got an NBA body and a decent back-to-the-basket game already, but we are somewhat concerned about the disappointing freshman season at UConn, in which he averaged only 10.0 points and 7.6 rebounds per game.
6. Sacramento Kings: Arnett Moultrie, Mississippi State
Moultrie might not go this high, but he should, even if it's a reach.
Ohio State's Jared Sullinger is thought to be favored by the Kings, but Moultrie would form a much nicer pair with DeMarcus Cousins.
He's as athletic as a guard, but he's got the size to bang on the block. He can take his game out to the perimeter as well. He's got the ability to contribute right away and within time could become an explosive scorer and rebounder.
It would be hard to pass on his athletic ability.
7. Toronto Raptors: Harrison Barnes, North Carolina
Everyone loves scorers, and Barnes has the talent to be a No. 1 scoring option in the NBA.
Yet he doesn't do much else well. Barnes isn't a good rebounder, can be careless with the ball and has a long way to go to become a good defensive player.
But the Raptors have long needed production from the wing, and Barnes can contribute right off the bat.
8. Detroit Pistons: John Henson, North Carolina
This may be a reach for the Pistons, but they need to get more athletic and Henson helps them right away. He has the chance to become a very good NBA player, and paired with Greg Monroe, Detroit could have a solid frontcourt for years.
Henson runs the floor great and has crazy leaping skills. He can score in transition and will make an immediate impact crashing the glass and at the defensive end, where he's a great shot-blocker with tremendous court coverage.
9. Utah Jazz (via Golden State Warriors): Damian Lillard, Weber State
Utah nabs its point guard of the future in Lillard. He's a high-volume scorer who does many things well. The Jazz are in need of a point guard to replace the struggling Devin Harris, and Lillard could be the perfect match.
10.New Orleans Hornets (via Minnesota): Kendall Marshall, North Carolina
Getting Marshall and Robinson in the same draft is a huge win for the rebuilding Hornets.
He's a tremendous floor general, who cracks the top 10 for the first time this season. Marshall is an effortless passer who excels both in transition and in the half-court set.
His high basketball IQ and court vision will make him an NBA star.
11. Portland Trail Blazers: Jeremy Lamb, Connecticut
Portland stays with Jim Calhoun's UConn Huskies as they also nab Lamb in the first round.
Lamb is a gifted scorer who can also bring energy at the defensive end of the floor. He will be the Blazers' 2-guard of the future and the present and could turn himself into a legitimate No. 1 scoring option within time.
12. Milwaukee Bucks: Cody Zeller, Indiana
The Bucks need to go big, and if Zeller declares for the draft, he could become a solid pro. Even as a freshman, he showed a tremendous feel for the game.
He's athletic and runs the floor well and finishes not only with a soft touch around the rim, but also possess a solid mid-range game that could turn into a big weapon in the NBA.
13. Utah Jazz, Austin Rivers, Duke
Utah adds not only its point guard of the future in Lillard, but also the perimeter scorer it needs as well in Rivers.
Doc's son is a good athlete, not a great one and could struggle a bit off the bat in the NBA. He doesn't play well without the ball and needs to show that he can use his teammates better then he did in his one season at Duke.
But he's got a scorer's mentality and is a natural putting the ball in the basket. His jumper is streaky but he's also a creative finisher around the rim.
14. Phoenix Suns, Perry Jones III, Baylor
Jones makes the Suns more athletic, and on ability alone should go in the top three of the draft.
Although his skill set suggests future NBA star, you have to wonder about his inconsistent production and some issues with immaturity.
You have to take a chance on his upside, but if he can't bring that talent out on a nightly basis, all of that potential won't matter.
15. Houston Rockets (via New York Knicks): Jared Sullinger, Ohio State
Some see Sullinger going as high as No. 6 to Sacramento, but there are plenty of concerns about his overall game.
The Rockets need a productive bigger body, so the pick makes sense, but Sullinger isn't a great athlete and could struggle against more athletic NBA big men, similar to what he did in college.
He has an NBA body and is a good finisher around the rim, but we need to see more out of him. There are doubts that he can take his game out to the mid-range and conditioning could turn into an issue.
He's more likely to be a decent big man who has a decent season every now and then rather than an NBA star. Think Corliss Williamson.
16. Denver Nuggets: Dion Waiters, Syracuse
The Nuggets will need to add backcourt depth with Andre Miller heading towards free agency, and Waiters is a perfect fit for Denver's up-tempo system.
He's a solid combo-guard who will excel pushing the ball and will make a living getting into the paint and creating.
17. Philadelphia 76ers: Terrence Ross, Washington
Philadelphia needs perimeter shooting and Ross is a solid guard who can come in and contribute right off the bat. He's not only a good shooter, but can get to the rim effectively and rebounds well for a guard.
18. New Jersey Nets (via Houston): Terrence Jones, Kentucky
Jones adds versatility to a rebuilding Nets team that could be without Deron Williams. He's a solid scorer who can score from all three levels and is an excellent finisher and rebounder in traffic.
19: Dallas Mavericks: Meyers Leonard, Illinois
Dallas should make a splash in free agency and can add a solid big man in Illinois's Leonard. He's a true seven-footer who could stand to get stronger, but he's got potential to be a solid NBA big man.
He can bang and finish around the rim, but he's also athletic enough to put the ball on the deck and drive to the basket.
20. Memphis Grizzlies: Tyler Zeller, North Carolina
Memphis has a nice young core and adding a quality athletic big man in Zeller makes sense. He can play behind both Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph and contribute right away.
He runs the floor great and has great leaping skills. He will be a solid NBA rebounder and can finish nicely with a baby hook shot with either hand.
21. Boston Celtics: Andrew Nicholson, St. Bonaventure
Boston can fill a need here with an athletic big man with worlds of potential. He's a gifted scorer and rebounder, and while he may have to develop more at the NBA level, you can't knock his upside. he has the talent to be a good one.
22. Atlanta Hawks: Royce White, Iowa State
White is a gifted athlete and should be able to increase the production that the Hawks currently get from the small forward spot.
He's a guard in a small forward's body and gets to the rim with ease. He's got tremendous upside and could make an immediate impact in the Atlanta lineup.
23. Boston Celtics (via Los Angeles Clippers): John Jenkins, Vanderbilt
Jenkins has until April 29 to pull out of the draft, similar to what he did last season, but until he does so, he would look good in Boston.
The Celtics need a replacement for Ray Allen, and Jenkins is college basketball's best shooter. He has unlimited range and a lightning quick release and could produce in a big way in a Celtics uniform.
24. Orlando Magic: Moe Harkless, St. Johns
The Magic need to add pieces everywhere and a guy like Harkless is a solid pick this late in the draft. He's got tremendous upside, which means he could go much higher, but he has the ability to become a solid NBA scorer and rebounder.
25. Indiana Pacers: Doron Lamb, Kentucky
Indiana could use some additional scoring punch and Lamb certainly can provide that.
He's a pure scorer with an assassin-like jumper when he's on. He will bring instant energy and production off the Pacers bench.
26. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Los Angeles Lakers): Jeffrey Taylor, Vanderbilt
Cleveland needs athletes, and Taylor is a great one.
He can get to the rim and his jumper improved a great deal last season. While his scoring could be a work in progress, he could become a tremendous perimeter defender.
27. Golden State Warriors (via San Antonio Spurs): Draymond Green, Michigan State
The Warriors need production from the small forward spot and Green's game is mature enough to step in and contribute right off the bat.
He's a winner who does everything well at both ends of the floor.
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.
Melo can get time right away and will contribute blocking shots and help improve the Heat as a rebounding team. His offensive game needs to develop, but the Heat are in a position that they can take their time with him.
He's an interesting prospect for sure.
29. Oklahoma City Thunder: Festus Ezeli, Vanderbilt
Ezeli is very similar to Melo in the fact that he's a good rebounder and shot-blocker right now, but his offensive game needs to develop more.
The Thunder are similar to the Heat as well in that they can take their time with him.
30. Chicago Bulls: Tony Wroten, Washington
Wroten's the top guy left on the board and would be a wise choice by Chicago, judging by the health of Derrick Rose this season.
He can play either guard spot and can become a good scorer, but also rebounds, passes the ball well and is a good on-ball defender.
Wroten is Tom Thibodeau's type of player.
