2012 NBA Mock Draft: Smart Picks for Every First-Round Team

As we inch toward the 2012 NBA draft and college basketball's stars announce their decisions, we're starting to get a get a clearer picture of how the first round will look.

This draft is one of the deepest in years and features a player in Anthony Davis who has the potential to be a great one.

Here are my thoughts on how each team should draft in the first round.

1. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky

Anthony Davis has separated himself from one of the strongest overall draft classes in years. That's really all you need to know. He's explosive in the paint, whether it be attacking the rim or blocking shots, and he's a very good rebounder who runs the floor well. He's the undeniable top talent in the draft.

2. Washington Wizards: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, Kentucky

MKG is an elite athlete who finishes strong, crashes the glass and plays tough, physical defense. He's a tremendous worker with a great motor, and you get the feeling he's only going to get better from here.

3. New Orleans Hornets: Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas

The Hornets have been looking for a star at power forward since David West left town. Thomas Robinson is a fantastic rebounder and he's explosive around the rim. He's even shown a mid-range game. Against Anthony Davis and Kentucky in the national championship game, Robinson posted 18 points and 17 rebounds.

4. Toronto Raptors: Andre Drummond, C, Connecticut

Andre Drummond has the size and explosiveness to be a star in the NBA, but he was inconsistent this past season and some question his heart for the game. He's a bit risky, but his upside is tremendous. I see the Raptors grabbing him to fill in their center spot.

5. Cleveland Cavaliers: Bradley Beal, SG, Florida

Pairing up Bradley Beal with Kyrie Irving would be an excellent idea for the Cavs. Beal has all the makings of a star. He's a great shooter, slashes to the rim like a point guard, knows the game, rebounds well for a guard, defends and will break your heart late in the game.

6. Portland Trail Blazers (via NJ): Cody Zeller, C, Indiana

Andre Drummond leads Cody Zeller in size and athleticism, but Zeller doesn't carry the character concerns and had one of the most intriguing freshman seasons in years, shooting 63 percent from the floor. He's an aggressive scorer who runs the floor well and plays within the game. A very smart player.

7. Sacramento Kings: Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina

I have a mixed opinion on Harrison Barnes. He has all the tools to be a top scorer in the NBA and the length to be disruptive on defense, but he faded in the NCAA tournament this year and doesn't have much more to his game. He's worth a top 10 pick, though, and the Kings could use a starting small forward.

8. Detroit Pistons: Perry Jones, PF, Baylor

Perry Jones is still a raw player who proved to be inconsistent in the NCAA tournament, but he has so much upside with his explosiveness and athleticism. He can have a "lousy" game and you look at the stats and he has a double-double. He simply has that much talent.

9. Utah Jazz (via GS): Damian Lillard, PG, Weber State

The Jazz could go with more of a pure point guard in Kendall Marshall here, but it's hard to ignore a prospect like Damian Lillard. He has elite scoring ability and has no problems penetrating the lane with his quickness. He needs to improve his vision, but he's a dynamic player.

10. New Orleans Hornets: Kendall Marshall, PG, North Carolina

Kendall Marshall is the best pure point guard in the draft. He's an excellent passer with great vision who makes everyone around him better, and he's improved his shooting.

11. Portland Trail Blazers: Jeremy Lamb, SG, Connecticut

Jeremy Lamb is largely regarded as the No. 2 shooting guard in the draft class. He's a very smooth athlete who glides around the floor and can light up the scoreboard, as well as use his length to be a pesky defender. He could be the Trail Blazers' next shooting guard of the future.

12. Milwaukee Bucks: Tyler Zeller, C, North Carolina

Tyler Zeller is a very good rebounder with a soft touch around the rim. He also runs the floor well, which makes him a good fit with speedy guards Brandon Jennings and Monta Ellis.

13. Phoenix Suns: Terrence Jones, F, Kentucky

With the top two point guards off the board, I expect the Suns to try add some depth at the forward spots. Terrence Jones, with his length, has the ability to guard both forward spots and he really came on in the NCAA tournament. Jones does a little bit of everything for you. If he turns out like many expect, he could become the next Lamar Odom.

14. Utah Jazz: Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State

Grabbing a shooting guard here would be a reach with Beal and Lamb off the board. In that regard, why not add the best player available for some depth? There are concerns about Jared Sullinger's lack of explosiveness in the NBA, but he has a nice post game and he's a strong, physical player who will fight for boards. He's definitely worth a shot at No. 14 overall.

15. Houston Rockets (via NY): Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois

The Rockets are looking for their next center of the future. Meyers Leonard is raw, but he's a true center at 7'0", 240 pounds, and he's proven to be very skilled in scoring, rebounding and defending. He has the potential to be a legit starting center in the NBA.

16. New Jersey Jets (via HOU): Arnett Moultrie, PF/C, Mississippi State

Arnett Moultrie has soared up draft boards this season. He has the ability to be a dominant force in the NBA with his physical tools, he rebounds well and he's improved his shooting range. He does need to add bulk, but he has a lot of upside.

17. Denver Nuggets: John Henson, PF, North Carolina

A long, lanky, athletic forward, John Henson is an excellent rebounder and shot-blocker. He also has a great motor, which will make him a nice fit in Denver.

18. Houston Rockets (via DAL): Terrence Ross, SF, Washington

Terrence Ross shot up draft boards with his play in the NIT tournament. He can light up the scoreboard, has deep range and causes problems defensively with his quickness and leaping ability. He would provide depth for the Rockets.

19. Philadelphia 76ers: Royce White, F, Iowa State

Royce White has the ability to defend both forward spots, and he's a tremendous talent. There are some questions about his consistency on the floor, but he has an NBA body who can score inside and outside and handle the ball well. He's a point forward type of player. He would provide depth for the 76ers right now.

20. Memphis Grizzlies: Austin Rivers, SG, Duke

With O.J. Mayo set to be a restricted free agent, the Grizzlies could use some depth at shooting guard. Austin Rivers is still raw and learning the game, but he has a lot of upside with his scoring ability. He could potentially be a steal at No. 20 overall.

21. Atlanta Hawks: Jeff Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt

Jeff Taylor is a tough defender who explodes to the basket and has worked extensively on his perimeter game, showing great strides this past season. The Hawks tend to like explosive, defensive-minded players...like Josh Smith, who may be gone soon.

22. Boston Celtics: Dion Waiters, SG, Syracuse

I like Dion Waiters a lot. He's an explosive finisher at the rim whose toughness would work well with the Celtics. He also has the ability to create havoc defensively with his length, as evidenced by his 1.8 steals per game this past season.

23. Indiana Pacers: Fab Melo, C, Syracuse

Adding defense in the interior is never a bad idea. The Pacers could use someone other than Roy Hibbert on the low post defensively, and Fab Melo proved to be one of the best low-post defenders and blockers in college basketball this past season.

24. Boston Celtics (via LAC): Moe Harkless, SF, St. John's

Moe Harkless is a long, athletic wing who finishes strong at the rim, rebounds well and can block shots. He needs to work on his outside game, but he'd be a good fit with the Celtics.

25. Orlando Magic: Festus Ezeli, C, Vanderbilt

Festus Ezeli played very well in the NCAA tournament and his length, size, rebounding and shot-blocking ability make him a legit first-rounder. Given the recent turmoil in Orlando, I don't think Dwight Howard is going to be around for much longer.

26. Cleveland Cavaliers (via LAL): Draymond Green, SF, Michigan State

Draymond Green is a tweener, and that always causes concern. He doesn't have prototypical size for a power forward and is particularly quick as a small forward. But he does know how to play basketball, and he's a big man who can do virtually everything for you.

27. Golden State Warriors (via SA): C.J. Leslie, SF, N.C. State

The Warriors could use some depth at the wing, especially with Dorell Wright struggling this season. C.J. Leslie needs to add bulk, but he's an explosive, quick athlete who has improved his shooting range and will rebound and block shots.

28. Miami Heat: Tony Wroten, PG, Washington

Norris Cole has time to develop, but he's still a question mark at point guard for the Heat. Tony Wroten has a lot of talent, with the explosiveness to get to the rim in no time and the passing ability that would make him a favorite in the locker room. He's still inconsistent, but he has a lot of upside.

29. Oklahoma City Thunder: Andrew Nicholson, PF, St. Bonaventure

A long, athletic player, Andrew Nicholson has made his way into the first-round picture. His strengths lie in his scoring and rebounding, although he is a bit inconsistent. He certainly showed up in the NCAA tournament, though.

30. Chicago Bulls: Doron Lamb, SG, Kentucky

Doron Lamb is a bit undersized for a shooting guard in the NBA, but he had a huge game for Kentucky in the national championship game. He's a silky-smooth shooter who knows the game and puts his heart and soul into everything he does. His perimeter game would look nice next to Derrick Rose.

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