2012 NBA Mock Draft: Safe First-Round Moves for Each Team
Let's keep it nice and simple.
Why over-think something so amazingly straightforward as an NBA mock draft. Okay, maybe it's a tad more difficult than that.
Currently, we have a continuously volatile season headed into the playoffs. Teams will flip-flop in the standings daily.
There are also the needs of each team to consider, but those can change as soon as the summer hits, or when the nasty injury bug strikes.
What we have here is a mock draft where every team takes the easy route, whether it's the best player at the time, or an obvious need being addressed—we have the answer.
Standings are fluid. Order based on current standings and projected finish.
1. Charlotte Bobcats – Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky
This is almost becoming as easy as Andrew Luck-to-the-Colts. Anthony Davis is the best player in the nation—one who shows the promise of a lockdown defender in the paint and a silky-smooth finisher at the rim. The Bobcats get their star.
2. New Orleans Hornets – Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, Kentucky
Kidd-Gilchrist solidified his status as a top-five talent in the NCAA Tournament. The Hornets can't pass up a possible superstar in the wake of Chris Paul's departure. They now have a man to build around.
3. Washington Wizards – Andre Drummond, C, UConn
Drummond is still my pick here, as he has the size and talent to really make a solid, young core for this faltering team.
4. Sacramento Kings – Harrison Barnes, SF, UNC
The Kings have seen Marcus Thornton emerge as a solid scorer in Sacramento, which has them now taking the best player available.
Barnes is a great defender who shows rare polish at this stage of his career. He gives them a hard worker who can bring a great deal of chemistry to a team that needs it.
5. Cleveland Cavaliers – Bradley Beal, SG, Florida
The Cavs need a two who can play alongside the dynamic Kyrie Irving. Cleveland would have a scary backcourt if Beal can translate his success in college to the next level.
6. Utah Jazz (via GS from NJ) – Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas
It's not the big need for the Jazz, but Robinson will not fall any further. He has the big-time game to go along with the tenacity I love from a big man.
He plays like he has something to prove, which makes him my favorite to make an immediate impact next year.
7. Portland Trail Blazers (Via NJ) – Jeremy Lamb, SG, UConn
I would like the Blazers to look at the wing, but love what Lamb would give them: a quintessential shooting guard that has no fear.
8. New Orleans Hornets (via LAC from MIN) – Damian Lillard, PG, Weber St.
They settled the big man issue early, and may steal the draft by grabbing a point guard that has a knack for dropping buckets.
Lillard can score, and is the main reason I have him above facilitator Kendall Marshall.
9. Toronto Raptors – Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State
They could use another center, but I am not about to have Tyler Zeller this high. Why reach when you can get a known quantity in Jared Sullinger?
He has a perimeter game that would allow the Raptors to spread the floor. He may not have superstar-size or athleticism, but Toronto is the perfect place for him to build his game, away from the limelight.
10. Portland Trail Blazers – Arnett Moultrie, PF, Mississippi State
The Blazers always need some depth down-low, and Moultrie gives them some grit on both sides of the floor.
11. Detroit Pistons – Tyler Zeller, C, UNC
Zeller needs some time to put some polish on his offensive game. His work ethic has me confident that he can work his way into the rotation and give the Pistons the boost they need.
12. Utah Jazz – Kendall Marshall, PG, UNC
The Jazz went big, and will now shore up the backcourt with a bit of a conundrum in Kendall Marshall. There is no denying what he meant to the Tar Heels on offense.
The question is whether that translates to the next level. His court vision is uncanny, so I say it does.
13. Milwaukee Bucks – Perry Jones III, F, Baylor
The Bucks could use a lot of things, but a big man that can play above-the-rim is crucial. Jones showed inconsistency, and has issues with staying in games mentally. That will be fixed in the pros.
14. Phoenix Suns – Austin Rivers, SG, Duke
The Suns are in transition with the old-guard about to ride into the sunset. Rivers has questions surrounding his consistency, but he is a high-octane player that plays superb at the rim. His shot will come in time.
15. Houston Rockets (via NYK) – Terrence Jones, SF, Kentucky
Jones is a great passer and an unselfish athlete who continues to work on hitting the boards. I love his tenacity on defense, which will have Rockets fans pleased for years.
The only real question is his jump shot, which needs polish. With the daily work at the next level, that will be the first thing to improve upon.
16. Denver Nuggets – Tony Wroten, G, Washington
He does everything well.
He can score, and plays with the fearlessness you want from a prospect. More than that, he sees the court well, and will be a solid starter in a couple of years.
17. Philadelphia 76ers – Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois
The 76ers need a big man that can command some measure of the scoring load. I agree that Leonard needs work, but this an obvious need that will have Philadelphia crossing their fingers that he is a sleeper ready to wake.
18. New Jersey Nets (via HOU) – Jeffery Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt
The Nets will be all over the place concerning their needs this summer. They may be in the market for a point guard if Deron Williams bolts.
That's why I have one of the more solid players remaining for picked for them. Taylor has worked hard on his game and has shown marked improvement.
He is committed to rebounding, giving them a prospect that may not be flashy, but will help the team in the long run.
19. Houston Rockets Via (Dallas Mavericks) – John Henson, PF, UNC
The Rockets could use a flashy wing-player, and I have them taking a chance on Terrence Jones for just that need.
He has the drive on defense which makes him an instant impact player, and the Rockets have the players to allow him to groom an offensive game.
20. Atlanta Hawks – Tony Mitchell, F, North Texas
I like this reach for the Hawks, grabbing a forward who is as versatile as any remaining. The fact that he can dominate the perimeter makes him a good value—something that will be seen in time.
21. Memphis Grizzlies – John Jenkins, SG, Vanderbilt
He shoots better than anyone left in the draft—it's that simple.
22. Orlando Magic – Marquis Teague, PG, Kentucky
The Magic gain a potential star to work into the backcourt rotation. He has trouble with decision-making and forces the issue a lot, but that will be worked out on a team that can bring him along slowly.
23. Boston Celtics – Dion Waiters, SG, Syracuse
Here is another player that may be too aggressive with the ball, but I like his mindset for a Celtics team that will be all over the place attempting to fill holes this summer.
He is a solid shooter that will quickly prove that he has no problem against pro-level defenses.
24. Boston Celtics (via LAC from OKC) – Fab Melo, C, Syracuse
Then again, the Celtics could always use a big man. Melo is all over draft boards, but there is no denying how brilliant he can be in spurts.
He is a solid first-round pick, and a player that can finally deliver the Celtics a good measure of shot blocking down-low.
25. Indiana Pacers – Moe Harkless, SF, St. John’s
He is fluid on the wings with a great perimeter game. While raw, he is committed on defense, and that is exactly what the Pacers love.
26. Cleveland Cavaliers (via LAL) – Mason Plumlee, PF, Duke
Mason Plumlee is great big athletic giant. He moves well considering his stature, but comes with a caveat as most big men do. He will have to show that he can score at the next level.
27. Golden State (via SA) – Doron Lamb, SG, Kentucky
The Warriors now have a hole left by Monta Ellis that I am not totally convinced Klay Thompson can fill. Either way, it's not like Lamb is ready to feature heavily in the rotation from day-one.
He needs some polish, but plays with no fear and has a beautiful finish in the paint.
28. Miami Heat – Festus Ezeli, C, Vanderbilt
The Heat need some defense down-low, and Ezeli can block shots and rebound. Anything after that is pure icing.
29. Oklahoma City Thunder – Draymond Green, F, Michigan State
The Thunder are solid all around, but would love the intangibles that Green comes loaded with.
30. Chicago Bulls – Kevin Jones, PF, West Virginia
The Bulls have a ton to choose from at this point, and I say they go with tremendous upside. The gamble will be on a big man who can also hit from distance.
