2012 NBA Mock Draft: Predicting Every Pick of the 1st Round

The 2012 NBA draft will take place on June 28, and while there's still a lot of NBA basketball left to be played between now and then, it's never too early to focus on the future of each franchise.

This draft promises to be deep on talent, and more than a few teams can turn their fortunes around quickly with a good draft.

Here's a look at who's going where as I take a look at the future of the NBA in my latest mock draft.

The Charlotte Bobcats are on the clock.

1. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis, Kentucky

Davis is a lock to be the No. 1 overall pick, and considering how short on talent the Bobcats are, he will immediately become a centerpiece in Charlotte.

Davis can impact the game on both ends with his length and energy as well as his speed and athleticism. He doesn't need the ball in his hands to impact the game, but when he has it, Davis' post skills have shown improvement from the beginning of the season.

2. Washington Wizards: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Kentucky

Kidd-Gilchrist is a strong 6'7" forward with a seven-foot wingspan and tremendous athleticism.  He projects as a shut-down defender and will also be a great rebounder.

MKG can get to the rim with ease, and no one in the draft plays with a higher motor. He's also a strong character guy and has a team-first mentality NBA general managers will love.

3. New Orleans Hornets: Thomas Robinson, Kansas

Robinson is a leader and a winner who's ready to make an immediate impact in the NBA.

Robinson used to be just a dunker, but he impressed this season with his face-the-basket skills, showing the ability to consistently knock down the mid-range jumper as well as getting to the rim off the dribble.

Add to that his huge wingspan and tenacity crashing the glass, and Robinson is NBA-ready.

4. Cleveland Cavaliers: Bradley Beal, Florida

He's more than just a spot-up shooter, as Beal also can shoot off the dribble effectively. For a 2-guard, he's a very good passer and is one of the better rebounding guards in this class as well.

Beal will be a great fit in Cleveland playing next to Kyrie Irving.

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

Next to Davis, Drummond has the most upside of anyone in the draft, but he also comes with the most risk.

Drummond has all the talent in the world and very well could become a dominant big man in the NBA, but he didn't have a good freshman season in Connecticut and didn't get better throughout the year.

Portland needs a big body, though, and Drummond's ceiling is too high to pass on.

6. Sacramento Kings: Arnett Moultrie, Mississippi State

Moultrie has tremendous length and agility, and he is one of the most athletic bigs in the country.

He's is a force on the glass and scores in a variety of ways. Moultrie can even step out and knock down the college three.

Paired with DeMarcus Cousins, Sacramento will have a very athletic frontcourt for years to come.

7. Toronto Raptors: Harrison Barnes, North Carolina

Barnes could turn into a cornerstone and franchise player in Toronto. He's got great size and a clean release on his jumper. He's also a good catch-and-shoot guy, but he has the ability to become a good slasher as well.

Although Barnes doesn't do much else other than scoring, he could become a No. 1 scoring option in the NBA.

8. Detroit Pistons: John Henson, North Carolina

Detroit needs to get more athletic, and Henson would certainly help the Pistons do that.

Henson's length and energy make him a disruptive presence on the defensive end of the floor, and he's a solid rebounder despite lacking great strength. If Henson can bulk up, it will considerably help his ability to play inside at the next level. 

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

Utah needs a point guard, and Lillard is the top one on the board.

Lillard is a solid athlete with the size and speed to become a starter in the league. Right now, he's a better scorer than distributor, but he shows a good feel for the game and makes solid decisions.

10. New Orleans Hornets (via Minnesota Timberwolves): Kendall Marshall, North Carolina

Getting Marshall and Robinson in the same draft would be huge for the Hornets.

Marshall is possibly the best passer college basketball has seen in quite some time. His ability to find teammates and create shots for them makes him a special player. Marshall also has a tremendous feel for the game and has the type of natural point guard instincts that just can't be learned.

However, Marshall has shortcomings athletically, defensively and with his shooting, which will make him less than a sure thing.

11. Portland Trail Blazers: Jeremy Lamb, Connecticut

Lamb broke out as UConn's No. 1 scoring option and has great length to go along with a very good pull-up game.

He's got a ton of upside and could emerge as a team's top scoring threat once he adds some strength. Lamb would be good for Portland; he could slide in nicely as the 2-guard of the future in the Trail Blazers' lineup.

12. Milwaukee Bucks: Cody Zeller, Indiana

Zeller hasn't made a decision yet on whether or not to enter the draft, but if he comes out, he could easily go in the Top 10.

But for now, Zeller is a great fit for Milwaukee.

He's got a great feel for the game, with solid footwork and a very nice touch around the rim. Zeller is also a solid rebounder and has a nice mid-range game. He could be the total package.

13. Utah Jazz: Austin Rivers, Duke

Rivers will be great in NBA pick-and-roll situations.

A natural scorer, Rivers is a streaky shooter and a creative finisher around the rim. However, he's got a bit of tunnel vision, as he likes to shoot too much instead of using his teammates.

Utah needs a potentially dominant backcourt scorer, though, and Rivers makes a lot of sense here.

14. Phoenix Suns: Perry Jones III, Baylor

Jones has Top Five talent, but based on his missing intensity level and lack of consistency, it's more likely he will end up in the late lotto ring.

Jones' sophomore numbers look similar to his freshman numbers, which isn't a good sign. He has jaw-dropping physical attributes, but seems to have a hard time flipping the switch on a nightly basis. His disappearing act in the NCAA tourney has him slipping on the big board.

15. Houston Rockets (via New York Knicks): Jared Sullinger, Ohio State

Sullinger has a very nice post game, but it's no guarantee that it translates nicely to the NBA. He shows a great feel for the defense, plus he has great footwork and a solid back-to-the-basket attack.

But Sullinger has limited speed and athleticism, and struggled against longer and stronger defenders. His potential as a scorer and rebounder is high, though, so that should keep him in the middle of the first round.

16. Philadelphia 76ers: Terrence Ross, Washington

The Sixers could really use more perimeter shooting, and Ross would be a great addition to Doug Collins' squad.

Ross is dangerous from outside, where he has a clean release and nice rhythm in catch-and-shoot situations. His game is smooth, and he has NBA-type athleticism. Ross moves well without the ball, and when he has it, he has a good bit of quickness that allows him to get to the rim.

17. Denver Nuggets: Dion Waiters, Syracuse

Waiters' energy and athleticism will fit nicely in Denver's up-tempo, high-scoring attack.

Waiters is a combo guard and not a true point guard, but his strength, aggressiveness and ability to create offense off the dribble should make him a nice NBA player. Waiters is very good in the open floor with tremendous finishing ability, and he could become a go-to scorer within time.

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

Jones adds versatility to a rebuilding Nets team since he can play either forward position. He's an aggressive rebounder and can effectively score at all three levels while facing the basket.

While he doesn't have a true position, Jones is an athlete who plays with a chip on his shoulder and can make things happen.

19: Boston Celtics: Tyler Zeller, North Carolina

Boston needs to add a big in this draft, and Zeller is a good prospect who could be a good fit in Beantown.

Zeller has a nice package of size and skills, and he runs the floor exceptionally well for a seven-footer. While he lacks ideal strength, Zeller has a good feel for the game and has very good leaping skills. He could end up cracking an NBA starting lineup before long.

20. Dallas Mavericks: Meyers Leonard, Illinois

This pick is Top 20-protected, so it belongs to Dallas today, and the Mavs could fill a need by landing a center with upside in Leonard.

Leonard is a fluid big with great size and ability. He needs to add more strength, but he is a nice package of a guy who can bang on the block, be athletic enough to put the ball on the floor and drive by defenders.

He's a work in progress, but Leonard has tremendous upside.

21. Memphis Grizzlies: Andrew Nicholson, St. Bonaventure

Memphis can fill a need by adding frontcourt depth, and Nicholson could become the steal of the entire draft.

He's got a high basketball IQ and is a high-character guy who's a good athlete and has a developing skill set. Nicholson is long, strong and should become a solid scorer and rebounder in the NBA.

22. Atlanta Hawks: Royce White, Iowa State

White's stock is on the rise after a very solid showing against both UConn and Kentucky in the tourney. He's a beast, with great strength and leaping ability. White also shows a good feel for the game and handles the ball very well for a 3, with the speed to get by opponents off the dribble.

Given the Hawks' need for better production from the small forward spot, White could make an immediate impact in Atlanta.

23. Orlando Magic: Tony Wroten, Washington

When we look back at this draft, Wroten could eventually become the best point guard of the class, but he's going to need time to develop.

Wroten is a flashy player with tremendous passing and ball-handling abilities who can create for others. But while he scores at a good rate and puts pressure on the defense by attacking the basket, Wroten needs to become a more consistent outside shooter and cut down on his turnovers.

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

Avery Bradley has been playing well next to Rajon Rondo in Boston, but the Celtics will have to replace Ray Allen's perimeter shooting.

Jenkins is an elite outside shooter with unlimited range and a quick release. He can light it up.

25. Indiana Pacers: Moe Harkless, St. John's

Harkless will provide Indiana with some extra scoring punch off the bat, and the Pacers have the time to develop him.

Harkless has the skill set to go much higher in the draft, but he's raw. His length and fluidity make him look the part of a future NBA star. Plus, he has a 84" wingspan and runs the floor like a deer.

If he can tighten up his jumper and handling, Harkless could become a star.

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

Taylor raised his stock with a good senior season, and he's a very gifted athlete—something Cleveland needs badly.

Taylor developed the ability to create shots, and his shooting has gotten more consistent. He has NBA athleticism with solid explosiveness, and he also is a handful on the defensive end.

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

Green lacks ideal size and athleticism, but he is one of those players who just does everything well.

His basketball IQ and feel for the game are off the charts, and he's a high-intangibles guy whom Mark Jackson will love.

28. Miami Heat: Fab Melo, Syracuse

The Heat could use another big body, and Melo will be a good fit because he has upside, and the Heat can afford to take their time developing him.

Melo can rebound and block shots, but his offensive game has a long ways to go.

29. Oklahoma City Thunder: Tony Mitchell, North Texas

The Thunder can take a chance on Mitchell since they are just looking for depth.

Mitchell has a talented offensive package and can also turn into a shut-down defender. He has a great basketball physique, with broad shoulders and an enormous wingspan. His explosiveness and strength also allow him to rebound with bigger forwards.

Mitchell's skill level is intriguing, as he has good touch on his outside shot, legitimate vision and passing abilities.

30. Chicago Bulls: Doron Lamb, Kentucky

Lamb arguably has been Kentucky's most consistent performer this season. Every time the Wildcats needed a big basket, Lamb's number was called.

He's a combo guard in the NBA who could turn into the second scoring option the Bulls will need in the future to take some pressure off Derrick Rose.