2012 NBA Mock Draft: Teams That Will Pursue Value over Need

It's still only early April, and the NBA playoffs haven't even started yet, but it's already clear what pieces certain franchises need to improve.

It's also clear that certain teams don't have any glaring weaknesses.

With that being said, here's an early look at a first-round NBA mock draft, with a closer look at which teams will draft value instead of need.

1. Charlotte Bobcats (7-46): Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky

Anthony Davis is the no-brainer first pick. Not only was he one of the best defensive players we've ever seen in college, but his offensive game continues to improve.

Would anyone ever score in the paint against a Davis-Bismack Biyombo duo?

2. Washington Wizards (12-44): Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, Kentucky

Already, we have our first value pick.

The Wizards just drafted small forward Chris Singleton in the first round of last year's draft, and he has been highly serviceable for them, starting 41 games.

Throw in head-case Andray Blatche at power forward, and Thomas Robinson might make a little more sense for this team. Trevor Booker has been pretty solid in place of Blatche, but I don't think Washington wants him as the starter of the future.

Nonetheless, Kidd-Gilchrist is too good to pass up.

He's reminiscent of LeBron James when he gets in transition. In the other aspects of the game, he reminds me a lot of Gerald Wallce. Putting MKG next to John Wall would instantly make the Wizards one of the most exciting teams in the league. 

3. New Orleans Hornets (14-41): Bradley Beal, SG, Florida

I think the Hornets are going to let Eric Gordon, who is a restricted free agent, go to a team that gives him a big-time offer. They are going to do that because Beal might just be the next Eric Gordon.

Beal can score in a hurry. He can shoot, penetrate and even grab tough rebounds. This isn't a stretch for his type of talent. 

4. Cleveland Cavaliers (18-35): Jeremy Lamb, SG, Connecticut

Thomas Robinson and Andre Drummond are candidates here, but I think the Cavs are fine moving forward with Antawn Jamison and Anderson Varejao as their big man, at least for the next year or two. 

That means they'll reach a little for Lamb, who is an explosive scorer and is ready to contribute right away at the next level.

Putting him next to Kyrie Irving will be deadly.

5. Sacramento Kings (19-36): Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas

The Kings could use a power forward to put next to DeMarcus Cousins on the inside, and they'll luck out here with Robinson, who could easily go No. 2. 

6. Portland Trail Blazers (via 20-37 New Jersey Nets): Andre Drummond, C, Connecticut

How scary is this pick for Trail Blazers fans?

I'm sure Portland is a little gun shy on drafting a center after the Greg Oden fiasco, but that can't be a factor in deciding who to draft.

Drummond struggled at UConn, but he has the size, athleticism and skills that don't come along too often. Plus, the Blazers need a center. 

7. Toronto Raptors (20-36): Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina

This pick is all about need. The Raptors desperately want a small forward, and they won't be able to pass on Barnes—even though his stock is steadily falling.

Perry Jones III is another possibility.

8. Detroit Pistons (21-34): Perry Jones III, PF, Baylor

As far as starters go, the Pistons are pretty young at point guard (Brandon Knight), power forward (Jonas Jerebko) and center (Greg Monroe).

Throw in Ben Gordon and Rodney Stuckey at the guard position, and small forward probably makes the most sense here for Detroit.

However, no one at the position really stands out to go this early, so don't be surprised if Detroit goes with value here instead of need.

Jones has never lived up to his potential of a Top 5 pick, but it's hard to argue how valuable he could be in the NBA. I'm not a huge fan of his, but it wouldn't be at all surprising to see him go in the Top 10. 

9. Utah Jazz (via 21-33 Golden State Warriors): Kendall Marshall, PG, North Carolina

I think the Jazz are about done with the Devin Harris experiment. They want a point guard who knows how to distribute, especially next to a scorer such as Alec Burks, who I think will be starting by next year.

Marshall is that guy. 

10. New Orleans Hornets (via 25-31 Minnesota Timberwolves): Damian Lillard, PG, Weber State

The Hornets will look to replace Jarrett Jack at some point. Lillard is an absolutely dynamic scorer. 

11. Portland Trail Blazers (25-31): Austin Rivers, SG, Duke

With Batum, Aldridge and now Drummond, it wouldn't be surprising to see the Blazers grab a guard.

Rivers might need a year to reach his full potential, but his ceiling is sky high and the Blazers have the pieces to contend with him not getting big minutes.  

12. Milwaukee Bucks (27-28): Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State

Here's another value-over-need pick. The Bucks have solid big men in Ersan Ilyasova, Drew Gooden and Ekpe Udoh.

They aren't elite by any means, but they are all very solid players in the NBA. Nonetheless, the Bucks won't be able to pass up Sullinger, who many believe is a Top 10 pick.

The big man from Ohio State needs to continue to develop his post game, but his athleticism and skill-set are NBA ready.

I wish he was a bit tougher, but there's no denying he's the best player left on the board.

13. Phoenix Suns (28-27): Terrence Ross, SG/SF, Washington

The Suns need a scorer (if Steve Nash returns), and Ross is someone who can light it up in a hurry.

14. Houston Rockets (from 28-27 New York Knicks): John Henson, PF, North Carolina

The Rockets have Luis Scola, but he is about as nonathletic as Henson is athletic. The kid from North Carolina would be a good complement to Scola.

15. Minnesota Timberwolves (from 29-27 Utah Jazz): Royce White, SF, Iowa State

The Wolves get this pick if the Jazz fall out of the lottery. If it shakes out this way, I wouldn't be surprised if they traded it.

They could really use a shooting guard or small forward, and White is a bit of a reach, although he has all the talent in the world.

16. Philadelphia 76ers (29-25): Tyler Zeller, C, North Carolina

Spencer Hawes clearly needs to have a backup on deck at all times, and Zeller is really good value here. 

17. Denver Nuggets (30-25): Tony Mitchell, PF, North Texas

The Nuggets need some defensive help, and Mitchell is an incredibly versatile, athletic forward who can cause havoc on the defensive end.

He's one of the most underrated players in the draft, and I fully expect his stock to rise in the coming month. 

18. New Jersey Nets (via 30-25 Houston Rockets): Tony Wroten, PG, Washington

Wroten is Deron Williams insurance, but he also has a skill set that will let him move over to play the 2 as a slashing shooting guard.

The Nets need both of those things.

19. Dallas Mavericks (31-25): Terrence Jones, PF, Kentucky

This is a value pick. The Mavs obviously have some guy named Dirk, but Jones has the talent to go six-to-eight picks earlier. 

He's versatile to play other positions if they don't just want him as the future replacement for Nowitzki. 

20. Boston Celtics (30-24): Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois

The Celtics need a big man, and you can't teach Leonard's seven-foot height. He's still a bit raw, but his potential is through the roof.

This is a good pick for Boston's future. 

21. Memphis Grizzlies (31-23): Arnett Moultrie, PF, Mississippi State

Moultrie has Top 10 talent, but the character issues are certainly evident. 

Just put him under the wing of Zach Randolph and Tony Allen. Everything will be fine.

22. Orlando Magic (32-23): Dion Waiters, SG, Syracuse

The Magic need some youth and excitement in their guard rotation. Sorry, but Jameer Nelson, Jason Richardson and J.J. Redick just aren't doing it for me.

Waiters is instant offense off the bench.

23. Atlanta Hawks (33-23): Moe Harkless, SF, St. Johns

The Big East Freshman of the Year is an absolutely terrific player. The Hawks could either bring him off the bench or move Marvin Williams to the bench.

Either way, they get much better with this pick.

24. Boston Celtics (via 33-22 Los Angeles Clippers): Doron Lamb, SG, Kentucky

Lamb's national championship performance certainly increased his stock. He'll make for a good future replacement for Ray Allen.

25. Indiana Pacers (33-21): Marquis Teague, PG, Kentucky

This is a bit of a reach in my mind, but I think the Pacers want a replacement for Darren Collison, and the success of John Calipari's point guards in the NBA is unmatched.

Win-win—or something like that.

26. Cleveland Cavaliers (via 35-21 Los Angeles Lakers): Jeff Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt

Taylor is an elite athlete who has the ability to get hot from behind the arc, although he is inconsistent shooting the ball.

He also fits a need at small forward.

27. Miami Heat (39-15): Fab Melo, C, Syracuse

Melo makes DeMarcus Cousins look like Einstein, but his presence in the middle on the defensive end is just what the Heat want in a center.

He isn't great on offense, but Miami doesn't need more offensive weapons at this point.

28. Oklahoma City Thunder (40-15): C.J. McCollum, PG/SG, Lehigh

McCollum raised his stock during the NCAA tournament, but it probably should have been this high already, because he's a stud.

Wherever he plays, McCollum will provide 20-to-25 minutes of explosive offense. He can back up Russell Westbrook or start at the 2 in place of Thabo Sefolosha.

29. Golden State Warriors (via 39-14 San Antonio Spurs): Draymond Green, SF, Michigan State

Green is the kind of do-everything, hard-working player who Mark Jackson would love to get his hands on.

Well, not literally, but you get the idea. Green is a great fit for this young, developing team. 

30. Chicago Bulls (43-13): C.J. Leslie, SF/PF, N.C. State

Leslie is the type of explosive, high-upside player the Bulls can afford to take a chance on.