2012 NBA Mock Draft: First-Round Studs Who Will Provide Instant Offense

The NBA playoffs may be right around the corner, but tank-time for certain teams has been going on for a while now.

As long as teams are in the tanking process (ahem, Golden State), it's not too early for a first-round mock draft.

That's my rule. 

With that being said, below is a Cody Zeller-less (just a hunch) mock draft with a closer look at players who will instantly upgrade their team's offense. 

Also, for the most part, unless noted, free agency isn't taken into account because it's still too early to tell how that will shake out.

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

Let's see. Davis is one of the most dominant defensive players in a long time, he can handle the ball as a 6'10" guy and his offense is continually improving.

This is almost as easy as Andrew Luck.

Almost.

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

Kidd-Gilchrist reminds me a lot of Gerald Wallace in the sense that he can guard any position, he plays 110 mph (while under control) every play and he's deadly in transition.

Put him in the same lineup as John Wall, and the Wizards will be very fun to watch.

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

This is probably higher than most will have Beal, but it wouldn't be shocking if the Hornets started making plans for a future without Eric Gordon.

A team will probably offer Gordon, who is a restricted free agent, a big contract in the summer, and it's unknown whether or not the Hornets would match that offer.

That's OK though, because Beal is essentially the next Eric Gordon in terms of his offensive game.

Beal has ideal size (6'3", 207 pounds), he can light it up from anywhere on the court and he has the quickness to get to the hoop. He'll be a high-volume scorer in the NBA no matter where he goes. 

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

Speaking of explosive scorers who will add instant offense, I expect Lamb to shoot up draft boards in the next month.

At 180 pounds, he can still add some muscle to his 6'5" frame, but there's no question about his ridiculous skill-set.

Lamb has drawn lots of comparisons to former Husky Ray Allen, and after seeing Lamb's silky smooth jump shot, it's hard to argue those questions. 

On top of his terrific shooting ability, Lamb had tremendous ball-handling skills and can take almost any defender off the dribble. 

The Cavs lack consistency next to Kyrie Irving and they just drafted a big man in Tristan Thompson last year, so don't be surprised if they reach for Lamb here. 

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

It's tough to pass on Robinson, who has the athleticism and motor that warrants a top-two pick. Putting Robinson next to DeMarcus Cousins would be scary for opposing teams. 

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

How scary is this pick for Trail Blazers fans?

Despite the Greg Oden fiasco, the Blazers can't pass up on Drummond, who just oozes potential. He's yet to hit it, but Portland will want him on its team when he does. 

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

I'm not a huge fan of Harrison Barnes this high because I'm not quite sure he's ready, but his skills are undeniable.

The Raptors have been searching for a stud small forward for a long time and it doesn't seem like they are convinced with James Johnson.

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

The Pistons are pretty solid and pretty young as far as their starting lineup goes, but Jones could make for a future replacement for Tayshaun Prince.

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

I don't think anyone has ever improved their stock with a season-ending injury, but the Heels fell apart without Marshall.

He isn't the most athletic player, but he's easily the best facilitator in the draft. 

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

The Hornets could certainly use a steady big man, especially if they grab Beal with their first pick, but replacing Jarrett Jack is also a priority. 

They could conceivably move forward with Greivis Vasquez, but it's hard to pass up Lillard, who can score in bunches. 

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.

If Rivers continues to work on raising his basketball IQ, he will be scary good in this league. 

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

The Bucks have good, but not great big men. James Franco, I mean Ersan Illyasova has been terrific, as has Drew Gooden. Ekpe Udoh has plenty of potential, especially on the defensive end.

Still though, Sullinger is a value pick if nothing else, as many people think he has top-10 talent. 

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

Assuming Steve Nash returns to Phoenix and the Suns don't need to get a point guard, they really need a scorer.

Terrence Ross is that in every sense of the word. 

He's 6'6", so he can play at either the 2 or the 3. Much like Jeremy Lamb, he's incredibly smooth on the offensive end.

He is deadly from long range, whether he shoots off the dribble or off the catch. Ross has never seen a situation where he can't find a shot he likes.

Throw in his ridiculous leaping ability and you have someone who could easily score 13-15 points per game his rookie year. 

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

The Rockets have Luis Scola, but he is about as unathletic as Henson is athletic. These two would complement each other well. If Henson would put on some weight he could actually play next to Scola at center.

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

If the Jazz make the playoffs and fall out of the lottery, the Timberwolves get this pick.

If that happens, don't be surprised if they grab Royce White, who has unique talent and improves a weakness for the 'Wolves. 

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

Spencer Hawes has had a little trouble staying healthy, and Tyler Zeller is someone who could not only back him up, but replace him. 

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

The Nuggets are pretty horrendous on defense and Mitchell can make defensive plays from both the small and power forward positions.

He's one of the most underrated players in the draft and I fully expect his stock to rise as various camps get underway. 

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

If Deron Williams ends up leaving, Wroten could replace him at point guard.

If he stays, Wroten could play as a slashing/shooting guard next to Williams, with MarShon Brooks playing the 3.

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

The Mavericks have Dirk Nowitzki, who is kind of good, but Jones is the best available player. He's versatile, so he can play right away while serving as Dirk insurance. 

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

Kevin Garnett has been terrific in his move to the center position, but he could very easily be gone after the season. Even if he does come back, Leonard would let him go back to power forward. 

Leonard is a little raw, but he has good skills for a seven-footer. 

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

Moultrie has character issues, but his talent is too hard to ignore. Memphis will take him here strictly as a value pick. 

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

If you want to talk about instant offense, it's impossible not to include Mr. Dion Waiters. He was instant offense off the bench at Syracuse, and he'll do the same thing in the NBA.

Waiters averaged 12.6 ppg for the Orange, but he would have scored 20 a game playing for any other less-stacked team. He was consistently the best player on the court.

Waiters only hit 1.1 three-pointers per game, but he often showed the ability to knock in three or four in a row if he got hot. 

His ability to get to the hoop, however, is his biggest strength, as is his scary leaping ability. Waiters will add a certain exciting element to Orlando's bench that the Magic have been lacking. 

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

The Big East Freshman of the Year was unstoppable at times this year for the Johnnies. Assuming Al Horford comes back healthy, Atlanta's biggest need is a small forward, so this makes sense. 

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

Lamb isn't overly impressive, but he can shoot the lights out and he raised his stock during the national championship.

He'll make for a good replacement to Ray Allen. 

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

It's hard to argue with the success John Calipari's point guards have had in the NBA. Darren Collison isn't the future at point guard for the Pacers, but Teague could be. 

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

Taylor is scary athletic and can shoot the ball from deep, although he is often inconsistent.

He's a senior, so he'll be ready to contribute right away for the Cavs. This is a nice pick for the end of the first round.

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

Melo makes DeMarcus Cousins look like Einstein, but his defensive presence is what the Heat are looking for.

He won't contribute on the offensive end, but that's OK. LeBron James and Dwyane Wade are pretty good on that side. 

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

McCollum's stock skyrocketed after he carried his team past Duke in the NCAA Tourney, but he had been doing that all year.

The Thunder will get a scorer who can play either guard position. 

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

Mark Jackson is still trying to transform this team into a defensive one. Someone like Green, who is incredibly versatile and willing to do anything on the court, is a good stepping stone for that transformation. 

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

Leslie is so athletic, he'll jump over two Kias. 

His defensive ability is terrific and his offensive game got much better as the season went on. He might not contribute right away, but he'll continue to get better and the Bulls can afford to wait on him.

This could be a huge steal when we look back on this draft.