NBA Mock Draft 2012: No-Brainer Selections for Every 1st-Round Team

With only a couple weeks left in the NBA regular season, June’s NBA draft will be here before you know it. It’s a very deep draft, which means many teams will be able to fill immediate needs right off the bat.

Lottery-type talent can be had later in the first round, and there will be plenty of first-round type talent that will be pushed to the second round.

Like with any draft, though, there will be some reaches based on potential, but there are plenty of no-brainer picks along the way.

Here’s a look at how the first round should play out, with no-brainer picks for each team.

1. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis, Kentucky

The Bobcats need impact everywhere on the floor, and they can start by nabbing the top player on the board in Davis.

He will have an immediate impact not only blocking shots and rebounding, but just in altering the amount of shots he will per game. With Bismack Biyombo and Davis, Charlotte suddenly becomes pretty tough to score on in the paint.

2. Washington Wizards: Thomas Robinson, Kansas

Robinson moves up to No. 2 for the first time and will be a good fit in Washington.

He runs the floor great and is a high flyer, so he will be great in transition with John Wall running the show. But his offensive game has come along this season, as he’s far more than just a dunker right now. Robinson’s also a relentless rebounder (11.9 RPG) that can help Washington get things turned around.

3. New Orleans Hornets: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Kentucky

Kidd-Gilchrist isn’t just a do-everything type of player, but he’s the leader the Hornets need as well.

He’s a solid wing player who will contribute immediately at both ends of the floor. Kidd-Gilchrist’s motor never stops running as no one in this class will bring more energy.

4. Sacramento Kings: Andre Drummond, Connecticut

The Kings could go with a wing player here like North Carolina’s Harrison Barnes, but the possibility of pairing Drummond with DeMarcus Cousins to form a potentially dominant frontcourt is too enticing to pass up.

Next to Davis, no one in the draft has more upside than Drummond, and if he reaches his potential, watch out for the Kings.

5. Cleveland Cavaliers: Bradley Beal, Florida

Tough choice here for the Cavs on Barnes or Beal, but Beal’s stock has been very high, and he will look nice in a Cleveland backcourt next to Kyrie Irving.

He completed a solid freshman season in which he averaged 16.7 PPG. He’s also a tremendous rebounding guard, pulling down 6.7 per game for the Gators.

6. Toronto Raptors: Harrison Barnes, North Carolina

The Raps get lucky, and Barnes falls to them once again. He can become the productive wing player Toronto really needs, and somewhere along the line, become Toronto’s top scoring option, as he averaged 16.4 PPG during his two seasons at North Carolina.

Add Barnes, along with last year’s No. 1 pick, Jonas Valanciunas, and suddenly, Toronto could become a very talented team.

7. Portland Trail Blazers, Cody Zeller, Indiana

Portland needs a big body, and the younger Zeller is a nice fit. He’s got size, but is also very athletic and can run the floor like very few. He’s very talented in the post, with a very soft touch and a solid mid-range game.

8. Detroit Pistons: Arnett Moultrie, Mississippi State

Detroit needs to get more athletic, and Moultrie is a freak of an athlete.

He’s a big body that can become an explosive scorer from both the inside and outside and a good rebounder as well. His stock is very high after his lone season at Mississippi State, where he averaged 16.4 PPG and 10.5 RPG.

While Moultrie may be a bit of a reach, paired with Greg Monroe, the Pistons could have a nice young frontcourt.

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

Lillard is the top point guard on the board and fills a big need in Utah to eventually replace the struggling Devin Harris.

He’s an explosive scorer (24.5 PPG) that can run an offense effectively and gives Utah another top-notch athlete.

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

Marshall is a tremendous floor general who makes everyone on the court with him better. He makes passing look easy and has an extremely high basketball IQ.

If the Hornets can add Marshall and Kidd-Gilchrist, they will come out of this draft in fantastic shape for the future.

11. Portland Trail Blazers: Austin Rivers, Duke

Rivers jumps Jeremy Lamb as the second 2-guard off the board and would be a nice addition to the Portland lineup.

He’s a natural scorer, averaging 15.5 PPG in his only season at Duke. Rivers has a solid jumper, as well as the ability to be a creative finisher around the rim.

He could have a bright future ahead of him in a Blazers uniform.

12. Milwaukee Bucks: Jared Sullinger, Ohio State

With their backcourt set with Brandon Jennings and Monta Ellis, Milwaukee can focus on their next quality big man.

Sullinger is a good fit here, as he has the best developed post game of any big man in the draft. There are a lot of questions about him heading into the draft, but he should be able to contribute as a scorer and rebounder right off the bat.

13. Utah Jazz, Jeremy Lamb, Connecticut

Lamb slides a little, but he’s still a quality option for Utah. He’s an athletic 2-guard with length and is tough on the defensive end of the floor as well.

He became UConn’s No. 1 scoring option this season, averaging 17.7 PPG, a jump in production from the 11.1 PPG he averaged a freshman.

14. Phoenix Suns, Perry Jones III, Baylor

Strictly based on talent, you could have Jones in the conversation with Davis to go No.1.

But that talent hasn’t come out on a regular basis for Jones while at Baylor. He has the knack to disappear far too often for a star player, and the 13.5 PPG and 7.6 RPG he averaged in 2012 showed no improvement over the 13.9 PPG and 7.2 RPG he averaged as a freshman.

He’s a worth the risk, though, for the Suns at No. 14 because the talent is there. They just need someone to bring it out of him consistently.

15. Philadelphia 76ers: John Henson, North Carolina

The Sixers could really use some more perimeter shooting, but with Henson still on the board, it’s hard to pass on him.

He’s an athletic power forward who is an outstanding rebounder and shot blocker, averaging 10.1 RPG and 2.9 BPG during his junior season at North Carolina. Henson runs the floor great and has outstanding leaping ability.

He has exceptional value on the defensive end, though, as he makes up for teammate’s mistakes with excellent court coverage.

16. Houston Rockets (via New York Knicks): Meyers Leonard, Illinois

The Rockets need a big man to build around for the future, and Leonard certainly has some promise.

He’s a true seven-footer that can play in the post, but can also face up and get to the rim off the dribble. Leonard still could add some more muscle, but he still averaged 13.6 PPG and 8.2 RPG at Illinois in 2012. With his game still evolving, he could end up being a decent NBA center.

17. Denver Nuggets: Dion Waiters, Syracuse

Waiters will bring energy and athleticism to Denver’s up-tempo attack.

He’s not a true point guard, but he’s a guy that can get to the rim with ease and excels at driving and creating for others. He’s known for getting to the rim, but he still shot .363 from behind the arc, which isn’t horrible considering a guy like Beal, who’s considered a better long-range threat, only shot .339 from three-point range.

18. Dallas Mavericks: Terrence Jones, Kentucky

Jones adds versatility to a Dallas team that should have a different look by training camp next season.

He averaged 15.7 PPG and 8.7 RPG as a freshman in 2011, and those numbers dropped to 12.5 PPG and 7.0 RPG this season, but I wouldn’t be too concerned.  Kentucky had a lot more talent on the floor this season and spread the ball around.

Jones could play either forward spot but would be a nice small forward option in Dallas. He can score at all three levels and excels at scoring and rebounding in traffic.

19. Houston Rockets: Terrence Ross, Washington

Kevin Martin won’t be in Houston forever, so after already adding Leonard, Ross makes a lot of sense.

He can give the Rockets scoring, averaging 16.4 points on the season in Washington. He’s also a very good rebounder, pulling down 6.4 boards per night.

He shoots it at a 37 percent clip from behind the arc and can get to the rim effectively as well.  Paired next to Kyle Lowry, the Rockets could potentially have a very nice backcourt.

20. Boston Celtics: Tyler Zeller, North Carolina

Zeller is a good athlete and a legitimate center prospect.

His numbers got better every season in a Tar Heels uniform, going from averaging 3.1 PPG and 2.0 RPG as a freshman, all the way up to 16.3 points and 9.6 rebounds as a senior.

Zeller can run the floor great and is an aggressive rebounder who could eventually work his way into a regular NBA rotation.

21. Memphis Grizzlies: Andrew Nicholson, St. Bonaventure

Looking for a sleeper of the draft? Look no further than Nicholson.

He put together an outstanding four-year career at St. Bonaventure, averaging 17.1 PPG and 7.4 RPG throughout his career.

Nicholson can provide frontcourt depth for the Grizzlies and should have no problem contributing right off the bat.

22. Orlando Magic: Royce White, Iowa State

White had a solid season and a solid showing in the NCAA Tournament, which included a solid 23 points and nine rebounds against Kentucky in a third-round Iowa State loss.

He’s a guard in a small forward's body, and his stock has been on the rise. The Magic have some holes to fill, and adding a promising talent such as White is a good start.

23. Atlanta Hawks: Doron Lamb, Kentucky

Lamb can add some scoring to an Atlanta rotation, averaging 13.7 PPG during Kentucky’s championship season.

He’s not a guy who will shy away from the moment either, as every time Kentucky needed a big shot made this season, it was Lamb who seemed to come through in a big way. When he’s going, the sophomore can be lethal from behind the arc, shooting .476 from long-distance during his two seasons in a Kentucky uniform.

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

I still like Jenkins going to the Celtics with their second pick. They have to replace Ray Allen’s shooting eventually, and why not turn to the best pure shooter in the college game right now.

With unlimited range and a lightning-quick release, Jenkins knocked down 44 percent of his three-point attempts on the season. Even coming off the bench in Boston, he could play a huge role.

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

Harkless scored 15.3 PPG and pulled down 8.6 RPG as a freshman at St. John’s. He’s got a high upside and a smart pick by Indiana, who could use some additional scoring punch.

Had he stayed in school, Harkless could likely be a Top 10 pick next season, but he’s got a bright future ahead of him.

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

Taylor had a very good senior season, averaging 16.1 PPG for the Commodores. He’s a great athlete, and Cleveland needs athletes badly.

He’s got the ability to get to the rim and to become a shutdown perimeter defender, but teams should take notice of his work ethic, adding a decent perimeter shot the past couple of seasons. As a sophomore, Taylor only shot .091 from behind the arc, but he improved that all the way up to .423 as a senior.

27. Miami Heat: Fab Melo, Syracuse

The Heat could be the perfect team to reach for Melo, as he should be able to help rebound and block shots right off the bat.

They can afford to be patient about his offensive game, which will be a work in progress at the NBA level. He averaged 7.8 PPG during his sophomore season at Syracuse, but he really doesn’t have a go-to move, something he will need to develop to become a good NBA center.

28. Oklahoma City Thunder: Tony Mitchell, North Texas

Mitchell has a chance to be a solid pro and will get time to develop on a loaded Thunder team.

He’s very long and has great instincts on defense and has the offensive game to compliment that. The Missouri transfer put together a very nice season, averaging 14.7 PPG and 10.3 RPG, all while shooting 57 percent from the floor and 44 percent from behind the arc.

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

Being able to fill a need at No. 29 is big for the Warriors, as there’s still a ton of talent on the board.

Mark Jackson needs more production from the small forward spot, and Green has the chance to come in and do a solid job from the beginning. He’s just a guy that does everything on the floor well, evident by a pair of double-doubles and a triple-double in the NCAA Tournament.

30. Chicago Bulls: Tony Wroten, Washington

Wroten could turn into the best guard in this draft within time, but for now, Chicago goes with the best player left on the board.

He’s a gifted scorer who fills the stat sheet, putting up an impressive freshman season that included 16.7 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 3.7 APG and 1.9 SPG.

If he comes out this season, he can contribute right away and learn from an MVP in Derrick Rose in the process.