2012 NBA Mock Draft: Underclassmen with the Biggest Bust Potential

It must be a tricky decision for talented underclassmen come April. Do they stay in school and develop their game, or do they go after the big bucks and take their chances playing against the big boys?

For some players, the decision is easy, since their games are NBA-ready. But for those with a lot of potential yet untapped, coming out of college early remains a tricky proposition.

I've identified a few players (in Italics) who aren't worth the risk, as their bust potential is too high for the 2012 NBA Draft.

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

I don't think Davis has any bust potential. Even if he never develops into an elite low-post scorer, his defensive presence and rebounding alone will make him a stud.

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

Kidd-Gilchrist won't be a bust. He's too athletic, and he only has to improve his jump shot and scoring touch to be a complete player. MKG will be a leader on a team sooner than later.

3. New Orleans Hornets: Andre Drummond, C (Connecticut)

Drummond has enormous talent, but whether or not he'll ever get the most out of that ability remains a huge question.

He doesn't always seem interested in dominating a game, which makes scouts wonder if he'll ever have the killer instinct elite players possess. Without that, Drummond may be good, but he'll never be great—and certainly not worth the No. 3 overall pick.

4. Portland Trail Blazers (via New Jersey): Bradley Beal, SG (Florida)

He may not immediately develop, but Beal will be a very good shooting guard before all is said and done.

5. Toronto Raptors: Thomas Robinson, PF (Kansas)

Robinson is NBA-ready, and he has the work ethic and intensity that will serve him quite well at the next level.

6. Detroit Pistons: Perry Jones III, PF (Baylor)

Perry Jones III, inconsistency is thy name.

Well, maybe it should his nickname, at least.

Jones just seems to disappear at times; other times, he flat-out dominates.

So, who the heck is Perry Jones III?

Is he a player with amazing upside who will become a star? Or is he a project who will never be all that great?

I have a sneaky suspicion he'll be closer to the latter than the former.

7. Sacramento Kings: Jared Sullinger, PF (Ohio State)

Sullinger will rebound, block shots and play good defense. He won't be a bust unless a team expects him to be an elite scorer, too.

8. Cleveland Cavaliers: Harrison Barnes, SF (North Carolina)

He's the best wing in the draft, and Barnes will score at the next level. This is a pretty safe pick.

9. Utah Jazz: Damian Lillard, PG (Weber State)

Lillard could be the sleeper of the draft, given his ability to score the rock.

10. Milwaukee Bucks: Cody Zeller, C (Indiana)

Zeller will probably go back to school, which wouldn't be a bad decision—he could use some added muscle. But I think he would be a very solid NBA player even now.

11. Portland Trail Blazers: Tyler Zeller, C (North Carolina)

Tyler will provide solid energy off the bench throughout his career even if he never develops into a starting center in the NBA.

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

Marshall is the best passer in this draft. He won't win many games with his scoring, but that's not why a team will draft him.

13. Phoenix Suns: Jeremy Lamb, SG (Connecticut)

Lamb is another UConn player who hasn't consistently shown a killer instinct, though he has big-time potential.

Lamb just plays soft sometimes, and he suffers from bouts of disappearance syndrome. I don't ever see him developing into a top-scorer or focal point of an offense in the NBA—unless he dedicates himself to being just that.

14. Utah Jazz: Austin Rivers, SG (Duke)

Rivers can flat-out score, and I think moving him away from the 2 will make him more effective at the NBA level. Don't be surprised if he's the NBA's Rookie of the Year next season.

15. Houston Rockets: Arnett Moultrie, PF (Mississippi State)

Moultrie is very athletically gifted and posted solid numbers in college. He should be a contributor almost immediately.

16. New Jersey Nets (via Houston): Tony Wroten, Jr., PG (Washington)

Wroten is one of those risky, high-potential players whom I think will hit his ceiling. He's a big point guard who has no problem getting to the rim and could develop into a very good defender.

17. Boston Celtics: John Henson, PF (North Carolina)

Henson is another player who will rebound and block shots, but he probably won't score much.

18. Denver Nuggets: Terrence Jones, PF (Kentucky)

Jones could end up being the next Lamar Odom, which means he could be awesome, totally invisible next season or he could rotate being either.

Jones is a big man who can play down low or slash to the basket to create offense for himself while hitting some perimeter shots along the way.

But how often he'll play that sort of full game and be a huge factor remains to be seen. Jones remains a bit of an enigma, and I'm not sure he'll ever be the player he could be—sort of like Odom.

19. Atlanta Hawks: Meyers Leonard, C (Illinois)

He's a project, but the Hawks can afford to draft a project. If Leonard works at it, he could be a solid NBA center.

20. Philadelphia 76ers: Andrew Nicholson, PF (St. Bonaventure)

The Sixers need some help at power forward. Enter Nicholson.

21. Houston Rockets (via Dallas): Quincy Miller, SF (Baylor)

Miller got lost behind Perry Jones at times, but the potential is there, and the pressure to immediately develop in Houston won't be. Miller can take some time to carve his niche in the NBA.

22. Memphis Grizzlies: Fab Melo, C (Syracuse)

He's going to be a project and may never develop as a scorer, but Melo will immediately be a factor as a shot-blocker and rebounder.

23. Indiana Pacers: Terrence Ross, SG (Washington)

One thing is for certain—when Ross is on, he can really light it up.

24. Boston Celtics (via Los Angeles Clippers): C.J. Leslie, PF (N.C. State)

Leslie has the athletic ability to play the 3 and the size to play the 4. If he declares, he would pair nicely with John Henson to improve the Boston frontcourt in the event that Kevin Garnett departs.

25. Orlando Magic: Jeffery Taylor, SF (Vanderbilt)

Taylor's athleticism, defensive ability and range from outside make him a "Taylor"-made fit for Orlando.

And no, I won't apologize for that cheesy line.

26. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Los Angeles Lakers): Moe Harkless, SF (St. John's)

He's a bit raw, but Harkless has huge potential. His energy on the court alone will ease his transition to the NBA.

27. Golden State Warriors (via San Antonio): Dion Waiters, SG (Syracuse)

If looking for a player to attack the basket, there are few better options than Waiters. He could end up going much, much higher than this.

28. Miami Heat: Draymond Green, PF (Michigan State)

Perhaps a reach here, but Green would fit in so perfectly with the Heat, so I wouldn't mind the reach one bit.

29. Oklahoma City Thunder: John Jenkins, SG (Vanderbilt)

The Thunder should add another solid shooter, because, why not? With the young core they already have, they can do what they want.

30. Chicago Bulls: Royce White, SF (Iowa State)

White won't be expected to be a huge contributor immediately, which will give him the chance to really develop his potential in Chicago.

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