2012 NBA Mock Draft: Teams That Must Focus on Drafting Immediate Impact Stars

When you are a struggling franchise that needs something to happen fast, the NBA draft is oftentimes your shot at turning the tables.

Whether it be someone like Anthony Davis, who could be an immediate star, or a pure point guard like Kendall Marshall, there are plenty of exciting prospects in a deep draft class this year.

Here's my latest 2012 NBA mock draft, complete with teams who need to draft immediate stars (in italics).

1. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky

Anthony Davis fits a need for the Bobcats and he's the top prospect in the draft. His explosiveness at the rim, combined with his premier post defense, should make him an immediate impact player for Charlotte.

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

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist is one of those prospects whose overall impact exceeds his numbers at the end of the game. He can slash to the rim, rebound, defend and do pretty much anything else you ask him to. He's a game-changer.

3. New Orleans Hornets: Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas

Ever since David West left New Orleans, the Hornets have been looking for their next power forward of the future. Thomas Robinson, with his elite rebounding and ability to explode to the rim, is a premier prospect who can make an impact right out of the gate.

4. Sacramento Kings: Andre Drummond, C, Connecticut

Andre Drummond may have been inconsistent at UConn, but he was just a freshman. His explosiveness and athletic ability could make him a dangerous post player in the NBA. He would pair up nicely with DeMarcus Cousins.

5. Toronto Raptors: Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina

The Raptors need another scorer beyond Andrea Bargnani and Harrison Barnes specializes knocking down shots. There are questions about his overall game, but he can light up the scoreboard and defend well with his length.

6. Cleveland Cavaliers: Bradley Beal, SG, Florida

Bradley Beal is largely considered to be the top shooting guard in the class. He's an explosive player who can knock down the jumper or drive to the rim. He's also an excellent rebounder for his position and defends well. He would look nice alongside Kyrie Irving.

7. Portland Trail Blazers: Damian Lillard, PG, Weber State

With Cody Zeller returning to Indiana, the Trail Blazers will likely pass up a big man for their next point guard of the future. Damian Lillard is a dynamic scorer who can penetrate the lane with the best of them. He's a legit Top-10 pick.

8. Detroit Pistons: Perry Jones, PF, Baylor

Perry Jones battled with inconsistency at Baylor, but his athleticism and explosiveness could make him an impact player right away in the NBA regardless. He's a guy you watch and say, "He's not playing up to his potential"...then he ends up with 17 points and eight boards against Kentucky.

9. Utah Jazz (via GS): Kendall Marshall, PG, North Carolina

If Damian Lillard is available the Jazz will likely go with him, but Kendall Marshall may actually end up as a better fit. He's a pure point guard who makes everyone around him better and has improved his perimeter shooting.

10. New Orleans Hornets (via MIN): Terrence Jones, F, Kentucky

Terrence Jones is a Lamar-Odom type player who will do a little bit of everything. He's battled questions about his maturity and consistency, but he showed up huge in the NCAA tournament for the Wildcats and appears to finally be realizing his potential.

11. Portland Trail Blazers: Jeremy Lamb, SG, Connecticut

The Trail Blazers have needed a starting shooting guard ever since Brandon Roy retired. Jeremy Lamb is a silky-smooth athlete with a nice mid-range game and his length allows him to create havoc on defense.

12. Milwaukee Bucks: Tyler Zeller, C, North Carolina

The Bucks need a center after trading Andrew Bogut for Monta Ellis. Tyler Zeller, with his ability to run the floor and soft touch around the rim, would be a great fit with Ellis and Brandon Jennings. He would also add rebounding.

13. Phoenix Suns: Austin Rivers, SG, Duke

Austin Rivers is a work-in-progress. He still needs to work on playing within the game better. But he has the ability to be a dynamic scorer at the next level. The Suns need an impact shooting guard.

14. Houston Rockets (via NY): Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois

The Rockets are still hurting at the center spot after Yao Ming retired. Meyers Leonard is a raw prospect, but he has NBA size and the athleticism to be a solid player, both offensively and defensively.

15. Utah Jazz: Dion Waiters, SG, Syracuse

I don't consider Dion Waiters a top-15 prospect, but he's close. He's explosive driving to the hoop, with the length, athleticism and leaping ability to be a terror both offensively and defensively.

16. Philadelphia 76ers: Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State

There are questions about Jared Sullinger's athleticism and explosiveness at the next level, but he's developed a nice post game, crashes the glass and plays his heart out. He has the game to be the 76ers' power forward of the future.

17. Denver Nuggets: Terrence Ross, SF, Washington

George Karl loves depth and Terrence Ross gives him another long, explosive athlete who can drop buckets left and right and play pesky defense.

18. New Jersey Nets (via HOU): John Henson, PF, North Carolina

John Henson could be a steal at No. 18 overall and has the potential of being a better player than Sullinger overall. He has the athleticism and length to translate well to the NBA, rebounds well, blocks shots and plays solid man-to-man defense.

19. Dallas Mavericks: Tony Wroten, PG, Washington

With Jason Kidd aging, the Mavericks need to find their point guard of the future and start grooming him now. Tony Wroten is still inconsistent and learning the game, but the skill set and explosiveness is there. He's a powerful guard who's a great passer.

20. Orlando Magic: Arnett Moultrie, PF/C, Mississippi State

Dwight Howard and the Magic are not exactly happy with each other. It's time to start looking for another big man. Arnett Moultrie still needs to fill out, but his leaping ability and athleticism projects him as a handful in the interior.

21. Atlanta Hawks: Royce White, F, Iowa State

There are questions about Royce White's focus on the court, but he has tremendous potential and good size for the NBA (6'8", 240 pounds). He's a point-forward type of player who has the ability to guard both forward spots. Josh Smith appears likely to be heading out of town and White could be his replacement.

22. Boston Celtics: Doron Lamb, SG, Kentucky

With Ray Allen aging, it's time for the Celtics to find their next shooting guard of the future. Doron Lamb is a silky-smooth shooter who showed his worth in the NCAA tournament. It's hard to imagine Lamb not being a threat in the NBA with his shooting ability.

23. Memphis Grizzlies: Fab Melo, C, Syracuse

The Grizzlies could use some depth behind Marc Gasol and Fab Melo would instantly bring a defensive presence off the bench. "The other Melo from Syracuse" is a premier shot-blocker who plays tough interior defense.

24. Boston Celtics (via LAC): Jeff Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt

The Celtics also need to think about finding a successor to Paul Pierce. Jeff Taylor is a tremendous defensive player, first and foremost, but he also crashes into the paint and has considerably improved his perimeter game.

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

The Pacers could use some depth behind Danny Granger and Moe Harkless is a great finisher at the rim who has the length and athleticism to be an impact defensive player (averaged 1.6 steals and 1.6 blocks as a freshman at St. John's).

26. Cleveland Cavaliers (via LAL): Draymond Green, SF, Michigan State

Draymond Green has questions about his explosiveness and "tweener" size, but he knows the game of basketball and is one of the best passing big men in the class. He plays like a veteran already and could challenge for the starting small forward spot in the future.

27. Golden State Warriors (via SA): C.J. Leslie, SF, N.C. State

Dorell Wright has been a bit of a disappointment this season for the Warriors and they have their other four starting spots virtually locked up with the acquisition of Andrew Bogut and the emergence of sharp-shooter Klay Thompson. C.J. Leslie has the explosiveness and athleticism to slash to the rim, has considerably improved his mid-range game and his length makes him a pesky defender and shot-blocker.

28. Miami Heat: Festus Ezeli, C, Vanderbilt

The Heat need a center and Festus Ezeli showed his worth in the NCAA tournament. He has great size, rebounds the basketball and blocks shots. On top of this, his post game is evolving.

29. Oklahoma City Thunder: Andrew Nicholson, PF, St. Bonaventure

The Thunder will likely look for depth here and Andrew Nicholson has a ton of upside. He's a long, explosive athlete who rebounds and block shots, and he continues to extend his shooting range, even out to the three-point line.

30. Chicago Bulls: Will Barton, SG, Memphis

The Bulls need to find a young shooting guard of the future to pair with Derrick Rose and Will Barton has the ability to be a solid starter in the NBA. Barton is coming off a great sophomore season at Memphis. He has a nice mid-range game, rebounds very well for his position and has the athleticism to translate nicely to the pros.

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