2012 NBA Mock Draft: Future Stars Ready to Bring Immediate Impact

The NBA draft is coming up fast, and that means that some teams will soon reach and pick a player that will never live up to expectations. 

This is a grand draft that features the most talent we have seen in years. There will be a few teams that get better in an instant after some collegiate superstars descend on their rosters. 

Here is where we highlight those players with obvious question marks on their game, making them tenuous lottery selections. 

Standings are fluid—from lottery teams to playoffs, things will change. Order based on mix of current standings and projected finish. 

1. Charlotte Bobcats—Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky

He is the obvious No. 1 pick and our first immediate-impact player. There is no way Michael Jordan passes on this pure defender that will only get better with more size. 

At least, I hope there is no way he passes on him.  

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

This pick could go any which way, which signals how deep this draft really is. I say there is no way you pass up on a player that took another step towards stardom in March.  

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

I am ready to give Robinson immediate-impact status. He plays with such a tenacity that there is no way a man this talented and committed will fail. The Hornets will have a player to build around in Robinson. 

4.  Sacramento Kings—Andre Drummond, C, UConn

The Kings get a big man that may be a work in progress, but gives you size down low and defense in the paint. Their frontcourt just got all the more scary. 

5. Toronto Raptors—Harrison Barnes, SF, UNC

This pick could easily belong to Beal, but I have the Raptors taking the wing player they need. Barnes is as polished as you get before ever stepping foot in the pros.  

He is an immediate-impact player that will learn to score in the NBA, but will start off as a remarkable defender. That will go a long way. 

6. Cleveland Cavaliers—Bradley Beal, SG, Florida

It would be rather interesting to see Beal play alongside Kyrie Irving, giving the Cavaliers a dynamic duo in the backcourt that will only get better with time.   

7. Portland Trail Blazers (Via NJ)—Jeremy Lamb, SG, UConn

There are a number of guards the Blazers can take with this pick, and I wouldn't be surprised with a point like Lillard, but I continue to be enamored with Lamb and the upside he has. All he needs is a little more polish and he could be a true lottery-level sleeper.  

8. Detroit Pistons—Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State

Sullinger may not have that elite size or athleticism, but he plays the game the right way and he is as versatile as you get. 

He is a big man that will play hard every minute on the floor and stretch the floor with a shot that is consistent out to 18 feet. 

9. Utah Jazz (via GS from NJ)—Damian Lillard, PG, Weber St.

Lillard comes in solving backcourt depth and bringing a quick style and ability to score. He may not be around at this time, but if he is, this is the pick. 

10. New Orleans Hornets (via LAC from MIN)—Kendall Marshall, PG, UNC

He is a smart player that will make any offense run smoothly. There isn't a better prospect when it comes to seeing the court and making the right decision. 

11. Portland Trail Blazers—Tyler Zeller, C, UNC

He runs the floor extremely well, but needs more consistency on the offensive end. The Blazers need depth in the frontcourt. Well, here it is. 

12. Milwaukee Bucks—Perry Jones III, F, Baylor

Perry Jones has a lot to prove after establishing some worries on his game in the NCAA tournament. He can get lost in the shuffle and take some plays off. 

I say the bright lights of the NBA wake him up and he reaches his full potential. Could be a great value at No. 12. 

13. Utah Jazz—Austin Rivers, SG, Duke

The Jazz are reworking their backcourt and will complete things with a player that really could be the next big thing. 

I am close to making him an immediate impact player, but he needs work. Rivers plays without fear and finishes well, but needs far more consistency on his shot. 

14. Phoenix Suns—Terrence Jones, SF, Kentucky

The Suns would love to get their hands on Austin Rivers, giving them a player of the future to build around, but Jones is certainly no slouch. 

I say he is a dream find in the middle of the first round, coming in with a versatile array of ability. He can play multiple positions, hit from pretty much anywhere and is beyond committed on the defensive end.  

15. Houston Rockets (via NYK)—Arnett Moultrie, PF, Mississippi State

He settles too often for outside shots and lacks the motivation to mix it up inside. The Rockets can break him of that habit and get a big and athletic body to dominate the paint. 

16. Philadelphia 76ers—Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois

He is raw, but big centers that move as well as Leonard are easy to gamble on. 

17. Denver Nuggets—Tony Wroten, G, Washington

He sees the floor extremely well and has the size that scouts love. If he can prove more consistent with his shot, he may be lottery bound. 

18. Dallas Mavericks —John Henson, PF, UNC

He isn't just a defender, but he is certainly the best in a draft that is flooded with these types of players. Any offense will be pure gravy early in his career. 

19. New Jersey Nets (via HOU)—Jeffery Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt 

Taylor is ready to come in and play on day one. His game is as polished as you could hope for at this point in the year. 

The Nets could use a guy like that after what could be a tumultuous summer. 

20. Boston Celtics—Dion Waiters, SG, Syracuse

Waiters just needs patience and poise to be a complete player. 

21. Orlando Magic—Royce White, SF, Iowa State 

Royce White would be perfect for the Magic, a team that could bring him along slowly. He has the gifts of a forward that can run the floor like a guard, but only needs time to work some polish onto his game. 

22. Memphis Grizzlies—John Jenkins, SG, Vanderbilt

If there was a sharpshooter award in the draft, Jenkins would win it, and it wouldn't even be a close race. 

23. Atlanta Hawks—Marquis Teague, PG, Kentucky

He can push the issue a bit when running the offense, but I am convinced this near-complete prospect will work a measure of patience to his game. 

24. Boston Celtics (via LAC from OKC)—Fab Melo, C, Syracuse

The Celtics need a big man that can actually survive an entire season. Melo is the perfect fit, coming in with the ability to block shots and lock down the paint. 

25. Indiana Pacers—Moe Harkless, SF, St. John’s

Needs a perimeter game, but he comes fully loaded with defense and rebounding ability.  

26. Cleveland Cavaliers (via LAL)—Andrew Nicholson, PF, St. Bonaventure 

He needs a lot more bulk on his big frame, but he has exceptional court vision and soft hands. This is a promising late pick for a franchise that needs to take the gamble. 

27. Miami Heat—Festus Ezeli, C, Vanderbilt

The Heat continue to need a big man down low that can give some depth, defense and rebounding. The bench would be that much better with Ezeli coming off it. 

28. Golden State (via SA)—Doron Lamb, SG, Kentucky

Lamb may not be the second coming of Monta Ellis, but he plays with the same propensity to score and complete lack of fear. Golden State will have deja vu. 

29. Oklahoma City Thunder—Draymond Green, F, Michigan State

The Thunder could use a guy who is a great leader and hard worker to groom. Green may not be an elite talent, but he is a great basketball player, plain and simple.

30. Chicago Bulls—Kevin Jones, PF, West Virginia

He is a big young man that can hit from anywhere on the court—a great find this late.   

Follow @gabezal