NBA Mock Draft 2012: Impact Meter for All Probable First-Round Picks

There will be a ton of talent on the big board when the NBA Draft rolls around in June. Several teams will be able to fill needs with their first-round selection, but not every rookie will make an immediate impact in the NBA.

That’s the case for most picks, who will have to make a huge adjustment to the NBA game and the impact they make at the professional level could be delayed for a couple of seasons.

Here’s a look at each teams potential first-round pick and the impact they will have as a rookie.

1. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis, Kentucky

Davis certainly can stand to add some muscle to his frame and that will effect what type of influence he makes at the offensive end of the floor, but Davis stands to make a huge impact on the defensive end of the game.

He showed his abilities at Kentucky to be able to dominate a game without needing the ball in his hands.

At the NBA level, his rebounding (10.4 RPG) and shot-blocking skills (4.7 BPG) will translate nicely, but his length will make the most immediate impact as his 7'6" wingspan will be able to change and alter almost every shot in the paint.

The Bobcats are 28th in the NBA, allowing 101.4 PPG.

Davis’ presence will affect that number in a big way.

Impact Meter:  Nine out of 10

2. Washington Wizards: Thomas Robinson, Kansas

Washington needs an impact player and Robinson will step right in and deliver.

The Wizards need to build around winners and Robinson is that type of player. He’s a proto-typical power forward that will bring toughness, physicality and energy to the paint for Washington.

Robinson is a relentless rebounder who averaged 11.8 RPG during his junior season at Kansas and has transformed his offensive game from a guy who was just a dunker, to a complete package of a player that can back opponents down as well as face up and attack the basket.

Impact Meter: Eight out of 10

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

The Hornets are rebuilding and need to go after Kidd-Gilchrist’s toughness and leadership.

He’s extremely athletic and brings energy at both ends of the floor, where he’s an outstanding defender who can guard more than one position.

Kidd-Gilchrist is also a more than capable scorer, shooting 49 percent from the floor on the season, with the ability to attack the rim with either hand, as well as a solid mid-range game.

Only shooting 26 percent from behind the arc could be a bit concerning, but that should improve with time.

Impact Meter: Nine out of 10

4. Sacramento Kings: Andre Drummond, Connecticut

Drummond is worth the risk for the Kings as they could use a potentially dominant big body to pair with DeMarcus Cousins.

Drummond has a great feel for the game and could help the Kings sure up their interior defense as they allow more points (104.1) per game than any other team in the NBA.

He can rebound (7.7 RPG) and block shots (2.7 BPG), but probably would have been better served by another year in school.

He has the upside to make a big impact at the NBA level, but it may not come immediately.

Impact Meter: Five out of 10

5. Toronto Raptors: Harrison Barnes, North Carolina

After an NCAA tournament that saw Barnes struggle mightily shooting the ball, connecting on only .327 of his field goal attempts (20-of-61), his stock may be a bit down, but Toronto is the perfect fit for the North Carolina product as they desperately need production from the wing.

The Raptors' current combination of Linas Kleiza and Amir Johnson have combined to average 16.7 PPG this season and Barnes could step in and become an immediate upgrade at the position.

Impact Meter: Eight out of 10

6. Cleveland Cavaliers: Bradley Beal, Florida

Beal could end up becoming the best scorer in this draft class, after averaging 14.8 PPG during his freshman season at Florida, and will make an impact in Cleveland playing next to Kyrie Irving.

He’s a shooter with range, knocking down 34 percent of his attempts from behind the arc and also brings solid rebounding (6.7 RPG) and defensive skills to the table as well.

Most importantly, Cleveland needs to get more athletic and Beal helps in those regards.

Impact Meter: Seven out of 10

7. Portland Trail Blazers (via New Jersey), Arnett Moultrie, Mississippi State

Portland needs to add an athletic big man and Moultrie may be a reach here, but he comes with a ton of upside.

He can play the 4 or the 5 and has the ability to become a good rebounder and scorer in the NBA after a season at Mississippi State in which he averaged 16.4 PPG and 10.5 RPG.

Moultrie comes with size and athleticism and could become one of a handful of sleepers in the draft.

He stands to make an impression, but may have to develop a bit to do so.

Impact Meter: Six of 10

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

The Jazz need to add a point guard this draft and Lillard makes sense as he’s the top one on the board.

He's quick, he can score (24.5 PPG) and distribute and he can play both backcourt positions.

Lillard has range on his jumper, shooting 41 percent from behind the arc and is a guy who you want to have the ball in his hands late in the game as he shot 89 percent from the charity stripe this season.

Impact Meter: Seven out of 10

9. Detroit Pistons: John Henson, North Carolina

Detroit needs to get bigger and more athletic and Henson is an outstanding athlete who has length and tremendous shot-blocking abilities, knocking away 2.9 shots per game as a junior.

He’s athletic enough to guard both forward positions and his court coverage helps make up for teammates' mistakes on the defensive end of the floor.

Henson is raw offensively, but runs the floor very well and will have success scoring in transition.

Impact Meter: Six of 10

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

Marshall isn’t the best athlete in the world, but he’s a natural floor leader and makes everyone around him better when he’s on the floor.

He has a high basketball IQ and values the ball, evident by his 3.48 assist-to-turnover ratio.

He needs to develop an ability to score more consistently, only averaging 8.1 PPG and must get better defensively, but if you’re looking for the best, pure point guard in the draft, Marshall is likely the guy.

Impact Meter: Seven of 10

11. Portland Trail Blazers: Austin Rivers, Duke

If Rivers lives up to his potential, he’s going to become a star and the Blazers need to get better in the backcourt.

He’s a natural scorer (15.5 PPG), with a decent jumper and is also a creative finisher around the rim.

He must get more comfortable playing without the ball and using his teammates better, but Rivers certainly has the talent to become very good.

It may be an adjustment period for him, though.

Impact Meter: Six of 10

12. Milwaukee Bucks: Jared Sullinger, Ohio State

Sullinger has the talent to become a solid scorer (17.5 PPG) and physical rebounder (9.2 RPG) in the NBA and could be a good fit in Milwaukee, who already have a solid backcourt in place.

The Bucks need a physical presence on the block and Sullinger could potentially be that guy.

There are some concerns about him using his body effectively against more athletic and longer NBA defenders, but he’s another guy who, if he answers those questions, could turn into a good player.

Impact Meter: Six of 10

13. Phoenix Suns, Perry Jones III, Baylor

Jones is very agile and explosive around the rim and has the ability to score from anywhere on the floor.

His skill set is amazing and potentially has more talent than anyone in the draft.

However, bringing that talent out (13.5 PPG and 7.6 RPG) on a consistent basis has always been a major problem.

Jones is a risk, but this late in the draft could turn into a steal.

He can play the 3 or the 4, but is more likely to be a wing player in the NBA and the Suns could use production from the small forward spot. All Jones needs is someone to bring that talent out of him and he could be great.

Like everyone picked in the middle of the draft though, there will be an adjustment period and some ups and downs, but he’s capable of much more good than bad.

Impact Meter: Seven out of 10

14. Utah Jazz, Jeremy Lamb, Connecticut

The Jazz get to rebuild their backcourt this draft and adding Lillard and Lamb should accomplish that.

Lamb is an elite talent and a nice pick this late in the draft and could eventually turn himself into Utah’s No.1 scoring option in a few years, similar to what he did at U Conn, averaging 17.7 PPG.

Impact Meter: Five out of 10

15. Houston Rockets (via New York Knicks): Tyler Zeller, North Carolina

The Rockets need a big man to build for the future and Zeller is a legitimate center prospect.

He’s a good athlete with leaping ability and is a smart rebounder (9.6 RPG) who not only utilizes his leaping skills, but positioning and excellent footwork as well.

He won’t be a star, but can become an effective guy in the middle of the floor.

Zeller’s offensive game isn’t bad—as he has a very soft touch around the rim—shooting over 55 percent from the floor during the past two seasons.

He’s good enough to be part of a team’s rotation right now, but it could be a couple of years before Zeller makes a big impact in the NBA.

Impact Meter: Three of 10

16. Philadelphia 76ers: Terrence Ross, Washington

The Sixers need a go-to scorer and someone that can knock down the perimeter shot consistently.

Ross would be an instant upgrade to the shooting guard position in Philadelphia as he’s not only a shooter with range, connecting on 37 percent of his three-point attempts, but also has the size at 6'6"—which make him an outstanding rebounder (6.5 RPG) and defensive guard.

Impact Meter: Five of 10

17. Denver Nuggets: Dion Waiters, Syracuse

Waiters will fit Denver’s fast-paced attack, as he’s a pure scorer (12.6 PPG in only 24 minutes of playing time) who can come in and contribute for Denver off the bench right away.

Waiters can play either with the ball in his hands or without it and has the ability to become a big-time NBA scorer.

 Impact Meter: Five of 10

18: New Jersey Nets (via Houston): Terrence Jones, Kentucky

The Nets are more than likely in rebuild mode again and adding a unique talent such as Jones this late is a nice grab.

Jones stands at 6'9” and has the smarts, as well as the talent to play multiple positions.

His skill set allows him to be a productive rebounder (7.2 RPG) and shot-blocker (1.8 BPG), plus the ability to take his game out beyond the arc, where he's hit 33 percent of his three-point attempts on the season.

Impact Meter: Six of 10

19. Dallas Mavericks: Meyers Leonard, Illinois

Dallas needs to get younger, longer and more athletic and Leonard helps them do all of that.

He’s not ready to step in and be a star, but he’s a seven-footer with not only the ability to play on the block, but the athleticism to put the ball on the floor and attack the rim.

He’s a bit of a project, but he can step in and rebound (8.2 RPG) and play defense (1.9 BPG) as a rookie.

Impact Meter: Three of 10

20. Orlando Magic, Fab Melo, Syracuse

Speaking of big-man projects, Melo is exactly that.

Orlando should begin to prepare for the fact that Dwight Howard may not be around much longer and can look to add their center of the future.

At No. 20, Melo is a reach, but he’s very talented and needs some time to develop.

His offensive game is extremely raw, but he’s big and similar to Leonard; Melo should be able to rebound (5.8 RPG) and block shots (2.9 BPG) as a rookie.

Impact Meter: Two of 10

21. Atlanta Hawks, Royce White, Iowa State

White has some off-the-court issues that include an anxiety disorder and a fear of flying, but he’s as talented as anyone in the draft and could immediately improve the production the Hawks get from the small forward position.

At 6'8”, White has good size for a small forward, but has the strength to play on the block and the agility and court vision of a guard. 

Not only did White average 13.4 PPG and 9.2 RPG, but he also averaged 5.1 APG, leading the Iowa State team in assists on the season.

Impact Meter: Six out of 10

22. Memphis Grizzlies, Tony Wroten, Washington

With a nice core already in place, the Grizzlies can take a chance on Wroten, who has the ability to become one of the top-five players in this draft, if he develops properly.

Memphis can afford to take their time with Wroten and in the meantime, he can add some scoring punch off the bench.

If Wroten matures and improves his jump shot, shooting only .161 from behind the arc, his size (6'5”), scoring ability (16.0 PPG) and court vision are NBA-caliber.

Impact Meter: Four out of 10

23. Boston Celtics: Andrew Nicholson, St. Bonaventure

Boston needs to add quality young big men; Nicholson could turn into the steal of the draft.

He’s experienced and improved as a player every season.

Nicholson turned himself into the complete package who can score from the inside (57 percent from the floor) and outside (47 percent from behind the arc) almost equally effectively.

Nicholson’s big body also makes him a good rebounder (8.4 RPG) and shot-blocker (2.0 BPG).  

He has the chance to become very good, but may need to adjust to the NBA game.

Impact Meter: Five of 10

24. Boston Celtics (via Los Angeles Clippers): Doron Lamb, Kentucky

The Celtics need a replacement for Ray Allen and can add their potential sharp-shooter of the future in Lamb, who has yet to declare for the draft.

Lamb is a shooter who, when he’s going, is comparable to an assassin, as he shoots to kill and has the ability to put opponents away strictly with his jumper.

He shot .474 from behind the arc as a sophomore at Kentucky and also adds a solid mid-range game and good ball-handling skills.

Even off the bench, Lamb could make an impact right away for a team that’s only 26th in the NBA in scoring (91.8 PPG).

Impact Meter: Five of 10

25. Indiana Pacers: Jeffery Taylor, Vanderbilt

Taylor’s a great athlete, who can add depth to the Indiana rotation.

He can become an outstanding perimeter defender, but has a solid offensive game as well.

Taylor not only averaged 16.1 PPG, but shot 49 percent from the floor this season.

Even more impressive is the fact that he added a perimeter shot, knocking the 3-pointer down at a 42 percent clip as a senior, after only shooting 9 percent from behind the arc as a sophomore.

If anything as a rookie, his impact will be felt on the defensive end as he can guard multiple positions.

Impact Meter: Four of 10

26. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Los Angeles Lakers): Moe Harkless, St. Johns

Harkless has the ability to become both a solid scorer (15.3 PPG) and defender in the NBA and can address the need of adding better athletes to the Cleveland roster.

He’s a great athlete with explosive leaping abilities who should be able to rebound and block shots at the NBA level, after finishing his freshman season with 8.6 RPG and 1.4 BPG, while at St. Johns.

Impact Meter: Four of 10

27. Miami Heat: Festus Ezeli, Vanderbilt

The Heat could use a big body that can hopefully develop into a solid inside presence.

Ezeli’s big at 6'11” and should be able to rebound (5.9 RPG) and play defense (2.0 BPG) as a rookie, but his offensive game will need some time.

Luckily, the Heat can afford to be patient with Ezeli.

But while he’s raw, he did show he has some talent on the offensive end, shooting 60 percent from the floor.

Impact Meter: Two of 10

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

Green is a tweener, but should be able to adjust to playing the wing in the NBA and the Warriors have a dire need for consistent production at the small forward spot.

He’s not that guy that does a whole lot of things great, but Green’s a player that does almost everything very well.

Most importantly, he’s productive and is a playmaker, evident by his pair of double-doubles and a triple-double in the NCAA Tournament.

Impact Meter: Five of 10

29. Oklahoma City Thunder: C.J. Leslie, North Carolina State

Leslie is another player that hasn’t made his intentions known, but if he comes out, he would be a nice project for the Thunder to take a chance on.

He’s an elite athlete with both size and upside and could become a nice NBA player, at least adding depth to the Thunder for now.

However, he won’t make that much of an impact off the bat.

Impact Meter: One of 10

30. Chicago Bulls:  John Jenkins, Vanderbilt

You can never have too much shooting and Jenkins is the best pure shooter in the college game, knocking down 44 percent of his three-point attempts on the season.

He’s also a guy that can come in and take some of the scoring pressure of Derrick Rose in the Chicago offense.

Even as a reserve, his shooting ability can make an immediate impact in an NBA rotation.

Impact Meter: Four of 10