NBA Draft 2012: 5 Prospects Who Will Impact Next Year's Playoffs

The 2012 NBA draft class is expected to be special. It probably won't be up there with the Class of 1996 or the Class of 2003, but it should be special nonetheless. 

This year's crop is loaded with talented college stars such as Anthony Davis, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and  Harrison Barnes.

Many of these guys are going to make quite an impact in the NBA as rookies during the regular season, but who's going to stand out in the playoffs?

Here's five prospects who have a good chance. 

Dion Waiters

Memphis Grizzlies sixth man O.J. Mayo will be one of the league's biggest free agents this summer.

Since he's a restricted free agent, the Grizzlies can match any offer he receives from another team. However, some team just might offer Mayo such a ridiculous amount of dough that the Grizzlies will refuse to match.

If so, Syracuse guard Dion Waiters could very well land in Memphis. The Big East Sixth Man of the Year could replace the departed Mayo with his ability to provide instant offense.

Waiters, who has drawn comparisons to Miami's Dwyane Wade, could certainly help the Grizzlies make some noise in the playoffs next year.   

Kendall Marshall

The Utah Jazz could use one of their two first-round picks on North Carolina point guard Kendall Marshall.

Sure, Utah already has Devin Harris, but he just isn't the same player who was an All-Star in 2009.

Marshall, perhaps the best floor general in this year's draft, could replace Harris in the starting five at some point next season and help lift the team to a postseason appearance.    

With his brilliant passing ability, Marshall could be the perfect guy to feed Utah's plethora of big men in the post.  

Moe Harkless

Harkless is coming off a pretty good freshman season in which he averaged 15.3 points and 8.6 rebounds per game.  

His St. John's squad didn't make the NCAA tournament, which means a number of fans weren't able to see him showcase his skills. However, people just might witness him make an impact in next year's NBA Playoffs.      

It wouldn't be a major surprise to see Harkless selected by the Atlanta Hawks somewhere around 20th overall.

As a NBA rookie in the ATL, Harkless could take Marvin Williams' starting small forward spot and help the team do some damage in the postseason.    

Festus Ezeli

Remember the name Festus Ezeli because you might hear it a lot during the 2013 NBA playoffs. 

The Oklahoma City Thunder might use their late first-round pick on this 6'11" big man from Vanderbilt to back up Kendrick Perkins.

Ezeli is known for his ability to block shots, which means he'll fit in nicely with the Thunder, who, well, love to block shots.

Barring any major injuries, Oklahoma City could win a title next year and Ezeli's defense off the bench could prove to be a factor.  

Harrison Barnes

Unless something really strange happens, Barnes will be a top-10 pick. It's quite possible the North Carolina star could wind up being taken by the Toronto Raptors, maybe sixth overall.

The Raptors have struggled quite a bit over the last few years, not making the playoffs since '08, back when Chris Bosh was "The Man." However, Barnes could lead the team back to the postseason as a rookie.

With Barnes, a healthy Andrea Bargnani, DeMar DeRozan, Jose Calderon and the arrival of 2011 lottery pick Jonas Valanciunas, the Raptors could be a dangerous team in the East.

Perhaps the top scorer in the draft, Barnes has the ability to put a ballclub on his shoulders, even as a first-year pro.