2012 NBA Mock Draft: How Bradley Beal Reshapes First Round

In this year's NBA draft, one player declaring can change the entire game.

In 2012, there are lots of viable options at forward but not so many at guard, so the best backcourt generals in college basketball have a chance to push themselves higher up the board than in many other years.

For those NBA teams that find themselves in need of an upgrade at guard and will have a lottery pick in this year's draft, they received some good news on Friday morning. Here's a complete mock draft with a special emphasis on how Bradley Beal's declaring will affect the proceedings.

1. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky

Davis will be the No. 1 pick in the draft no matter what. During a championship season at Kentucky, he proved that there was no one on his level who could compete with him.

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

Davis' partner in crime with the Wildcats will be right behind him in the draft order. He can offer a perennially disappointing Washington team the kind of work ethic and grit it needs to start changing the direction of the franchise. 

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

The junior drastically improved his production during the 2011-12 season, registering 17.7 points, 11.9 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game while leading the Jayhawks to a deep run in the NCAA tournament.

4. Sacramento Kings: Andre Drummond, PF, UConn

Now that he has officially declared for the draft, the Kings won't be able to back off from Drummond, who is a defensive monster with the ideal body for an NBA big man. Last season, he tallied 2.7 blocks per game.

5. Toronto Raptors: Bradley Beal, SG, Florida

This is where things get interesting. Beal totally changed the complexion of this year's draft when he officially declared on Friday.

The guard was an All-SEC first team and All-Freshman team selection after registering 14.8 points, 6.7 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game. He shot 44.5 percent from the field and 33.9 percent from beyond the arc as he led the Gators to a surprisingly deep run in the NCAA tournament, where they blew a second-half lead to Louisville in the Elite Eight.

According to a tweet by Gainseville Sun men's basketball beat writer Kevin Brockway, Florida coach Billy Donovan said there is "definitely a realistic possibility he'll be a top five pick." Of his decision to declare, Beal said:

"

Beal said decision to go to NBA "was toughest decision I made in my life."

— Kevin Brockway (@gatorhoops) April 13, 2012"

Despite the fact that they already have DeMar Derozan in the backcourt, the Raptors can't pass up on the talent Beal would provide. He can play either point guard or shooting guard, is a great defender and is a deadly clutch shooter.

6. Cleveland Cavaliers: Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina

Barnes has the ability to be a terrific scorer from anywhere on the court, and though his defense could use improvement, he has the fundamentals and the intelligence—on the court and off—to be impactful sooner rather than later.

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

If not for Beal declaring, Lillard could've easily been the first guard off the board in this draft.

Though the Blazers also need help in the frontcourt, Drummond has already been taken and would've been the best option at center. Lillard is a smart selection because he has the size and speed to start in the NBA.

Lillard gives Portland a great scorer with range who had averaged 24.5 points and 4.0 assists as a junior.

8. Detroit Pistons: Tyler Zeller, C, North Carolina

The Pistons need size, and Zeller has the body control to outrun most power forwards and the skill to score.

9. Utah Jazz: Kendall Marshall, PG, North Carolina

Marshall won't see his stock fall too far because of Beal. He gives the Jazz a lot of upside  at the one position they're lacking it, and he'll transition nicely onto the team because of his ability to involve his teammates.

10. New Orleans Hornets: Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois

He's the next-best center on the board with Zeller already gone, and after taking Robinson with their first pick, the Hornets need to add some more help in the frontcourt.

11.  Portland Trail Blazers: Perry Jones III, PF, Baylor

He may be one of the best players left on the board at this point, and given his talent level and upside, the Blazers need to get him here.

12. Milwaukee Bucks: Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State

Sullinger isn't the most athletic guy on the court, but his production—17.5 points and 9.2 rebounds per game—makes him impossible to pass up at this stage, since he could've gone in the top 10.

13. Utah Jazz: Jeremy Lamb, SG, UConn

With the Jazz in need of some help in the backcourt next season, Lamb is a good bet as an explosive swingman with a good jump shot and an excellent wingspan (7'1").

14. Phoenix Suns: John Henson, PF, North Carolina

If the Suns want someone to make a big impact next year, they need to go for Henson. He was one of the nation's best shot-blockers last season with 2.9 per game, and although he needs to bulk up, his freakish athleticism will serve the Suns well.

15. Houston Rockets: Terrence Jones, PF, Kentucky

If the Bucks stick with Sullinger and leave Jones on the board, the Rockets will snag him here. Jones  could fall out of the lottery because of his unorthodox shot and some inconsistency, but his defense and scoring potential were on full display in this year's tournament.

16. Philadelphia 76ers: Terrence Ross, SG, Washington

The Sixers need someone who can score, and Ross has a natural ability and great range that will substantially improve Philly's offense.

17. Denver Nuggets: Arnett Moultrie, PF, Mississippi State

Moultrie is unusually fast for his size and is a great rebounder, registering 10.5 per game during his sophomore season at Mississippi State.

18. Dallas Mavericks: Austin Rivers, SG, Duke

Rivers is the best point guard left on the board, and although he needs to improve his shot selection and learn how to involve his teammates, he has the instincts to succeed in the NBA.

19. New Jersey Nets: C.J. Leslie, PF, NC State

Leslie, who increased his stock during NC State's run in the NCAA tournament, is the best power forward left on the board.

20. Boston Celtics: Royce White, SF, Iowa State

The Celtics need to start getting younger up front, and White—who suffers from anxiety disorder—has tremendous upside as a scorer.

21. Orlando Magic: Fab Melo, C, Syracuse

The sophomore big man who registered 2.9 blocks per game declared for the draft after missing the NCAA tournament because of academic issues. He needs more time to develop but could be Dwight Howard's replacement when he finally skips town. 

22. Memphis Grizzlies: Jeffery Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt

He's the best option left at his position, and at 6'7", he can rack up steals and deflections.

23. Atlanta Hawks: Tony Wroten Jr., PG, Washington

As one of the most talented guards in this draft, he may have the farthest to fall with the addition of Beal to the mix. The Hawks have to take him at this point if he's still available based on his passing skills and body control, and he could be a solid backup for Jeff Teague.

24. Boston Celtics: Andrew Nicholson, PF, St. Bonaventure

After taking a small forward with their first pick, the Celtics try to shore up their front court further with the addition of Nicholson, whose high basketball IQ and inside scoring presence are big pluses.

25. Indiana Pacers: Marquis Teague, PG, Kentucky

Teague continues to fall in and out of the first round in mocks but could find a permanent home with the Pacers, who need a point guard and could benefit from his composure and his quickness.

26. Cleveland Cavaliers: Moe Harkless, SF, St. John's

Though he needs to refine his jumper, Harkless is a great rebounder—he registered 8.6 per game last year—and he is a shot-blocking threat with solid scoring ability (15.3 points per game in 2011-12).

27. Miami Heat: Draymond Green, SF, Michigan State

With a full four years under Tom Izzo to his name, Green has the experience and the basketball IQ to be successful in the NBA. Though he registered 16.2 points and 10.6 rebounds per game as a senior, one concern with him is his athleticism.

28. Golden State Warriors: Kevin Jones, PF, West Virginia

His athleticism is a bit lacking, but Jones proved his worth as one of the best scorers and rebounders in a very competitive Big East this season.

29. Oklahoma City Thunder: Doron Lamb, SG, Kentucky

Lamb would give Kentucky five first-round picks in this year's draft. He's an athletic scorer (13.7 points this season) and a good ball-handler.

30. Chicago Bulls: John Jenkins, SG, Vanderbilt

He's an excellent perimeter shooter who will be scary even behind the NBA three-point line.