2012 NBA Mock Draft: Perry Jones and Big Men Certain to Be Busts

Big men take much longer to develop in the NBA than guards do, so we often see a lot of centers and power forwards who just don't pan out in the pros after excelling in college.

This year's draft class has a ton of frontcourt talent, but there are several potential busts among the big men available.

Let's look at who those players are in a fresh first-round mock draft.

Note: Order based on projected finish.

1. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis, Kentucky

Davis is the franchise cornerstone the Charlotte Bobcats need because he has the ability to dominate at both ends of the floor, especially defensively.

2. Washington Wizards: Thomas Robinson, Kansas

Robinson has an NBA-ready body and skill set that will help him excel right from the start of his rookie year.

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

Kidd-Gilchrist is the best all-around player in this draft with his ability to excel at both ends of the floor combined with his high basketball IQ.

4. Sacramento Kings: Andre Drummond, Connecticut

Andre Drummond is one of the more talented players in this year's draft class, and his potential is sky high.

However, questions and concerns about his ability to work hard and improve his game are major issues for teams looking to draft him high in the draft.

Teams cannot afford to waste top-five picks on risky big men, which is why Drummond must prove to teams that he's willing to put in the time needed to reach his potential.

Drummond is one of the biggest high-risk/high-reward picks in this class.

5. Cleveland Cavaliers: Brad Beal, Florida

Beal's ability to stretch the floor with consistent outside shooting would be a real boost to a Cavaliers team that is still rebuilding after LeBron James' departure in 2010.

6. Toronto Raptors: Harrison Barnes, North Carolina

Barnes didn't help himself with his poor NCAA tournament showing, but he is still a talented scorer with a lot of room for improvement in his game.

7. Portland Trail Blazers (via New Jersey): Jeremy Lamb, Connecticut

Lamb's ability to score consistently and be an effective playmaker will really help the Portland Trail Blazers' offense.

8. Detroit Pistons: John Henson, North Carolina

Henson's shot-blocking ability is already at an NBA level, and his offense continues to improve. This is a no-brainer pick for the Pistons.

9. Utah Jazz (via Golden State): Jared Sullinger, Ohio State

Sullinger has some strong fundamental skills for a big man, but his size and offensive game is a bit of a concern as he moves onto the NBA.

Sullinger's post moves worked in college against inferior players who didn't have a huge size advantage on him, but in the NBA, Sullinger won't be able to throw his weight around that easily.

He's not big enough to be an effective power forward in the pros, but he's also not quick enough to guard small forwards on defense,

10. New Orleans Hornets (via Minnesota): Damian Lillard, Weber State  

Lillard has the most potential of any point guard available at this spot as the Hornets look to find a future replacement for Chris Paul.

11. Portland Trail Blazers: Tyler Zeller, North Carolina

Zeller's ability to strongly impact both ends of the floor will help the Blazers correct their primary weakness, which is lack of talent at center.

12. Milwaukee Bucks: Meyers Leonard, Illinois

Leonard is going to take time to develop into a quality big man, but his offensive skills and ability to score in the post will be worth it to the Bucks, who desperately need a center.

13. Phoenix Suns: Kendall Marshall, North Carolina

Marshall's ability to run an offense so well and make exquisite passes will help him become the point guard of the future for the Suns and possibly the starter as early as next season.

14. Utah Jazz: Tony Wroten Jr., Washington

Wroten's strong ball-handling skills, combined with his ability to score consistently, makes him a solid choice for a young Utah Jazz team.

15. Houston Rockets (via New York): Doron Lamb, Kentucky

The Rockets would love to add a player like Lamb that has athleticism, scoring skills and the ability to handle the ball in pressure situations.

16. Philadelphia 76ers: Terrence Jones, Kentucky

Jones doesn't dominate in any one aspect of the game, but he does many things very well and has a lot of versatility with his size and athleticism.

17. New Jersey Nets (via Houston): Perry Jones, Baylor

Inconsistency is the biggest knock on Perry Jones' game, and it's a major red flag to teams that are thinking of drafting the Baylor Bears star with a high pick.

Jones has a good offensive game, but he won't get easy baskets in the NBA like he did in college unless he adds some muscle and improves his back-to-the-basket post moves.

He has the ability to become a star big man in the NBA thanks to his athleticism, but he must work on his body and his defensive game.

18. Denver Nuggets: Terrence Ross, Washington

If the Nuggets want to compete next year, then selecting an NBA-ready player who can play defense like Ross is a great choice for them at pick No. 18.

19. Houston Rockets (via Dallas): Jeffery Taylor, Vanderbilt

Taylor's ability to score and provide leadership to his teammates will make him a valuable NBA player for many years.

20. Atlanta Hawks: Moe Harkless, St. John’s

Harkless' defensive abilities would really improve a Hawks team that needs a lot of changes in the summer after repeatedly failing in the playoffs.

21. Boston Celtics: Austin Rivers, Duke

Rivers is a great talent, but he wasn't dominant at Duke as a freshman and would probably have helped himself by going back for another year. However, he chose to enter the draft, and the Celtics could certainly take him since his father, Doc, is the head coach.

22. Orlando Magic: C.J. Leslie, NC State

Leslie is a strong player who has experience being a primary scoring option throughout his basketball career, which would help him on the Magic. His rebounding skills are also good.

23. Memphis Grizzlies: Royce White, Iowa State

White is a good rebounder and showed that he can block shots well this season at Iowa State, but he's not going to dominate offensively in the NBA anytime soon.

24. Boston Celtics (via Los Angeles Clippers): Arnett Moultrie, Mississippi State

Moultrie will be the best center available at this point in the draft, and the Celtics will take him since they need a center for the future.

25. Indiana Pacers: Dion Waiters, Syracuse

Waiters' offensive ability and his willingness to get out in transition will help a young Pacers team that is slowly becoming a really good roster.

26. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Los Angeles Lakers): Fab Melo, Syracuse

Fab Melo's size and interior defense would really help the Cavaliers, who haven't had a top-tier center since the early 1990s.

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

Green is a smart player who will bring a strong effort on defense to a Warriors team that gives up way too many points each night to be a real playoff contender.

28. Miami Heat: Andrew Nicholson, St. Bonaventure

Nicholson would give the Heat some nice depth in the frontcourt, which is something that will hurt them in the playoffs this season. 

29. Oklahoma City Thunder: Evan Fournier, France

Europe's premier shooting guard will be a nice fit in Oklahoma City, but he's not ready to make the NBA just yet. With the Thunder already contending, they can let Fournier stay overseas and further develop his game and body.

30. Chicago Bulls: Tomas Satoransky, Czech Republic

Satoransky is a 6'7" guard who can score and defend because of his quickness and speed. He would be a nice addition to Chicago alongside Derrick Rose in the backcourt.