2012 NBA Mock Draft: Smart Picks for Every 1st-Round Team

Regretting horrible draft selections is a national pastime in the NBA—how should teams drafting in 2012's first round avoid future anguish?

Here are the smart picks they won't regret making.

1. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis, PF (Kentucky)

Anthony Davis is a proven winner and freakish athlete who will finally give the Bobcats a superstar in the making.

As second-year guard Kemba Walker continues to develop, Charlotte would have a core to build around. In Davis, it will also have one of the game's best defensive players manning the paint. 

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

Washington absolutely needs an upgrade at small forward, and Kidd-Gilchrist is easily the best option at the position—especially for a team desperately in need of energy, leadership and a winning culture.

Kidd-Gilchrist is the complete package, and he'd give Washington an athletic stopper on the wing who should become a more dynamic scorer in time. 

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

New Orleans could use a guy with Robinson's physical presence and defensive ability, but they would especially appreciate his grittiness.

Robinson can also face up and score, giving the Hornets a solid frontcourt with Emeka Okafor and/or Chris Kaman.

4. Sacramento Kings: Andre Drummond, C (UConn)

The Sacramento Kings already have some size, but they need more defense. Drummond would give exactly that while letting DeMarcus Cousins focus on the scoring.

Sacramento could also use a small forward and might take a look at Harrison Barnes or Kidd-Gilchrist if he's still on the board. With Tyreke Evans, Marcus Thornton and Isaiah Thomas in the backcourt, the last thing they need is another guard. 

5. Cleveland Cavaliers: Harrison Barnes, SF (North Carolina)

The Cavaliers need a scorer to pair with Kyrie Irving, and Barnes would go a long way in solving that need.

He'd also give Cleveland improved perimeter defense and a solid core along with Tristan Thompson and Anderson Varejao.

6. Toronto Raptors: Bradley Beal, SG (Florida)

Beal would take perimeter scoring pressure off DeMar DeRozan and give Toronto a much-needed first-option for the future.

If he lives up to his potential, he could be a dark horse for Rookie of the Year consideration. 

 

7. Portland Trail Blazers: Kendall Marshall, PG (North Carolina)

Marshall has good size, and he'll be an excellent passer for a rookie—Portland will need that with or without Raymond Felton around, and odds are he won't be.

Portland needs a point guard like Marshall (or perhaps Damian Lillard) to create opportunities for a talented supporting cast of LaMarcus Aldridge, Nic Batum and Wesley Matthews. 

 

8. Detroit Pistons: Perry Jones III, PF (Baylor)

Jones would be a welcome addition to Detroit's paint. Greg Monroe may be one of the most improved bigs in the game, but he doesn't play above the rim—nor does the 6'7'' Jason Maxiell.

Jones has amazing length, athleticism and speed—he's an incredibly versatile 4 and would represent a much better option than Charlie Villanueva going forward.

 

9. Utah Jazz: Damian Lillard, PG (Weber State)

With only one more season left on Devin Harris' contract and plenty of young talent in the paint, the Jazz should be looking for a point guard. That could be Kendall Marshall, or it could be Damian Lillard—a speedy, multi-talented floor general who looks a lot like a younger, better version of Devin Harris himself.

The Jazz might also consider some combo-guards like Austin Rivers, Tony Wroten Jr. or Dion Waiters. 

 

10. New Orleans Hornets: Terrence Jones, SF (Kentucky)

If the team drafts size early on (like Robinson or Drummond), they should look for help on the wing here, and Terrence Jones will have the best upside of anyone available.

The Hornets might also be smart to trade this pick for a more proven commodity—with a healthy Eric Gordon and sound free-agent decisions, this team could be closer to the playoffs than anyone thinks.

 

11. Portland Trail Blazers: Tyler Zeller, C (North Carolina)

With Greg Oden out and Marcus Camby traded, Zeller would be a natural long-term fit with the Trail Blazers.

He moves well, plays hard and has a good scoring touch. The Blazers could also look at Arnett Moultrie or Meyers Leonard, but odds are they prefer a more conservative bet in Zeller.

 

12. Milwaukee Bucks: John Henson, PF (North Carolina)

Henson is an impressive athlete who could immediately upgrade the Bucks' interior defense, especially if Ersan Ilyasova escapes by free agency.

If Milwaukee is convinced Brandon Jennings won't stick around much longer, they could be planning to trade him—in that event, they could look for a guard here to pair with Monta Ellis. It sure would be hard to let Jennings go, though.

 

13. Utah Jazz: Austin Rivers, PG (Duke)

Utah could still be looking for backcourt help here given their depth at other positions. It wouldn't be surprising to see the Jazz select one guard to distribute along with one like Rivers, who's conditioned to score the ball. 

If Austin Rivers eventually learns to play the point, he could become a versatile backcourt asset for a team like the Jazz. Even if he doesn't, though, he should quickly become a viable sixth man who will come into games unafraid to shoot. 

 

14. Phoenix Suns: Jeremy Lamb, SG (UConn)

If Jeremy Lamb stays on the board this long, he could be a steal this late in the draft for the Suns.

With Grant Hill's future uncertain (and short at any rate) and Jared Dudley a less-than-dynamic option, Lamb would be a nice addition to the Suns' wing.

 

15. Houston Rockets: Jared Sullinger, PF (Ohio State)

While Luis Scola is set at power forward for the immediate future, the Rockets could use a bruiser like Sullinger to come off the bench and clean the glass. He might not make a huge impact right away, but he's not a bad investment. 

 

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

Philadelphia could look for an eventual Elton Brand replacement (perhaps Sullinger or John Henson), or they could address the need for another scorer.

Ross would give the 76ers an upgrade over Jodie Meeks, and he could have as much upside as anyone at this point in the draft. 

 

17. New Jersey Nets: Arnett Moultrie, PF (Mississippi St.)

Moultrie's size and defense could prove valuable right away for a team like the Nets, whose future in the paint is uncertain give Kris Humphries' free agency and the eternal quest for Dwight Howard.

If there's a good point guard left on the board and the Nets are reasonably certain Deron Williams is leaving, this selection could go in a very different direction.

 

18. Denver Nuggets: Tony Wroten, Jr. PG (Washington)

Wroten continues to struggle with his shot, decision-making and ball control, but the opportunity to play behind a starter like Ty Lawson could be just what he needs.

He'd give a different look off the bench thanks to his 6'5'' size, and he'd become especially valuable if Andre Miller departs via free agency. 

 

19. Houston Rockets: Dion Waiters, PG/SG (Syracuse)

Houston could use a combo-guard to come off the bench if Goran Dragic finds more money elsewhere this summer.

The Rockets might also hold on to Dragic and use Lowry as trade bait. Either way, another guard would come in handy.

 

20. Atlanta Hawks: Doron Lamb, SG (Kentucky)

Like Waiters, Lamb's size may hurt him early on and make him a somewhat risky selection, but the Hawks can afford to take that risk given the chances that Kirk Hinrich won't return.

Other than Willie Green and Janero Pargo, Atlanta doesn't have much else in its backcourt behind Jeff Teague and Joe Johnson. 

 

21. Boston Celtics: Meyers Leonard, C (Illinois)

The Celtics need a center and Leonard has the potential to become one of the better bigs in this draft. He's got good size and could become a regular as he adds strength. 

 

22. Orlando Magic: Marquis Teague, PG (Kentucky)

The younger Teague could wind up every bit as good as his brother, and Orlando could use that kind of speed behind starting point guard Jameer Nelson.

It wouldn't be surprising to see this pick traded, though—the Magic are in a state of major flux.

 

23. Memphis Grizzlies: Jeff Taylor, SF (Vanderbilt)

The Grizzlies lost some wing depth after trading Sam Young, and Taylor would fit in as a solid backup for Rudy Gay.

If Memphis ever winds up trading O.J. Mayo, this pick could either be included in that deal or used on a replacement for Mayo (perhaps someone like Doron Lamb).

 

24. Boston Celtics: Royce White, SF (Iowa St.)

White has plenty of talent, but his struggles with anxiety and fear of flying suggest he could be a huge risk.

The bottom line for Boston is the need for depth behind Paul Pierce, who continues to log a lot of minutes. 

 

25. Indiana Pacers: Andrew Nicholson, PF (St. Bonaventure)

Indiana could grab a 4 like Nicholson in anticipation of David West eventually moving on.

Nicholson has steadily improved and developed an impressive scoring touch with the range to match. He probably won't see a lot of playing time early on, but that would suit Indiana just fine. 

 

26. Cleveland Cavaliers: Festus Ezeli, C (Vanderbilt)

After addressing its needs on the wing, Cleveland could use a backup center. Tristan Thompson is better suited starting at the 4, and a guy like Ezeli could allow him to play all his minutes there. Ezeli is strong and has great length—worth a shot.

 

27. Golden State Warriors: Moe Harkless, SF (St. John's)

Harkless would give Dorell Wright a solid back-up and could potentially take on a more prominent role down the road. The Warriors' starting lineup should be pretty much set, so this pick will be used on a guy capable of making a difference off the bench. 

 

28. Miami Heat: Fab Melo, C (Syracuse)

Miami has yet to settle its rotation at the center position, and there's no question they'd like an upgrade over Joel Anthony.

Melo can block shots, move well and explode to the rim.

 

29. Oklahoma City Thunder: Draymond Green, SF (Michigan St.)

If Green can find a natural position in the NBA, he could serve as a versatile player off the bench.

The Thunder don't need much more than that—it wouldn't be surprising to see them take the best player available or gamble on someone who might pan out down the road.

 

30. Chicago Bulls: Evan Fournier, SG (France)

Fournier is an acceptable risk for an already-established team like the Bulls. He may not play right away, and he may never be any good, but he's a smart move for a team that can afford to take the chance.

It's not like Chicago has many other needs at the moment.