NBA Mock Draft 2012: Can't-Miss Prospects for Every First-Round Team

As we approach the NBA playoffs and 16 teams get excited about the prospects of winning an NBA title, another 14 sit home and watch and look at the draft as a means to improve their team in order to qualify in next year's playoffs.

Even playoff teams can use the draft to acquire depth or replace pending free agents.

Here's a full first-round mock draft.

1. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis

Anthony Davis is an unbelievable physical specimen who will become Charlotte's franchise player for years to come, assuming they get the first overall pick.

This one shouldn't be a debate. Davis is a lock to be the No. 1 overall pick, especially after his solid performance in the tournament.

Davis averaged 14.3 points and 10 rebounds this season, and that's with four other NBA guys on his team. It's hard to put up numbers like that when you constantly have to spread the wealth because you're on a talented team. 

If Davis goes to the Bobcats, he'll be the go-to guy and there's nothing in his 6'10", 220-lbs frame that says he isn't ready for the challenge. 

2. Washington Wizards: Andre Drummond

Imagine John Wall working the pick-and-roll with Andre Drummond. All of a sudden, the Wizards will look respectable.

Drummond is a monster in the paint, weighing 270 lbs and standing at 6'11". He's also only 18 years old and could continue to grow. His massive wingspan gives him an advantage over other bigs, and there is no doubt that he'll be able to develop into a solid center in the NBA.

3. New Orleans Hornets: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist does a lot of things well, but has not really specialized in anything in particular. That being said, his performance in the March Madness tournament exemplified that he's been NBA-ready for awhile. 

Kidd-Gilchrist will be a great addition in New Orleans, which needs a new leader on its team after the departure of Chris Paul. 

4. Sacramento Kings: Thomas Robinson

Thomas Robinson's Kansas Jayhawks weren't able to win the national championship, but Robinson has done enough to be a top-five pick in this year's draft. 

Though his game on both sides of the ball needs some work, his work ethic is at another level. 

The Sacramento Kings need help down low, especially with the departure of J.J. Hickson, and Robinson will give them that thickness they need in the paint. He'll also provide an immediate impact. 

5. Cleveland Cavaliers: Harrison Barnes

The Cleveland Cavaliers drafted a point guard last year in Kyrie Irving to run the show, but they still haven't addressed the wings, which have been non-existent ever since LeBron James took his talents to South Beach.

Harrison Barnes could be the guy to replace LeBron's big shoes. 

One thing is for sure. The prospects of Irving and Barnes working together turns this team into an immediate threat in the future. 

6. Toronto Raptors: Bradley Beal

Bradley Beal is going to be a fantastic shooter in the NBA someday. He's an excellent catch-and-shoot player who can also play defense.

Pair him up with Demar Derozan and Jose Calderon in the starting lineup, and all of a sudden the Raptors become a high-octane offense team with a bright future. 

7. Portland Trail Blazers: Jeremy Lamb

With Gerald Wallace gone and Ray Felton hitting free agency, the Trail Blazers must look into a scorer on the wings in order to generate some offense for the team.

Jeremy Lamb has won a national championship as part of the 2011 Connecticut Huskies team. It's about time he takes his sweet jump shot to the NBA. He's a fantastic perimeter player, but his lack of size prevents him from driving in the lane. 

8. Utah Jazz: Damian Lillard

Ever since Deron Williams left, the Utah Jazz have been looking for their point guard of the future. Devin Harris doesn't look like he's going to be that guy, so the search continues in the draft.

Damian Lillard comes out of a small school, but he's a big-time player. Lillard is an explosive scorer who can make buckets from anywhere on the court. He's a decent facilitator who could make Jazz fans forget D-Will immediately. 

9. Detroit Pistons: Jared Sullinger

Jared Sullinger is close to 300 lbs. He uses his size to create shots in the paint, and the Detroit Pistons would have one of the best young frontcourts in the league if they draft him to play alongside Greg Monroe. 

10. New Orleans Hornets: Austin Rivers

Austin Rivers has the potential to be a star in the league someday. He's shown how clutch he can be with his miraculous three-point shot against North Carolina earlier this season. He can score from anywhere on the court and has the potential to be a solid defender.

It might be wise for Rivers to stay in college to hone his skills, but in time the dude's going to be able to become an outstanding player. 

It also helps when you're the son of one of the greatest coaches of this generation. 

The New Orleans Hornets would be stocking up in star power if they draft both Kidd-Gilchrist and Rivers. Both of these guys have high potential and could provide excellence on the Hornets' wings for years to come. 

11. Portland Trail Blazers: Tyler Zeller

With the Greg Oden era over in Portland, the Trail Blazers' search for a new center begins now. Tyler Zeller is a Pau Gasol-type of player who can post it up but also hit mid-range jump shots. 

12. Milwaukee Bucks: Meyers Leonard

With Andrew Bogut gone, the Milwaukee Bucks are in need of a new center. Meyers Leonard could be that guy for them. He's a tall 7'1" center, weighing 245 lbs. 

He averaged 14 points and eight rebounds for the Illini this season and shot 58.4 percent from the field. 

13. Utah Jazz: Perry Jones

Perry Jones III of Baylor put up 14 points and seven rebounds this season. He led the Bears to a deep tournament run and simultaneously improved his draft stock.

He's an explosive forward who can really hammer home a dunk. He'll probably be a small forward in the NBA, which is a position the Utah Jazz will need to address since C.J. Miles and Josh Howard are both free agents this summer. 

14. Houston Rockets: Kendall Marshall

With Goran Dragic hitting free agency and most likely commanding a lot of money, the Houston Rockets could look into Kendall Marshall as their point guard of the future.

A great point guard doesn't just score and rack up points. He makes his teammates' jobs easier by distributing and facilitating the offense. Kendall Marshall does just that and would be a welcome addition for the Blazers

15. Phoenix Suns: Terrence Jones

Terrence Jones averaged 12.5 points and seven rebounds this season for the Kentucky Wildcats. He's a versatile and talented wing player, but sometimes he can get mentally distracted. 

The Phoenix Suns are going to be in a desperate need for a wing player because they have plenty of players hitting free agency this summer. Only Josh Childress and Jared Dudley will be under contract on the wings, so Ross would address that problem. 

16. Philadelphia 76ers: Terrence Ross

Terrence Ross won the Pac-12 Player of the Year award and averaged over 16 points per game for the Washington Huskies. 

Ross is a highly athletic forward that can spell Andre Iguodala in Philadelphia. The Sixers are an elite defensive team, and they could use Ross' physicality on their team. 

17. Houston Rockets: Arnett Moultrie

With Yao Ming's career abruptly coming to an end, the Houston Rockets would love to have more depth at the center position.

Arnett Moultrie would be an excellent fit for them. The 6'10", 230-lbs big man put up 16 points and 10 rebounds this season in the SEC. 

18. Dallas Mavericks: Dion Waiters

It's pretty obvious that the Dallas Mavericks need to get younger. They'll be in need of a elite young scorer for years to come and Dion Waiters could be that guy, especially with Jason Terry becoming a free agent this summer. 

Dion Waiters played against the toughest opponents in the NCAA, having played in the Big East, and that gives him plenty of big-game experience. 

19: Denver Nuggets: Tony Wroten

Andre Miller hits free agency, so the Denver Nuggets could use Tony Wroten as a depth pick in their backcourt. A solid shooter like Wroten could eventually develop into a decent starter in the NBA.

20. Boston Celtics: John Henson

John Henson is a big-time shot blocker who averaged over three blocks per game. He has a 7'4" wingspan and can clog up the paint defensively.

The name of his game is defense. He'll be a welcome addition to the Boston Celtics, who would love to get bigger down low, especially since Kevin Garnett is a free agent and Kendrick Perkins was traded away last season. 

21. Memphis Grizzlies: Tony Mitchell

The Memphis Grizzlies have a solid core, but they could use some depth. Tony Mitchell could provide some great bench play for a stacked starting lineup. He averages close to three blocks per game and sucks up rebounds like a vacuum. 

22. Orlando Magic: Fab Melo

Dwight Howard is most likely out after this season, so the Orlando Magic may look into developing a guy like Fab Melo as their center for the future. He has high upside if he can stay focused on basketball. 

23. Atlanta Hawks: Moe Harkless

The Atlanta Hawks will suffer this season during free agency. Most of their players hit the market.

For that reason, taking a guy like Moe Harkless, who'll probably be the best available player at this point in the draft, can be a situation that mitigates the damage this year's free agency will have on the Hawks.

24. Boston Celtics: Doron Lamb

The Boston Celtics will be addressing their first pick on their lack of size in the paint. Their second pick in the first round will fix their problems at shooting guard, which will emerge when Ray Allen becomes a free agent this year.

Even if Allen returns, Doron Lamb will be a young addition to an aging roster and will prove to be an impact player off the bench. 

25. Cleveland Cavaliers: Andrew Nicholson

The Cleveland Cavaliers can use Andrew Nicholson to clog up the paint and play some defense. 

Nicholson averaged close to 19 points and nine rebounds at St. Bonaventure this season, exemplifying his ability to score from the paint. He makes a living down low but can also set killer screens to help out his team offensively.

26. Indiana Pacers: Festus Ezeli

Festus Ezeli will be one of the few centers available at this point for the Indiana Pacers, who would love to have some depth behind Roy Hibbert. 

27. Miami Heat: Jeffery Taylor

Jeff Taylor will probably never start on this Miami Heat squad, but the team could use more depth, especially on the wings. Taylor is a raw and athletic player who has a long body that helps him on both sides of the ball. 

28. Oklahoma City Thunder: Darius Miller

The Oklahoma City Thunder are content with their starting five. Perhaps drafting a winner like Darius Miller to come off the bench will be the final ingredient for this team to win a championship. 

29. Golden State Warriors: Marquis Teague

Consider the Golden State Warriors lucky if Marquis Teague is still available at this point. That being said, if the Warriors do have the opportunity to draft Teague, he'll provide strong depth for starting point guard Steph Curry.

30. Chicago Bulls: Draymond Green

The 6'6", 235-lbs pound body is a type of guy the Chicago Bulls could use to come off the bench and spell some of their big men.