2012 NBA Mock Draft: Harrison Barnes and Most Polished Prospects

Upside tends to be a rather dirty word in the NBA Draft. The word itself has made busts out of many a seemingly promising prospect, from Kwame Brown and Darko Milicic to Tyrus Thomas and Hasheem Thabeet.

Of course, there are those potential draftees who've already reached their respective ceilings, whose upside is limited.

Then again, pushing polish over promise isn't always such a bad thing. What's so wrong with a team knowing exactly what they're getting, rather than hoping for something that might not come to fruition?

There are certainly some players in the class of 2012 for whom that much is true, but should turn out to be productive pros nonetheless.

1. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky

Anthony Davis boasts a blend of known skills and considerable upside should make him a star from the get-go at the next level.

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

No one knows if MKG will ever become the proficient shooter that he'd need to be if he's to become a bona fide superstar. For now, though, his heart, hustle and athleticism should suffice just fine.

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

Despite spending three years in school, Thomas Robinson is still surprisingly raw, though he's still more than capable of banging bodies down low and stepping out for the occasional 16-foot jumper.

4. Sacramento Kings: Andre Drummond, C, Connecticut

There may not be a riskier pick in this draft than Andre Drummond. The freshman center out of UConn has the tools to be a All-Star...but the 'tude to be a miserable bust.

5. Cleveland Cavaliers: Bradley Beal, SG, Florida

Bradley Beal is already a tremendous athlete and a pesky defender whose game will grow as his jump shot smooths out.

6. Toronto Raptors: Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina

Harrison Barnes is a strangely well-known quantity for a prospect of his age and ability. The North Carolina star is already an excellent perimeter shooter and knows full well how to put his considerable athleticism to use on the defensive end.

Heck, Barnes has all the tools to be a superstar at the next level, except for a killer instinct. He has a reputation for shrinking in big moments and won't likely see a change in that department unless he somehow adds a bit of a nasty edge to his seemingly passive attitude. 

7. Portland Trail Blazers (via Nets): Damian Lillard, PG, Weber State

Damian Lillard's game figures to solidify once he slots into a specific position in the NBA...or finds a niche as a combo guard. 

8. Utah Jazz (via Warriors): Kendall Marshall, PG, North Carolina

Taking Kendall Marshall this early is a bit of a risk, given his suspect jumper, though his skills as a ballhandler and distributor are far enough off the charts to make this one passable.

Especially with Devin Harris as the top option currently in place in Utah.

9. Detroit Pistons: Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State

Jared Sullinger is, has been and will always be a predominantly below-the-rim player. He's not particularly athletic, nor is he all that tall for a guy who spends so much of his time in the post.

What the two-time All-American lacks in physical specs, though, he more than makes up for in skill and an understanding of how best to utilize what he's been given. Sullinger is an expert at clearing out space with his wide frame and boasts a keen understanding of how to position himself as a passer and rebounder from just about anywhere on the floor.

At this point, Sullinger compares favorably to Kevin Love, particularly if he extends his range out to the three-point line. With a pairing of Sullinger and Greg Monroe, the Pistons may well be able to run the vast majority of their offense, both high and low, through their front court for the foreseeable future.

10. New Orleans Hornets (via Timberwolves): Tyler Zeller, C, North Carolina

After four years in college, Tyler Zeller is as much of a known quantity as anyone in this draft class. He's tall, he's long, he can run the floor and he has a soft pair of hands that can pass out of the post, catch in the paint and hit shots from 18 feet.

He won't likely ever be a defensive stopper of any sort or a body-banging rebounder, but the ACC Player of the Year has fought through injuries and will almost always make the smart play on offense.

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

Perry Jones III oozes ability from his pores, isn't quite as assertive as most scouts would like. Think Lamar Odom, for better or worse.

12. Milwaukee Bucks: Terrence Jones, PF, Kentucky

Terrence Jones' collegiate inconsistency suggests that he could be a tremendous pro if he focuses and plays with greater effort going forward.

13. Houston Rockets: John Henson, PF, North Carolina

If John Henson's game doesn't develop one bit, he'll still be a solid defensive big man.

If it does, though, he could develop into a quality all-around forward.

14. Phoenix Suns: Austin Rivers, SG, Duke

It's tough to say where on the scale, from raw to polished, Austin Rivers ranks. On the one hand, he's still just a teenager with a tendency to jack up errant shots, lose control of himself and the ball on drives to the basket and generally misread situations.

On the other, Rivers is already a dead-eye shooter who's as fearless and dedicated to his craft as anyone in his draft class. His lack of elite athleticism will likely hinder him defensively, though his confident approach to the game should allow him to succeed even when his physical limitations hold him back.

15. Philadelphia 76ers: Jeremy Lamb, SG, Connecticut

Jeremy Lamb was exposed a bit for his inconsistencies while playing without Kemba Walker as a sophomore, though he'd still fill the Sixers' need at shooting guard quite nicely if he pans out.

16. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Jazz): Dion Waiters, SG, Syracuse

Can the T'wolves continue to improve with Luke Ridnour at shooting guard when Ricky Rubio returns? Here's thinking GM David Kahn and head coach Rick Adelman don't want to find out...

17. Houston Rockets (via Knicks): Arnett Moultrie, PF, Mississippi State

Arnett Moultrie is another one of these late-bloomer types whose game has improved considerably over the last year or two but who still has plenty of upside on which to draw going forward.

18. Dallas Mavericks: Terrence Ross, SG, Washington

The impending free agency of Vince Carter, Delonte West and Jason Terry makes Terrence Ross a solid pick to fill the Mavs' backcourt at shooting guard, presumably next to Deron Williams.

19. Denver Nuggets: Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois

Meyers Leonard's seven-foot size, gazelle-like agility and skinny frame make him much more of a project than a sure thing.

20. Orlando Magic: Fab Melo, C, Syracuse

At this point, Fab Melo looks like the sort of prospect who's both polished and raw, in that he'll probably always be little more than a big body who rebounds, defends and dunks, with the occasional hook shot mixed in.

21. Boston Celtics: Royce White, PF, Iowa State

Royce White would be easily be a lottery pick if not for his struggles with anxiety. As it stands, he has more than enough raw talent, particularly for a player of his stature (6'8", 270 pounds), to warrant selection late in the first round.

22. Atlanta Hawks: Jeffery Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt

It should come as little surprise that seniors are easier to project as pros than are underclassmen. They've had more time to develop and more exposure in front the prying eyes of NBA scouts.

That's not to say that Jeff Taylor isn't going to improve from here on out because he's spent four years in school. Rather, the Vanderbilt star has already demonstrated that he has the skill set to be an excellent perimeter defender and an athletic slasher, with an ever-more-accurate jump shot to show that he'll put in the hard work needed to get better.

23. Memphis Grizzlies: Tony Wroten Jr., PG, Washington

Memphis' front-court depth, combined with the potential loss of OJ Mayo via free agency, makes a combo guard like Tony Wroten an excellent pick on potential at this point in the draft.

24. Boston Celtics (via Clippers): Moe Harkless, SF, St. John's

The emergence of Avery Bradley at shooting guard gives GM Danny Ainge some flexibility to spend this pick on a wing like Moe Harkless, who can develop and learn the pro game behind Paul Pierce.

25. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Lakers): Andrew Nicholson, PF, St. Bonaventure

Andrew Nicholson has a hefty helping of Antawn Jamison in his game...and guess who comes off the Cavs' books after the season?

26. Indiana Pacers: Marquis Teague, PG, Kentucky

No offense to Darren Collison and George Hill, but the Pacers are still in search of a long-term solution at point guard. Marquis Teague, an Indianapolis native, has the talent to be that guy at some point down the line.

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

Draymond Green has very little in common with a box of chocolates—you always know what you're going to get with him.

That is, consistent effort from an undersized power forward with a jack-of-all-trades tool box to affect the game in a number of ways but no single ability that'll allow him to overwhelm his opponents.

Still, Green's a born winner and a great glue guy who should solidify Miami's woebegone bench.

28. Oklahoma City Thunder: Evan Fournier, SF, France

The Thunder don't have any glaring needs on their roster, so they can afford to draft an international prospect like Evan Fournier and stash him overseas for another season or two.

29. Golden State Warriors (via Spurs): Tyshawn Taylor, PG, Kansas

The Dubs' depth at guard just ain't what it used to be. Steph Curry's fragile ankles make springing for Tyshawn Taylor that much more logical, if not downright necessary.

30. Chicago Bulls: Doron Lamb, SG, Kentucky

What's that, Derrick Rose? You want more shooters to pass to?

How 'bout Doron Lamb? You like? I can't tell. You're gonna have to smile or something. Oh, forget it...

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