2012 NBA Mock Draft: Most Imposing Big Men in the First Round

Think your favorite teams needs another big man? Most fans do—and for good reason.

It's hard to find guys who can hold their own in the NBA paint—even in the NBA. The draft is an ideal opportunity to find those kind of prospects, but they're rarely a sure bet.

For every Tim Duncan or Kevin Garnett that comes around, there are dozens along the lines of Kwame Brown or Michael Olowokandi.

Teams like the Charlotte Bobcats, New Orleans Hornets, Toronto Raptors and Sacramento Kings could be looking for some improved size in the lottery, and it goes without saying just about all 30 teams will keep their eyes open for a power forward or center who could help.

Here are some of the best options for teams looking to become more imposing in the paint.

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

Anthony Davis is a proven winner and freakish athlete who could become one of the most versatile and defensively important bigs in the NBA. Imagine a Marcus Camby in his prime, only with even more scoring ability and sheer talent. 

It would be a shock if Davis isn't selected first overall in June's draft. He will instantly make an impact for the lucky team who gets him. Even if it takes him time to become a consistent scorer in the league, he'll create havoc in the paint for opposing offenses.

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

Washington needs an upgrade at the small forward position, and Kidd-Gilchrist is easily the best option—especially for a team desperately in need of energy, leadership and more competitive edge. This guy will give them all that and more.

3. New Orleans Hornets: Thomas Robinson, 6'9", 237 lbs., PF (Kansas)

Robinson can do it all, and he helped his draft stock with a strong performance in the NCAA tournament. His size isn't ideal at the pro level, but he'll make up for it with skill, hustle and a great set of physical tools.

Robinson will also be one of the best scoring 4s a team can find in this draft—he already has a solid mid-range game. He'd give the Hornets a solid inside-outside combination with Eric Gordon in the backcourt.

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

Arguably no player in this draft has a better combination of size and strength, but there remain some questions about Drummond's ability to contribute consistently and play up to NBA standards. Most would give Drummond decent odds of one day developing into an All-Star, though.

He may not be the next Andrew Bynum, but he's this draft's best bet to be. His defensive presence would allow DeMarcus Cousins to focus more on offense and give the Kings a formidable pair of bigs. 

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

The Cavaliers should go after a scorer to pair with Kyrie Irving, and Barnes would could be the best all-around option to rebuild Cleveland's wing. He'd also improve the perimeter defense and give the starting lineup a bit more length and athleticism.

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

The Raptors can't afford to be too choosy here and should take the best available talent. That could be a scorer like Beal—he'd take some pressure off DeMar DeRozan and give Toronto a much-needed first-option for the future.

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

Portland might go with the most talented player still left on the board, but if it opts to address immediate needs, it could groom Marshall to run the point for the foreseeable future. He's arguably the best passer in the draft.

8. 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 guy like Damian Lillard—a speedy and multi-talented point guard to round out a pretty deep team. 

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

Jones III has exceptional length, athleticism and speed. His versatility and ability to play above the rim make him an ideal complement to . We probably didn't see his full potential with a deep Baylor Bear squad, but he should eventually click at NBA level so long as he becomes more consistent.

In the best scenario, Jones III could end up a little something like Kevin Garnett—at worst, he could turn into a bit of a long-term project like Anthony Randolph.   

 

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

Assuming the Hornets take a big earlier in the draft (like Robinson or Drummond), they should look for help on the wing here, and Terrence Jones probably has the best upside of anyone available. He can do a little bit of everything and has the physical tools to become a star.

 

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

Zeller moves well, plays hard and has a great shooting touch for a seven-footer. A big guy with skill and good hands is a rare find, and that makes Zeller a prime lottery selection.

He could get pushed around a little early in his NBA career, but a couple offseasons in the weight room should do the trick. With Marcus Camby traded, Portland could use a young center to help out LaMarcus Aldridge in the paint. 

 

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

Henson is a great athlete who could immediately impact any interior defense with his rebounding and shot-blocking abilities. He's got a motor that may be second only to Anthony Davis among this year's bigs and would be a nice replacement for Ersan Ilyasova if he departs via free agency.

Some strength and extended shooting range would help Henson out, but that's typical even among the best young prospects.

 

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

Even if the Jazz take a point guard with its first selection, Utah is even more set in the front court. Don't be surprised to see a combo-guard with scoring ability go here—someone like Rivers or Dion Waiters.

 

14. New Jersey Nets: Jared Sullinger, PF (Ohio State)

Sullinger could struggle against the NBA's longer front lines, but his strength and talent will at least give him a chance to compensate for that. He should be better than similarly framed guys like Glen Davis, but he may not be versatile enough to become the next Carlos Boozer. If he can play with the big boys, he could be a steal this late in the draft.  

15. Houston Rockets: Jeremy Lamb, SG (UConn)

Lamb has a lot of talent and might not last this long in the draft, but the Rockets would be lucky if he does. He'd give them the flexibility to either avoid paying too much for Courtney Lee in free agency or move Kevin Martin via trade.

16. Philadelphia 76ers: Arnett Moultrie, PF (Mississippi St.)

Moultrie's size and athletic ability are incredibly tempting, and his improvement as a junior may get him some looks in the first round. You'd like to see him averaging more than .8 blocks in his 35.8 minutes a contest, but the 16.4 points and 10.5 rebounds were more than enough to impress.

He'd give Philly an eventual replacement for Elton Brand and some additional size to team with the much-improved Spencer Hawes.

17. Phoenix Suns: Terrence Ross, SG (Washington)

If scouts wind up liking this guy more than Jeremy Lamb and/or Austin Rivers, he could definitely go higher. He has the ideal versatility and skill set for an NBA 2 guard, and Phoenix could use someone with a little star potential.

18. Dallas Mavericks: Meyers Leonard, C (Illinois)

Like so many of the bigs in this draft, Leonard is an unpolished prospect with plenty of potential. He's mobile for a seven-footer and can make an impact with his abilities to rebound and intimidate shots. With some additional muscle and an improved mental approach, Leonard could become an excellent center.

He might make it easier for Dallas to amnesty Brendan Haywood, and would be a piece for the future at the very least.

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

Wroten Jr. would have the opportunity in Denver to play behind a starter like Ty Lawson and let his skills develop for a while. He'd give Denver 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. 

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

Memphis lost some wing depth by moving Sam Young, and Taylor would fit in as a solid backup for Rudy Gay. He could also come in handy if the Grizzlies ever decide to trade O.J. Mayo.

21. Orlando Magic: Festus Ezeli, C (Vanderbilt)

Ezeli is strong and has great length, but he's still a bit raw for a senior. If he can improve his understanding of the game and polish his post skills, he could make a name for himself at the NBA level.

Ezeli could fall further in the draft, but it wouldn't be surprising to see Orlando take a chance on someone it could use in a post-Howard era.

22. Atlanta Hawks: Dion Waiters, G (Syracuse)

Waiters would give Atlanta a guard who could back-up Jeff Teague and provide the Hawks with a needed scorer off the bench. He'd also be useful if free-agent Kirk Hinrich goes elsewhere.

23. Boston Celtics: Doron Lamb, SG (Kentucky)

Lamb wouldn't truly replace Ray Allen, but he's one of the best pure shooters in the draft and would certainly be a step in the right direction.

24. Boston Celtics: Fab Melo, 7'0", 274 lbs., C (Syracuse)

Melo can block shots, move well and explode to the rim. On upside alone, he's one of the more attractive prospects in the draft. His downside may be cause for concern, though—he looks lost on offense much of the time and has been known to completely check out of games.

If Boston can find a better center, they will—but Melo may be the best thing left on the board at this point.

25. Indiana Pacers: Marquis Teague, PG (Kentucky)

Teague is a speedy point guard who reminds you of his older brother Jeff in just about every way. He'd be a nice back-up for Darren Collison, especially if the Pacers don't retain George Hill.

26. Cleveland Cavaliers: Andrew Nicholson, PF (St. Bonaventure)

Nicholson has made the most of his four years in college, improving into a player who you could actually see in the NBA. He has steadily improved and developed an impressive scoring touch with the range to match. He may not be the biggest big on here, but he's explosive and plays hard.

He'd give Cleveland a more offensively-oriented alternative to Tristan Thompson and really solidify the front line.

27. Miami Heat: Draymond Green, F (Michigan St.)

If Green can find a natural position in the NBA, he could serve as a versatile player off the bench and help replenish Miami's depth as Mike Miller and Shane Battier eventually move on.

28. Oklahoma City Thunder: Moe Harkless, SF (St. John's) 

Harkless would give Kevin Durant a back-up for all of the give minutes a game he doesn't play. The Thunder don't have many needs, so Harkless would be a bonus.

29. Golden State Warriors: Royce White, SF (Iowa State)

White has plenty of talent, but his struggles with anxiety and fear of flying suggest he could be a huge risk. The Warriors might be willing to take that risk if it means finding Dorell Wright a competent understudy.

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

Fournier is an acceptable risk for an already-established team like the Bulls. They could afford to let him develop overseas before bringing him in to potentially replace Richard Hamilton.