2012 NBA Mock Draft: Low-Risk Prospects Who Will Be Solid Rookies

So much of the NBA draft is assessing prospects' potential, but some have more untapped potential than others. We call these prospects "raw" and "inconsistent."

There are prospects, however, who already have shown lots of consistency and seem more NBA-ready, whether they are top draft picks or in the late first round.

Here's my latest 2012 NBA mock draft, complete with players who should make an impact in the league right away (in italics).

Note: Draft order compiled before games on 4/23.

1. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky

Believe it or not, Anthony Davis isn't as sure-fire as it may seem. There are questions about his build and strength at the next level. That's not to say the Bobcats shouldn't pick him, though. His talent is above any other prospect in the class and his combination of explosiveness at the rim, rebounding, shot-blocking and overall defense is hard to pass up.

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

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist has yet to realize his potential, but that doesn't mean he holds high risk. It's actually quite the opposite. MKG displayed a solid overall game at Kentucky, and he has a never-ending motor with no character concerns to speak of. If he doesn't make an impact right away in the NBA, I'd be shocked.

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

The Hornets have needed a power forward since David West left town. Thomas Robinson has the explosiveness at the rim, elite rebounding ability and defense to make an instant impact. 

4. Sacramento Kings: Andre Drummond, C, Connecticut

Andre Drummond is a high-risk, high-reward player. His potential given his explosiveness and athletic ability is off the charts, but he was very inconsistent at UConn. Nonetheless, the Kings will take a chance at a center who could become a superstar.

5. Cleveland Cavaliers: Bradley Beal, SG, Florida

Bradley Beal is the top shooting guard in the class, with the inside-outside scoring ability, rebounding and pesky defense to work well with Kyrie Irving in Cleveland.

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

The Raptors need to add another scorer beyond Andrea Bargnani, and Harrison Barnes fits the part. He certainly struggled in the NCAA tournament, but he has the potential to be a dynamic scorer at the next level, and his length helps him on defense.

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

Damian Lillard proved to be one of the top scorers in college basketball last season, and it was no fluke. He has a nice perimeter game, combined with a devastating ability to get into the lane and dish off to teammates. He does need to improve his vision, though.

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

Kendall Marshall is the best pure point guard in the draft. He has an uncanny ability to make everyone around him better, and he improved his perimeter shooting last season. Not a bad successor to long-departed Deron Williams.

9. Detroit Pistons: Perry Jones III, F, Baylor

I continue to battle with this selection. The Pistons could also grab prospects like Terrence Jones or Jared Sullinger, but neither of them has the potential to be a dominant inside player like Perry Jones. I think the Pistons will be impressed with Jones' athleticism and explosiveness around the rim and envision him next to Greg Monroe.

10. New Orleans Hornets (via MINN): Terrence Jones, F, Kentucky

Some may still consider Terrence Jones a risk because of his previous problems with maturity and consistency, but, after his NCAA tournament performance, I'm convinced he's gotten past those issues. He has the overall game to be the next Lamar Odom (pre-Dallas), with the ability to guard both forward spots. He would be a nice complement to Robinson. 

11. Portland Trail Blazers: Jeremy Lamb, SG, Connecticut

Jeremy Lamb, combined with Lillard, could provide a dynamic duo in the years to come. Lamb is a silky-smooth shooter with the ability to be a terror defensively with his length and athleticism. 

12. Milwaukee Bucks: Tyler Zeller, C, North Carolina

Tyler Zeller has the soft touch and ability to run the floor to fit in well with speedy guards Brandon Jennings and Monta Ellis. He's also not a bad rebounder. There are some questions about his strength and explosiveness at the next level, though.

13. Houston Rockets: Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois

Meyers Leonard is, yes, raw and inconsistent, but he brings size, rebounding, shot-blocking and defense to the table, and it's hard to ignore a true 7-footer when you're a team in desperate need of a center. He has the potential to become a solid NBA starter.

14. Phoenix Suns: Austin Rivers, SG, Duke

Austin Rivers still needs to learn to play within the game better, but his scoring potential is unquestioned. He has all the tools, including a nice shooting touch, to be a dynamic scorer at the next level. The Suns need a dynamic shooting guard.

15. Philadelphia 76ers: Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State

Jared Sullinger's post game and rebounding ability are hard to ignore, so the 76ers will take him and hope he becomes their starting power forward down the line, but there are concerns about his lack of explosiveness.

16. Utah Jazz: Dion Waiters, SG, Syracuse

Whether it's Dion Waiters or Rivers, the Jazz will want a shooting guard to pair up with Marshall here. Waiters isn't a bad prospect himself, with the explosiveness to slash to the rim, rebounding and better defense than Rivers.

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

Arnett Moultrie does need to add strength, but his athleticism and explosiveness, combined with his scoring and rebounding ability, make him hard to pass up. He could provide depth in the frontcourt for the Rockets.

18. Dallas Mavericks: Tony Wroten Jr., PG, Washington

Tony Wroten was a bit inconsistent at Washington, and he needs to play more within the game, but his explosive scoring ability, combined with his fantastic passing, could make him a steal here. He's still raw, but has plenty of potential and would be a nice successor to Jason Kidd in Dallas.

19. Orlando Magic: Fab Melo, C, Syracuse

Festus Ezeli of Vanderbilt could become a better overall player than Fab Melo, but Melo has already proven that he can be an elite shot-blocker and defender. He may never be a solid offensive player, but his defensive ability alone makes him a top prospect.

20. Denver Nuggets: Terrence Ross, SG/SF, Washington

Terrence Ross' athleticism and length allows him to sweep across the floor and score from various areas, and he also has the ability to frustrate defensively. George Karl can use him at shooting guard or small forward.

21. Boston Celtics: Doron Lamb, SG, Kentucky

Doron Lamb is a silky-smooth shooter who showed remarkable poise in the NCAA tournament. A shooting guard with a beautiful jumper and a good head on his shoulders? Sounds like the guy starting at shooting guard for the Celtics right now. 

22. Atlanta Hawks: Jeff Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt

There used to be questions about Jeff Taylor's perimeter game, but he worked hard to improve his outside shooting, and it showed last season at Vanderbilt. His defensive ability, combined with his scoring, makes him a promising player.

23. Memphis Grizzlies: Festus Ezeli, C, Vanderbilt

Festus Ezeli is still a work-in-progress, but he has great size with long arms, and he can rebound and block shots for you. He has an emerging offensive game, but the key word is "emerging." He should be a better offensive player than Melo in the NBA. Not a bad player to back up Marc Gasol.

24. Boston Celtics (via LAC): Royce White, F, Iowa State

Royce White is one of the most talented prospects in the class as a point-forward type of player who can defend both forward spots, but he does have character concerns and an anxiety disorder that could prove to be troubling. Nonetheless, he could become the successor to Paul Pierce in Boston if Doc Rivers can straighten him out.

25. Cleveland Cavaliers (via LAL): Moe Harkless, SF, St. John's

Moe Harkless has some work to do on his jumper, but his explosiveness driving to the hoop and rebounding, combined with his length, is hard to miss.

26. Indiana Pacers: Draymond Green, SF, Michigan State

My opinion of Draymond Green has wavered throughout the year, just because he's so hard to peg down. He knows the game and has a great array of skills, but his "tweener" size and lack of explosiveness could make him a bench player in the NBA. Even if he's a bench player, though, I think he'd be a solid bench player and wouldn't be a bad guy to back up Danny Granger in Indiana.

27. Miami Heat: Marquis Teague, PG, Kentucky

The Heat may have a good defender in Mario Chalmers, but they don't know what they have in Norris Cole yet, and Marquis Teague simply has more potential. Teague grew exponentially in his freshman season at Kentucky and has the ability to be both scorer and passer. He just needs to learn the game more.

28. Oklahoma City Thunder: Andrew Nicholson, PF, St. Bonaventure

The Thunder will simply be looking to add depth at this point in the draft, and Andrew Nicholson, with his combination of athleticism, length, explosiveness and shooting range, could be a good one down the line. He needs to add strength, however.

29. Golden State Warriors (via SA): Evan Fournier, SG/SF, France

The Warriors need to address their small forward spot, and Evan Fournier has a lot of potential. Fournier is a smooth player with a nice mid-range jumper who can quickly get into the paint. He needs to add more strength and develop, but he's only 19 years old and has already impressed.

30. Chicago Bulls: Will Barton, SG, Memphis

I'm pretty much on board with Will Barton. He improved his jump shooting greatly last season, can slash to the hoop and finish and is a terrific rebounder for his position (averaged 8.0 boards last season with Memphis). Beyond that, he was a leader for the Tigers last season and has a great motor. Sounds like a good player to pair up with Derrick Rose in Chicago.

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