2012 NBA Mock Draft: Top Prospects Who Will Have Immediate Impact

With the NBA playoffs set to begin this week, the NBA draft is under two months away, meaning the teams that aren’t looking forward to the postseason are focusing on the next possible impact player they can add to their respective franchises.

However while many picks look good on paper, not every first-round selection will make an immediate impact.

In my latest mock draft, I focus on those players who stand to make the biggest impact during their rookie seasons.

With that being said, the Charlotte Bobcats are on the clock.

1. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis, Kentucky

It’s now 21 consecutive losses for the Bobcats, as they are close to setting an NBA record for futility. They need someone to come in and help change the losing culture in Charlotte.

Davis is the top prospect on the board, and he’s a winner. The Kentucky product will have a huge impact initially, just by blocking and altering shots, after leading the nation with 4.7 blocks per game.

If Charlotte can find a way to effectively play Davis and Bismack Biyombo on the floor at the same time, it will at least begin to fix its interior defense, and that’s a good start.

2. Washington Wizards: Thomas Robinson, Kansas

Robinson can make an impact in Washington right away with his explosiveness and character, something the Wizards desperately need.

He recorded 27 double-doubles on the season and is not only a relentless rebounder (11.9 RPG), but has polished his post-game as well. Robinson used to be just a dunker, but now can score effectively not only in transition, but on the block as well.

Robinson’s as strong as he is athletic, and paired with John Wall, the Wizards will finally begin to add some talent.

3. New Orleans Hornets: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Kentucky

Kidd-Gilchrist could become the best player in the draft, and the Hornets can't let him slide past No. 3. He’s a natural leader and New Orleans needs one badly.

MKG just isn’t a great defender who can guard multiple positions, but his length and athleticism will help the Hornets in multiple ways, including scoring (11.9 PPG) and rebounding (7.9 RPG), where New Orleans is currently 29th and 24th in the NBA respectively.

4. Sacramento Kings: Andre Drummond, Connecticut

The Kings can’t stop anyone and are in need of a big man they can pair with DeMarcus Cousins.

Drummond may not make a huge impact right away, but he has as much potential as anyone in the draft and can at least block shots and rebound right away, averaging 2.9 BPG and 7.7 RPG during his freshman season.

5. Cleveland Cavaliers: Bradley Beal, Florida

The Cavs need some scoring and better athletes to surround Kyrie Irving with. Beal helps big time in both departments.

He averaged 14.8 PPG and has range on that smooth jumper, knocking down 34 percent of his attempts from behind the arc. Two or three years down the road, a backcourt featuring Irving and Beal could be scary good.

6. Portland Trail Blazers (via New Jersey Nets): Damian Lillard, Weber State

It may be reaching on Lillard a bit at No. 6, but with Davis, Robinson and Drummond already off the board; Portland can get its big man later and needs to grab a quality guard here.

Lillard is a dynamic scorer, who averaged 24.5 PPG while shooting 47 percent from the floor, 41 percent from three-point range and 88 percent from the free-throw stripe.  He’s the top guard on the board and can run an offense, which is a need for the Blazers.

7. Toronto Raptors: Harrison Barnes, North Carolina

The Raptors get very little scoring production from their current small forwards, and despite Barnes’ struggles in the NCAA tournament, where he shot only 33 percent from the floor, he’s still a guy who averaged 17.7 PPG.

Barnes has the talent to become a No.1 scoring option, and Toronto desperately needs a player with that skills set.

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

Similar to Lillard, the Jazz will be reaching a bit early here for Marshall, but despite this draft being a deep one, it’s thin on point guards, and Utah can’t take the chance that Marshall is off the board before they pick again.

He’s the best pure point guard in the draft who has a high basketball IQ (3.48 assist-to-turnover ratio) and sees the floor very well (9.8 APG). He’s the type of player who makes everyone around him better and can help the Jazz take the next step in the west.

9. Detroit Pistons: John Henson, North Carolina

To get the athletic big man they need, the Pistons can go one of two ways, Henson or Arnett Moultrie. I’m high on both as NBA prospects, but I like the fit of Henson paired with Greg Monroe a little bit more.

His leaping skills and court coverage are outstanding, and while his offensive game needs to come along a bit, Henson will make a big impact on the glass and blocking shots, grabbing 10.1 boards and swatting away 2.9 shots per game during his junior season at North Carolina.

10. New Orleans Hornets (via Minnesota Timberwolves): Jared Sullinger, Ohio State

With the Hornets' second pick, they add a quality post player in Sullinger. He may not have the initial impact some will like, and his lack of athleticism may be an issue playing against longer and more athletic NBA defenders. But his post-game is more advanced than anyone else in the class right now.

He can rebound (9.3 RPG) and finish around the rim, shooting 52 percent from the floor on the season. Those skills alone should allow Sullinger to make a positive impact as a rookie.

11. Portland Trail Blazers: Tyler Zeller, North Carolina

The Blazers will have more luck with Zeller then they did with Greg Oden. While Zeller may not become a star, he’s solid fundamentally and will be a productive NBA center within time.

He can finish (16.4 PPG, 55 percent from the floor) and has solid leaping skills, which makes him a productive rebounder (9.6 RPG).

12. Milwaukee Bucks: Perry Jones III, Baylor

Jones has all the talent in the world, and with the top big men already gone, the Bucks would be wise to roll the dice and add the productive wing player they need.

He’s got the rare skill set that suggests he can do anything on the floor. Jones just needs someone to help bring that talent out of him on a consistent basis.

13. Houston Rockets: Austin Rivers, Duke

Houston needs backcourt depth, and Rivers is a natural scorer, averaging 15.5 PPG in his lone season at Duke. He’s got some work to do overall, but the talent is there.

Playing behind Kevin Martin for a year may not be the worst thing for him.

14. Phoenix Suns: Terrence Jones, Kentucky

The Suns need to come away with a big piece for their future, and the 6’9” Jones is a guy who has the chance to become a very good NBA player.

He’s long and can rebound (7.2 RPG), but is strong enough to score in traffic. Jones can score effective at any level, shooting 50 percent from the floor on the season, even showing the ability to take his game out beyond the arc, knocking down 33 percent of his long distance attempts.

15. Philadelphia 76ers: Jeremy Lamb, Connecticut

The Sixers need a legitimate 2-guard, and Lamb falling to them is a gift. He has the talent to become a No. 1 scoring option, averaging 17.7 PPG on the season, and likely has the best mid-range game of any shooting guard in the draft, shooting 48 percent from the floor.

16. Houston Rockets (via New York Knicks) Arnett Moultrie, Mississippi State

Houston gets another piece they need in a potentially productive and athletic big man. Moultrie can play either the 4 or the 5 and can score from anywhere on the floor, shooting 55 percent from the floor and an impressive 44 percent from beyond the arc.

He’s explosive and strong and can do a solid job on the boards as well, pulling down 10.6 per night.

17. Utah Jazz: Terrence Ross, Washington

A future backcourt of Ross and Marshall could turn out nicely for the Jazz.

Utah needs to add some perimeter shooting, as they are 27th in the NBA from behind the arc at 32 percent on the season. Ross is tall and has range on his jumper, knocking down 37 percent of his three-point shots on the year.

18. Dallas Mavericks: Meyers Leonard, Illinois

Leonard won’t be a star right away, but he’s got the skill set that says he will be a productive NBA big guy in the future.

He grabbed 8.2 RPG and blocked 1.9 shots a night while averaging 13.6 PPG and shooting .584 from the floor. Leonard has talent and upside. Once he adds some more muscle and adapts to the NBA game, the Mavs may have a steal with him.

19. Orlando Magic: Marquis Teague, Kentucky

Tough choice for Orlando here, but if they trade Dwight Howard, they almost will certainly nab a big man in return, so adding their point guard of the future here makes sense.

Teague has some developing to do, but he’s lightning-quick with a good feel for the game.

20. Denver Nuggets:  Dion Waiters, Syracuse

Waiters will be able to play behind both Ty Lawson and Arron Afflalo and fit Denver’s up-tempo attack well.

He’s a scorer who averaged 12.1 PPG in only 24 minutes of playing time on a very deep Syracuse team. His 48 percent field-goal percentage suggests a guard that can scorer the ball from anywhere on the floor, including the perimeter, where Waiters shot 36 percent on the season.

21. Boston Celtics: Andrew Nicholson, St. Bonaventure

Normally, a guy picked at No. 21 doesn’t come in and make a huge impact, but Nicholson has the chance to do so. He fills a need for Boston, as they really need a young productive big body.

Nicholson could be the steal of the draft and did it all during his four-year college career, including averaging 18.5 PPG, 8.5 RPG and 2.0 BPG on the season.

22. Atlanta Hawks: Doron Lamb, Kentucky

The hawks need a productive 2-guard, and Lamb can shoot the rock, connecting 47 percent of the time from long-range while averaging 13.7 PPG for the national champs.

23. Memphis Grizzlies: Tony Wroten, Washington

Wroten could turn into the best guard in this draft within time, and the Grizzlies have the time to allow Wroten to develop.

He’s a scorer (16.7 PPG) with great speed and change of direction, but must develop a perimeter shot (16 percent) and cut down on his turnovers (3.8 per game).

24. Boston Celtics (via Los Angeles Clippers): Royce White, Iowa State

White could become a very good NBA player, and while the Celtics could use a shooting guard, getting a guy with the skill set of White here could turn into a great pick.

He’s got the size of a small forward at 6’9” and the speed and vision of a guard. His rebounding and scoring skills got him noticed, but White also averaged 5.1 assists per game from the small forward spot, which led the Iowa State team and placed him fifth in the Big 12 Conference.

25. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Los Angeles Lakers): Jeffery Taylor, Vanderbilt

Cleveland can add another great athlete in Taylor. He can get to the rim with the ball and has outstanding defensive skills, but the fact that he worked on developing a jump shot could land him in the first round.

Taylor shot only nine percent from behind the arc as a sophomore and upped that to 42 percent as a senior which speaks about his work ethic.

26. Indiana Pacers: Moe Harkless, St. Johns

Indiana is a team heading in the right direction, and adding another sensational athlete in Harkless just makes them deeper and better.

He’s long and a very good rebounder (8.6 RPG) and defender and has the ability to become an effective slasher, averaging 15.3 PPG on the season. Harkless will have to develop a better perimeter shot, only hitting 20 percent of the time on the season, but he’s got great upside and is worth the risk for the Pacers.

27. Oklahoma City Thunder: Draymond Green, Michigan State

The Thunder could use some depth at the 3 and the 4, and Green can come in and contribute a little off the bat. He won’t average the 16.1 PPG and 10.4 RPG he did in leading Michigan State to the Final Four, but he’s a guy that does everything well and will find a way to be productive.

28. Miami Heat: Festus Ezeli, Vanderbilt

Miami needs a big body they can develop, and Ezeli has the chance to become a quality NBA center. His offensive game may need some work, but he’s got a nice hook shot with either hand and shot 60 percent from the floor on the season.

29. Golden State Warriors (via San Antonio Spurs): Kris Joseph, Syracuse

The Warriors need to add a productive small forward, and Joseph is a guy that is very active and does a lot of things well at both ends of the floor.

He averaged 13.4 PPG and shot 42 percent from the floor, and while those numbers were down from the 14.3 and 46 percent he averaged as a junior, Syracuse was very deep and shared the ball. I don’t think it’s anything to be concerned about.

30. Chicago Bulls: John Jenkins, Vanderbilt

Given their injuries this year, it would be nice for the Bulls to add a scorer to take some pressure of Derrick Rose.

Jenkins may be the best pure shooter in college basketball, knocking down 44 of his attempts from behind the arc. You can never have too much shooting, and Jenkins could be the replacement for Richard Hamilton down the road.