2012 NBA Mock Draft: Dissecting Most NBA-Ready Guards on the Board

This years's draft is technically considered to be weak in terms of point guards, but there are still several electrifying prospects available who could transform many NBA teams in need.

From Bradley Beal down to Doron Lamb, there are some solid and versatile guards that have many GMs salivating. Here's a complete mock draft, with special consideration afforded to the available backcourt gems.

1. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky

Davis is the best pick available on this year's draft board. He has the total package—height, wingspan, scoring ability and defensive prowess—that can immediately transform a team on both ends of the floor.

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

He is a leader and, though not a pure scorer, a terrific athlete who will offer Washington a huge defensive boost.

3. Sacramento Kings: Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas

Robinson is a polished prospect who could have possibly been the top pick last year. Instead, he opted to stay in school, and even despite being 6'9" and 237 pounds, he can score and plays solid defense.

4. New Orleans Hornets: Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina

Though he didn't get to show off as much as he would've liked in the tournament, Barnes averaged 17.4 points and 5.2 rebounds per game last season and has a high basketball IQ as well as good body control.

5. Cleveland Cavaliers: Bradley Beal, SG, Florida

Beal is the perfect pick for the Cavs—or any team, really, in need of a point guard. At 6'5", he's the ideal size for an NBA point guard, but he has the versatility to play at the 1 or the 2 next year.

Beal could go as high as No. 2 but won't fall below the No. 5 selection. Given the abundance of NBA-ready big men who are clogging up the order, he could be available when Cleveland makes it selection, but he will certainly be the first guard off the board. Despite shooting just 34 percent from three-point range during his freshman year at Florida, he is still a solid shooter who also plays surprisingly good defense.

Beal is dangerous in nearly any offensive situation and is a great ball-handler and passer. He'll immediately make his teammates much better and is still likely to get better as a shooter in the NBA.

6. Portland Trail Blazers: Andre Drummond, PF/C, UConn

If Drummond falls to them, the Blazers have to take him. At 6'11", he can play the 4 or the 5 because of his excellent athleticism, and he has a monster 7'5" wingspan.

7. Toronto Raptors: Damian Lillard, PG, Weber State

Before Beal declared for the draft, Lillard was the top prospect and is still an excellent pickup for the Raptors, who could use a complement for Demar DeRozan.

In three seasons at Weber State, Lillard established a reputation as one of the best scorers in the nation, and his numbers steadily improved throughout his career. In his junior season, he had 24.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game while registering a career-low 2.3 turnovers.

The biggest question for Lillard will be his ability to stay consistent, but even so, he's a safe pick for the Raptors. As the nation's second-leading scorer last season, he can still put up big numbers in the NBA or he can switch to point guard.

8. Utah Jazz: Kendall Marshall, PG, North Carolina

Regardless of where they're picking, the Jazz will go for Marshall, who has drawn comparisons to Jason Kidd for his passing prowess.

Marshall is everything the Jazz would want in a point guard: He's exceptionally good at running the floor and controlling the tempo of a game, and his ability to create shots makes everyone on his team better offensively. Though his defense isn't as good as some of the other guard prospects, he is heralded as the only true point guard available.

Another knock on Marshall has been his subpar scoring and lack of athleticism, but when he broke his hand this March, it gave scouts a better glimpse of how crucial he was to his team—and how crucial he can be to the Jazz at the next level.

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

He's one of the best rebounders in the draft and is NBA-ready, but he might be a bit on the small side when it comes to playing center, so he'll have to be utilized at the 4, even if it's not his natural position.

10. New Orleans Hornets: Tyler Zeller, C, North Carolina

Zeller will be better once he gets stronger, but as it stands, he's an athletic frontcourt presence who can run the floor extremely well.

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

Jones is an excellent character guy who will work hard to show he can be consistent at the next level. At 6'11", he's a shot-blocking threat, but he also shows terrific ability to run the floor at his size.

12. Milwaukee Bucks: Terrence Jones, PF, Kentucky

Jones is excellent from three-point range and has a very appealing 7'2" wingspan. The only issue with him is making sure he doesn't get trigger-happy from beyond the arc.

13. Phoenix Suns: Jeremy Lamb, SG, UConn

It'll be interesting to see whether Austin Rivers can sneak into the lottery here, but Lamb is still a more appealing prospect because of his range as a shooter and his seven-foot wingspan.

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

It's clear that Henson needs to add some muscle and strength before he can compete up to par with NBA 4's, but his athleticism and shot-blocking ability are too hard to pass up.

15. Philadelphia 76ers: Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois

Leonard is great defensively and has a lot of upside, but questions about his scoring ability will cause him to fall out of the lottery.

16. Houston Rockets: Terrence Ross, SG, Washington

He had a breakout season as a sophomore and has the size and the athleticism to become a versatile prospect.

17. Minnesota Timberwolves:  Arnett Moultrie, PF, Mississippi State

He has the size and the ability to play either the 3 or the 4, and although he could get a bit bigger and needs to improve from the charity stripe, he averaged a double-double last season and is a great rebounder on both ends of the floor.

18. Dallas Mavericks: Austin Rivers, SG, Duke

If Rivers falls to No. 18, the Mavericks have to take him. He's by far the best prospect still available, and though he needs to improve his shot selection, he has the swagger to be able to fit in seamlessly with his new team.

19. Orlando Magic: Tony Wroten, Jr., PG, Washington

Wroten averaged 16.0 points and five rebounds per game in his freshman campaign and, like Marshall, is excellent when it comes to court vision and making his teammates better.

20. Denver Nuggets: Dion Waiters, PG/SG, Syracuse

Though he's strong and athletic and can provide instant offense, he doesn't have a true position, which could hurt him.

21. Boston Celtics: Fab Melo, C, Syracuse

Could Boston's bid to replace Kendrick Perkins finally come to an end? Melo is a bit of a risk given his academic issues, but he has the talent to go much higher than this. If he's still available here, he's a solid pick.

22. Atlanta Hawks: Jeffery Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt

Taylor is a threat on both ends of the floor, and with a bit more confidence and consistency, he can be dominant.

23. Memphis Grizzlies: Royce White, SF, Iowa State

A lot of teams have been scared off by his anxiety disorder, which can compromise his willingness to get on planes, but he has the scoring potential and the athleticism to be a safe pick this low in the order.

24. Boston Celtics: Marquis Teague, PG, Kentucky

If Teague is still available here and they get Melo with their first pick, the Celtics could have one of their best drafts in years. Teague, a few years down the line, could develop into one of the NBA's better point guards, just like the former Wildcat currently running point in Boston.

25. Cleveland Cavaliers: Moe Harkless, SF, St. John's

Though he's still raw, Harkless is a steal here. He's an excellent rebounder and shot-blocker who has tremendous upside.

26. Indiana Pacers: Doron Lamb, SG, Kentucky

The Pacers were probably gunning for Teague, but they'll have to settle for his teammate, which isn't a bad deal. Lamb shot 52 percent from three-point range last season and can be a factor once he improves his defense.

27. Oklahoma City Thunder: Festus Ezeli, C, Vanderbilt

At 6'11", he has the build to be an appealing prospect, and he still runs the floor very well despite his size.

28. Miami Heat: Andrew Nicholson, PF, St. Bonaventure

It would be a surprise if Nicholson fell this low because he has monstrous upside and long arms, giving the Heat a solid defender up front.

29. Golden State Warriors: Draymond Green, SF, Michigan State

Though he gets a bad rap for not being incredibly athletic, Green has the basketball IQ and the drive to be impactful for the Warriors.

30. Chicago Bulls: John Jenkins, SG, Vanderbilt

As the NCAA's best shooter, he'll fit in nicely in Chicago despite being undersized and lacking a bit in terms of athleticism.