2012 NBA Mock Draft: Curious Prospects Who Are Hard to Peg Down

Every NBA draft, there are those prospects who are difficult to project, whether it be character concerns, inconsistency or lack of explosiveness.

The 2012 NBA draft is no different, as several first-round prospects carry concerns along with their impressive abilities on the basketball court.

Here's my latest 2012 NBA mock draft, complete with the most curious first-rounders (in italics).

Note: Draft order compiled before games on 4/25.

1. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky

A player who is explosive around the rim, crashes the glass, plays solid man-to-man defense and has the potential to become an elite shot-blocker in the NBA? Yes, please.

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

The bad news is that the Wizards are one of the worst teams in the league. The good news? They have the opportunity to draft a player who will score, rebound and play tireless defense for them. 

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

The Hornets don't have David West anymore, in case you didn't notice. But Thomas Robinson isn't too bad. He's an explosive scorer at the rim and an elite rebounder. He should be a handful from the get-go.

4. Sacramento Kings: Andre Drummond, C, Connecticut

He wavers on the court and played inconsistent basketball with UConn, but he has the explosiveness and athleticism that has some comparing him to Dwight Howard. Some have also compared him to Kwame Brown, however.

5. Cleveland Cavaliers: Bradley Beal, SG, Florida

The question is, what can't Bradley Beal do? He's an electric scorer, both inside and outside, rebounds and plays swarming defense. He's the unquestioned top shooting guard in the class. Not a bad player to pair up with Kyrie Irving.

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

Harrison Barnes appeared to lose his rhythm in the NCAA tournament, but the fact remains: He has all the tools to be an excellent scorer in the NBA. The Raptors need scoring beyond Andrea Bargnani.

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

Elite scorers are hard to come by. When you have an elite scorer like Damian Lillard who can also explode to the paint and dish off to his teammates, you have a Top-10 pick. 

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

You can't help but like Kendall Marshall as a point guard prospect. He's a pure point guard, with the ability to make everyone around him better with his passing and leadership. He would fit in nicely in Utah.

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

Perry Jones' motor ran hot and cold at Baylor, but his combination of athleticism and explosiveness could make him a terror in the paint down the line. He's risky, but if he gets it together he would provide an explosive combo with Greg Monroe in Detroit.

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

I have faith in Terrence Jones. Yes, he dealt with maturity and consistency issues while at Kentucky, but his performance in the NCAA tournament was impressive. He has the potential to be the next Lamar Odom with his overall skill set (pre-Dallas).

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

The Trail Blazers have the opportunity to grab the best point guard and second-best shooting guard in the draft. What's more, they need help at both positions. Jeremy Lamb practically glides across the floor, and his length makes him disruptive on defense.

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

I challenge anyone to tell me why Tyler Zeller wouldn't a good fit with the Bucks. He can run the floor and has a soft touch, which should work seamlessly with speedy guard Brandon Jennings and Monta Ellis. He's also a solid rebounder.

13. Houston Rockets: Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois

Meyers Leonard is still a raw prospect, and he needs to work on his consistency, but he has the tools to be a solid starter in the NBA. He's a true seven-footer, and he can score, rebound, play defense and block shots for you. The Rockets need a center of the future.

14. Phoenix Suns: Austin Rivers, SG, Duke

Austin Rivers isn't particularly curious to me, simply because I feel as if he was way overhyped from the beginning. But the fact remains: He has the potential to be a dynamic scorer in the NBA with his skill set.

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

Some believe the Pistons will draft Jared Sullinger over Perry Jones. I tend to lean the other way, primarily because of Sullinger's lack of explosiveness. Nonetheless, Sullinger has a post game well beyond his years and is a good rebounder. He could be Elton Brand's successor in Philly.

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

Arnett Moultrie needs to add strength to his frame, but his explosiveness, length and athleticism could make him a terror down the line. He can even hit the outside shot. He would provide solid depth for the Rockets.

17. Utah Jazz: Dion Waiters, SG, Syracuse

Dion Waiters is explosive going to the hoop and his elite athleticism would work well with a distributor like Kendall Marshall. Beyond that, he's a dangerous defender, averaging 1.8 steals with Syracuse last season.

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

Tony Wroten has the speed, explosiveness and passing ability to be a star in the NBA, but he has to play better within the game. He has bouts of inconsistency and must hone his game. A veteran team like the Mavericks would do him well.

19. Orlando Magic: Fab Melo, C, Syracuse

With Dwight Howard ready to leave town at any second, the Magic need to find their next center of the future. Fab Melo may not ever develop a consistent offensive game, but his defense alone makes him a Top-20 pick. He could become an elite shot-blocker in the pros.

20. Denver Nuggets: Terrence Ross, SF, Washington

Terrence Ross has the athleticism and scoring ability to be an instant threat off the bench for the Nuggets. He can be dangerous from three-point range, and he's a good defender.

21. Boston Celtics: Doron Lamb, SG, Kentucky

A silky-smooth shooter who plays with remarkable poise? Not a bad player to succeed Ray Allen in Boston.

22. Atlanta Hawks: Jeff Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt

Jeff Taylor is a very good defender who explodes to the rim and significantly improved his perimeter shooting last season at Vanderbilt. He's a good fit to succeed Josh Smith.

23. Memphis Grizzlies: Festus Ezeli, C, Vanderbilt

The Grizzlies could use some depth behind Marc Gasol. Festus Ezeli has great size and long arms, and he's a solid rebounder and shot-blocker. He also has an emerging offensive game that could see him surprise in the NBA.

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

Royce White has the overall talent to crack the Top 20, but his character concerns, paired with an anxiety disorder, make him risky. Nonetheless, he's a point-forward type player who can guard both forward spots. He would fit nicely with a veteran team like the Celtics.

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

The Cavaliers could use some help at small forward. Moe Harkless is an explosive, athletic wing player who attacks the rim and uses his length effectively on both offense and defense. He needs to work on his jumper, but he has the potential to be a solid player in the NBA.

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

Despite Draymond Green's spectacular season with Michigan State, he carries his fair share of concerns. Most notably, he's not very athletic and he has "tweener" size. But his ability to do multiple things on the hardwood, including incredible passing ability, would make him a nice backup to Danny Granger in Indiana.

27. Miami Heat: Marquis Teague, PG, Kentucky

Marquis Teague has tremendous potential as a balanced player who can drop buckets and get his teammates involved. He grew tremendously in his freshman season at Kentucky and, the fact of the matter is, he has way more potential than Norris Cole.

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

Andrew Nicholson is a similar player to Arnett Moultrie. He needs to add strength, but he has great athleticism, explosiveness and length. He can also shoot the three ball. He would provide depth for the Thunder.

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

Evan Fournier is only 19 years old, but he has great potential. He has good size at 6'7" and projects as a solid scorer, with an advanced array of moves once he gets into the paint. He's also a very heady player and good passer. He needs to play better within the game, but that should come in time. He could eventually man the Warriors' small forward spot.

30. Chicago Bulls: Will Barton, SG, Memphis

I'm not wavering on my selection of Will Barton. His combination of athleticism, scoring, rebounding and leadership was on full display last season with Memphis, and he's improved his jump shot. He would look nice alongside Derrick Rose in Chicago.

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