2012 NBA Mock Draft: Highlighting Perfect Picks for Every 1st Round Team

 

There is a lot to like about the prospects entering the NBA draft this season.

While some teams are talking playoffs and scrambling to prepare for the postseason, others are already making offseason plans and evaluating the top-tier college prospects from around the country.

There are a lot of players who will need to land in the right spot in order to make it work at the next level, and teams should be very weary about who they welcome into the franchise on draft day.

1. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky

There are only so many ways we can dissect and pinpoint Davis as the top overall selection before it reaches the point of exhaustion.

You know it, I know it, the whole world knows it—this kid is the best player in the draft and there is no reason for any team to consider any other prospect other than Davis at the top.

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

Some Wizards fans are split on whether it should be Kidd-Gilchrist or Thomas Robinson, but with Nene and the emergence of Kevin Seraphin, where would Robinson fit in?

The team has an obvious hole at small forward, and no, Chris Singleton is not the answer. Kidd-Gilchrist would provide John Wall with the athletic teammate he needs on the wing.

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

Emeka Okafor, Chris Kaman and Carl Landry: at least two of those three veterans (if not all three) will be moving on from the Hornets, and New Orleans has to rebuild the front line.

How do we do that? Take Robinson and don't worry about finding time for Gustavo Ayon. Robinson plays with an incredibly high motor and isn't afraid of his competition regardless of what team he's going against.

4. Sacramento Kings: Andre Drummond, PF/C, UConn

Drummond could really benefit if he lands in Sacramento, but more importantly, the Kings need to boost the attack beneath the basket beyond DeMarcus Cousins.

With Isaiah Thomas, Marcus Thornton anchoring the backcourt and a glut of wing players on the roster, the attention should be focused in the size department to compete in the Western Conference.

5. Cleveland Cavaliers: Bradley Beal, SG, Florida

If the Cavs can land Beal on draft night, the Cleveland front office should be doing handstands in their war room.

No, he's not the same player that Kyrie Irving was last season, but he's a dynamic shooting guard who would make for a perfect backcourt mate for Irving for the next several seasons.

6. Toronto Raptors: Harrison Barnes, SF, UNC

So how good is Barnes going to be in the NBA? There is a fairly large divide over that question depending upon whom one asks.

Regardless, Barnes fits the picture nicely in Toronto, and a starting lineup of Jose Calderon, DeMar DeRozan, Barnes, Andrea Bargnani and Jonas Valanciunas sounds a lot better than anything we've seen from the Raptors in recent seasons.

7. Portland Trail Blazers: Kendall Marshall, PG, UNC

Here is the thing about the Trail Blazers: Portland really needs to find a long-term replacement at the point guard position.

Is Marshall that guy? He could be. There are no sure things in the draft. Should he be the pick? Absolutely.

This club has to gamble if it's going to turn the corner, and Marshall is a solid pick for a team that needs to improve how the offense is run as soon as possible.

8. Utah Jazz: Damian Lillard, PG, Weber State

No, Lillard is not the "sexy" pick for some, but the Jazz have drafted well and with Liillard, it would be another step in the right direction for Utah.

Devin Harris has played really well to propel the Jazz into the playoffs, but it would be foolish to take it as an indication of his ability to run this team into the future.

9. Detroit Pistons: John Henson, PF, UNC

It's interesting that much of the conversation centers around Barnes when it comes to discussing UNC prospects, because Henson has a lot to offer.

A possible pairing of Henson along with Greg Monroe would provide for a nice look in Detroit for a very long time with Rodney Stuckey and Brandon Knight sharing the backcourt.

10. New Orleans Hornets: Austin Rivers, SG, Duke

How about the Hornets for Doc Rivers' son?

This is a player who fares better with the basketball in his hands. New Orleans needs a sixth man to bolster its attack off the bench. It seems like a match made in heaven.

Monty Williams would be a great coach for him to learn under, and assuming the team can re-sign Eric Gordon, that would make for a solid one-two punch at shooting guard.

11. Portland Trail Blazers: Tyler Zeller, C, UNC

Is there risk involved with drafting Zeller? There's no doubt about it. But do the Trail Blazers need someone capable of filling in the void inside? You betcha.

There are questions regarding whether or not he'll ever develop into an impact player, but a solid contributor would be great for Portland, a team that has had no luck with big men.

12. Milwaukee Bucks: Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State

It's a house divided when it comes to discussing how Sullinger will fare in the NBA.

His lack of athleticism and ineptitude on the defensive end certainly make him a gamble, but he was a double-double machine in college and there is something to be said for his production.

There isn't a lot of upside with Sullinger, which could hinder his draft stock, but it's hard to see a scenario where he falls out of the lottery.

13. Houston Rockets: Perry Jones III, F, Baylor

There might not be a bigger role of the dice in this draft class than Jones, but if he falls to the second-to-last lottery pick, that's a selection that has to be made.

Although there are questions about his desire in certain games, Jones can be a game-changer and there's a lot to like about his potential.

If Houston can get him to blossom, this will be an absolute steal of a pick.

14. Phoenix Suns: Terrence Jones, SF, Kentucky

It would be phenomenal to see the Suns actually get younger on the wing, but we'll see if they're going to make an effort to do so.

There will be a lot of areas where the Suns will be looking to improve after Steve Nash likely departs as a free agent, so it will be interesting to see where Phoenix places the priority on draft day.

15. Philadelphia 76ers: Jeremy Lamb, SG, UConn

What do the Sixers need to do? Find a shooting guard. Seriously.

Jodie Meeks is not the long-term answer. Evan Turner is still figuring out how to play, and Andre Iguodala should remain at small forward and on the roster despite his massive salary.

16. Houston Rockets: Arnett Moultrie, PF, Mississippi State

Moultrie is an impressive talent who may be held back for a couple of reasons.

He doesn't come from a basketball powerhouse nor does he have the youth that many NBA teams are looking for, and those factors could be enough to push him outside the lottery.

The Rockets are obviously not married to the idea of Luis Scola long-term at power forward, and Moultrie could really help almost immediately.

17. Minnesota Timberwolves: Dion Waiters, G, Syracuse

The Timberwolves will get Utah's pick here now that the Jazz have made the playoffs, and that's good news considering Minnesota could really use the help.

This team, like the Sixers, really needs to find a real answer at shooting guard, because playing two point guards alongside one another is not the recipe for success.

18. Dallas Mavericks: Terrence Ross, SG, Washington

Let's be honest: Dallas' experiment of bringing in veterans to patch holes on the roster this season blew up in their face.

Sure, this team is making the playoffs, but they're not expected to make a deep push and there is plenty of room for improvement.

First place to look should be in the backcourt, where Ross could be the new source of offense in the second unit.

19. Orlando Magic: Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois

Like several big men before him, Leonard comes with risk. But this is the theme of this draft, and decision-makers are willing to pull the trigger if the upside is there.

This selection isn't so much about upside as it is need, because the Magic really need to get serious about having someone behind Dwight Howard.

And if Howard is traded? Well, Leonard could see a ton of minutes pretty early in his career.

20. Denver Nuggets: Doron Lamb, SG, Kentucky

There is a belief that Lamb should have gone back to school, but he's destined to go inside the top 25 regardless.

The Nuggets could really use a boost at shooting guard, but Lamb will have to prove that his game isn't just one-dimensional for him to see consistent time under George Karl.

21. Boston Celtics: Andrew Nicholson, PF, St. Bonaventure

Doc Rivers would be jumping up and down if Nicholson slides to the Celtics in the first round.

This kid improved every season in college, and he has the type of work ethic to really develop into a strong NBA player.

It's difficult to find prospects like that this late in the first round.

22. Atlanta Hawks: Tony Wroten, G, Washington

I almost want to lock this pick in despite it being April because it's just too tasty to pass up.

The Hawks are infatuated with Wroten, he's got incredible potential, and he could very well wind up being the steal of the draft because of how much earlier he would have gone in 2013.

23. Memphis Grizzlies: Moe Harkless, SF, St. John's

Rudy Gay needs some support behind him at small forward, and Harkless should be a rather easy pick for the Grizzlies to make.

Memphis doesn't need a lot and is already blessed with impressive depth, so adding Harkless should keep a solid young team on the upswing moving toward next season.

24. Boston Celtics: Royce White, SF, Iowa State

Just like Wroten to the Hawks, I just can't get off of the idea of White going to join the Celtics.

Rajon Rondo needs youth and athleticism out on the wing to run up and down the court more frequently, and White could spell Paul Pierce as well as allow Doc Rivers to experiment with unorthodox lineups.

25. Cleveland Cavaliers: Jeffery Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt

Although Cavs fans wouldn't exactly be celebrating over the pick, Cleveland needs to put the emphasis on finding someone capable of helping on the wing.

Omri Casspi was a bust in Cleveland, Alonzo Gee is a restricted free agent and the Cavs have to retain financial flexibility as part of the rebuilding plan.

26. Indiana Pacers: Marquis Teague, PG, Kentucky

Darren Collison is looking like he belongs on the bench, and George Hill is a restricted free agent looking for a long-term contract.

Enter Marquis Teague.

He's raw, yes, but Teague could really develop well with the right teaching, and he'd be immediately more useful to the Pacers than a number of other teams.

27. Oklahoma City Thunder: Fab Melo, C, Syracuse

Sam Presti has put together an impressive roster in Oklahoma City, and if Melo falls into his lap, there is no reason to believe he should even blink twice.

Although the team has a history of making unexpected moves, Melo could really provide nice depth while he learns the ins and outs of the NBA.

28. Miami Heat: Draymond Green, SF, Michigan State

The Heat don't need a lot, but with Shane Battier quickly aging and Mike Miller always battling health concerns, depth at small forward is worth the investment.

Green is a nice player who knows his role, and he could blend in nicely in South Beach behind the "Big Three."

29. Golden State Warriors: Kris Joseph, SF, Syracuse

Golden State doesn't have a ton of salary cap space, so this team needs to make a pick that will have a long-term impact.

Unfortunately there is no such thing as "sure pick" at this juncture, and with the team needing depth at small forward, Joseph could be a nice fit here.

30. Chicago Bulls: Festus Ezeli, C, Vanderbilt

Omer Asik will test free agency, but will the Bulls bring him back at a steep price?

No, Chicago doesn't need a lot as arguably the deepest team in the league, but the club could certainly benefit by adding more height—an idea they flirted with earlier this season.