2012 NBA Mock Draft: Thomas Robinson and Studs Ready for the Big Time

With the 2012 NBA regular season drawing to a close, it’s time for teams that weren’t lucky enough to make the playoffs to look forward to draft time.

Standings are fluid and the players are ready for the big time, just like Kansas forward Thomas Robinson, will be italicized. Enjoy!

1. Charlotte Bobcats—Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky

Everyone knows Anthony Davis is going No. 1 overall; the question now is who gets him?

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

John Wall and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist will be a lethal combination in Washington.

3. Cleveland Cavaliers—Bradley Beal, SG, Florida

As good as Kyrie Irving was this season, the need for secondary scoring was evident many times this season. Bradley Beal would solve that problem from the shooting guard spot.

4. Sacramento Kings—Andre Drummond, C, UConn

While I don’t see the hype here, Andre Drummond is by most accounts a top-five selection. I have him at No. 14 overall in terms of talent.

5. New Orleans Hornets—Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas

I love the play of Thomas Robinson down low, but it’s the little things he does, like play defense all the way out to the perimeter and pass the ball well, that will make him the perfect fit for the rebuilding Hornets. Robinson has real star abilities.

6. Portland Trail Blazers (Via NJ)—Jeremy Lamb, SG, UConn

Brandon Roy is retired, so Portland needs a shooting guard for the future. Jeremy Lamb has the talent and ability to develop into a serious NBA star. The Trail Blazers need that.

7. Toronto Raptors—Harrison Barnes, SF, UNC

Harrison Barnes will walk onto that Toronto Raptors team and be one of the best leaders they have. If he can win over his teammates early, he will be the vocal leader of the club by year’s end.

8. Utah Jazz (via GS from NJ)—Damian Lillard, PG, Weber St.

While this pick looks risky on the surface, Damian Lillard is a special player that may need some time to transition to the NBA. He has tons of potential and a great work ethic.

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

I don’t understand where the lack of love is coming from for Jared Sullinger, but if he falls to No. 9 the Detroit Pistons will get the steal of the draft. Sullinger will be a star in the NBA.

10. New Orleans Hornets (via LAC from MIN)—Kendall Marshall, PG, UNC

Kendall Marshall isn’t Chris Paul, but he will be a great addition to a team looking for on-court leadership. Marshall will lead by example.

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

Greg Oden is finally gone, so the Trail Blazers can go after their next long-term big man project, starring UNC’s Tyler Zeller. Let’s hope the ending is different.

12. Milwaukee Bucks—Perry Jones III, F, Baylor

While Perry Jones has a ton of potential, he looked terrible in the NCAA tournament. The hype machine won’t let him fall any further, but this pick has "bust" written all over it.

13. Phoenix Suns—Terrence Jones, SF, Kentucky

One of the more underrated players on the Kentucky dream team, Terrence Jones is the small forward that could turn into a consistent scorer. I don’t think he will ever be a star, but he will be a great Luol Deng-type player for a long time.

14. Utah Jazz—Austin Rivers, SG, Duke

If the Utah Jazz are looking for a fireplug right in the middle of their lineup, Austin Rivers is the perfect man for the job. While he is far from the same player as Deron Williams, Rivers would add that same energy to the backcourt. This is a risk, but one worth taking.

15. New Jersey Nets (via HOU)—Jeffery Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt

At this point, every pick for the Nets should just be the best player available. Jeffery Taylor is the best on my board at No. 15

16. Philadelphia 76ers—Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois

As good as Spencer Hawes has been, injuries and a payday may force Philadelphia to jump at the center prospect Meyers Leonard from Illinois.

17. Houston Rockets (via NYK)—Arnett Moultrie, PF, Mississippi State

Houston is in a full rebuild mode, so taking a raw product like Mississippi State power forward Arnett Moultrie could be the long-term investment the team needs.

18. Dallas Mavericks—John Henson, PF, UNC

After losing out on Lamar Odom because of off-court issues, the Mavericks will find a player in UNC forward John Henson that can help bring them back to the serious championship contention.

19. Orlando Magic—Royce White, SF, Iowa State

Royce White is one of the ultimate unknowns in this year’s NBA draft, but he will fit well on a team filled with question marks.

20. Denver Nuggets—Tony Wroten, G, Washington

As under the radar as Tony Wroten was in 2011, his skill will shine and he will be a skilled player off the bench. I see a bit of Lou Williams in Wroten.

21. Boston Celtics—Dion Waiters, SG, Syracuse

With Ray Allen’s time in Boston coming to an end, the Boston Celtics will find a shooting guard that can make his own shots. Waiters can’t hit threes like Allen, but who can?

22. Atlanta Hawks—Marquis Teague, PG, Kentucky

With plenty of scorers that need help getting shots, the Hawks will look to Kentucky point guard Marquis Teague to be the kind of PG that can dish it but still find his own shots. Great fit for both.

23. Boston Celtics (via LAC from OKC)—Fab Melo, C, Syracuse

The need for a center is obvious. Fab Melo comes ready to play at both ends of the court.

24. Memphis Grizzlies—John Jenkins, SG, Vanderbilt

It’s unclear how John Jenkins will develop in the NBA, but even if the he becomes is a bench player with a dangerous shot, he will be one of the best pure shooters on the team.

25. Cleveland Cavaliers (via LAL)—Andrew Nicholson, PF, St. Bonaventure

With the deterioration of Antawn Jamison skills and his desire to leave, the Cavaliers will have to go after raw talent like Andrew Nicholson. He may be a project, but it's obviously a long-term rebuild in Cleveland.

26. Indiana Pacers—Moe Harkless, SF, St. John’s

This pick makes sense as the Pacers’ backup for Danny Granger, but Moe Harkless is a very rough product. I could see Indiana trading up in the first round.

27. Miami Heat—Festus Ezeli, C, Vanderbilt

While Ezeli is an obvious project, he has the raw talent to be a solid addition off the bench for a Miami Heat team looking to get all the help they can.

28. Oklahoma City Thunder—Draymond Green, F, Michigan State

Oklahoma City is all about team play and Draymond Green exemplifies hard work. He is not the most talented player coming out of college basketball, but his work ethic will have him right at home with the Thunder.

29. Golden State (via SA)—Doron Lamb, SG, Kentucky

While the Warriors fans can expect a better all around game from Doron Lamb than Monta Ellis, the young shooting guard’s inconsistency will have fans going just as crazy.

30. Chicago Bulls—Kevin Jones, PF, West Virginia

With Carlos Boozer’s contract being a financial monster, the squad will have to move him at some point. Drafting a long-term replacement like Kevin Jones that could platoon with Taj Gibson is a smart move

Check back for more on the National Basketball Association as it comes, and check out Bleacher Report’s NBA page to get your fill of all things basketball.

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