2012 NBA Mock Draft: Updated Projections for Top College Prospects
With the standings reaching their final resting place, we now have a better sense of June's draft order.
That means we can also make better predictions about where all the top prospects will wind up. Of course, a lot can change between now and draft night—a lot can change on draft night itself for that matter.
The Hornets, Rockets, Cavaliers, Trail Blazers and Celtics each have two first-round selections this year. It would be surprising if each team held onto both their picks—even (or especially) in a draft so deep with talent.
Draft picks will be at a premium for teams looking to get younger, and the teams looking to win now are well-aware of that. Assuming nothing changes, though, the selections might look a little something like this.
1. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis, PF (Kentucky)
This pick has absolutely nothing to do with what Charlotte wants or needs. They'll take Anthony Davis simply because he's the best player in this draft, both in terms of upside and his immediate impact.
The Bobcats could certainly use some of the winning culture Davis was a part of at Kentucky—Charlotte is historically bad at the moment, and the the 6'10" 19-year-old could be central to the team's rebuilding process.
Davis is long, super-athletic and will make a huge defensive impact in the paint.
2. Washington Wizards: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF (Kentucky)
Like the Bobcats, Washington needs an attitude adjustment as much as it does any kind of talent. The good news is that Kidd-Gilchrist is both an outstanding talent and a fighter at heart. He'll become an instant leader for the Wizards, and set the defensive tone they're sorely missing.
Washington is also missing quality starters on the wing, and Kidd-Gilchrist would give John Wall a nice sidekick.
3. New Orleans Hornets: Thomas Robinson, PF (Kansas)
If New Orleans is looking to gamble a bit more, it could go with Andre Drummond here. Otherwise, Robinson is the best immediate addition the Hornets can make to their front line.
The Hornets need a better 4 with or without Carl Landry, and Robinson is the ideal fit. He can score, play defense, hustle and grab rebounds.
4. Sacramento Kings: Andre Drummond, C (UConn)
The Kings gave up more points than any other team this year, and they could use Drummond to help clog up the paint. He's big, strong and athletic enough to move with an up-tempo team like Sacramento. Yes, he's still raw and could be a bit of a bust, but the Kings have to swing for a home run here.
5. Cleveland Cavaliers: Harrison Barnes, SF (North Carolina)
After Kidd-Gilchrist, Barnes is probably the best small forward left on the board. Cleveland could also use a shooting guard (like Bradley Beal or Jeremy Lamb), but it might be hard to pass up on a guy who could help out so much on both ends of the court.
Barnes is a solid defender, a consistent shooter and a smart player. He may not become a superstar, but he'll just need to give Kyrie Irving a helping hand for now.
6. Toronto Raptors: Bradley Beal, G (Florida)
The Raptors could use help at pretty much every position, but Beal is likely to be the biggest difference-maker still available with the sixth selection. The 18-year-old is like a slightly taller version of Eric Gordon—he could take over on the perimeter and let DeMar DeRozan focus more on getting to the rim.
7. Portland Trail Blazers: Kendall Marshall, PG (North Carolina)
Marshall isn't the most exciting option here, but he's a safe bet to distribute the ball for a team that desperately needs a true floor general. If Portland opts to take the best available talent, Marshall could slide quite a ways in this draft.
He's got good size at 6'4" and the right kind of mindset for the Trail Blazers, though.
8. Utah Jazz: Damian Lillard, PG (Weber State)
Lillard might remind you of Kyle Lowry a bit, and that's exactly what Utah needs at the moment. If Jeremy Lamb is still on the board, Utah might be tempted to take him based on talent alone—but with Alec Burks at the 2, the Jazz really could use a point guard.
9. Detroit Pistons: Perry Jones III, PF (Baylor)
Detroit needs to become more athletic in the front court, and Jones III is the best option. He's also a potential superstar and the Pistons are desperate for that kind of elite upside.
The 6'11" power forward is one of the best pure athletes in the draft, and he's got the skills to match. He'll just need to get his head in the right place and remain focused—not the easiest thing to do on the Pistons.
10. New Orleans Hornets: Terrence Jones, SF (Kentucky)
Jones would give New Orleans an eventual replacement for Trevor Ariza and a young core to build around along with Eric Gordon and whoever the Hornets select first. He's got tons of all-around talent and a huge wingspan for a small forward.
New Orleans could also look to trade this pick if it meant making a more immediate impact. This team isn't as far away from competing as its record suggests.
11. Portland Trail Blazers: Tyler Zeller, C (North Carolina)
Portland could use just about anything other than a 3 or 4, but they'll likely look for the best available center given Marcus Camby's departure at the trade deadline. Zeller moves his feet and plays with a lot of hustle. He could become a very reliable starter.
12. Milwaukee Bucks: John Henson, PF (North Carolina)
Until Larry Sanders reaches his potential, the Bucks will need help in the paint. Without Andrew Bogut around, that becomes even more of a priority.
Henson's a great rebounder and has the length to block plenty of shots. As he gets stronger, he could remind you of Serge Ibaka a bit.
13. Houston Rockets: Jeremy Lamb, SG (UConn)
If Lamb slips this far—and that's a big if—the Rockets have to take him. Courtney Lee is a free agent, and Kevin Martin may not be the Rockets' long-term solution at shooting guard.
Lamb is a skilled scorer with a long wingspan, and he could turn into a better version of Jamal Crawford.
14. Phoenix Suns: Austin Rivers, G (Duke)
Rivers has the potential to be a star in the NBA, and Phoenix can't pass up that kind of opportunity this late in the draft. He won't replace Steve Nash and he may never develop into much of a point guard—but he's a good enough scorer that it may not matter.
15. Philadelphia 76ers: Jared Sullinger, PF (Ohio State)
Who better to help Jared Sullinger adapt to life in the taller NBA than a guy who's had to do the exact same thing? Elton Brand could mentor Sullinger and teach him the kind of tricks that help undersized 4s get by in the league.
As strong as Sullinger may be, he could still use the help.
16. Houston Rockets: Arnett Moultrie, PF (Mississippi St.)
Moultrie might be a gamble, but the Rockets could use his size over the long haul after giving up on Hasheem Thabeet and Jordan Hill. Houston might also look to trade this pick given the team's depth across the board. It might be time for the Rockets to put together some trade packages to lure a legitimate star.
17. Minnesota Timberwolves: Terrence Ross, SG (Washington)
The Timberwolves are set at every position other than the 2 and Ross has a ton of potential at the position. He has the ideal size with athleticism and talent to boot. He'll also add some solid defense to Minnesota's backcourt and would be a nice pair with Ricky Rubio on the fast break.
18. Dallas Mavericks: Meyers Leonard, C (Illinois)
19. Orlando Magic: Jeff Taylor, SF (Vanderbilt)
Orlando's wing players are getting old, and Taylor would make a nice replacement for Hedo Turkoglu whenever he moves on. The 6'7" forward is a great defender and has a much improved perimeter shot. His draft stock benefited a lot from staying at Vanderbilt through his senior year.
20. Denver Nuggets: Tony Wroten Jr., PG (Washington)
Wroten Jr.'s size (at 6'5'') would be a great change of pace from the pint-sized Ty Lawson, and he'd be especially valuable if Andre Miller departs via free agency. The 19-year-old point guard still needs to work on his shooting and other offensive skills, but he's got enough upside to take here.
21. Boston Celtics: Quincy Miller, SF (Baylor)
Miller has the length and athleticism the Celtics would love to have backing up Paul Pierce—he could even become a long-term replacement. For a team without a shot-blocking center, Miller's length and defensive potential would also be a plus.
22. Atlanta Hawks: Dion Waiters, G (Washington)
Atlanta needs a spark-plug to energize the reserves, and Waiters could do exactly that. If he's not already snatched up before the Hawks pick, he'll become an instant replacement for Kirk Hinrich and add some youth to an increasingly veteran bench unit.
23. Memphis Grizzlies: Marquis Teague, PG (Kentucky)
Memphis might pursue a back-up for Mike Conley Jr., especially if they aren't 100 percent confident in Josh Selby to fill that role. Adding point guards would also give Memphis the option of moving Conley Jr. if he becomes too expensive. Teague has great speed and floor leadership—he also plays a lot like his older brother Jeff.
24. Boston Celtics: Doron Lamb, SG (Kentucky)
With the likelihood that Ray Allen won't be back in Boston, Lamb's elite shooting ability makes him an attractive replacement option. He needs to get a lot stronger, but it's too hard to pass up such a talented option—Lamb could become a reliable sixth man in short order.
25. Cleveland Cavaliers: Fab Melo, C (Syracuse)
Melo is a well-rounded center with the ability to explode to the rim. Anderson Varejao probably isn't going anywhere soon, but Cleveland's lack of depth in the middle was revealed went Varejao went down this season.
26. Indiana Pacers: Andrew Nicholson, PF (St. Bonaventure)
Nicholson has become a good mid-range shooter and he'll play hard for the Pacers. He could eventually replace David West and give the Pacers the flexibility to make some deals in the offseason.
27. Miami Heat: Draymond Green, F (Michigan St.)
With Mike Miller and Shane Battier getting on in age, Miami should look for some wing depth to develop over time. Green's a tweener who could be a project, but the Heat aren't going to make an immediate impact with this selection.
28. Oklahoma City Thunder: Festus Ezeli, C (Vanderbilt)
Ezeli would give the Thunder some nice size and allow the team to rely a bit less on Nick Collison. With Kendrick Perkins' susceptibility to foul trouble, having the extra depth might be a smart move.
29. Golden State Warriors: Moe Harkless, SF (St. John's)
Harkless is probably the best talent left on the board for Golden State, and they'll take whoever that ends up being.
30. Chicago Bulls: Evan Fournier, SG (France)
The Bulls can let Fournier incubate in Europe until his services are needed. That's the perfect option for a team with a ridiculous amount of depth.
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