2012 NBA Mock Draft: Where Each Conference's Star Will Land

The NBA Draft can have its share of surprises, but one thing that is for sure is that each conference's star players are going to get their chance to shine at the next level.

They will be some of the most prominent names on draft night, and we would all be shocked if we did not hear their names called at some point in the night.

Most will go in the first round, while others may slip to the second. Still, they have proven to us over the years that they can be some of the best in the country, and they will do just that in the NBA.

The following is a breakdown of the first round of this year's NBA draft.

1. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis, F, Kentucky Wildcats

Arguably the best player in the country, it should come as no surprise that Davis will be the first overall pick in this year's draft.

The Wildcats star took over the college basketball world this season, just flat out dominated the SEC and the rest of the league as the team won this year's title game.

Davis is just a freshman, but that is no reason to believe he will struggle at the next level. The only concern should be that he is going to the Bobcats, who need a lot more than just Davis to get things heading in the right direction.

Nonetheless, it is a good step forward.

2. Washington Wizards: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, F, Kentucky Wildcats

Another strong force this past season, Gilchrist will be a nice piece to join the Wizards. There are still a lot of pieces needed in Washington, but adding another scorer to John Wall's arsenal won't hurt. As mentioned before, there is still a lot of work to be done here before the Wizards can jump to the top—even middle—of the Eastern Conference.

3. Cleveland Cavaliers: Andre Drummond, C, UConn Huskies

The Cavaliers will have to hope Kyrie Iriving will remain healthy next season, but one thing that they must add right now is big man. The team does have players like Tristan Thompson and Anderson Varejao, but their size isn't exactly fit for the center position. Drummond would be able to relieve them, as well as continuing to add good strong young depth to the team.

4. New Orleans Hornets: Thomas Robinson, F, Kansas Jayhawks

The Jayhawks almost won it all this past season, but they wouldn't have been anywhere near that possibility if it wasn't for Robinson. 

The Big 12 star is a bit undersized for the big man position, but the possibility of a spot being open with Chris Kaman potentially leaving makes Robinson an attractive option.

What Robinson would bring to the table for New Orleans is a powerful scorer, but definitely a work in progress.

It was clear in the NCAA Tournament that Robinson can sometimes be inconsistent, but with the right work he can be nearly unstoppable.

5. Portland Trailblazers: Bradley Beal, G, Florida Gators (From New Jersey Nets)

After losing Brandon Roy before this season, the Trailblazers would be foolish to not target a similar player to what they lost. Gators' star guard Beal would be a solid replacement to their loss, as well as adding another scoring threat from the floor.

6. Sacramento Kings: Jared Sullinger, F, Ohio State Buckeyes

Some are not completely sold on what Sullinger can bring to the floor each and every game, but the Buckeyes' standout forward would be a stud playing alongside DeMarcus Cousins.

While Sullinger was a good defender this past season, he wouldn't have to carry as much of the weight as he has in the past. He is long, but he isn't exactly the strongest player on the floor. Once he hits the gym, he could become a very strong man in the post.

Sullinger has a lot of the right tools in place, but he definitely has some things to work out. The Kings are not ready to win just yet, but the addition of Sullinger will bring them one step closer to reaching that level.

7. Toronto Raptors: John Henson, F, North Carolina Tar Heels

The Raptors don't really need another forward, but given his size (6'11"), Henson would be a nice addition to the team's front court. The one downfall to Henson is strength. Any team that takes him is going to have to make sure he bulks up, as right now anyone can push him down.

8. Detroit Pistons: Perry Jones, F, Baylor Bears

The Pistons are clearly going to be going through an all-out rebuild, so they are going to have to start to add depth to their bigger positions, already selecting Brandon Knight last season. At 6'11" and 220 lbs., Jones is a big forward who can score.

9. Golden State Warriors: Harrison Barnes, F, North Carolina Tar Heels

After trading Monta Ellis this past season, the Warriors will be looking to continue to add some scoring to their roster. They already have a potential big man threat in Andrew Bogut, given he stays healthy, so adding a scorer like Barnes will be extremely useful. He will have to continue to improve his consistency, but Barnes has always been a superstar in the making.

10. New Orleans Hornets: Jeremy Lamb, G, UConn Huskies (From Minnesota Timberwolves)

There were a lot of strong players in the Big East this past season, but one that stood out from the rest was the Huskies sophomore guard Lamb.

Lamb was a part of the team's 2011 NCAA title team, and instead of opting to head to the pros, he decided to stay another year.

This past season, he averaged just over 17 points a game, something that the Hornets desperately need. Lamb is another guy who could benefit from adding a little muscle, but his scoring ability would be quite welcomed in New Orleans.

11. Milwaukee Bucks: Tyler Zeller, C, North Carolina Tar Heels

After moving their big man in Bogut to the Warriors, it should be no secret that the Bucks would like to re-up their depth at the big man position. While they do have other options, adding someone like Zeller would be a nice complement to what the team already has in place.

Zeller may never be a dominant starter in the NBA, but he is a perfect role player who can come off the bench and just get things done.

The former Tar Heels star was this year's ACC Player of the Year.

12. Phoenix Suns: Damian Lillard, G, Weber State

The Big Sky conference isn't home to many of today's NBA stars, but Weber State's Lillard could put an end to that.

Given that the Suns may be without guard Steve Nash next season with his contract up in the air, the team may have to look for an immediate replacement.

Nobody better than the NCAA's second best scorer. This past season, Lillard averaged 24.5 PPG. While that was against not the great competition, he has proven to have the ability to score.

The Suns will need that perhaps immediately.

13. Portland Trailblazers: Terrence Jones, F, Kentucky Wildcats

While Davis hogged the spotlight this past season, Jones was solid as well for the Wildcats. He averaged 12.5 PPG, as well as averaging seven boards. The biggest question mark surrounding the Trailblazers is their bigs, so they will have to hope they can add some depth their in this draft.

14. Houston Rockets: Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois Fighting Illini

Since Yao Ming retired, the Rockets have been scrambling to find a big man to fill the huge void left by the international superstar. Marcus Camby has been consistent over his career, but age is going to get to him sooner than later. Leonard could be the missing piece, and at least a solid addition to the team's depth for next season.

15. Philadelphia 76ers: Arnett Moultrie, F, Mississippi State Bulldogs

Another team that has question marks surrounding their front court are the 76ers, who are right now going with Spencer Hawes and Elton Brand. Behind them? Nothing impressive, which screams add depth. Moultrie was a double-double man last season, so the 76ers will have to hope that is what they will get from him for years to come.

16. Houston Rockets: Terrence Ross, G, Washington Huskies (From New York Knicks)

The Rockets have question marks surrounding the depth at the guard position, and while fans hope that Kevin Martin, Courtney Lee and Goran Dragic can lead this team's backcourt, it is the latter that has the team likely worrying in 2012-13.

Ross, while it wasn't too difficult, was arguably the best player in the Pac-12 this season. The Huskies guard averaged 15.3 PPG, while also putting up 25 PPG during the NIT tournament.

The Rockets could use additional threats from their backcourt, so they will have to hope that a guy like Ross will be able to elevate their offense immediately.

17. Dallas Mavericks: Kendall Marshall, G, North Carolina Tar Heels

Jason Kidd isn't getting any younger, and the depth behind Jason Terry isn't all that great. Marshall proved to be a strong player for the Tar Heels for most of last season, and proved how important he was after going down in this year's tournament.

18. Minnesota Timberwolves: Quincy Miller, F, Baylor Bears (From Utah Jazz)

Miller was just a freshman this past season, and he still has much to prove despite being here in the NBA draft. The Bears' forward will certainly continue to add to the field of forwards the Timberwolves already have, putting them in position to maybe look to make some deals beforehand.

19. Orlando Magic: Royce White, F, Iowa State Cyclones

The Magic may end up having to address their big man situation here pending what happens with center Dwight Howard, but in the meantime, they may look to add a guy like White to improve their small forward position. It is a position that is aging for the Magic, so White could be groomed to take over shortly.

20. Denver Nuggets: Jeff Taylor, F, Vanderbilt Commodores

The Nuggets still need a forward to replace the loss of Carmelo Anthony and Nene over the past two years, so Taylor would be a fine compliment to Danilo Gallinari and Al Harrington. Taylor is an athletic forward, averaging 16 points a game this past year. A lot of upside, but can be a risk as a project.

21. Atlanta Hawks: Dion Waiters, G, Syracuse Orange

Kirk Hinrich. Tracy McGrady. If that doesn't convince you that the Hawks need some help at the two, than I don't know what does. There is no guarantee that either of those men will be back next season, but that shouldn't make or break for them to add a guy like Waiters. He could also help out handling the point if needed, depth that must be addressed as well.

22. Boston Celtics: Austin Rivers, G, Duke Blue Devils (From LA Clippers)

The irony here is too much to handle, but if Rivers slips this far into the draft, don't be surprised if his father Doc is coaching him next season. It isn't quite clear yet how far the Celtics will go in changing up their "Big 3 plus Rajon Rondo," but they need to start thinking about how things will be post Ray Allen.

23. Boston Celtics: Moe Harkless, F, St. Johns

Another key component of the Celtics that the team must start looking to replace is Paul Pierce. At 6'8" and 208 lbs., Harkless could be a perfect replacement. He averaged 15.3 PPG while averaging 8.6 boards per night. He did this all while being just a freshman, so playing a year or two behind a veteran should help him excel long term.

24. Cleveland Cavaliers: Doron Lamb, G, Kentucky Wildcats (From LA Lakers)

Kyrie Irving needs a running mate, so taking a look at Lamb here would be a logical choice. Lamb played another solid season for the Wildcats, and he is used to not being the primary scorer. Ramon Sessions is gone, so now is the time to find a replacement.

25. Memphis Grizzlies: Marquis Teague, G, Kentucky Wildcats 

The Grizzlies shouldn't be completely sold on Mike Conley yet, but may also see a shot in their depth considering the play of Jeremy Pargo and Josh Selby. Teague could be that playmaker the Grizzlies need at the point. If Conley goes off this postseason, than perhaps the team will have to look elsewhere this draft.

26. Indiana Pacers: Evan Fournier, F, International

The Pacers have been playing well the last two seasons, but their biggest issue comes to who can play the Danny Granger role if the team ever needed to replace him, or at least add something similar behind him. Fournier is just 19 years old, but the Pacers may be best suited if he decides to spend some more time overseas before coming over.

27. Miami Heat: Fab Melo, C, Syracuse Orange 

The Heat have one need—center. After missing the entire NCAA Tournament, Melo may just be the guy that will fill the void for this team. They already have LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, so adding an athletic big like Melo is a no-brainer. Especially because he doesn't demand the rock.

28. Golden State Warriors: Draymond Green, F, Michigan State Spartans (From San Antonio Spurs) 

The Warriors biggest concern should be the forward position—mostly the three though. A guy like Green could address both spots on the floor. He is on the bigger side, but he could easily play the size of either position. Not to mention, he can play, averaging 16.1 points and 10.4 rebounds per game.

29. Oklahoma City Thunder: Andrew Nicholson, F/C, St. Bonaventure

The Thunder are one of the most complete teams in the NBA, but that shouldn't shy them away from adding big men. Their guards are stacked, and Kevin Durant's play speaks for itself.

That is where Nicholson is a fit, as he could squeeze in between Serge Ibaka and Kendrick Perkins when the roster goes big.

Nicholson averaged 18.4 points and 8.5 rebounds this past season playing in the Atlantic 10, but has also been a strong option for the team all four years he was with the St. Bonaventure Bonnies.

The Thunder could benefit from his experience, as the last thing this team should want to do is get younger.

30. Chicago Bulls: Tyshawn Taylor, G, Kansas Jayhawks

After Derrick Rose missed a ton of time this past season due to injury, it became clear that the Bulls need to add to their depth behind the 2011-12 MVP. CJ Watson and John Lucas III did a great job in Rose's absence, but the team just runs incredibly thin at the one and two. The Bulls need to address the two more than anything, but they won't find anyone worth it at this spot in the draft.