2012 NBA Mock Draft: Harrison Barnes and Players Who Won't Contribute Right Away

Many teams luck out with instant superstars in the NBA draft, but others are forced to take risks with projects.

Some prospects ooze potential, but aren't quite ready to make an impact at the next level. Below is a look at my mock draft with a closer look at these types of prospects. 

1. Charlotte Bobcats (7-59): Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky

His defense is once-in-a-lifetime, his offense continues to improve, and his uni-brow is worthy of the Hall of Fame.

This pick is easy as Andrew Luck. The Bobcats need a franchise-changer and Davis is the only prospect with that potential.

2. Washington Wizards (20-46): Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, Kentucky

Kidd-Gilchrist is solid all around, but he's scary good in transition. That's the type of player the Wizards will love. 

3. Cleveland Cavaliers (21-45): Bradley Beal, SG, Florida

Andre Drummond and Thomas Robinson are the top available prospects, but the Cavs need a scoring guard more than they do a big man.

Beal is the best guard in the draft.

4. New Orleans Hornets (21-45): Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas

New Orleans has had a lot of inconsistency at the PF position and Robinson, who could go No. 2, provides good value here. 

5. Sacramento Kings (22-44): Andre Drummond, C, Connecticut

The Kings look solid for the future at point guard (Isaiah Thomas), shooting guard (Marcus Thornton), small forward (Tyreke Evans) and center (DeMarcus Cousins).

That leaves Drummond, who has the potential to give the Kings a menacing frontcourt next to DeMarcus Cousins.

This gives the Kings the potential to have the biggest "boom or bust" lineup ever, but there's no question it will have talent.

Nonetheless, Drummond, who struggled with inconsistency, might not be ready to contribute right away. He has great athleticism for his size, but his raw ability will make him a bit of a project.

6. Portland Trail Blazers (via 22-44 New Jersey Nets): Kendall Marshall, PG, North Carolina

I'm not convinced the Trail Blazers are confident with Raymond Felton as their point guard of the future.

They could easily wait until pick No. 11 to grab a point guard, but I wouldn't be surprised if they reached a bit right here because Marshall is the prototypical PG everyone wants. 

7. Golden State Warriors (23-43): Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina

Dorrell Wright is replaceable, so leave it to Golden State to draft a raw scorer who isn't quite ready to contribute.

Barnes is seriously talented and definitely deserves to be drafted here, don't get me wrong, but he still didn't strike me as someone ready for the NBA.

Often times at UNC he showed off his appeal. He can shoot from anywhere on the court, and if he is aggressive, he can get to the hoop and score with ease.

However, therein lies the problem. Barnes often shies away, and settles too often for fadeaways and contested jumpers. He doesn't quite have that killer instinct, so he's still a bit of a project.

He'll be a good player, just not in 2012-13. 

8. Toronto Raptors (23-43): Jeremy Lamb, SG, Connecticut 

The Raptors have DeMar DeRozan, but Lamb is good value here and could potentially play as an undersized "3" if he puts on a little bit of weight.

9. Detroit Pistons (25-41): Perry Jones III, PF, Baylor

The Pistons have a lot of versatile players who can play multiple positions, so I think they go with the best value here.

Jones has the highest ceiling out of anyone in this draft. If he gets his head right, he has top-five talent. 

10. New Orleans Hornets (via 26-40 Minnesota Timberwolves): Damian Lillard, PG, Weber State

The Hornets got T-Rob with their first pick, so they'll grab a talented point guard here. Austin Rivers is also an option, depending on how contract talks go with Eric Gordon. 

11. Portland Trail Blazers (28-38): Tyler Zeller, C, North Carolina

The Blazers need a true center so LaMarcus Aldridge can play in his more-comfortable power forward position.

Zeller is the best center available, although don't be surprised if Meyers Leonard's stock rises in the next month

12. Milwaukee Bucks (31-35): Austin Rivers, SG, Duke

The Bucks have Monta Ellis and Brandon Jennings, but Rivers will provide instant offense and PG/SG versatility as a sixth man. 

13. Phoenix Suns (33-33): Terrence Ross, SG/SF, Washington

The Suns would probably like Steve Nash Insurance, but no point guard really makes sense here.

Ross gives Phoenix a necessary scoring punch for when Grant Hill finally calls it quits. 

14. Houston Rockets (34-32): Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State

Sullinger is a Top 10—even Top 5 to some—so this is a pure value pick. The Rockets have Luis Scola, but they won't pass up Sullinger.

15. Philadelphia 76ers (35-31): Dion Waiters, SG, Syracuse

The Sixers had one of the best defenses in the league this year, but they really struggled to score at times.

Adding Dion Waiters, possibly the draft's best pure scorer, as a sixth man would be a smart pick. 

16. Houston Rockets (via 36-20 New York Knicks): Terrence Jones, SF, Kentucky

Don't see a ton of needs here for Houston, but SF is arguably the Rockets' weakest position and Jones was a legitimate Top 10 pick at this time last year. 

17. Dallas Mavericks (36-30): John Henson, PF, North Carolina

Henson will provide a solid backup to Dirk Nowitzki, but he can also play center in a bind. He gives the Mavericks great defense, which they love. 

18. Minnesota Timberwolves (via 36-30 Utah Jazz): Royce White, SF, Iowa State

Absolutely love Royce White. He can do everything on the court and play multiple positions. Also, he'll contribute right away. This is a solid choice for the T-Wolves, who are right on the fringe of the playoffs. 

19. Orlando Magic (37-29): Tony Wroten, PG, Washington

This is another high-ceiling player who isn't ready to contribute right away. 

Wroten's strengths are undeniable. He is really big for a point guard, but he still has terrific ball-handling skills and can get the hoop with a reckless abandon and has uncanny vision.

He's also a very solid rebounder for his position.

However, Wroten has an absolutely horrendous jump shot. In the NBA, defenders will just take a few steps off of him, rendering him almost useless.

The Magic need someone to eventually replace Jameer Nelson, and Wroten will be their guy. If he eventually gets a mid-range game, he's going to be very dangerous. Like, top-10 point guard dangerous.

That just won't be next season. 

20. Denver Nuggets (38-28): Arnett Moultrie, PF, Mississippi State

Moultrie has top-15 talent and will help the Nuggets on defense. This pick has potential to be traded, though, so watch out for that. 

21. Boston Celtics (39-27): Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois

Greg Stiemsma has been a pleasant surprise, but the Celtics could still use lots of depth in the frontcourt, especially if Kevin Garnett eventually leaves to free agency. 

22. Boston Celtics (via 40-26 Los Angeles Clippers): John Jenkins, SG, Vanderbilt

Ray Allen's future in Boston is also up in the air, and Jenkins is easily the best available shooting guard.

Sorry, Doron Lamb fans. 

23. Atlanta Hawks (40-26): Moe Harkless, SF, St. Johns

The Big East Freshman of the Year was unstoppable at times this year for the Johnnies. Assuming Al Horford comes back healthy, Atlanta's biggest need is a small forward, so this makes sense.

24. Cleveland Cavaliers (via 41-25 Los Angeles Lakers): Jeff Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt

Taylor is scary athletic, can shoot the ball, and is pretty solid on defense. He's just an all-around solid player.

The graduating senior has the experience and potential to crack the Cavs' starting lineup right away. 

25. Memphis Grizzlies (41-25): Andrew Nicholson, PF, St. Bonaventure

Nicholson isn't spectacular at any one aspect of the game, but he has good intangibles and not a ton of glaring weaknesses. 

Nicholson's stock has been rising, so don't be surprised to see him go here. 

26. Indiana Pacers (42-24): Marquis Teague, PG, Kentucky

It's hard to argue with the success John Calipari's point guards have had in the NBA. Darren Collison isn't the future at point guard for the Pacers, although George Hill's recent play is making me question this pick.

Nonetheless, Teague is good value here. 

27. Miami Heat (46-20): Fab Melo, C, Syracuse

The Heat have plenty of stars, but they like to get defense and rebounding out of the center position, making Melo the perfect pick.

LeBron and Dwyane Wade should help keep this headcase in check, too. 

28. Oklahoma City Thunder (47-19): Festus Ezeli, C, Vanderbilt

The Thunder don't have a ton of weaknesses, but adding depth on the front line is probably priority No. 1.

Ezeli is "easily" the best center available. 

29. Chicago Bulls (50-16): Doron Lamb, SG, Kentucky

Lamb will provide the Bulls with a deadly shooter off the bench. Also, Richard Hamilton isn't getting any younger or healthier. 

30. Golden State Warriors (via 50-16 San Antonio Spurs): Drew Gordon, PF, New Mexico

I really like Gordon, and I think he'll make the jump into the late first round, even though he's projected by most to go in the second.

He's a very hard-worker, a good rebounder, and really resembles guys like Paul Millsap and Kenneth Faried.

He's someone who has the potential to inject some energy into this lifeless franchise. 

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