2012 NBA Mock Draft: Teams That Must Find an Instant-Impact Player

Some teams in the upcoming draft cannot afford to take a player that is not going to contribute right away. For different reasons, these teams have to find players who will contribute right away. 

This draft sets up to be a nice mix of project and NBA-ready players. 

I'll go over each first-round pick in this mock, but the teams that absolutely must find instant-impact will be highlighted with extra attention. 

1. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky

Any doubt about Anthony Davis being the No. 1 pick in this draft was completely erased by his performance in the NCAA tournament. 

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

Davis wasn't the only Wildcat wowing scouts in the tournament. Gilchrist locked in his status as the second pick. 

3. Cleveland Cavaliers: Andre Drummond, C, Connecticut

Drummond is raw, but his ceiling is through the roof, and the Cavs could definitely use a potential stud at center. 

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

Why the Hornets Must Find an Instant-Impact Player

The NBA finally found a local buyer for the Hornets, but that isn't going to do them much good if they can't start putting a better product on the court.  

The Hornets are not currently a viable NBA product. They traded away the face of their franchise, Chris Paul, this past offseason because they weren't likely to re-sign him. 

The centerpiece of that deal was Eric Gordon, and it now seems unlikely that Gordon will re-sign. This is potentially disastrous for the Hornets. 

The addition of Robinson will instantly give fans a hope to latch onto. He is a polished scorer and great rebounder. He will be an excellent player from the start.  

5. Sacramento Kings: Bradley Beal, SG, Florida

Why the Kings Must Find an Instant-Impact Player

The Kings are in a similar situation to the Hornets. The big difference is that they appear to be a team on the move. 

As they are now, there is little to excite any fanbase about the Kings. What they do have, though, is a nice young piece at center in DeMarcus Cousins. 

Cousins averaged 18.1 points and 11 rebounds a game this season, and what he really needs to shine is another scorer in the backcourt. 

This is where Beal comes in. He is a natural scorer. While his overall game needs some refining, he will be able to score right off the bat. 

This will help clear up the lane for Cousins and aid the Kings into becoming a more watchable team. 

6. Portland Trail Blazers (via New Jersey Nets): Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina

The Blazers have to add some athleticism the wings. Barnes is a nice fit with huge potential. 

7. Golden State Warriors:  Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State 

Sullinger's adept scoring in the low post will be a nice fit with Andrew Bogut's defense. 

8. Toronto Raptors: Jeremy Lamb, SG, Connecticut

Lamb will give the Raptors the potential scorer they lack in the backcourt. 

9. Detroit Pistons: Perry Jones III, SF, Baylor

Jones is a long and unique prospect who should team up nicely with Greg Monroe in the Pistons frontcourt. 

10. New Orleans Hornets (via Minnesota Timberwolves): Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois

Leonard needs a little seasoning, but he could form a potentially dynamic frontcourt with Robinson in New Orleans. 

11. Portland Trail Blazers: Damian Lillard, PG, Weber State

The Blazers have to find a replacement for the disappointing Raymond Felton. 

12. Milwaukee Bucks: Arnett Moultrie, PF, Mississippi State 

Moultrie will bring some much-needed athleticism to the Bucks' power forward position. 

13. Phoenix Suns: Austin Rivers, SG, Duke

The Suns need to find a better option to start at shooting guard than Shannon Brown. 

14. Houston Rockets: Tyler Zeller, C, North Carolina

Houston badly needs a center. Zeller will have to bulk up, but he has a lot of potential. 

15. Philadelphia 76ers: Kendall Marshall, PG, North Carolina

The Sixers need a true point guard, and Marshall is the purest one in this draft. 

16. Houston Rockets (via New York Knicks):  Dion Waiters, SG, Syracuse

Waiters will give the Rockets a nice option at shooting guard, which will free them up to deal Kevin Martin. 

17. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Utah Jazz): Terrence Jones, SF, Kentucky

Jones' defense and athleticism will be a nice fit with Kevin Love in the Timberwolves frontcourt. 

18. Dallas Mavericks: John Henson, PF, North Carolina 

In the wake of the failed Lamar Odom experiment, the Mavericks need another big on the roster. 

19. Orlando Magic: Doron Lamb, SG, Kentucky

Lamb will give the Magic a nice perimeter scorer to offset the inside presence of Dwight Howard. 

20. Denver Nuggets: Moe Harkless, SF, St. John's

Harkless is the kind of fast-paced, tough defender George Karl loves. 

21. Boston Celtics: Terrence Ross, SG, Washington 

Ross is a nice fit for the Celtics and will be a great replacement for the aging Ray Allen. 

22. Boston Celtics (via Los Angeles Clippers): Fab Melo, C, Syracuse

Melo's defense is a perfect fit for the Celtics' style. 

23. Atlanta Hawks: Andrew Nicholson, PF, St. Bonaventure

Nicholson's athleticism will be a nice option off of the Hawks' bench. 

24. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Los Angeles Lakers): Jeffery Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt

The Cavs will be enamored with the potential scoring punch that Taylor brings. 

25. Memphis Grizzlies: John Jenkins, SG, Vanderbilt 

If Jenkins pans out, it will be much easier for the Grizzlies to part ways with OJ Mayo. 

26. Indiana Pacers: Tony Mitchell, SF, North Texas

Why the Pacers Need an Instant-Impact Player

The Pacers have been one of the true surprises of the NBA season. This is a young group that plays a nice team game. They want to make sure they keep this momentum going. 

Picking this late in the draft, the Pacers are not going to find someone who can step into their starting lineup right away, but that doesn't mean they can't find someone who can contribute next year. 

Mitchell will give this team a nice backup option to Danny Granger, and he will fit right in with the Pacers' style. 

27. Miami Heat: Festus Ezeli, C, Vanderbilt

Ezeli is a big-bodied center that needs work, but he could develop into a nice starter in this league. 

28. Oklahoma City Thunder: Tony Wroten, PG, Washington

Russell Westbrook needs a capable backup, and Wroten's athleticism will be a nice fit with this fast-paced team. 

29. Chicago Bulls: Draymond Green, PF, Michigan State

Green is smart and balanced player. He will fit right in with the Bulls' style.

30. San Antonio Spurs: Kevin Jones, PF, West Virginia

The Spurs will continue to add frontcourt depth as Tim Duncan nears retirement.