2012 NBA Mock Draft: Lottery Teams That Will Be Playoff Bound

With the 2012 NBA regular season out of the way and the playoffs in full swing, it’s time for the teams sitting at home to start thinking about the draft. The teams italicized will be in the lottery now, but playoff bound in 2013.

NBA mock draft tandings are fluid—from lottery teams to playoffs, things will change. Order based on mix of current standings and projected finish.

1. Charlotte Bobcats—Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky

Anthony Davis is the unquestionable No. 1 pick. The only question is where he ends up going.

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

If the Washington Wizards are lucky enough to get Michael Kidd-Gilchrist at No. 2, you know this draft is super deep.

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

Kansas star Thomas Robinson will be a force in the NBA from day one. While he may not go No. 1 or 2, whoever snags him at No. 3 will have a long-time NBA star. If New Orleans can snag Robinson, they will have enough young talent to make a playoff run.

4.  Sacramento Kings—Andre Drummond, C, UConn

Arguably the most overrated player in the draft, Andre Drummond is surrounded  by hype but showed little of that this past season in college. The Kings are willing to take risks, and this is definitely one.

5. Toronto Raptors—Harrison Barnes, SF, UNC

Barnes is the kind of responsible ball-handler that can keep a team in games. While he plays small forward, he can help the Raptors with his passing and rebound as much as his scoring.

6. Cleveland Cavaliers—Bradley Beal, SG, Florida

Kyrie Irving and Bradley Beal in Cleveland would be an amazing offensive showcase for the Cavaliers. But the lack of defense would be a bit concerning. With a big splash in free agency, the Cavaliers could be closer to the playoffs than people think.

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

With Brandon Roy gone for good, the Trailblazers will draft a long-term replacement in Jeremy Lamb. He needs work but has tons of upside.

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

Despite having him as the fourth-best player in this draft, Ohio State star Jared Sullinger will fall to the Pistons at No. 8. While falling isn’t good, ending up with a team like Detroit isn’t a bad thing.

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

Lillard is a good player, but there are questions about how he will handle elite competition. The Utah Jazz expect him to rise to the occasion

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

No player can replace Chris Paul, but UNC point guard Kendall Marshall does all the little things right. He is a winner, and he will help Thomas Robinson bring the Hornets back to the playoffs.

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

Now that the Greg Oden experiment is over, it’s time to give it another try with UNC center Tyler Zeller.

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

Another overrated prospect is Perry Jones. After a terrible NCAA tourney, questions surround this young prospect. Question marks are something Milwaukee loves to ignore.

13. Utah Jazz—Austin Rivers, SG, Duke

With no rhyme or reason, the Utah Jazz have an amazing backcourt pair in Jefferson and Millsap and little else. Adding a shooting guard like Austin River, who can make his own shots, will be a plus for a team that struggles at times to find offense.

14. Phoenix Suns—Terrence Jones, SF, Kentucky

Another Kentucky star that will go in the first round will be Terrence Jones. With Phoenix in full rebuild mode, their draft will consist of taking the best player available.

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

There is a ton of potential with Arnett Moultrie, but the Rockets must be patient with him and let him learn the game as he goes.

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

With a strong need for center and not much depth at the position in this draft, the Sixers will take a flier on Illinois center Meyers Leonard .

17. Denver Nuggets—Tony Wroten, G, Washington

With needs on the bench and at both guard positions, Washington utility guard Tony Wroten can play wherever he is asked and be effective.

18. Dallas Mavericks—John Henson, PF, UNC

The hope from Dallas is that the addition of John Henson will be what they hoped the addition of LaMar Odom would be. Minus the Kardashian drama.

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

As the Nets prepare for the move to Brooklyn, they must draft best player available for the next two seasons. Sort it all out after that.

20. Boston Celtics—Dion Waiters, SG, Syracuse

Dion Waiters is no Ray Allen, but who is?

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

There are questions about Royce White and how long it will take him to get accustomed to the NBA. With Dwight Howard likely gone, there is plenty of time as the team starts over.

22. Memphis Grizzlies—John Jenkins, SG, Vanderbilt

The Grizzlies need a shooter who can step in off the bench and hit shots from anywhere on the floor. John Jenkins is their man.

23. Atlanta Hawks—Marquis Teague, PG, Kentucky

The need for a point guard in Atlanta is very evident by the numbers from Joe Johnson and Josh Smith. Marquis Teague brings a great set of skills to a position of need.

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

The need for a center has been there since Perkins was traded. Fab Melo steps in and is the team’s starter.

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

Moe Harkless needs to work on his shooting, but he adds in so many other facets of the game that the time he spends developing can be on the court as a defender.

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

Cleveland is still rebuilding, but the departure of Antawn Jamison means they need a power forward. With some work, Andrew Nicholson could be that player.

27. Miami Heat—Festus Ezeli, C, Vanderbilt

There is a desperate need for depth at center for the Heat, and Festus Ezeli has the most raw talent of any center in the draft. Whether or not Miami can harness it, though, is a different story.

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

While Doron Lamb isn’t as explosive as Monta Ellis, he will be a much better compliment to Stephon Curry in the Golden State backcourt.

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

The Oklahoma City Thunder organization has fundamentals they live by, and Draymond Green is the kind of man they want on their squad.

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

Carlos Boozer and his pricey contract days are numbered in Chicago, so drafting a star like Kevin Jones is the right move.

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