2012 NBA Mock Draft: Teams That Will Reach for Need
Every year in the NBA draft, there are teams that will reach for need, hoping they can find a starter at an open position.
That figures to repeat in the 2012 NBA Draft, with several teams desperate for an impact at a position of need. Some reaches will be minimal, others grandiose.
Here's my latest 2012 NBA Draft, complete with teams that will reach for need (in Italics).
1. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis, PF (Kentucky)
Anthony Davis is unquestionably the top prospect in the 2012 draft class. He's explosive around the rim, rebounds, defends and projects to be an elite shot-blocker in the NBA. He would be a great addition to a team that basically needs everything.
2. Washington Wizards: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF (Kentucky)
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist is still young at 18 years old, but he's already shown glimpses of what he could become.
MKG projects to be a complete package in the pros. He glides to the rim, rebounds well and plays solid man-to-man defense. You add his non-stop motor, and you have the No. 2 overall pick in the draft.
3. Cleveland Cavaliers: Bradley Beal, SG (Florida)
The Cavaliers could add a center such as Connecticut's Andre Drummond here, but Bradley Beal is more of a sure thing. Beal can score from the inside and outside, rebound and play pesky defense.
He would look great next to Kyrie Irving.
4. New Orleans Hornets: Thomas Robinson, PF (Kansas)
The Hornets have been searching for a difference-maker at power forward since David West's departure. Thomas Robinson is a physical specimen, and his explosiveness at the rim and elite rebounding ability are impressive.
5. Sacramento Kings: Andre Drummond, C (Connecticut)
Andre Drummond has the explosiveness and athleticism at the center position that has some comparing him to a young Dwight Howard. He does have character concerns, but DeMarcus Cousins did too, and his play appears to be outweighing those concerns.
What an explosive combo these two would make down low.
6. Portland Trail Blazers (via New Jersey): Damian Lillard, PG (Weber State)
Damian Lillard is one of the top scorers in the 2012 draft class, and his ability to explode into the paint almost at will could make him a dynamic playmaker in the NBA.
7. Golden State Warriors: Harrison Barnes, SF (North Carolina)
This is the perfect scenario for the Warriors. Although Harrison Barnes disappointed in the NCAA tournament, raising question marks about how ready he is for the NBA, the Warriors need an impact player at small forward.
Barnes has the potential to be a top scorer in the pros.
8. Toronto Raptors: Kendall Marshall, PG (North Carolina)
The Raptors need help at both backcourt positions. Kendall Marshall is a pure point guard, with the ability to make everyone around him better. He also improved his perimeter shooting last season at UNC.
9. Detroit Pistons: Perry Jones III, F (Baylor)
Perry Jones' inconsistency on the hardwood at Baylor is troubling, but his explosiveness and athleticism could give the Pistons a dynamic one-two punch when paired with Greg Monroe.
10. New Orleans Hornets (via Minnesota): Tyler Zeller, C (North Carolina)
After locking up the power forward spot, the Hornets could go with Tyler Zeller here.
He doesn't have the explosiveness to be a star player in my mind, but that doesn't mean Zeller can't be a good one. He has soft touch around the rim, can run the floor and knows how to rebound the basketball.
11. Portland Trail Blazers: Jeremy Lamb, SG (Connecticut)
Jeremy Lamb, paired with Lillard, could give the Trail Blazers a dynamic backcourt for years to come. Lamb practically glides across the floor, and his athleticism and length make him a pesky defender.
12. Milwaukee Bucks: Terrence Jones, F (Kentucky)
If Zeller doesn't fall to the Bucks, Terrence Jones would be a nice complement to guards Brandon Jennings and Monta Ellis.
Jones has the athleticism to run with Jennings and Ellis, and his overall game could make him the next Lamar Odom (pre-Dallas).
13. Phoenix Suns: Austin Rivers, SG (Duke)
This is a bit of a reach, given that Austin Rivers is still a raw prospect.
Nonetheless, he has the tools to be a dynamic scorer in the NBA. Rivers needs to play more within the game, but that should come in time.
14. Houston Rockets: Arnett Moultrie, PF (Mississippi State)
Arnett Moultrie needs to add strength, but his explosiveness and athleticism could make him a lottery pick. He averaged 15.8 points and 10.6 rebounds at Mississippi State last season, and he exploded for 34 points against UMass in the NIT.
Moultrie would provide nice depth for the Rockets.
15. Philadelphia 76ers: Jared Sullinger, PF (Ohio State)
There are concerns about Jared Sullinger's lack of explosiveness, but his post game is well beyond his years, and he's a solid rebounder.
Sully could become the successor to Elton Brand in Philly.
16. Houston Rockets (via New York): Meyers Leonard, C (Illinois)
Meyers Leonard is raw, but he has the size, strength, scoring, rebounding and shot-blocking ability to be a solid center in the NBA.
17. Dallas Mavericks: Dion Waiters, SG (Syracuse)
The Mavericks could go a variety of directions here, but Dion Waiters appears to be slightly moving up draft boards, and it's no wonder why.
Waiters has the explosiveness to be a big-time scorer in the NBA, and he's a dangerous defender.
18. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Utah): Terrence Ross, SG (Washington)
Ricky Rubio needs a backcourt mate. Terrence Ross showed in the NIT that he can be a dangerous scorer, and his length allows him to steal the ball and block shots.
He's also a good three-point shooter.
19. Orlando Magic: Fab Melo, C (Syracuse)
With Dwight Howard inevitably leaving town one of these days, the Magic need to address the center spot.
Fab Melo projects to be a solid post defender and an elite shot-blocker at the next level.
20. Denver Nuggets: Quincy Miller, SF (Baylor)
Quincy Miller is raw and inconsistent at this point, but he has the skill set George Karl loves. He's long, athletic, versatile and can score both inside and outside.
21. Boston Celtics: John Henson, PF (North Carolina)
If John Henson dropped this far, the Celtics would be ecstatic. His athleticism and explosiveness, combined with his defense and shot-blocking ability, could make him a better NBA player than Sullinger.
22. Boston Celtics (via L.A. Clippers): Doron Lamb, SG (Kentucky)
Ray Allen figures to be headed out of town soon.
Doron Lamb has the silky smooth shooting and poise to be a nice successor.
23. Atlanta Hawks: Jeff Taylor, SF (Vanderbilt)
Jeff Taylor is an impressive prospect. He can defend and block shots, explode to the rim and he considerably improved his perimeter game last season at Vanderbilt.
Not a bad successor to Josh Smith down the line.
24. Cleveland Cavaliers (via L.A. Lakers): Moe Harkless, SF (St. John's)
The Cavaliers need to address their small forward spot. Moe Harkless is an explosive, athletic wing player who attacks the rim and uses his length to create havoc on defense.
25. Memphis Grizzlies: Tony Wroten Jr., G (Washington)
Not only could the talented Tony Wroten be a backup at the point guard position, he could become a shooting guard in the NBA, which could work out nicely if the Grizzlies can't re-sign O.J. Mayo.
Wroten's an explosive, speedy player who can get to the rim at will.
26. Indiana Pacers: Royce White, F (Iowa State)
Royce White has the talent to be a lottery pick.
Unfortunately, he also has character concerns and an anxiety disorder that have dropped his stock a bit.
But if White can stay focused in Indiana, he's the point-forward type of player that could make him a nice fit either backing up Danny Granger at small forward or coming off the bench for Tyler Hansbrough.
27. Miami Heat: Marquis Teague, PG (Kentucky)
The Heat did just draft Norris Cole, but let's be honest, Marquis Teague has much more potential.
Teague grew exponentially in his freshman season at Kentucky, and he has the ability to drop buckets and set up his teammates nicely.
28. Oklahoma City Thunder: Evan Fournier, SG (France)
The Thunder don't need to find a starter, so they're in a good position to wait a bit for the promising, yet raw Evan Fournier.
Fournier projects as a solid scorer, with an array of moves once he gets into the paint. He's also an intelligent player and good passer.
29. Chicago Bulls: Will Barton, SG (Memphis)
Will Barton has the looks of a player just realizing his potential.
The thing is, he had a spectacular 2011 season for Memphis, anyway.
Barton has solid length and athleticism, he considerably improved his jump shot last season and is one of the elite rebounders at the shooting guard position this year. He's a better prospect than John Jenkins, in my mind.
30. Golden State Warriors (via San Antonio): Andrew Nicholson, PF (St. Bonaventure)
Andrew Nicholson could be a steal here for the Warriors. He needs to add strength, but he has great athleticism and explosiveness, shooting range out to the three-point line and he projects to be a solid rebounder, defender and shot-blocker.
Nicholson would look great backing up David Lee.
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