2012 NBA Mock Draft: Charlotte Bobcats and Teams That Can't Afford a Bust

With the 2012 NBA playoffs currently ongoing for about half the league, the other half is sitting on the outside looking in and hoping to get better this offseason to join that exclusive club.

One way for a majority of them to accomplish that goal is to draft well. Here’s a look at the latest first-round mock with a focus on teams that will be right back in the lottery if they screw up their pick.

1. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis, Kentucky

The Bobcats are praying that the No. 1 pick bounces to them in the lottery. The franchise can make the easy decision to take the consensus best player on the board, Anthony Davis. Even Michael Jordan can’t screw this one up.

Davis will instantly rejuvenate this franchise and make them into a team that will at least be feared on the interior—which is better than being a complete laughing stock like they were in 2011-12.

2. Washington Wizards:  Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Kentucky

MKG is the second-best player in this class and another excellent defender from Kentucky. He’s got incredible upside and possesses NBA-ready abilities. He’s a leader and someone safe that a rebuilding franchise—like the Wizards—needs to acquire.

3. New Orleans Hornets: Thomas Robinson, Kansas

The Jayhawks star had a hell of a junior season in Lawrence and definitely earned the right to be a top-five pick. It was always suspected that this kid had the talent—he showed it in stretches as an underclassman—and he finally proved to be a consistent star when given the playing time in 2011-12. The Hornets have two picks in the lottery and they should definitely target Robinson with the first.

4. Cleveland Cavaliers, Bradley Beal, Florida

If Cleveland gets the No. 4 pick, they would be foolish to pass up someone who could eventually become the best scorer in this class. Beal is a bulky SG with deep range on his jumper and solid athleticism. He’d be perfect in the Cavaliers backcourt with Kyrie Irving.

5. Portland Trail Blazers (via New Jersey Nets): Andre Drummond, Connecticut

Drummond is a project but the Blazers can take the risk. Considering they got this pick for relatively cheap (top-three protected No. 1 pick from NJ in exchange for Gerald Wallace), they should roll the dice on the UConn product. He’s got the size to succeed in the pros, though we’ll have to see about his dedication.

6. Sacramento Kings: Jared Sullinger, Ohio State

A lot of good NBA teams have a formidable post presence. The Kings would definitely have one of the top tandems with DeMarcus Cousins and Jared Sullinger. The Ohio State star has an polished low-post game and could immediately contribute to this team.

7. Toronto Raptors: Harrison Barnes, North Carolina

Barnes didn’t do much in his sophomore season to improve his stock, but he still showcased an elite ability to score. That is exactly what the Raptors need—a lengthy, athletic swingman who can simply put the ball in the basket from anywhere on the floor. A perfect fit for both parties.

8. Utah Jazz (via Golden State Warriors): Damian Lillard, Weber State

Utah made the postseason with a young and talented roster. Lillard would be yet another key piece to that youth movement at a position they are lacking an upcoming player. He can play both guard positions but would likely be asked to play more PG with the Jazz.

9. Detroit Pistons: Arnett Moultrie, Mississippi State

Moultrie’s got some good athleticism and length. Pair him up with Greg Monroe and the Pistons frontcourt is looking set for a long time. Once they can ditch Charlie Villanueva’s and Ben Gordon’s awful contracts, this team can start rebuilding in earnest.

10. New Orleans Hornets (via Minnesota Timberwolves):  Kendall Marshall, North Carolina

The Hornets have struggled with PG play since losing Chris Paul and Marshall would help them get some respectability back at the position. He’s the best pure passer in the class and would immediately make his teammates better.

11. Portland Trail Blazers: Austin Rivers, Duke

With Jamal Crawford openly unhappy during his time in Portland, the organization will need to replace him and draft a new SG this summer. Rivers has superstar potential and is a player that the franchise could build around for the foreseeable future.

12. Milwaukee Bucks: Perry Jones III, Baylor

Milwaukee needs a true big man, but like Portland, they all need a star in the late lottery. PJIII has the potential to become an All-Star and franchise player, but he’s only shown glimpses of such during his time at Baylor. No. 12 is certainly a good spot to roll the dice. 

13. Phoenix Suns: Terrence Jones, Kentucky

Jones is another player that hasn’t consistently shown he has what it takes to be elite. He definitely has the athleticism, height and skills; it’s just a question of heart and work ethic. With Steve Nash on his way out of Phoenix either this summer or in a season or two, the Suns need to work on securing another star. Jones could be their man.

14. Houston Rockets: Jeremy Lamb, Connecticut

Lamb has a lot of talent, but he seems disinterested and can disappear for stretches when he isn’t dominating the ball. If he can get motivated and buy into the system in Houston, he could eventually be an All-Star caliber player.

15. Philadelphia 76ers: John Henson, North Carolina

The 76ers were one of the better teams earlier in the season but tailed off late as their opponents started exploiting their bigs. Henson would give them some much-needed length and athleticism down low.

16. Dallas Mavericks: Tyler Zeller, North Carolina

Zeller is an average big man, but he can do one thing exceptionally well and that’s run the floor. The aging Mavericks need a young PF/C that can get up and down the court quickly as they start rebuilding and get a youth movement going in the near future.

17. Minnesota Timberwolves: Terrence Ross, Washington

Minnesota would have made the playoffs if it weren’t for an injury to Ricky Rubio (something they could not help) and poor play from the shooting guard position. They can address the latter in this draft and Ross might be the best 2 on the board at this spot. He’d immediately compete for a starting job in their lineup.

18. Houston Rockets (via New York Knicks):  Meyers Leonard, Illinois

The Rockets have an above-average post player in Luis Scola, but they have been lacking real size since Yao Ming retired. Leonard is a big body that can bang down low and give that front line some help.

19. Orlando Magic: Marquis Teague, Kentucky

With the Dwight Howard situation ongoing, many expect the Magic to take a big man to eventually replace that giant baby. It’s just not feasible to get a top-tier talent this late in the draft. They should go with a nice PG prospect to start phasing out Jameer Nelson and then select a center in the lottery next season.

20. Denver Nuggets:  Dion Waiters, Syracuse

Waiters ability to get to the cup is unparalleled in this class. If he continues to round out his game and work on harnessing his immense athleticism, he could be a starter in Denver or another team in short order.

21. Boston Celtics: Andrew Nicholson, St. Bonaventure

If Kevin Garnett declines to come back to Boston or retires after the season, the Celtics will have a severe lack of size. Nicholson would immediately add some and has the nice mid-range game that Garnett possesses as well.

22. Atlanta Hawks: Doron Lamb, Kentucky

Lamb’s stock is through the roof after he came up big time-after-time in the 2012 NCAA tournament. He’s capable of knocking down shots in the clutch and making plays when they count. He’s definitely worth a risk for the Hawks, who need a player like that for their postseason runs.

23. Boston Celtics (via Los Angeles Clippers): Royce White, Iowa State

Again, Boston is starved for size. White is a big low-post player who would be projected to go much higher if it weren’t for his anxiety disorder. If he can overcome it and interviews well pre-draft, It would be stupid for the Celtics to pass him over.

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

Taylor is a straight up athlete who will likely win the dunk contest his rookie year. He’s also got a decent jumper—which he finally seems to have down—that he’s been working on non-stop during college. The Vandy star should be a decent bench player for the Cavs and possible starter.

25. Memphis Grizzlies: Tony Wroten, Washington

This high-upside point guard prospect could eventually be the best one in the 2012 class. He’s got good size, a knack for passing and above-average athleticism. If he can work on his jumper and round out his pure point skills, the sky is the limit for Wroten.

26. Indiana Pacers: Moe Harkless, St. Johns

The Johnnies swingman decided to take his talents to the NBA after being named the Big East Rookie of the Year by averaging 15.5 points and 8.6 rebounds per contest. He’s got potential to be a superstar, unlike Danny Granger—who is just an above-average player and that is his ceiling.

27. Miami Heat: Festus Ezeli, Vanderbilt

The Heat would love to add a solid big man to round their roster out. Ezeli has the most upside and that is worth gambling on for a perennial Finals contender.

28. Oklahoma City Thunder: Draymond Green, Michigan State

Green is a high-character guy who knows how to get his teammates fired up and inspired. He can back up both forward positions and these qualities make him a perfect member of the Thunder.

29. Golden State Warriors (via San Antonio Spurs): Kris Joseph, Syracuse

Joseph is a senior who led one of the best teams in the nation in scoring. His experience and ability to get buckets will help a G-State squad that needs leadership and bench depth.

30. Chicago Bulls: John Jenkins, Vanderbilt

Despite Derrick Rose’s injury woes and the possible need for a backup PG, Jenkins is too good to pass up at a position of need here. He is a solid athlete and amazing shooter with potential starter written all over him.