2012 NBA Mock Draft: Latest First Round Mock with Ideal Prospects for Each Team

The 2012 NBA Draft is less than two months away and the draft lottery is even sooner, being held on May 30 in Seacaucus, NJ.

That fateful day will determine where the franchises that missed the postseason get to try and find a savior in the draft.

Let’s take a look at the latest first-round mock with an eye towards players who will help each team most, if available.

1. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis, Kentucky

The Bobcats set a record for being the most dismal franchise in NBA history. They need a real game-changer who can make an immediate impact if they want to dig their way out of this hole. Davis is the only prospect available in this draft put would an instant mark in the wins column next season.

2. Washington Wizards:  Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Kentucky

MKG’s NBA-ready in the sense that he is mature for his age and can play lockdown defense while having the size to compete. His offense still has a bit of a ways to go, but the Wizards could do much worse with the No. 2 pick.

3. Cleveland Cavaliers, Bradley Beal, Florida 

While Florida didn’t have a great regular season, they turned it on for the tournament and it can be largely credited to Beal finally figuring out how to use his immense skillset and frame to his advantage. The Gators star has NBA-range on his three and a muscular body that will allow him to get to the cup. He’s a perfect partner for Kyrie Irving in the Cavs backcourt.

4. New Orleans Hornets: Thomas Robinson, Kansas

Robinson’s junior season was incredible and would have garnered him plenty of award consideration if it were not for Davis’ transcendent year with Kentucky. While his upside isn’t as high as some other prospects due to his age, Robinson is a winner and projects to be a starter down low for the Hornets for the foreseeable future.

5. Sacramento Kings: Jared Sullinger, Ohio State

Sacramento is on the verge of competing but needs to add more size. Sullinger has a great post game that he has been working on with the Buckeyes and is ready to bring to the NBA. Pairing him up with DeMarcus Cousins would be an ideal fit.

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

Portland has no semblance of a center on the roster anymore. Marcus Camby is gone, Greg Oden is gone and they need to replace them this summer. Drummond is a great prospect and one that the Blazers can afford to attempt to develop into a superstar center.

7. Golden State Warriors: Perry Jones III, Baylor

After promising their fans playoffs this year and ending up back in the lottery, Golden State needs to make drastic moves. They already started during the season by flipping Monta Ellis for Andrew Bogut to get some size, now they need a second star to partner with Steph Curry. Of all the prospects remaining in the draft, PJIII has the best potential to become an elite NBA player.

8. Toronto Raptors: Harrison Barnes, North Carolina

The Raptors desperately need a small forward who can make shots from anywhere on the floor. Barnes is a somewhat one-dimensional player in the sense that he’s not much more than a scorer. He’s a perfect fit for what they need.

9. Detroit Pistons: Arnett Moultrie, Mississippi State

Detroit is hoping to build their team back into a playoff contender and expedite that process by getting another athletic big man to put in the post with Greg Monroe. Moultrie has great athleticism but there are concerns that it took so long for him to develop. Regardless, Detroit cannot compete until Charlie Villanueva and Ben Gordon come off the books, so this is worth a shot.

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

After addressing their need for a big, look for the Hornets to take one of the many PG prospects available here. Marshall is a good replacement for Chris Paul, as he looks to get his teammates involved and passes before he shoots.

11. Portland Trail Blazers: Austin Rivers, Duke

Jamal Crawford did not work out for the Blazers and they direly need someone to fill Brandon Roy’s shoes as the team leader, star and starting SG. Rivers has a chance to do all three if he pans out.

12. Milwaukee Bucks: Tyler Zeller, North Carolina

After trading away Bogut, this team has nothing they can even pass off as a true center. Zeller is the best one on the board and can run the floor with the rest of the young athletes on this rebuilding roster.

13. Phoenix Suns: Damian Lillard, Weber State

Lillard has a lot of upside and the athletic ability/size to play both guard positions. For a team that may lose Steve Nash this summer or very soon, adding a quality guard is an immediate priority.

14. Houston Rockets: Jeremy Lamb, Connecticut

This pick could pay dividends for Houston. GM Daryl Morey loves taking the best player available and Lamb would arguably be the guy in this instance. He’s got great potential but lapses mentally on the court without the ball in his hands. If he can get focused, the UConn product could be a star.

15. Philadelphia 76ers: John Henson, North Carolina

Philly has no pressing needs besides a superstar, but they will not be able to land one in the middle of the draft. They are best off getting a solid big man like Henson who could come off the bench and eventually start in place of Elton Brand.

16. Houston Rockets (via New York Knicks): Terrence Jones, Kentucky

Jones is a good swingman who, like Lamb, has to be more consistent. His talent level is through the roof but he has to showcase it more regularly. If he does that in the NBA, he’ll be a solid starter at the worst.

17. Dallas Mavericks: Terrence Ross, Washington

Dallas is a veteran team that does not have much of a window open left to win a championship. They have to start adding young pieces to develop before they hit rock bottom. Ross is a good 2-guard who could fill a number of roles, possibly even playing some SF when they go small.

18. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Utah Jazz):  Doron Lamb, Kentucky

The Wolves biggest need is for a quality starting shooting guard and Lamb is likely the best one left on the board here. He’s got decent enough size and a good feel for the game. During the tournament, he proved he could step up and hit big shots as well. A good overall fit for the youth movement that is taking place in Minny.

19. Orlando Magic: Quincy Miller, Baylor

Miller originally planned to go back to school, but is now going to enter the draft. Orlando has to be happy, as they desperately need a solid, athletic and rangy small forward for their system. Eventually they’ll need a center to replace Dwight Howard, but now isn’t the time to try and get one.

20. Denver Nuggets:  Dion Waiters, Syracuse

Waiters reminds some scouts of Dwyane Wade because of his relentless driving ability and skill in getting to the line. If he works on his jumper and becomes more than a one-dimensional threat, he could be a solid player in the league.

21. Boston Celtics: Meyers Leonard, Illinois

Boston has needs everywhere with the Big Three era ending and Ray Allen/Kevin Garnett likely to leave in free agency. Size is by far their most pressing concern and Leonard possesses a legitimate NBA body.

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

White is another big man who could help the Celtics frontline with their next pick. He’s got an anxiety disorder that scouts are concerned about and are holding him back from being a lottery pick. Boston would gladly scoop him up here and Doc Rivers would be a great coach for the Cyclone product.

23. Atlanta Hawks: Andrew Nicholson, St. Bonaventure’s

Nicholson has the experience to come in and be a contributor, not a project, for a team that consistently finds itself in the playoffs like the Hawks. They need someone who can provide meaningful backup big man minutes off the bench like him.

24. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Los Angeles Lakers): Moe Harkless, St. John's

Harkless has the potential to be an extremely good player. The Cavaliers haven’t had a decent small forward since LeBron James’ made his infamous decision to go to South Beach. With the Johnnies product, they have someone who could eventually develop into an All-Star, if they catch a few breaks.

25. Memphis Grizzlies: Tony Wroten, Washington

This should be Wroten’s floor. He’s got so much potential, perfect size and a lot of raw ability. The worst-case scenario for his career is that he becomes a serviceable backup for Mike Conley Jr. in Memphis. He should be a solid starter and possible All-Star if things go as planned.

26. Indiana Pacers: Marquis Teague, Kentucky

Teague is an Indiana native who just ran point for the 2012 national champions. He’d make a perfect fit if he were to return home. Darren Collison hasn’t quite lived up to expectations and Marquis would push him for minutes as a backup.

27. Miami Heat: Fab Melo, Syracuse

The Heat need size and that’s been their story since acquiring LeBron and Chris Bosh. They simply can’t find a suitable center and Melo has the most upside of any available. He killed his stock by not participating in the tournament, but Miami can gamble.

28. Oklahoma City Thunder: Draymond Green, Michigan State

Green is a good locker room guy who can play both forward positions. He’s a perfect fit for what OKC is trying to accomplish as a young team with high character guys who play well together. Green has college experience and would immediately be able to contribute as a tenth man or so.

29. Chicago Bulls: John Jenkins, Vanderbilt

Rip Hamilton can’t stay healthy and clearly isn’t the same player that won a title with the Detroit Pistons. That means the Bulls need a SG, although some analysts may believe they need a backup PG to keep Rose off the floor and healthy.  Still, hopefully this season was an anomaly and the Bulls can get the best 2 left on the board.

30. Golden State Warriors (via San Antonio Spurs): Jeffery Taylor, Vanderbilt

This is a steal at No. 30. Taylor is one of the best athletes in the draft and a player that will immediately contribute to a team on the rise. If he can keep working on his jumper, the sky is the limit.