2012 NBA Mock Draft: Teams in Dire Need of Post Presence

Basketball is still a big man’s game, and there are several teams in need of a quality big man. While a guard or swingman may be a team’s best player, they must at least have a serviceable big for defense and rebounding.

The 2012 NBA draft has a healthy amount of frontcourt prospects. It begins at the top of the draft, and is present throughout the first round.

Here is a full first-round mock draft, with a spotlight on teams in dire need of post presence.

(Spotlighted players and teams will be italicized)

1. Charlotte Bobcats: Andre Drummond, PF/C, UConn

The Bobcats need everything—except a point guard. 

Most people call me crazy to place Drummond here instead of Anthony Davis. But a draft is about upside, and no player has more upside than Drummond. 

At 6’10”, 270 pounds, Drummond is the most physically-imposing and gifted player in this draft class. Along with his formidable size, he is also an excellent leaper and is extremely strong.

If the Bobcats want a solid and dependable player, they will draft Davis. I couldn’t fault them for going that route. 

But if they want a potential superstar, they will take Drummond.

2. Washington Wizards: Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky

The Wizards need a shot-blocker and rebounder. This team is being built to excel in transition with John Wall. The best way to get in transition is with a blocked shot or rebound.

Even though I believe Drummond is the best prospect in the draft, that doesn’t mean I don’t like Davis. He is a great shot-blocker and a solid rebounder. 

He is actually a good fit for the Wizards. He and Wall would give Washington one of the best young tandems in the league.

3. New Orleans Hornets: Austin Rivers, PG/SG, Duke

This is another pick I’m bound to be criticized for. As the pre-draft workouts commence, I’ll either justify this spot or change it accordingly. Right now, the Hornets need a scorer and a player with star power. Rivers possesses both qualities.

4. Sacramento Kings: Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas

The Kings have DeMarcus Cousins, and he has shown flashes of brilliance and immaturity. No matter which trait continues for Cousins, Robinson is still a solid selection.

Cousins can play the center, and drafting Robinson would be a great reason to move Cousins to the 5-spot.

Robinson is a beast with a great work ethic and passion for the game. The Kings could take him and hope he can positively influence Cousins. 

5. Cleveland Cavaliers: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, Kentucky

MKG is a stat-sheet stuffer and a high-character guy. He would be an excellent addition to the Cavs’ roster.

6. Toronto Raptors: Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina  

Barnes is a solid secondary scoring option. Matching him on the wing with DeMar DeRozan would give the Raptors an exciting pair of wing players.

7. Portland Trailblazers (from New Jersey): John Henson, C, North Carolina

Will the Blazers ever find themselves a solid center—that can stay healthy?

Next up should be the Tar Heels’ Henson. He is long, athletic, and has already shown an impressive ability to block shots. He averaged three swats per game over the past two seasons in Chapel Hill.

Placing him next to LaMarcus Aldridge would give the Blazers impressive length.

8. Utah Jazz (from Golden State): Damian Lillard, PG, Weber State

The Jazz would do well to get their hands on Lillard. He is explosive and he can play either guard spot.

9. Detroit Pistons: Jeremy Lamb, SG, UConn

Upgrading the 2-guard spot should be a priority for the Pistons. Lamb is a much better option than Ben Gordon.

10. New Orleans Hornets (from Minnesota): Perry Jones III, SF/PF, Baylor

PJ3 is more of a perimeter player in my opinion. If he gets the opportunity to play his game, I think he could be a surprise. He reminds me a lot of Lamar Odom.

11. Portland Trailblazers: Bradley Beal, G, Florida

Beal is not my top shooting guard in this draft. Of course, that could change as the draft process continues. For now, he is a good fit with the Blazers.

12. Milwaukee Bucks: Tyler Zeller, C, North Carolina

With Andrew Bogut traded to Golden State, the Bucks need a center. Zeller is athletic and hard-working; those traits should make him a favorite of head coach Scott Skiles.

Zeller will never be a star, but he crashes the boards, runs the floor, and he is a legit seven-footer. 

That usually equates to a pretty successful NBA career.

13. Houston Rockets: Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois

It seems the Rockets have been trying to fill their void in the middle since Yao Ming retired. Leonard is also a legit seven-footer; he has good athleticism and solid footwork, but he needs to get stronger.

I see Leonard as more of a project rather than a player set to make an immediate impact. If the Rockets are patient with him, they could reap some benefits in about two years.

14. Phoenix Suns: Kendall Marshall, PG, North Carolina

The Suns need a PG—even if Steve Nash returns to the team in free agency. If Nash leaves, Marshall could start from day one. If Nash leaves, Marshall could learn under one of the best pure point guards in NBA history.

15. Philadelphia 76ers: Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State

The Sixers have Elton Brand, but Sullinger could add a similar post player to the Sixers' bench. Ultimately, he could take over for Brand.

16. Houston Rockets (from NY Knicks): Dion Waiters, SG, Syracuse

Waiters is a pure scorer and he could make Kevin Martin expendable.

17. Minnesota Timberwolves (from Utah): Terrence Ross, SF, Washington

Ross could be a great weapon on the wing for Ricky Rubio. The Wolves need to add athleticism as well, and Ross brings that to the table.

18. Dallas Mavericks: Moe Harkless, SF/PF, St. John's

Harkless is one of the sleepers in this draft, in my opinion. He reminds me of a more athletic Shareef Abdur-Rahim.

19. Orlando Magic: Arnett Moultrie, PF/C, Mississippi State

With all the drama and uncertainty surrounding Dwight Howard, the Magic must protect themselves. Even if he stays, the Magic don’t have a solid backup for him.

Moultrie doesn’t project to be anywhere near as good as Howard—though his stock is on the rise—but he is a solid and athletic big man.

He could start for the Magic if Howard is moved, or he could be his back up. Either way, the Magic are made a better team. 

20. Denver Nuggets: Terrance Jones, SF/PF, Kentucky

The Nuggets have a young and exciting frontcourt with Kenneth Faried and JaVale Mcgee. Jones could be a nice fit at SF. He adds a perimeter threat and versatility.

21. Boston Celtics: Fab Melo, C, Syracuse

The Celtics need size badly. They will probably lose Kevin Garnett in free agency, but even if he returns, they need more depth and youth up front.

Melo has the size, and when plugged in, he is a formidable low-post defender.

He could be a good fit with what the Celtics like to do defensively.

22. Atlanta Hawks: Quincy Miller, SF, Baylor

The Hawks could be looking to finally end the Marvin Williams project. Miller would give them a versatile and long alternative.

23. Memphis Grizzlies: Tony Wroten, PG/SG, Washington

Wroten has star-potential, but he probably needed one more year in school. As it stands, he is a 16 percent three-point shooter, with great size (6’5”) and athleticism. If he develops the jump shot, he’ll be special.

24. Boston Celtics: Jeff Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt

Taylor is a very good offensive prospect. He could be a sleeper and a possible replacement for Paul Pierce—if the Celtics completely blow up the Big Three.

25. Cleveland Cavaliers (from LA Lakers): John Jenkins, SG, Vanderbilt

Jenkins is one of the best pure shooters in the draft. That would be a welcomed addition for Kyrie Irving.

26. Indiana Pacers: Evan Fournier, SG/SF, France

If the Pacers are ready to part with Danny Granger, they could move Paul George to SF and place Fournier at the SG position.

27. Oklahoma City Thunder: Marquis Teague, PG, Kentucky

The Thunder need depth at PG. Derek Fisher isn’t a long-term option as a backup for Russell Westbrook, and Eric Maynor is recovering from a serious knee injury.

28. Miami Heat: Festus Ezeli, C, Vanderbilt 

One of the few weaknesses the Heat has is a lack of size. Ezeli is a big-bodied center that could give Miami a physical presence on the inside.

Ezeli has foul problems, but he is also athletic and plays with great passion. As a center for the Heat, he doesn’t need to command double-teams on the block, or excel as a jump shooter. 

If he runs the floor, rebounds and plays solid defense, he could be invaluable.

29. Golden State Warriors (from San Antonio): Royce White, PF, Iowa State

The Warriors have traded for Andrew Bogut, but White would still be a nice addition as a bench player. He would even have an option to start if the Warriors chose to move David Lee.

30. Chicago Bulls: Doron Lamb, SG, Kentucky

The Bulls will still need a player that can offer scoring from the 2-guard spot. Lamb can fill it up from deep. He made over 40 percent of his threes at Kentucky in 2011. He would be a solid selection for the Bulls.

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