2012 NBA Mock Draft: Top Scorers Who Will Spark Lottery Teams

June's NBA Draft may be best know for its elite big men and high-upside risks like Andre Drummond and Perry Jones III, but it also has its fair share of scorers who will have an immediate chance to prove themselves at the pro level.

After all, the teams selecting in the lottery need the help. The Charlotte Bobcats, New Orleans Hornets, Toronto Raptors, Detroit Pistons and Cleveland Cavaliers ranked among the league's six worst teams offensively.

Each of those teams will have the opportunity to land a difference-maker in the lottery, and some of those rookies will impact their team's' sagging point production.

There are also teams on the cusp of playoff contention who could seriously upgrade their lineups later in the lottery—namely the Portland Trail Blazers, Phoenix Suns and Houston Rockets. Given the impetus for those teams to make the most of their talent and win in the short-term, an NBA-ready rookie or two could pay huge dividends.

1. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis, PF (Kentucky)

Davis is quite simply the best player in this draft, both in terms of upside and immediate impact. Davis averaged over 14 points in his freshman campaign with the Wildcats, but he probably won't be an elite scorer early in his NBA career.

He'll earn the kind of hustle points you find from a guy like Joakim Noah, and he'll use his quickness to get a few more. But, his initial value will have more to do with his length and athleticism—he'll make a defensive impact in the paint right away.

2. Washington Wizards: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF (Kentucky)

Kidd-Gilchrist wasn't a prolific scorer at Kentucky, but he's an outstanding talent and a winner through and through. He also has the talent and physical tools to eventually become a well-rounded offensive threat at the pro level.

Washington will need him to develop a better perimeter shot, and there's little doubt Kidd-Gilchrist will put in the work to do just that. After a couple of years sharpening his game, he could become a dangerous second option.

3. Cleveland Cavaliers: Bradley Beal, G (Florida)

Beal averaged nearly 15 points a game as a freshman at Florida and could very well meet that mark as a rookie. He'll be called on early and often to salvage an offense like Cleveland's, and he should be as ready as any prospect to do so.

Beal could be one of the biggest difference-makers in the draft, and he'd give Cleveland a dangerous scoring threat to pair in the backcourt with Kyrie Irving. The 18-year-old is a slightly taller version of Eric Gordon, and thanks to his ability to get baskets inside and out, he could quickly become the Cavs' first option on offense.

4. New Orleans Hornets: Thomas Robinson, PF (Kansas)

Robinson improved dramatically in his junior season with the Jayhawks, becoming an elite rebounder and the focal point of Kansas' offense. He has a solid mid-range game for a young power forward, along with the right combination of quickness and strength to get some points inside too.

The bottom line is he's the best available front-line option after Davis if off the board, and he should immediately make an impact for the Hornets with or without Carl Landry around. He could instantly become a double-double machine and start putting up All-Star numbers in the not-too-distant future.

5. Sacramento Kings: Harrison Barnes, SF (North Carolina)

Barnes averaged 17.2 points a game as a sophomore, and he's consistently proven to have well above-average shooting ability from the perimeter and mid-range. It's still unclear whether he'll be much more than a first-rate spot-up shooter, but he has plenty of time to add craftiness to his game.

Sacramento could try to bolster its defense by selecting Andre Drummond, but the Kings also need help on the wing. The 6'8" small forward can also play some defense for that matter—he's got a lot of skill and the kind of length that will bother perimeter shooters.

6. Portland Trail Blazers (via Brooklyn Nets): Andre Drummond, C (UConn)

Portland needs a center after Marcus Camby's departure at the trade deadline. Drummond might struggle to get the job done initially given his penchant for inconsistency, but he also has the potential to become an imposing All-Star down the road.

7. Golden State Warriors: Perry Jones III, PF (Baylor)

The Warriors need to make a splash, and Jones III probably has the most upside of anyone left on the board (and possibly as much as anyone in the draft). He averaged over 13 points a contest in both his freshman and sophomore seasons, and that was on a pretty deep Baylor Beat squad.

Like Drummond, there are doubts about this kid's focus and consistency, but he could become a poor man's Kevin Garnett with the ability to do a little bit of everything.

8. Toronto Raptors: Jeremy Lamb, SG (UConn)

Lamb is a talented scorer who averaged nearly 18 points a game as a sophomore with the Huskies. He may be the most NBA-ready scorer in the lottery after Bradley Beal, and he'll only get better as his outside shot continues to improve.

The 6'5" guard also has a long wingspan and the ability to do more than just score. The Raptors need a perimeter threat to take some of the pressure of DeMar DeRozan, and Lamb would do exactly that.

9. Detroit Pistons: John Henson, PF (North Carolina)

The perimeter-shooting Charlie Villanueva and the undersized Jason Maxiell aren't going to get the job done at power forward for the Pistons. The 6'10" Henson would remedy Detroit's lack of interior athleticism and defense and potentially give Detroit a Serge Ibaka-like menace in the paint.

10. New Orleans Hornets (via Minnesota Timberwolves): Terrence Jones, SF (Kentucky)

Jones has a huge wingspan for a small forward and all the other physical tools to become an elite player on both ends of the court. He'd give New Orleans a piece to build around over the long haul thanks to an upside rivaled by few in this draft class.

11. Portland Trail Blazers: Kendall Marshall, PG (North Carolina)

Marshall is a safe bet to distribute the ball for a team that desperately needs a capable, pass-first floor general (i.e. a team like Portland). He's got good size at 6'4" and a basketball IQ rare for young point guards. 

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

The Bucks now need a center without Andrew Bogut around, and Zeller could be the perfect long-term replacement. He moves his feet, hustles and has good hands for a big man. Zeller might not have All-Star potential, but he should find his way into a starting lineup.

13. Phoenix Suns: Damian Lillard, PG (Weber State)

Lillard averaged 24.5 points last season and can score from just about anywhere on the floor. Sure, he didn't play for the deepest team and didn't always face the toughest competition, but he definitely has the talent to flourish at the NBA level.

Given Steve Nash's uncertain future, the Suns need to snag a point guard. Lillard is more of a scorer than pure floor general, but he still have plenty of time to diversify his skills.

14. Houston Rockets: Austin Rivers, G (Duke)

Rivers could become a star in the NBA one day, but he'd be an ideal sixth man candidate for a team like the Rockets at the very least—especially if Houston isn't especially optimistic about retaining Goran Dragic.

If Rivers can play some point down the road, he'd be even more valuable. Still, he's scored over 15 a game in his freshman year at Duke, and he's got a nifty arsenal of moves to create some room for his shot.

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

Sullinger would benefit tremendously from Elton Brand's experience as a slightly undersized 4 in the NBA. He'd also make an ideal replacement for Brand, whose contract runs out after next season. Sullinger could go higher, but he looks enough like another Glen Davis that some teams could be a bit weary.

16. Houston Rockets (via New York Knicks): Arnett Moultrie, PF (Mississippi St.)

After giving up on Hasheem Thabeet and Jordan Hill in midseason trades, the Rockets could be in the market for a young big—even one that's somewhat of a risk like Moultrie. He isn't too far behind Andre Drummond in terms of guys with NBA-ready bodies, and they're both still pretty raw.

17. Dallas Mavericks: Meyers Leonard, C (Illinois)

Leonard showed dramatic improvement in his sophomore year at Illinois, raising his scoring average by over 11 points and making a consistent impact on defense with 1.9 blocks a contest. He'll need to add strength to cut it in the NBA, but he'd be a nice addition for a team that probably won't be hanging on to Brendan Haywood for too much longer.

18. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Utah Jazz): Terrence Ross, SG (Washington)

The Timberwolves are set at every position other than the 2 and Ross has a ton of potential. He has ideal size and athleticism for a shooting guard, averaging 16.4 points and 6.4 rebounds in his sophomore year with the Huskies. He could go somewhere earlier in the lottery, but he'd be a great pickup for Minnesota if he's still around.

19. Orlando Magic: Jeff Taylor, SF (Vanderbilt)

Orlando's wing players have lost a step, and Taylor would immediate inject a first-rate on-ball defender to that mix. The 6'7" forward also has a much-improved perimeter shot, and his draft stock has no doubt benefited from staying at Vanderbilt through his senior year. 

20. Denver Nuggets: Tony Wroten Jr., PG (Washington)

Wroten Jr.'s size (at 6'5'') would be a great change of pace from the pint-sized Ty Lawson, and he'd be especially valuable if Andre Miller departs via free agency. The 19-year-old point guard still needs to work on his shooting and other offensive skills, but he's got enough upside to take here.

21. Boston Celtics: Quincy Miller, SF (Baylor)

Miller has exceptional length and athleticism, both qualities in short supply for the aging Celtics. The 6'9" forward could give Pierce some rest in the short-term and potentially replace him after that. For a team without a shot-blocking center, Miller's length and defensive potential would also be a plus.   

22. Boston Celtics (via Los Angeles Clippers): Fab Melo, C (Syracuse)

Melo is a well-rounded center who can explode to the rim. In dire need of interior size, Boston could treat him as a long-term project while allowing him to get some important minutes in the rotation at the same time.

23. Atlanta Hawks: Dion Waiters, G (Syracuse)

Atlanta needs a spark-plug to energize the reserves, and the 6'4" Waiters could do exactly that. He projects to be more of a combo-guard off the bench early on, and that could be a perfect fit for the Hawks who already have Jeff Teague starting at the point.

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

If Cleveland selects Beal with its first pick, the roster's next biggest need comes at the small forward position. Harkless might not yet be an upgrade over Alonzo Gee, but he could be eventually as he can score, play defense and rebound extremely well for his position (8.6 boards a game as a freshman).

25. Memphis Grizzlies: Marquis Teague, PG (Kentucky)

Teague could be a quick fix to add some energy and play-making ability to the Grizzlies' sometimes stagnant bench. Even if Memphis seems to have enough guards at the moment, Teague has the speed and upside to get a look here.

26. Indiana Pacers: Andrew Nicholson, PF (St. Bonaventure)

Nicholson is a solid mid-range shooter who could eventually replace David West and add some depth to an already young and talented team. Indiana doesn't have many roster needs, though, so this pick could become part of a larger plan to acquire a star.

27. Miami Heat: Draymond Green, F (Michigan St.)

With Mike Miller and Shane Battier getting on in age, Green would add some wing depth over the long term. The 6'7" Green can rebound well for his size, and he's not a bad passer either—he might go a lot higher in any other draft.

28. Oklahoma City Thunder: Festus Ezeli, C (Vanderbilt)

Ezeli's four seasons at Vanderbilt gave him some time to mature, making him an ideal fit for a team that's nowhere near rebuilding. He never played long minutes in college, but that might not matter given the Thunder's starting depth in the paint. Ezeli would get a few minutes here and there behind Kendrick Perkins.

29. Chicago Bulls: Evan Fournier, SG (France)

The Bulls don't have a position of need, so the opportunity to acquire someone who could remain overseas for a while makes a lot of sense. Fournier could use a little extra time to develop–his shooting mechanics and defense need some extra work.

30. Golden State Warriors (via San Antonio Spurs): Doron Lamb, SG (Kentucky)

Lamb may not have the frame to play many minutes right away, but his shooting alone would earn him a few minutes behind Klay Thompson. The Warriors already have a lot of youth on the roster, so they could also look to move this pick for a veteran.