2012 NBA Mock Draft: Which First-Round Picks Have Superstar Potential?

Every single team in every single NBA draft is trying to do one thing: acquire a superstar.

It isn’t an easy goal, and it is quite rare that a player actually has the look of a great NBA player before he even makes it into the league. A lot of times, it comes down to luck and upside.

Let’s take a look at the latest 2012 NBA draft first-round mock, with a focus on some prospects that have star potential.

1. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis, Kentucky

Davis definitely has the ability to become an NBA great. He’s got good size, superb athleticism and a knack for blocking shots. If his offense can catch up to his incredible defensive skills, the Bobcats (or whoever gets the No. 1 pick) will have a sure-fire star.

2. Washington Wizards: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Kentucky

Kidd-Gilchrist is another possible All-Star player. He’s got the prototypical length and build to play SF in the NBA. The Wildcat’s work ethic is unparalleled, and he shows incredible maturity and defense that usually aren't seen for his age. If MKG can continue to develop his offensive repertoire, he has a chance to be great. 

3. Cleveland Cavaliers, Bradley Beal, Florida 

There really aren’t that many great shooting guards in the league anymore. Most of the good ones are getting up there in years, and the latest crop of talent has not really panned out, with the exception of Eric Gordon and some other decent players.

Beal could be an elite player at the position because of his long-range shot, solid bulk and ability to get to the basket.

4. New Orleans Hornets: Thomas Robinson, Kansas

Robinson showed flashes of stardom when he was a bench player with the Jayhawks. After using his junior season as a starter to show he was one of the best players in the game, he should have a smooth transition to the NBA. Robinson’s upside may not be as high as those selected before him, but he’ll be a fine big man.

5. Sacramento Kings: Jared Sullinger, Ohio State

This young man spent the past two seasons working on his game with the Buckeyes and is finally ready to make the leap into the pros. He’ll immediately be able to contribute in the low post on defense and, with his array of moves, on the offensive end.

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

Drummond has the size to be an absolute beast in the NBA. He can protect the lane and rim while backing anyone down on the other end.

The concerning thing is he did not use his body to anywhere near its potential during his time at UConn.

7. Golden State Warriors (Pick Goes to Utah if Outside Top Seven): Perry Jones III

PJIII should have been competing with Anthony Davis for the top spot in this draft. His size, skills and natural talents are right on par, but his work ethic and inconsistencies are absolutely maddening. He’s still worth a top-10 pick, but the Warriors must be cautious.

8. Toronto Raptors: Harrison Barnes, North Carolina

Barnes will be a good scorer in the NBA, but the rest of his skills need to catch up if he wants to be a full-time starter. He’s got the capability to be a 20-plus-PPG guy at the next level and someone who could sell a lot of tickets and jerseys.

9. Detroit Pistons: Arnett Moultrie, Mississippi State

Detroit needs to continue to bulk up its front line with promising young athletes, and Moultrie is the definition of one. It’s a bit concerning that it took him so long to develop, but he’ll pair nicely with Greg Monroe in theory.

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

Marshall is a pass-first point guard who looks to make everyone else around him better. He’s never going to be one of the top guys in the league, but he’ll be an asset on a rebuilding franchise.

11. Portland Trail Blazers: Austin Rivers, Duke

Rivers definitely has superstar potential. He’s a good shooting guard who can fill up the point column of the box score and create his own shot when needed. Considering the lack of good guards or even a true star in Portland, this is a nice pick.

12. Milwaukee Bucks: Tyler Zeller, North Carolina

Milwaukee can’t afford to gamble much here and has to take a you-get-what-you-see-type guy like Zeller. He’s a senior and plays well, but he’s never going to be great. The Bucks need his size and ability to make an instant impact on their extremely thin front line.

13. Phoenix Suns: Damian Lillard, Weber State

The Suns will not let Lillard slip past them at the end of the lottery. He’s got the ability to play both guard positions and could eventually take the reins from Steve Nash (assuming the Hall of Fame PG decides to end his career in Phoenix).

14. Houston Rockets: Jeremy Lamb, Connecticut

Lamb is inconsistent and lazy without the ball in his hands. He has to get used to playing off the rock in the NBA when he is at his natural SG position. The Rockets will take him because he’s the best player available, and they love to do that.

15. Philadelphia 76ers: John Henson, North Carolina

Henson is a lengthy 4 who could back up Elton Brand and eventually earn the starting job in a year or two. He’s a solid post-lottery pick.

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

Again, Houston will take the best prospect with the most upside available. Jones could be a top-five player if he flashed his incredible abilities with more consistency. He’s worth a shot at developing and could pay big dividends.

17. Dallas Mavericks: Terrence Ross, Washington

Ross could help delay the inevitable total rebuilding process in Dallas by a few years if the team acquires a few decent free agents this summer. He’s got a lot of upside and played really well in his last few games at Washington.

18. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Utah Jazz):  Meyers Leonard, Illinois

If Minnesota feels it cannot address the starting 2-guard problem via free agency or trade, it'll select one here. Assuming the Timberwolves nab a decent guard, look for them to add depth and size with this pick—something Leonard looks perfect to provide.

19. Orlando Magic: Quincy Miller, Baylor

The Magic will have to replace Dwight Howard when he eventually leaves, but this late in the draft is not the time to find a starting 5. Miller has a lot of upside and really looks like he could develop into a No. 1 scoring option on this team if things work out.

20. Denver Nuggets: Dion Waiters, Syracuse

Denver doesn’t have a lot of needs, meaning this pick will likely see time in the D-League or at the end of the bench. Waiters has an uncanny ability to drive to the hoop and could use the development time to work on the rest of his game.

21. Boston Celtics: Andrew Nicholson, St. Bonaventure

With Kevin Garnett in the final year of his contract and likely to retire soon, Boston has to add some more big men. Nicholson has a similar frame, a lot of college experience and a good mid-range game to boot.

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

The C’s should again go big with their second pick in the draft, as they really are starved for size. White has top-10 talent but an anxiety order that has been holding him back for his entire career. If he can control it, this is a steal.

23. Atlanta Hawks: Doron Lamb, Kentucky

Lamb boosted his stock by consistently coming up clutch in the 2012 NCAA tournament, showing range on his jumper and calmness under pressure. Those two assets would be nice for the Hawks to add here.

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

Harkless isn’t going to replace LeBron James in Cleveland, but he has the chance to be the first decent SF the team has had since the star left. He’s extremely young and talented with a bright future if he continues to work on his game.

25. Memphis Grizzlies: Tony Wroten, Washington

It would not surprise me whatsoever to see Wroten develop into the best PG in this draft. He’s got the highest ceiling, good size, decent vision and an improving jump shot.

26. Indiana Pacers: Marquis Teague, Kentucky

The Indiana native would be a nice fit if he returned to his homeland to play with the Pacers. Teague is extremely fast with the ball and could get this young team moving on the fast break.

27. Miami Heat: Fab Melo, Syracuse

The one thing the Heat would love to do this offseason is add a legit big man. Melo is a giant question mark right now, but he’s got the size and a chance to be better than anyone on their current roster at the position.

28. Oklahoma City Thunder: Draymond Green, Michigan State

A high-character pick for a high-character organization, Green can play both forward positions and seems like a great locker-room presence.

29. Chicago Bulls: John Jenkins, Vanderbilt

Rip Hamilton is clearly not the answer in Chi-Town, and with this pick, the Bulls need to address the problem by adding one of the better snipers left on the board.

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

Taylor will not fall out of the first round, and the Warriors will snap up the Vandy star in a heartbeat. He’s got great athleticism and has an improving jumper.