2012 NBA Mock Draft: Projecting the Most Logical Picks for Every 1st-Round Team

Most of the focus when it comes to the NBA currently is on the playoffs, but the NBA draft isn't very far away, so fans of teams who didn't qualify for the postseason have been chomping at the bit for the past couple weeks. There are plenty of solid prospects in this year's pool and many of them could lead to a reversal of fortunes.

Even though this draft may be thin on elite talent, there are plenty of depth players littered throughout the round who will likely be able to step right in and contribute in some manner. No matter how good or bad a team is, its fans always anticipate the NBA draft because you never know when the next big star might be born.

Here is a complete first-round mock draft for your enjoyment, as well as some analysis on the most logical picks for every team selecting in the first round (these picks are italicized).

*Draft order based on regular-season standings and projected results in playoffs.

1. Charlotte Bobcats - Anthony Davis, F, Kentucky

There is one player in this draft with a consensus superstar feel to him, and that is Kentucky forward Anthony Davis. It's basically a guarantee that whoever gets the top pick will select Davis, but the lucky team making that pick will have to win the lottery. The Charlotte Bobcats are clearly the NBA's worst team, and while there's no guarantee they'll get the top pick, they desperately need it.

Davis is a rare player who can change the game offensively or as a defender, and the Bobcats need that type of all-around player. They have essentially no semblance of an interior presence, but Davis figures to be one of the league's better shot-blockers the second he steps onto floor. On top of that, he has a versatile offensive game, as he can thrive in the paint or as a jump shooter.

No matter how much depth a team may have at forward, if they end up with the No. 1 pick, they have to take Davis because he is head and shoulders above the rest. The Bobcats and their fans had better hope that the lottery stays true to the standings, or else the rebuilding process could take a very long time.

2. Washington Wizards - Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, F, Kentucky

The Wizards would have to make a decision between Kidd-Gilchrist and Robinson, but they will take the Kentucky product thanks to his versatility.

3. Cleveland Cavaliers - Bradley Beal, G, Florida

Things are looking up for the Cavaliers after drafting Kyrie Irving last year, and taking Beal this year will give them a dynamite, young backcourt.

4. New Orleans Hornets - Thomas Robinson, F, Kansas

The Hornets really missed David West's offensive presence inside this past season, but Robinson has the skill set to replace West and be better than him in due time.

5. Sacramento Kings - Andre Drummond, C, Connecticut

Sacramento already has a nice guard combination in Tyreke Evans and Marcus Thornton, so they'll pair Drummond with DeMarcus Cousins inside.

6. Portland Trail Blazers (via NJ) - Kendall Marshall, G, North Carolina

While most mock drafts have North Carolina point guard Kendall Marshall going a few picks later than this, he is the perfect fit for the Portland Trail Blazers, and they can't gamble on him still being there with their second pick at No. 11. Marshall was the straw that stirred the drink for the Tar Heels, and his importance was obvious as they nearly lost to Ohio without him in the NCAA tournament and then were eliminated by Kansas.

There is a major lack of true point guards in this year's draft, and Marshall is undoubtedly the best. He was second in the nation in assists this past season and he had some scoring punch as well, which he showed off late in the year. On top of that, he was always very careful with the basketball and didn't ruin possessions for his team.

Things haven't worked out for the Blazers with Raymond Felton at point guard, so it's blatantly obvious that they need to replace him. Marshall is the only real option, and they need to make sure that they're able to get him.

7. Golden State Warriors - Harrison Barnes, F, North Carolina

I'm not a big fan of Barnes' game, but the Warriors need a wing player to complement Stephen Curry and Andrew Bogut, and he's the most talented one on the board.

8. Toronto Raptors - Jeremy Lamb, G, Connecticut

The Raptors have some talent in Jose Calderon, Andrea Bargnani and DeMar DeRozan, but an elite shooter like Lamb would really bring it all together.

 9. Detroit Pistons - Perry Jones III, F, Baylor

Detroit could go in any number of different directions, but since Austin Daye hasn't worked out too well, they should take another athletic big in Jones to pair with Greg Monroe.

10. New Orleans Hornets (via MIN) - Damian Lillard, G, Weber State

After addressing the hole at forward, the Hornets must take a combo guard in Lillard who can replace some of the offensive punch they lost by trading Chris Paul.

11. Portland Trail Blazers - Jared Sullinger, F/C, Ohio State

The Blazers would love to get a center to play next to LaMarcus Aldridge, and while Sullinger may not have ideal height, he has the wide body to excel at the next level.

12. Milwaukee Bucks - Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois

There is little doubt that Leonard is the best pure center in the draft at over 7'0" tall, and the Bucks will count on him to step in for the departed Andrew Bogut.

13. Phoenix Suns - Austin Rivers, G, Duke

It seems like point guard Steve Nash will probably leave in free agency and while there isn't a point guard worth taking here, Rivers can make up for some of the scoring ability that they'll lose.

14. Houston Rockets - Tyler Zeller, F/C, North Carolina

I'm not sure Zeller can handle the rigors that a regular NBA center must endure, but the Rockets will be impressed enough with his offensive skills to take him.

15. Philadelphia 76ers - John Henson, F, North Carolina

The lack of a post presence really hurt the 76ers down the stretch, so they'll take Henson, as he can change games with his blocking ability and scoring touch.

16. Houston Rockets (via NY) - Terrence Jones, F, Kentucky

Houston's backcourt is pretty much set, so they'll take Jones to add some depth behind Luis Scola at power forward or perhaps to eventually start at small forward.

17. Minnesota Timberwolves (via UTAH) - Terrence Ross, G, Washington

The Timberwolves' frontcourt is littered with lottery talent, but there isn't a ton of depth at guard, so they'll jump at the chance to take the explosive Ross.

18. Dallas Mavericks - Arnett Moultrie, F, Mississippi State

It may come as a bit of a surprise to some if Moultrie slides this far, but the Mavericks will take him despite having Dirk Nowitzki on the roster, as he offers a unique skill set.

19. Orlando Magic - Doron Lamb, G, Kentucky

The Magic have a lot to think about, as center Dwight Howard may be on his way out, but they'll grab a good pure shooter in Lamb to try to appease him.

20. Denver Nuggets - Dion Waiters, G, Syracuse

The Nuggets have more depth than they know what to do with, but they'll add more by taking a guy who can fill in for Ty Lawson and Arron Afflalo in Waiters.

21. Boston Celtics (via LAC) - Moe Harkless, F, St. John’s

Boston is aging pretty much everywhere except for point guard, so they can afford to simply take the best player available, and that is Harkless at this point.

22. Atlanta Hawks - Royce White, F, Iowa State

Josh Smith very well may be entering his last season as a Hawk, and while White won't be able to replace him, at least he brings some of the same things to the table.

23. Cleveland Cavaliers (via LAL) - Andrew Nicholson, F, St. Bonaventure

The Cavs still have Antawn Jamison at power forward, but he is getting long in the tooth, and Nicholson will serve as the perfect understudy and eventual replacement.

24. Memphis Grizzlies - Tony Wroten, G, Washington

Although he was more of a point guard at Washington, the Memphis Grizzlies should draft Tony Wroten to start at shooting guard next to Mike Conley. There is no doubt that Wroten has some deficiencies in his game, as he isn't the greatest shooter, but he is extremely athletic, he knows how to get to the basket and he has active hands, which make him a great defender.

The Grizzlies are strong pretty much everywhere except shooting guard, as O.J. Mayo is a bit too one-dimensional. If he is put in a position where he can come off the bench as an offensively-gifted sixth man a la Oklahoma City's James Harden, though, it will be better for the entire team.

Wroten simply does things that other Memphis players can't. He can start at shooting guard and even fill in at point guard when Conley needs a rest. With Wroten collapsing, Mayo and Gay shooting from the outside and Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph patrolling the paint, the Grizzlies would be a complete team.

25. Indiana Pacers - Marquis Teague, G, Kentucky

The Pacers have pretty much everything you could possibly want, as they are solid 1-12 in the lineup, but Teague would give them a great option behind Darren Collison.

26. Chicago Bulls - John Jenkins, G, Vanderbilt

Chicago continues to search for a shooting guard complement to the injured Derrick Rose, and three-point gunner John Jenkins may be the answer.

 27. Boston Celtics - Fab Melo, C, Syracuse

The Celtics haven't been the same since trading Kendrick Perkins, but perhaps Melo can eventually contribute what Perkins once did on the defensive end.

28. Golden State Warriors (via SA) - William Buford, G, Ohio State

Golden State already has a lot of offensive talent, but they could really use a do-everything utility player in the form of Buford.

29. Oklahoma City Thunder - Festus Ezeli, C, Vanderbilt

Aside from Kendrick Perkins and Serge Ibaka, the Thunder are thin when it comes to their frontcourt, but Ezeli is a guy who can step right in and play some minutes.

30. Miami Heat - Draymond Green, F, Michigan State

The Heat are a team that has the luxury of doing whatever it pleases, so it would be smart to take a glue guy and proven winner like Green to mesh with the likes of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.