2012 NBA Mock Draft: Pre-Lottery Projections for Entire 1st Round

If life were fair, the Charlotte Bobcats would secure the No. 1 lottery pick for the 2012 NBA draft, and for the purposes of this mock, they will be doing just that.

As it stands, they only have a 25 percent chance to land Anthony Davis—the consensus No. 1 pick for any team who is lucky enough to win the lottery. 

The NBA is unlike many other major sports in that one player can make all the difference in the world. Sure, it takes a well-rounded team to win, but picking the right player can help send your franchise to the promised land.

Here's how I project the first round going down if life were fair.

1. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky

Davis is the complete package. He can score, he can rebound and boy, oh boy can he block shots. He will bring much-needed intensity and talent to a team devoid of both in 2011-12.

2. Washington Wizards: Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina

John Wall is a tremendously talented point guard who needs shooters, and Barnes happens to be the best shooting small forward in this draft class. Barnes can reliably hit the three, and his game is as polished as anyone's coming out this year.

3. New Orleans Hornets: Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas

In a perfect world, the Hornets would land another Chris Paul, but this class is devoid of elite talent at that position. Instead, they will fill a void with Robinson—a talented power forward who will be a long-term upgrade over Carl Landry.

4. Cleveland Cavaliers: Bradley Beal, SG, Florida

The Cavs need to give Kyrie Irving some shooters to help him spread the floor. Beal is a dangerous shooter from the outside and would be a perfect complement to Irving's fast-paced attack.

5. Sacramento Kings: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, Kentucky

The Kings need to continue building around DeMarcus Cousins. Kidd-Gilchrist comes from a winning program and would bring the right kind of attitude to a locker room in need of leadership and poise. It doesn't hurt that he's a fantastic all-around player either.

6. Portland Trailblazers (via Nets): Andre Drummond, C, Connecticut

The Trailblazers haven't had any good luck finding a solution at center in a while. Drummond is a raw prospect, but so was Andrew Bynum. When you have a chance to land a legit center, you take the chance, and the Trailblazers would be crazy to let this talented youngster go to another team.

7. Golden State Warriors: Perry Jones III, SF, Baylor

The Warriors need help at every position. Jones is one of the most talented players in this year's class, and if it weren't for his propensity to take games off, he would be a lock for a top-five pick. If he can focus on basketball, he will help Stephon Curry spark a Golden State revival next year.

8. Toronto Raptors: Kendall Marshall, PG, UNC

The Raptors have Jose Calderon, but he only has one year remaining on his contract. They would do well to plan for the future, and Marshall's ability to become a true floor general will entice them here. He has excellent court awareness, and his passing skills are too good to pass up on. 

9. Detroit Pistons: Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State

Sullinger isn't the most athletic guy coming out of the draft this year, but he is the most physical, hardest working big man you're going to find. Bringing him to the Motor City will go a long ways to reestablishing a toughness that has been long-missing in these parts.

10. New Orleans Hornets (via Timberwolves): Damian Lillard, PG, Weber State

It is still a bit of a stretch to take Lillard here, but after landing a reliable big man, the Hornets won't hesitate to gamble on a true point guard to run their offense. Lillard is a big-time scorer, and his ball-handling skills are second to none.

11. Portland Trailblazers: Terrence Jones, SF, Kentucky

After trading away Gerald Wallace, the Trailblazers are in need of an athletic forward to fill his shoes. 

Jones is a quality all-around player, and his sophomore season proved just that. He will bring athleticism and a slashing scoring ability to the table immediately, and could eventually perfect his shooting touch. 

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

The Bucks will be looking to replace Andrew Bogut in the draft, and Zeller fits the bill. The lanky young man may never fill out physically, but he has the potential to become a force in the middle for years to come. 

13. Phoenix Suns: Austin Rivers, SG, Duke

Michael Redd isn't the player he once was, and Shannon Brown is more of a slashing 2-guard. In addition, neither of these players are guaranteed to return to Phoenix after signing one-year deals.

The Suns would be smart to draft Rivers here, as his shooting touch from the outside will complement Marcin Gordat's strong inside game.

14. Houston Rockets: John Henson, PF, North Carolina

Henson is a defensive weapon, pure and simple. At 6'10", he possesses incredibly long arms, and his ability to block shots will be a boon to the Rockets immediately.

Henson's offensive game needs some work, but the Rockets already have shooters and are in greater need of a player with defensive prowess.

15. Philadelphia 76ers: Arnett Moultrie, PF, Mississippi State

Elton Brand is getting older, and Spencer Hawes is going to be a free agent. The 76ers need to invest in size this year, and Moultrie will provide it. He is an athletic, underrated scorer who will give them everything he has night in and night out. 

16. Houston Rockets (via Knicks): Terrence Ross, SG, Washington

The Rockets already have two tremendous shooting guards in Kevin Martin and Courtney Lee, but both players could be gone after next season and Ross offers them a deadly offensive weapon. 

He is a solid shooter who can stretch the floor, and though his playing time won't be significant in the early going, he has the ability to blossom into a promising sixth man.

17. Dallas Mavericks: Dion Waiters, SG, Syracuse

The Mavs are going to be looking to get younger at the shooting guard position next year, and I don't expect them to bring back Vince Carter or Delonte West.

That being said, they need to find their replacement now. Waiters is a good scorer and will contribute right away as a rookie.

18. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Jazz): Jeremy Lamb, SG, UConn

Rick Adelman loves shooters, and the Timberwolves have an obvious need at the shooting guard position. They will be thrilled to land Lamb here in the bottom half of the first round.

19. Orlando Magic: Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois

There's a good chance Dwight Howard won't be on the roster in the near future. The Magic need to plan for this harsh eventuality by landing a player with the most upside at his position. \

Leonard is talented but is extremely raw. Still, his size will convince the Magic to take the risk that he will become a polished player at the next level.

20. Denver Nuggets: Tony Wroten, G, Washington

The Nuggets are extremely talented at every position, but one thing they lack is a big-time scorer. Wroten may take a year or two to fully realize his potential, but he's a legitimate shooter and can light up the scoreboard. 

21. Boston Celtics: Royce White, SF, Iowa State

Paul Pierce is still going as strong as ever, but the Celtics need depth behind him. As he gets older he will do better with less minutes.

White is a tremendous value here at the bottom of the first round, and he will give the Celtics much-needed youth and versatility at this position.

22. Boston Celtics (via Clippers): Andrew Nicholson, PF, St. Bonaventure

Kevin Garnett won't be around much longer. The Celtics need youth behind him just like they need it behind Pierce.

Nicholson will provide a boost comparable to what Glenn Davis did during his stay in Boston. He is a banger inside and loves to crash the boards.

23. Atlanta Hawks: Jeffrey Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt

The Hawks need a legitimate backup for Marvin Williams.

Taylor is a pure shooter from the small forward position, and his addition to the Hawks lineup will give them the firepower they need to continue getting better in years to come.

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

Omri Casspi and Luke Walton are not the answer at the small forward position for the Cavs. Harkless is a dynamic shooter who will complement Kyrie Irving's game to perfection. In time, he should become a more balanced, all-around threat. 

25. Memphis Grizzlies: Fab Melo, C, Syracuse

Marc Gasol can't continue playing almost 48 minutes every night, and the Grizzlies would do well to add more depth behind him. Melo is an athletic freak who needs to become polished before he will be a full-time starter in this league, but as a backup, he will provide energy and defense when the second team is in the game.

26. Indiana Pacers: Marquis Teague, PG, Kentucky

The Pacers need a true point guard. Darren Collison and George Hill have been serviceable this year, but in the long run, they need someone who will take ownership of their offense.

Teague was inconsistent last year at Kentucky, and he would have benefited from staying in school one more year, but he is still a first-round talent that the Pacers won't be able to pass up.

27. Miami Heat: Drew Gordon, PF, New Mexico

The Heat are set on the offensive side of things. They are also one of the best defensive teams in the NBA. Gordon will fit in perfectly, as he is more of a defensive banger than an offensive juggernaut.

His addition will give them even more of a defensive presence, as he crashes the boards with regularity. Gordon will also fit in nicely on the fast break. 

28. Oklahoma City Thunder: Draymond Green, SF, Michigan State

The Thunder are in a position to roll the dice on Green—a proven leader and winner.

He isn't exactly a prototypical player at any position, but he plays hard-nosed defense against bigger opponents and has a deadly shooting touch from outside. The former Spartan will be a boon to them in the playoffs when specific matchups are of greater importance. 

29. San Antonio Spurs: Evan Fournier, SG, France

The Spurs are the best organization in the NBA at picking players who will contribute in a couple of years. They are also the deepest team in the entire league.

Fournier is an intriguing option here at the bottom of the first round and could develop into the next big international star to play for San Antonio. 

30. Chicago Bulls: Doron Lamb, SG, Kentucky

Rip Hamilton is still suiting up, but he is nearing the twilight of his career.

Like Teague, Lamb would have benefited from staying in school one more year, but his ability to score and distribute from the shooting guard position makes him a valuable addition here at the end of the first round.

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