2012 NBA Mock Draft: Lottery Stars with Most Upside
We all know Anthony Davis' ceiling is through the roof.
The Kentucky freshman is a budding superstar with an incredible blend of size and athleticism. At 6'10", 220 pounds, the sky is the limit for college basketball's best player, and whichever team wins the lottery is going to be mighty happy.
He's not the only one in this draft class with incredible upside though. In fact, some of his college teammates join him on this list.
Here's a look at lottery stars with the most upside in the 2012 NBA Draft.
1. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis, Kentucky
Charlotte was, by far, the worst team in the league this past season. It wouldn't, however, be surprising if they don't land the No. 1 overall pick.
If they do, they'll be ecstatic, but they have needs just about everywhere and could use any one of these guys.
Pairing up Davis with Bismack Biyombo would make for one formidable shot-blocking duo in Charlotte.
2. Washington Wizards: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Kentucky
Davis' running mate at Kentucky, MKG might actually have more upside than the No. 1 overall pick. At 6'7", 210 pounds, the athletic forward can literally do everything and is a phenomenal defender.
He's not an elite scorer just yet, but he can score the ball when needed.
Pairing him up with John Wall, especially since the departure of Nick Young, is exactly what the Wizards need.
3. Cleveland Cavaliers, Bradley Beal, Florida
A friend once described Bradley Beal to me as "Ray Allen with muscles." The Florida guard, at 6'5", 195 pounds, is the best pure scorer in this entire draft and does have the build to withstand the punishment of the NBA immediately.
Only an 18-year-old, his best basketball is still ahead of him, and he already has great awareness on the court and of himself.
If he continues to mature, there is no telling how talented an offensive weapon he can be in the NBA.
4. New Orleans Hornets: Thomas Robinson, Kansas
A physical beast who can do everything, Robinson erupted this season and has made himself a lottery lock in the process.
The near 6'10" star will pose trouble for less athletic forwards and can play on both ends of the court. If he hones his offensive game, he could be a star in this league.
The Hornets desperately need someone like him to help rebuild their struggling franchise.
5. Sacramento Kings: Jared Sullinger, Ohio State
Sullinger was one hell of a college player, but he'll struggle to dominate in the NBA. He has an NBA-ready game and will come in immediately and help down low, but he lacks upside in more ways than one.
6. Portland Trail Blazers (via New Jersey Nets): Andre Drummond, Connecticut
The exact opposite can be said of Drummond, who failed to consistently perform in the collegiate ranks. That said, the 6'11" center has unbelievable upside with his rare combination of size and athleticism.
He's big and stronger than Davis and has almost as much athleticism.
He gets off the floor in a hurry and has the potential to be a handful on the defensive end of the court. Offensively, he could be absolutely dominant, but he has to work at it.
He's a risky pick, but a potential-laden pick at that.
7. Golden State Warriors: Perry Jones III, Baylor
Much of the same goes for PJ III, who flashed brilliance at times in Waco but buckled in others.
His combination of size, athleticism, scoring ability and upside make him a top 10 pick though.
He's super long at 6'11", 235 pounds and will need to bulk up if he's going to bang. He doesn't always play up to his potential either, which is a bit of a problem.
If a coach can find a way to get his head right, he could an a dominant player.
8. Toronto Raptors: Harrison Barnes, North Carolina
Harrison Barnes has much of the same problem. A preseason All-American as a freshman (meaning before he even stepped on a college court) Barnes has always left something to be desired.
He's a gifted scorer, but he hasn't shown that killer instinct to take over a game and dominate the way his skills suggest he should.
At 6'8", the swingman will immediately cause trouble for defenses in the NBA, but the question is whether or not someone can get him to play up to his full potential. Thus far we haven't seen it.
9. Detroit Pistons: Arnett Moultrie, Mississippi State
A bit of an under-the-radar star throughout much of the season, teams are all over the potential of the 6'11" forward from Mississippi State.
He can do a little bit of everything and excels as a hustle player on the offensive end.
He needs some bulking up if he is going to star down on the block, but he's so long and explosive that he may be able to make up for it by out-jumping opponents.
The Pistons would love to pair him up with Greg Monroe.
10. New Orleans Hornets (via Minnesota Timberwolves): Kendall Marshall, North Carolina
We saw Marshall's full potential on display in the NCAA tournament before an injury sent him to the sideline for the rest of the season.
At his very best, he could be a left-handed Deron Williams—someone with great vision who can score when he wants and is deceptively quick.
11. Portland Trail Blazers: Austin Rivers, Duke
Doc Rivers' kid is a clutch, gutsy player with a ton of upside. He's willing to work on both ends of the court and is a gritty scorer who can bang home a game-winner even if he's 4-19 from the field before taking the shot.
The Blazers don't know what to make of their future after being stuck in neutral for the previous few years. Rivers can help them start fresh.
12. Milwaukee Bucks: Tyler Zeller, North Carolina
The team that drafts Zeller knows exactly what it is going to get. The Bucks sent away their big man at the trade deadline and the UNC senior is ready to step on the court immediately and fill that void.
He may never be a star, but he'll work for it on the court.
13. Phoenix Suns: Damian Lillard, Weber State
The small school prospect isn't a ready-made replacement at point guard for Steve Nash should he leave, but at the very worst, he'll be a scorer in this league.
14. Houston Rockets: Jeremy Lamb, Connecticut
The last of the lottery teams, Lamb has some of the most intriguing upside of any player in the draft. Like his teammate Drummond, and fellow sophomore Harrison Barnes, Lamb left some to be desired at times this season and didn't always play up to this potential.
He did flash the ability to take over a game from time to time though, and at 6'5", 185 pounds there is so much to love.
Lamb is incredibly long and can get to the basket as easily he can make it rain from deep.
He's far from a sure thing, but he has a ton of upside.
15. Philadelphia 76ers: John Henson, North Carolina
Like Zeller, you know what you're getting with Henson, but the 76ers could certainly use a young, big man as they already have too many swing guys to deal with.
16. Houston Rockets (via New York Knicks): Terrence Jones, Kentucky
Houston's second first-round pick, courtesy of the Knicks, is used on another Kentucky kid with incredible upside.
Jones didn't have the dominant year some wanted to see, but he's still a supreme talent who could turn out to be a steal here.
17. Dallas Mavericks: Terrence Ross, Washington
Ross didn't play up to his potential every time out this season, but his upside is still there and he offers plenty to be excited about. He's a potential replacement for the Jet.
18. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Utah Jazz): Meyers Leonard, Illinois
The Timberwolves just need to make sure they don't draft another point guard or small forward and Leonard, a genuine 7-footer, will work just fine for them.
19. Orlando Magic: Quincy Miller, Baylor
The other Baylor star, Miller is a versatile combo-forward who has great upside as a scorer. The Magic could do much worse here.
20. Denver Nuggets: Dion Waiters, Syracuse
Picking late doesn't give Denver a ton of options here, but Waiters is a gifted scorer who can help a team that doesn't preach defense much.
21. Boston Celtics: Andrew Nicholson, St. Bonaventure
A do-everything star for the Bonnies, Nicholson gives the Celtics another weapon off the bench with youth and considerable upside. Doc Rivers will help this kid hone his game, and he also has great size.
22. Boston Celtics (via Los Angeles Clippers): Royce White, Iowa State
Speaking of size, the tight end-sized forward from Iowa State gives the Celtics a big body to throw down in the paint and fight for boards night in and night out.
23. Atlanta Hawks: Doron Lamb, Kentucky
The hero of this year's finals, Lamb is a big-time scoring threat who rose up draft board's with his postseason performance. Atlanta hopes to develop him and he could be a steal for them here.
24. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Los Angeles Lakers): Moe Harkless, St. John's
One of the more naturally gifted players in this class, Harkless is a guy with tremendous upside on both ends of the court and would give the Cavs a potential weapon at the 3 they haven't had since that one dude left.
25. Memphis Grizzlies: Tony Wroten, Washington
One of the better point guard prospects in this class, Wroten has lottery talent but does have a few negatives that could send him tumbling down the board. Memphis won't pass him up though.
26. Indiana Pacers: Marquis Teague, Kentucky
The point guard of the champion Wildcats, Teague has great skills but has so much learning to do. That said, he goes to a Pacers team that doesn't need him immediately but could get a steal considering his upside.
27. Miami Heat: Fab Melo, Syracuse
The Heat have no legitimate big man and Melo has the size and upside to still warrant a first-round selection despite his issues. This is a good fit for him.
28. Oklahoma City Thunder: Draymond Green, Michigan State
A do-everything star for Sparty, Green's grit and toughness will be welcomed by the potential defending champions.
29. Chicago Bulls: John Jenkins, Vanderbilt
The best pure shooter in the draft, Jenkins gives the Bulls their potential replacement for Rip Hamilton when he's gone.
30. Golden State Warriors (via San Antonio Spurs): Jeffery Taylor, Vanderbilt
The other half of the best shooting tandem in the country this season, Taylor is a proven scorer and gives the Warriors someone they hope can turn into more.
