2012 NBA Mock Draft: Offensive Studs Who Will Make Instant Impact
While free agency has some intriguing names this year, the NBA draft is the perfect time for desperate teams to add some much-needed offensive firepower.
Luckily for offensively-challenged teams such as the Cleveland Cavaliers and Toronto Raptors, this draft is full of young studs who can score in a hurry and will continue to do so immediately at the next level.
Here's a look at my first-round mock draft, with an emphasis on those players who will light it up on the offensive end (they are in italics).
1. Charlotte Bobcats (7-59): Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky
The Bobcats need someone to turn around their sorry franchise, and Davis—who has Hall of Fame potential—is the only prospect who can do that.
His defense and athleticism are unbelievable and even his offense came around near the end of his freshman season at Kentucky. This pick is a no-brainer.
2. Washington Wizards (20-46): Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, Kentucky
The Wizards have, well, no one at the small forward position and MKG easily fills that spot. He's athletic, good in transition and someone who can guard multiple positions.
3. Cleveland Cavaliers (21-45): Bradley Beal, SG, Florida
Andre Drummond and Thomas Robinson are the top available prospects, but the Cavs, who averaged just 93 points per game last season, desperately need another guard who can score.
They already have Kyrie Irving in place at point guard, but they could use another scorer next to him—especially considering how defensive-minded their frontcourt of Anderson Varejao and Tristan Thompson is.
Beal struggled with his outside shot at times at Florida (34 percent from long range), but his ability to get to the hoop with ease and score in transition make him a candidate to score 15 points per game during his rookie season.
As an added bonus, Beal, at 6'3", is very strong and is a great rebounder.
4. New Orleans Hornets (21-45): Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas
Chris Kaman, Carl Landry, Jason Smith, Emeka Okafor, Gustavo Ayon. The Hornets have had tons of inconsistency from their big men. T-Rob, with his motor and athleticism, is the easy pick here.
5. Sacramento Kings (22-44): Andre Drummond, C, Connecticut
Andre Drummond is young and raw, but he has the potential to give the Kings the best frontcourt in the NBA next to DeMarcus Cousins.
The Kings are apparently still rebuilding, so they can afford to take a project in Drummond.
6. Portland Trail Blazers (via 22-44 New Jersey Nets): Kendall Marshall, PG, North Carolina
Let's face it, Raymond Felton isn't the point guard of the future. Kendall Marshall is the prototypical, passing point guard who would make everyone in Portland better.
7. Golden State Warriors (23-43): Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina
The Warriors would probably prefer to improve the defense, but small forward is a position of need and Harrison Barnes is the best one available.
8. Toronto Raptors (23-43): Jeremy Lamb, SG, Connecticut
The Raptors have DeMar DeRozan, but they scored just 90.7 points per game this season (third-worst in the league) and need to add offense regardless of position.
At this pick, Jeremy Lamb is the best offensive prospect.
Lamb is a silky smooth athlete, and while he needs to be more aggressive and needs to hit the weight room, his offensive game is undeniable.
Where he'll be most effective is shooting right off the catch, but he also has a sneaky ability to dribble past defenders.
A move of DeRozan to small forward is possible, as is bringing Lamb off the bench. That would immediately improve Toronto's offense.
9. Detroit Pistons (25-41): Perry Jones III, PF, Baylor
Jones is a project, but Detroit has the pieces in place to take a risk on a player with such high potential.
10. New Orleans Hornets (via 26-40 Minnesota Timberwolves): Damian Lillard, PG, Weber State
With Thomas Robinson in place, don't be surprised if the Hornets look to replace Jarrett Jack or (potentially) Eric Gordon.
Lillard has played point guard throughout college, but he scores like a shooting guard, so he would be a good option here.
Austin Rivers will draw consideration as well.
11. Portland Trail Blazers (28-38): Tyler Zeller, C, North Carolina
Drafting Tyler Zeller would both pair him up with UNC PG Kendall Marshall, but it would also let LaMarcus Aldridge play his more natural power forward position.
Zeller is a workaholic with tremendous fundamentals. His floor is very high.
12. Milwaukee Bucks (31-35): Austin Rivers, SG, Duke
This might be a bit of a head-scratcher, considering the Bucks already have Monta Ellis and Brandon Jennings in place. But Rivers, who can play both guard positions, provides good versatility as a sixth man.
Just don't expect him to contribute right away. I didn't think he was ready to leave Duke, but he talent level is scary.
13. Phoenix Suns (33-33): Terrence Ross, SG/SF, Washington
The Suns badly need to inject their team with some youth and some offense. Terrence Ross adds both of those things.
Ross, a versatile guard from the University of Washington, has athletic ability that you don't see very often. He's a future dunk-contest champion.
But on top of being able to dunk over anyone and anything in his way, Ross—much like Jeremy Lamb—is very smooth. T-Ross can shoot off the catch, but he's much more comfortable off the dribble and is very good at creating space with one or two pounds to the ground.
I'm not comparing the two, but he's reminiscent to Kobe Bryant in this way.
Ross is still a little raw on defense, but with Grant Hill aging, this is the perfect pick for the Suns. He will be a Rookie of the Year candidate if Steve Nash stays in town.
14. Houston Rockets (34-32): Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State
At this time last year, Sullinger was seen as a No. 1 pick to some people. The Rockets have Luis Scola, but this value is too hard to pass up.
15. Philadelphia 76ers (35-31): Dion Waiters, SG, Syracuse
The Sixers' best scorer this season was sixth-man Lou Williams. Now, they already have Jrue Holiday, Evan Turner and Williams as their guards, but adding more offense would be smart for this team.
Putting Dion Waiters, who came off the bench at Syracuse, next to Lou Williams in the second-unit would effective and downright scary.
If Waiters went to any other college, he would have scored over 20 points a game. He has an uncanny ability to knock down difficult shots, he's terrific in transition, and he has the size (6'4", 215 lbs) to back down smaller point guards.
He's as close to Dwyane Wade as you'll see in this draft, and makes this is a brilliant pick for Philadelphia.
16. Houston Rockets (via 36-20 New York Knicks): Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois
The Rockets are fairly young and fairly good at every position, except for center. Marcus Camby and Samuel Dalembert have made solid contributions this year, but Leonard will be the center of the future.
17. Dallas Mavericks (36-30): John Henson, PF, North Carolina
Henson provides insurance for Dirk Nowitzki and gives them a terrific defender for the second unit.
18. Minnesota Timberwolves (via 36-30 Utah Jazz): Royce White, SF, Iowa State
Royce White is one of my favorite players in this draft.
He has an anxiety disorder that will scare off some teams, but his ability to play almost every position makes him incredibly valuable.
His size lets him guard big men, but his offensive skills are reminiscent of Lamar Odom.
Name some other 270-pound big men who commonly took the ball up the court in college. There aren't any.
19. Orlando Magic (37-29): Tony Wroten, PG, Washington
Have you seen Chris Duhon play lately? Yuck. Wroten can back up Jameer Nelson while he continues to improve his jump shot, and in a couple of years he'll hit his ridiculous potential.
20. Denver Nuggets (38-28): Arnett Moultrie, PF, Mississippi State
This might be a little late for Moultrie. He's an athletic big man and his stock could continue to rise. This would be a steal for Denver.
21. Boston Celtics (39-27): Terrence Jones, SF, Kentucky
Jones has good talent, but his less-than-spectacular year at UK caused his stock to drop. As a result, I think the Celtics take him here as a pure value pick.
22. Boston Celtics (via 40-26 Los Angeles Clippers): John Jenkins, SG, Vanderbilt
Ray Allen is a free agent after this season, and his time with Boston could be coming to an end.
Jenkins is an absolutely deadly shooter and could ease the pain of losing Ray-Ray.
23. Atlanta Hawks (40-26): Moe Harkless, SF, St. Johns
Harkless is 6'8". He has smooth athleticism, and he has great length. His jump shot still needs work, but he looks like a true NBA player.
Atlanta's biggest need is small forward, so this makes sense.
24. Cleveland Cavaliers (via 41-25 Los Angeles Lakers): Jeff Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt
Taylor is scary athletic and a very good defender. He's the perfect fit in Cleveland's lineup should they grab Bradley Beal with the third pick.
25. Memphis Grizzlies (41-25): Andrew Nicholson, PF, St. Bonaventure
Nicholson is a versatile athlete with a very good nose for the game. He doesn't have ideal size for a power forward, but he's long and he's a good scorer.
He's a good project for Memphis to take on.
26. Indiana Pacers (42-24): Marquis Teague, PG, Kentucky
Don't be surprised if this pick is traded. Indiana is incredibly deep and only has Leandrinho Barbosa and Louis Amundson hitting free agency.
Teague could replace Barbosa in the rotation, but he also provides good value here.
27. Miami Heat (46-20): Fab Melo, C, Syracuse
The Heat are pretty set, but they have had inconsistency out of the center position. Melo is a bit of a project, but he's a defensive stud in the middle.
That fits Miami perfectly.
28. Oklahoma City Thunder (47-19): Evan Fournier, SF, France
The Thunder can afford to take on a project who won't be be with the team right away. The 19-year-old Fournier is a fantastic scorer and makes for a good pick here.
29. Chicago Bulls (50-16): Doron Lamb, SG, Kentucky
Richard Hamilton isn't getting any younger. Doron Lamb can provide scoring off the bench while he is groomed as Hamilton's successor.
30. Golden State Warriors (via 50-16 San Antonio Spurs): Drew Gordon, PF, New Mexico
Kenneth Faried's success this year will help Gordon. At a generous 6'9", Gordon doesn't have ideal size to play power forward, but he's a hard worker, has an endless motor and always gets near the ball.
He's a ferocious rebounder and just the type of player the Warriors need.
