2012 NBA Mock Draft: Players Who Are Jeremy Lin-Type Sleepers

Two years ago, Jeremy Lin was a Harvard prospect hoping an NBA team would offer him a summer league tryout that would, with any luck, turn into a contract. Now, he's a star point guard who could be giving the Knicks a reason not to pursue Steve Nash in the offseason.

He's become that important to New York.

There are 30 teams who passed on Lin—twice—during the 2010 draft, and they need to make sure that this year, when underrated future stars like him are on the board again, they don't miss the boat.

Here's a complete first-round mock with a special emphasis on Lin-esque talents who shouldn't fall into the second round.

1. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky

No one is expecting it to take very long before Davis is one of the best players in the NBA, never mind in the NCAA. The Bobcats can finally start building a contender around him.

2. Washington Wizards: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, Kentucky

If the Wizards pass on Bradley Beal, it will be because they take Gilchrist, who is a safe pick given his ceiling, his defense and—most of all—his offense in transition.

3. Cleveland Cavaliers: Bradley Beal, SG, Florida

Beal is the consensus top guard in the draft. He's an excellent shooter in virtually any situation and has the passing skills to play point guard, if necessary.

4. New Orleans Hornets: Andre Drummond, C, UConn

If he falls to them at No. 4, the Hornets would be fools not to take Drummond. Though he's not as safe a pick as Gilchrist because he didn't prove to be a shutdown player despite his size (6'10", 270 pounds), you can't pass on a player with his frame and potential.

5. Sacramento Kings: Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas

Like many frontcourt prospects in this draft, Robinson needs to work on his offense, but he's an aggressive, high-character kid who has proven to be an excellent rebounder.

6. Portland Trail Blazers: Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina

Portland is going to be looking to replace Brandon Roy in the offseason, and given his shooting ability (he put up 17.1 points per game last season), Barnes is a good start.

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

Jones has a reputation of being one of the hardest workers on the court, and despite the fact that he still struggles to tune out the doubters, he has the kind of build (6'11") that will allow him to become a top option at the position, once he fulfills his potential.

8. Toronto Raptors: Damian Lillard, PG, Weber State

Despite Austin Rivers' rising draft stock, there is little doubt that Lillard will be the second guard off the board. The Raptors need help here, and Lillard gives them a versatile prospect who has the skills to be effective at both guard positions.

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

He may lack athleticism when compared with some of the other available power forwards, but Sullinger is an excellent post player who's proven to be a refined shooter and rebounder.

10. New Orleans Hornets: Kendall Marshall, PG, North Carolina

Given the Marshall Watch phenomenon that overtook the nation when he went down prior to the NCAA tournament, it's clear how important he is to his team's success. He is a true floor general who makes his entire team look a lot better.

11.  Portland Trail Blazers: Tyler Zeller, C, North Carolina

Zeller is the best big man remaining on the board. He averaged 16.5 points and 9.3 rebounds per game last season, and he runs the floor very well despite his size.

12. Milwaukee Bucks: John Henson, PF, North Carolina

Henson isn't quite as physically imposing as some of the other power forward prospects, and he might need to put on some muscle to truly contend with other 4s in the NBA, but he's long and athletic.

13. Phoenix Suns:  Austin Rivers, SG, Duke

Some projections have Rivers dropping to the low teens, but the Suns can't let that happen. With Steve Nash likely on his way out of town, they need to use this draft to get a versatile guard who can immediately step in and help to replace his production.

Rivers is the best option for the Suns because he can aptly play the 1 or the 2, and he has the kind of star quality that leads scouts to believe he could be a standout in the NBA, even if he had a reputation for being selfish in college. Aside from his versatility, confidence is the best thing Rivers has going for him.

After putting up 15.5 points per game in his freshman campaign at Duke, Rivers ranked as one of the top freshman scorers in the NCAA. He's not as explosive an athlete as other guards, but he has solid court vision and is an excellent ball-handler. Once he improves his shot a little bit, he has the talent to become one of the top guards at the next level.

14. Houston Rockets: Terrence Jones, PF, Kentucky

Jones paled a bit in comparison to the rest of his Wildcat teammates in 2011-12, but despite a lack of consistency, he's an efficient scorer with a lot of upside.

15. Philadelphia 76ers: Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois

He needs to develop his offense, but already, Leonard is a solid post player at 7 feet and offers an immediate upgrade defensively.

16. Houston Rockets: Terrence Ross, SG, Washington

Purely in terms of shooting ability, Ross is one of the best options available and is someone the Rockets cannot afford to pass on, especially after shoring up their frontcourt by taking Jones with their first selection.

Ross was the MVP of an underachieving Washington team in 2011-12, putting up a team-leading 16.4 points per game and showing terrific range from beyond the arc. He also registered 33 blocks, which tied him for the team lead. He's extremely athletic and has the ceiling to grow even more.

Where Ross struggles is with his shot selection, but when that improves, he'll be an undeniable guard talent at the next level. Like Lin, he needs a bit more time to refine his game, but once he does, he'll be unstoppable.

17. Dallas Mavericks: Jeremy Lamb, SG, UConn

The Mavericks will be another team in the hunt for a guard in this year's draft after likely losing Jason Kidd, and Lamb is the best available option. He lacks Rivers' versatility, but he is a top shooter from all over the floor and has an incredible 7-foot wingspan that makes him intriguing, if nothing else.

18. Minnesota Timberwolves: Arnett Moultrie, PF, Mississippi State

It's looking less and less likely that Moultrie will drop this low in the order. At 6'11", he has the size and the athleticism to be another Perry Jones in this draft, but with a little more quickness.

19. Orlando Magic: Tony Wroten, Jr., PG, Washington

Like Kendall Marshall, Wroten is a great floor general with top-notch court vision. Unlike Marshall, he hasn't been able to prove he can consistently be a great passer and has been knocked for being a less-than-stellar teammate.

Still, at 6'5", he is the perfect size for an NBA point guard, and if Jameer Nelson does decide to opt out of his current deal with Orlando, Wroten could be the perfect option for the Magic. He has the talent and athleticism to excel in the NBA, but he needs to improve his shot selection and shed his reputation of being reckless with the ball.

Wroten has a lot of upside and has the skill to be a top guard in the NBA, but he needs to prove his inconsistency won't leave him destined for a career in the D-league.

20. Denver Nuggets: Dion Waiters, PG/SG, Syracuse

He's aggressive getting to the hoop and is both versatile and motivated. His upside should offset concerns about his size (6'4").

21. Boston Celtics: Fab Melo, C, Syracuse

With their de facto center Kevin Garnett entering free agency, the Celtics will be looking to fill a big hole up front. If Melo is still on the board, they need to move mountains to make sure they get him. He has the talent to be a top-10 pick.

22. Boston Celtics: Jeffery Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt

If the C's can supplement Melo with Taylor, they'll be golden. Taylor is the opposite of Melo in that he's a relatively safe pick who's shown steady improvement offensively in four years at Vanderbilt.

23. Atlanta Hawks: Royce White, SF, Iowa State

White has the talent to go higher but will likely fall due to concerns over an anxiety disorder. Physically, he's gifted, and he's ready to step in and log some minutes at the next level.

24. Cleveland Cavaliers: Moe Harkless, SF, St. John's

Harkless established himself as an offensive and defensive threat in a very talented Big East last season. He has the upside to work wonders for the Cavs on both ends of the floor.

25. Memphis Grizzlies: Marquis Teague, PG, Kentucky

Teague showed tremendous growth—personally and in terms of his game—last season at Kentucky. It took a while for him to learn how to dish instead of holding onto the ball for himself, but once he did, he proved that he has the ability to improve the complexion of his entire team.

26. Indiana Pacers: Doron Lamb, SG, Kentucky

Hands down, Lamb is one of the best shooters in this draft, and he proved it after shooting 52 percent from three-point land last season. He's no slouch defensively, either.

27. Miami Heat: Quincy Miller, SF, Baylor

He's versatile enough to fill in wherever the Heat need him, and a little added strength (he's currently 6'9" and 210 pounds) could do wonders to supplement his offense, especially inside.

28. Oklahoma City Thunder: Andrew Nicholson, PF, St. Bonaventure

Nicholson got better and better as a blocker every year for the Bonnies, and his offensive output has shown steady improvement as well. Defensively, he's a work in progress, but he projects to be a solid bench player next year.

29. Chicago Bulls: John Jenkins, SG, Vanderbilt

The Bulls' backcourt is cursed. Jenkins' offense—he averaged 19.9 points per game last season—can help the fans in Chicago forget about it for a little while.

30. Golden State Warriors: Festus Ezeli, C, Vanderbilt

Over the last two seasons, Ezeli has proven to be one of the better shot-blockers in the NCAA. He really needs to get more aggressive defensively, though.