2012 NBA Mock Draft: Players with Highest Upsides

With the 2012 NBA draft less than two months away, it’s now a time for many organizations to begin looking towards building a brighter future via the event.

The playoffs are well underway and a few teams are already eliminated or right on the cusp. Only a select number of franchises have a realistic chance to win a championship and aren’t overly concerned with who they will add on June 28.

With only a handful of superstars capable of immediately making an NBA impact in this class, a lot of GMs will gamble on high upside players to hopefully become a missing piece on their roster.

Let’s take an in-depth look at them in this latest first-round mock draft.

1. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis, Kentucky

Charlotte would instantly add Davis if they are awarded the No. 1 pick and he would instantly add credibility to a flailing franchise that needs all the help they can get. He’s unquestionably the best player in the class with the most upside.

2. Washington Wizards: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Kentucky

Washington needs a 3 who can play defense against the best perimeter players and works his butt off on every single play. MKG still has some catching up to do on the offensive end, but he’s a star in the making.

3. Cleveland Cavaliers: Bradley Beal, Florida

Beal has NBA three-point range, the bulk to get to the basket, absorb contact and finish and the ability to create his shot when necessary. He’s the perfect backcourt complement to surefire Rookie of the Year Kyrie Irving in Cleveland’s backcourt.

4. New Orleans Hornets: Thomas Robinson, Kansas

Robinson arguably had just a good a season as Davis (minus winning the championship), but will fall a bit because he is a junior and many scouts doubt his ceiling is as high. He’s still got a promising future as a starting big in the league.

5. Sacramento Kings: Jared Sullinger, Ohio State

The Kings already have a promising young big in DeMarcus Cousins, but they could get even bigger and more skilled by adding Sullinger. The Ohio State product is polished in his post game and would make an immediate contribution playing next to Favors.

6. Portland Trail Blazers (via New Jersey Nets): Andre Drummond, Connecticut

This is a typical high-risk, high-reward pick. Drummond’s size and raw ability suggest he could eventually develop into one of the better centers in the NBA.

Portland badly needs a center and should be willing to look past the fact that he didn’t consistently dominate lesser opposition at the college level and should take a gamble on his ceiling.

7. Golden State Warriors: Perry Jones III

PJIII is another potential star that dealt with maddening inconsistency during his time at Baylor. He’s got the immense size and skills to truly impact a game from the forward position, but he has to showcase the ability to do it regularly.

G-State has to take a chance on that potential because they will not be in position to compete unless they strike gold in the lottery.

8. Toronto Raptors: Harrison Barnes, North Carolina

The Raptors biggest need is an athletic small forward who can become a No. 1 scoring option. That is exactly what Barnes brings to the table right out of UNC. If he continues to develop the other aspects of his game, he could turn out to be an elite swingman.

9. Detroit Pistons: Arnett Moultrie, Mississippi State

Detroit knows that they aren’t going to be contenders until Charlie Villanueva’s and Ben Gordon’s contracts come off the books. They have to work to improve the best assets that they have right now and that’s a promising center named Greg Monroe.

Adding a highly athletic big like Moultrie into the equation should make it easy for both prospects to develop and eventually form a formidable frontline.

10. New Orleans Hornets (via Minnesota Timberwolves):  Kendall Marshall, North Carolina

New Orleans is still reeling from losing Chris Paul and has to address the point guard position with its second lottery pick. Marshall may not have the upside of some of the other 1’s in the class, but he is an elite passer and a team-oriented player to rebuild around.

11. Portland Trail Blazers: Austin Rivers, Duke

Rivers surprised a lot of basketball fans when he decided to forego another year at Duke and enter the draft. He didn’t truly excel during his time with the Blue Devils, but he made enough big shots and showed enough promise to secure a lottery spot.

Portland needs someone with his superstar potential to develop into their next primary scorer and go-to guy. They haven’t had one since Brandon Roy retired and LeMarcus Aldridge is a better sidekick than he is a lead dog.

12. Milwaukee Bucks: Tyler Zeller, North Carolina

Milwaukee is so starved for size that the best option may be taking someone with almost no upside in Zeller. With the UNC product, what you see is what you get considering he is a senior and has been around the block quite a few times in college without significantly improving.

13. Phoenix Suns: Damian Lillard, Weber State

If Lillard slips to No. 13, the Suns would be crazy not to snatch him up. He’s extremely athletic and can play both guard positions. Ultimately, he could replace Steve Nash when the future Hall of Famer either joins another team in free agency or retires.

14. Houston Rockets: Jeremy Lamb, Connecticut

Lamb has the skills to be a great 2 in the NBA, but he’s got to show more dedication and willingness to hustle without the ball. He’s prone to mental lapses and slacking if he isn’t involved in a play and that could hurt him at the next level.

15. Philadelphia 76ers: John Henson, North Carolina

This lengthy big man would be a nice complement to the 76ers frontline. Elton Brand is starting to wear down and Henson could be a natural replacement for him.

16. Houston Rockets (via New York Knicks): Terrence Jones, Kentucky

Jones would be a top-five talent if he consistently played to the best of his abilities. He flashes that ability enough that the Rockets could not afford to pass on him at No. 15. GM Daryl Morey loves taking the best available prospect and Jones is certainly it here. He could be the steal of the draft.

17. Dallas Mavericks: Terrence Ross, Washington

Ross is a solid 2 guard that could inject some youth into a rotation that primarily features Vince Carter and Jason Terry. He’s got great athleticism and his fresh legs are direly needed on a team that was just swept trying to defend their title in the playoffs.

18. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Utah Jazz): Meyers Leonard, Illinois

It’s doubtful that Minnesota is going to find the starting SG they need this late in the draft. They are better off trading or acquiring a veteran free agent to fill that massive hole. Instead, they should look into a backup big man in Leonard to take some pressure off Nikola Pekovic and Kevin Love.

19. Orlando Magic: Quincy Miller, Baylor

Orlando is eventually going to get rid of Dwight Howard, but this is not the place to try and replace a Hall of Fame-caliber center. They should instead address their need for an elite scorer and roll the dice with Miller. He’s got great upside and they could get their big man in a lottery after they bottom out.

20. Denver Nuggets: Dion Waiters, Syracuse

Denver doesn’t really have any pressing needs. They have a young, talented roster that just requires more time to develop. Waiters isn’t a bad pick for them as he could continue to polish his game at the end of the bench or in the D-League.

21. Boston Celtics: Andrew Nicholson, St. Bonaventure

With Kevin Garnett's contract due to run out at the end of the season and a lack of quality big men on the roster, Boston has to go big with this pick. Nicholson is a lengthy and talented PF with a solid mid-range game.

22. Boston Celtics (via Los Angeles Clippers): Royce White, Iowa State

The Celtics are so desperate for size that they’ll go with another bulky body here who can bang down low. White has the skills to be a top-10 pick, but he’s got a questionable problem with anxiety and that is a red flag for many scouts.

23. Atlanta Hawks: Doron Lamb, Kentucky

Lamb is a big-game player who isn’t afraid to step up and hit shots when they count. He made a number of huge ones during the 2012 NCAA Tournament and looks to be a true gamer at any level.

24. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Los Angeles Lakers): Moe Harkless, St. John's

Harkless could fill the giant void at the 3 Cleveland has had since LeBron James left the team. He’s young with immense upside and the potential to eventually make an All-Star team in a few years.

25. Memphis Grizzlies: Tony Wroten, Washington

This is Wroten’s floor. He will not drop any further because he is simply too talented and has too high of a ceiling as an NBA player. His size is above average, his vision is decent and his athleticism is noteworthy. A year or two of backing up Mike Conley in Memphis would be great for him.

26. Indiana Pacers: Marquis Teague, Kentucky

Teague is an Indiana native who would be a perfect fit as a facilitator on the fast-break for a team stacked with young, speedy athletes who can get to the rim and finish.

27. Miami Heat: Fab Melo, Syracuse

The Heat need size and Melo has the most upside of any big man available. His stock plummeted after he missed the 2012 NCAA Tournament, but Miami should take a gamble.

28. Oklahoma City Thunder: Draymond Green, Michigan State

This high-chemistry pick makes sense for a team that prides itself on character. Green is a proven winner who loves to make his teammates better and would be an asset in the locker room.

29. Chicago Bulls: John Jenkins, Vanderbilt

Jenkins is a deadeye shooter who could eventually assume Rip Hamilton’s role as the starting SG on this Chicago team that seemingly cannot find a reliable option at the position.

30. Golden State Warriors (via San Antonio Spurs): Jeffery Taylor, Vanderbilt

Taylor is one of the better athletes in this draft and will not fall out of the first-round. It would surprise me if he dropped to No. 30, and Golden State would be crazy not to pick him up if he did. He’s gotten better every year during his time at Vandy and could be a legit NBA player.