2012 NBA Mock Draft: Second-Round Marvels to Target

The teams not in the 2012 NBA playoffs right now are not sitting at home twiddling their thumbs; they are getting ready for the draft.

As they prepare, so do we. In what will be just one of many mock drafts we do this year, let’s look at which second-round caliber players will sneak into the first round.

Note: NBA Mock Draft Standings are fluid—from lottery teams to playoffs, things will change. Order is based on mix of current standings and projected finish.

1. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis

The Charlotte Bobcats need much more than Anthony Davis to be relevant, but it’s a good start.

2. Washington Wizards: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist

Adding Michael Kidd-Gilchrist to a team that already has John Wall is a move that screams future winner. It’s the Wizards, though.

3. Cleveland Cavaliers: Thomas Robinson

The best player coming out of this draft has to be star power forward Thomas Robinson. This man-beast is NBA-ready and will be a force in Cleveland. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a team trade up to get this star at No. 3.

4. New Orleans Hornets: Jared Sullinger

New Orleans was at its most dangerous when they had David West down low. Jared Sullinger is the second coming of West in NOLA.

5. Sacramento Kings: Bradley Beal

With Tyreke Evans’ time in Sacramento looking to be over, drafting Bradley Beal as the long-term replacement is the right move.

6. Portland Trail Blazers (via Brooklyn Nets): Andre Drummond

From one overrated center project that didn’t pan out to another for Portland.

7. Golden State Warriors: Austin Rivers

With Monta Ellis out of the picture, the need for another reckless shooter will drive the Warriors to snag Austin Rivers at No. 7.

8. Toronto Raptors: Harrison Barnes

The Toronto Raptors will not only be getting a solid shooter that can fill a stat sheet with rebounds assists and more, the team is getting the locker room leader that they need. Within one season, the Raptors will be Barnes’ team.

9. Detroit Pistons: Tyler Zeller

The Pistons need help at center and Tyler Zeller fits the style they play in Detroit. It may be a slight reach, but it will work out well for all parties involved.

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

Kendall Marshall won’t come close to making up for the offense Chris Paul brought to New Orleans, but he can fill the stat box just like Paul in almost every other category.

11. Portland Trail Blazers: Damian Lillard

There are many questions about the relatively unknown Damian Lillard, but if he can show the same skills he showed as a shooting point guard in college, he can be a star.

12. Milwaukee Bucks: John Henson

The Milwaukee Bucks need anyone who is defensively conscious at this point, so drafting UNC star John Henson at No. 12 is a no-brainer.

13. Phoenix Suns: Jeremy Lamb

With the probable departure of Steve Nash, the Phoenix Suns will look to Jeremy Lamb to be their new offensive heartbeat.

14. Houston Rockets: Tony Wroten

One of the biggest wildcards this season will be freshman guard Tony Wroten. It’s hard to tell where Wroten will fit in the NBA, but he will definitely be there in some capacity. Houston can’t pass on him at No. 14.

15. Philadelphia 76ers: Terrence Jones

The Sixers have an affinity for tweener forwards, but Terrence Jones has a serious chance to be a real NBA threat. If he falls to Philly at No. 15, this will be the steal of the draft.

16. Houston Rockets (via New York Knicks): Meyers Leonard

As good as Tyson Chandler is, he is not a game-changing center that can impose his will on anyone. The hope is that over time that Meyers Leonard could be that guy.

17. Dallas Mavericks: Terrell Stoglin

After being suspended for the entire upcoming season, Terrell Stoglin decided just to enter the draft and avoid the college hassle. The Dallas Mavericks will hope that trouble doesn’t follow with him.

18. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Utah Jazz): Terrence Ross

Arguably the best pure shooting guard in the entire NBA draft, Terrence Ross has the size and skill to be a force in the NBA.

19. Orlando Magic: Arnett Moultrie

If Dwight Howard does leave Orlando, a guy like Mississippi State Bulldogs star Arnett Moultrie wouldn’t be a bad beginning in the rebuilding effort. He has double-double talent.

20. Denver Nuggets: Perry Jones III

While there is no doubt that Baylor forward Perry Jones is offensively gifted, his lack of elite play in the NCAA tournament and his inability to get tough rebounds is concerning.

At 6’11” Jones should have dominated the glass. Instead, he averaged only 7.7 a game and was regularly pushed out by smaller but stronger players. His time in the NBA will be even tougher.

While I think that with the right training Jones could be a legitimate NBA player, he doesn’t have the ability and talent that he was thought to have out of high school. He's a second-round pick on my board.

21. Boston Celtics: Quincy Miller

Boston will roll the dice here with freshman standout Quincy Miller who is very raw and will be better as the years go on. It’s obvious the Celtics are starting to shift into a rebuilding mode of sorts.

22. Boston Celtics (via L.A. Clippers): Fab Melo

Not since Kendrick Perkins was traded has the team had a solid center. Fab Melo is an easy pick if he is still available.

23. Atlanta Hawks: Dion Waiters

The Hawks haven’t had the kind of offensive force since Jamal Crawford left town, and drafting Dion Waiters would alleviate that burden left on others.

24. Cleveland Cavaliers (via L.A. Lakers): Royce White

With the Cavaliers building for the long-term future, taking a raw product like Royce White is the kind of risk worth taking right now. If it pays off, the Cavaliers look like geniuses.

25. Memphis Grizzlies: Moe Harkless

For those unaware of just who the St. John's Red Storm star Moe Harkless is, this is one of those star players that has as much upside as any player in this draft. The only real questions are about how he will transfer to the NBA and where he will fit.

At 6’8” and 208 pounds, Harkless played at all positions on the court for his team. With a bigger, stronger NBA, the Memphis Grizzlies will have to find a role for him.

With a solid jump shot and rebounding skills to match, there is no question he should be on the floor as much as possible. The Grizzlies just need to find where he works best in the NBA.

26. Indiana Pacers: Jeff Taylor

While it’s hard to tell where Taylor will fit, the soon-to-be second-generation NBA player will be too big of a value for Larry Bird and the Pacers to pass on.

27. Miami Heat: Draymond Green

The Miami Heat need character players that will not be shaken by big situations. With Draymond Green’s NCAA tournament history, this will be an easy pick by the Heat at No. 27.

28. Oklahoma City Thunder: Tyshawn Taylor

Tyshawn Taylor is a class act that will fit right into the Oklahoma City mold of respectful player. If he does get a little out of line, they always have Kendrick Perkins to straighten him out.

29. Chicago Bulls: Marquis Teague

The need for a shooting guard and a player that can shoulder the load if Derrick Rose gets hurt again will have the Bulls snagging a solid player in Marquis Teague.

30. Golden State Warriors (via San Antonio Spurs): Andrew Nicholson

With a lack of depth and defensive skill at the power forward position, drafting a potential second-round player at No. 30 with as much upside as St. Bonaventure’s Andrew Nicholson makes sense.

Golden State would find the kind of player that can put the extra work in at both ends of the court and is responsible defensively, which is something they need much more of.

Some experts may argue about reaching for Nicholson here, but this is the perfect time to take a risk with as much upside as this young forward has. This will be a very wise long-term investment for the Warriors.

Check back for more on the National Basketball Association as it comes, and check out Bleacher Report’s NBA Page to get your fill of all things basketball.

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