2012 NBA Mock Draft: Future All-Star Sleepers
Finding an All-Star caliber talent in the draft is never easy. There are only a few candidates each year that have the “look” of a surefire productive NBA player and many of those players never actually realize their full potential.
Besides the obvious studs in the class—such as Anthony Davis—let’s take a look at some lesser-touted prospects that have a chance to one day make the All-Star Game in this latest first-round mock.
1. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis, Kentucky
Davis is the surest thing in the 2012 NBA draft class. He’s got unlimited potential and could be one of the greatest defenders of all time for all we know right now. It would be crazy to take anyone else here.
2. Washington Wizards: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Kentucky
MKG is another solid star that will make an impact on whichever team is lucky enough to select him here. The Kentucky swingman hustles on each possession, can lock his man down and is working on his offensive repertoire.
3. Cleveland Cavaliers, Bradley Beal, Florida
It would be surprising if Beal does not make an All-Star team at his position. There are such a limited amount of superstar shooting guards in the league and not too many of them are young, though there are notable exceptions like Eric Gordon.
Beal has crazy three-point range, a body that can absorb contact at the rim and a high ceiling.
4. New Orleans Hornets: Thomas Robinson, Kansas
Robinson is ready to compete in the NBA right away because of his immense frame, solid post skills, rebounding ability and athleticism. He’ll be a nice fit for an upstart NOLA team looking to rebuild.
5. Sacramento Kings: Jared Sullinger, Ohio State
Sullinger doesn’t have the highest upside, but he’s got a place in this league with his post moves and body size. He’s a good character fit for the Kings and a more level-headed star to place in the paint next to DeMarcus Cousins.
6. Portland Trail Blazers (via New Jersey Nets): Andre Drummond, Connecticut
If Drummond can figure out how to harness his immense size and natural talent, he’ll be a All-NBA player. He didn’t show too many flashes during his time at UConn, making him a boom-or-bust prospect for the Blazers.
7. Golden State Warriors: Perry Jones III, Baylor
PJIII is another high-upside, high-risk gamble that the Warriors should definitely make. He’s got the size and has shown the ability to be a legit NBA 4 who can play away from the basket or in the paint. But he has to get more consistent.
8. Toronto Raptors: Harrison Barnes, North Carolina
The Raptors need a No. 1 scoring option at the swingman position. It is the biggest hole the team has and Barnes is the perfect person to fill it. He’s got legit size and a vast array of ways to put the ball in the basket. He could become an All-Star if he leads Toronto to the postseason and scores 20-plus points per game.
9. Detroit Pistons: Arnett Moultrie, Mississippi State
It’s a bit concerning that Moultrie took so long to develop, but it is clear he has arrived and the Pistons could use a lengthy big to pair with Greg Monroe.
10. New Orleans Hornets (via Minnesota Timberwolves): Kendall Marshall, North Carolina
Marshall does not have the upside of some of the other point guards in the draft, but he is the best facilitator and teammate. Having him on a rebuilding team next to Thomas Robinson and Eric Gordon could be the start of something great.
11. Portland Trail Blazers: Austin Rivers, Duke
Portland hasn’t had a No. 1 scorer and perimeter star since Brandon Roy retired. Rivers is a highly marketable and skilled young man who could immediately contribute at the 2 if drafted here. Without a doubt, he has All-Star potential.
12. Milwaukee Bucks: Tyler Zeller, North Carolina
Zeller has a lower ceiling than the rest of these lottery picks, but he’s a solid big and the Bucks sorely lack size after the Andrew Bogut deal.
13. Phoenix Suns: Damian Lillard, Weber State
With Nash likely on his way out this summer or—best-case scenario—two-to-three years, the Suns have to draft a guard. Lillard can play both backcourt positions and could slide to the 2 if he does not work out as a distributor.
14. Houston Rockets: Jeremy Lamb, Connecticut
If Lamb could get more focused when he is away from the ball and not involved in a play directly, he’d be a top-five pick. He didn’t show much improvement and was too inconsistent during his sophomore year with the Huskies, hence the slide.
15. Philadelphia 76ers: John Henson, North Carolina
The 76ers definitely need some depth behind their starting bigs and Henson would be perfect for that role in the short term. If he develops into a starter, the UNC product could take over for Elton Brand.
16. Houston Rockets (via New York Knicks): Terrence Jones, Kentucky
Jones is a top-five talent that struggles to play like one every night. Houston should definitely gamble on the chance that he puts it all together, and they could get great value from him at No. 16.
17. Dallas Mavericks: Terrence Ross, Washington
This athletic 2 would rejuvenate an aging Mavs team that just looked old in their title defense when they were swept in the first round of the playoffs. Ross would be able to add some youth to a rotation that may or may not feature Jason Terry or Vince Carter at his position.
18. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Utah Jazz): Meyers Leonard, Illinois
Leonard isn’t the starting shooting guard that the T-Wolves direly need, but they will not find one at No. 18. He’s a solid backup big who can take some pressure off Nikola Pekovic at the 5.
19. Orlando Magic: Quincy Miller, Baylor
This athletic swingman looks like he could eventually develop into the Magic’s primary scoring option once Dwight Howard leaves town. He’s able to create a shot from anywhere and has a knack for the offensive game.
20. Denver Nuggets: Dion Waiters, Syracuse
Waiters is a great slasher that has to keep working on improving other aspects of his game. Nice bench option for a deep Denver team that just needs experience right now to compete.
21. Boston Celtics: Andrew Nicholson, St. Bonaventure
Boston is struggling because of their lack of capable bigs and might be in even more trouble if Kevin Garnett decides to retire or join another team after the season. Nicholson is a good option to replace KG because of his mid-range game and size.
22. Boston Celtics (via Los Angeles Clippers): Royce White, Iowa State
White has tremendous upside and could have been a lottery pick if scouts weren’t so worried about an anxiety condition he suffers from. If the Cyclones star can overcome it, he’ll certainly be an All-Star caliber player.
23. Atlanta Hawks: Doron Lamb, Kentucky
Lamb spent some time in the spotlight during the NCAA Tournament and did not shy away. His ability to knock down open three-pointers and get to the cup makes him a nice pickup for a Hawks team that is struggling to do those things in the playoffs.
24. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Los Angeles Lakers): Moe Harkless, St. John's
The Johnnies small forward has an incredibly high ceiling. He’s athletic enough to guard multiple positions and has the upside to eventually be a serious scoring threat for the Cavs. They definitely need a 3 and haven’t had a serviceable one since LeBron James took his talents to South Beach.
25. Memphis Grizzlies: Tony Wroten, Washington
Wroten is a raw point guard prospect that has the most upside of any player of his position in this draft class. If he plays lives up to his abilities, Memphis will have a steal here.
26. Indiana Pacers: Marquis Teague, Kentucky
The Hoosier native would be a nice addition to a team of young athletes that need someone to push the ball up the court in transition.
27. Miami Heat: Fab Melo, Syracuse
Miami’s lack of size is their only foreseeable downfall this year. They will continue to try and address that by adding a high-upside big like Melo.
28. Oklahoma City Thunder: Draymond Green, Michigan State
OKC is having tremendous success this year because they built their team with high character guys who know how to win. Green is definitely one of those and would make a nice backup to Kevin Durant and Serge Ibaka.
29. Chicago Bulls: John Jenkins, Vanderbilt
Jenkins is another possible option to start at the 2 in Chicago. They could use his long-range shooting skills since Rip Hamilton cannot stay healthy.
30. Golden State Warriors (via San Antonio Spurs): Jeffery Taylor, Vanderbilt
Taylor is an incredible athlete who can also play defense. Fits in with what the Warriors have going right now.
