2012 NBA Mock Draft: Several Underclassmen Are Ready to Start

If you see some new faces dotting the starting lineups of the NBA's youngest teams next year, it might have something to do with a draft class that's replete with talent that is both promising and ready to contribute.

Of course, it will also have something to do with how many professional teams are in desperate need of those new faces.

While the postseason puts the league's finest starting fives on display, June's draft will remind us of  how much work the rest of that league's clubs still have to do.

The truly striking thing about the NBA-ready prospect in this year's draft is how many left their NCAA teams after their freshman or sophomore seasons. That will translate into plenty of on-the-job training, but it should be well worth the effort.

Here's how the draft might go down if it happened today.

1. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis, PF (Kentucky)

The Bobcats need difference-makers at every position, and Davis is the best all-around option by a long shot. He managed to score more than 14 points a game as a freshman at Kentucky, but he'll be an immediate defensive force regardless of how quickly he becomes an effective scorer at the pro level.

Davis' hustle and ability to rebound will also come in handy for a team that seriously needs an infusion of energy. The big rookie will have a shot at quite a few offensive rebounds next season.

2. Washington Wizards: Thomas Robinson, PF (Kansas)

I've had the Wizards taking Kidd-Gilchrist for weeks, but I can't help reading into Robinson breaking out the Washington Nationals hat this week. Sure, it may not mean a thing, but there's definitely some logic to the Wizards going with Robinson.

Like Kidd-Gilchrist, he's a winner with lots of heart. And with Andre Blatche fading from Washington's plans, going with the power forward here might make a lot of sense. Needless to say, Robinson would start quickly (if not immediately) for Washington and become a solid sidekick for John Wall.

3. Cleveland Cavaliers: Bradley Beal, G (Florida)

Beal would join Kyrie Irving in forming once of the most deadly young backcourts in the NBA, especially on the offensive end. He scored almost 15 points a game in his first year at Florida. He has a nice combination of scoring ability around the rim and from the perimeter.

Without many other options to play shooting guard, Beal would get a chance to prove himself in the starting lineup right away. For a team firmly entrenched in rebuilding mode, it makes sense to get the young guys as much playing time as possible.

4. New Orleans Hornets: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF (Kentucky)

Of course, there's a real possibility that Kidd-Gilchrist goes second or third in this draft. If he falls to the Hornets, he won't fall any further. New Orleans could use a small forward, even with Trevor Ariza around for the moment.

It's still not entirely clear what kind of scorer Kidd-Gilchrist will be early in his pro career. But he's a skilled all-around player who will play hard enough to crack a starting lineup sooner rather than later.

5. Sacramento Kings: Harrison Barnes, SF (North Carolina)

The Kings could opt to go with a high-upside big man like Andre Drummond, but Barnes would meet a need that's just as pressing. It's not that Sacramento needs his scoring, but a forward with some length would go a long way toward helping the Kings defend the wing.

Barnes should be able to earn some quick playing time, too. He averaged 17.2 points in his second season at North Carolina, and he's a solid spot-up shooter from just about anywhere on the floor.

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

Drummond certainly might start in the middle for Portland, given the team's lack of serviceable bigs. But he also might also be a bit too raw to take on a heavy workload initially. Regardless, he'd be a smart pickup for a team that probably won't get another look at a center this good for a long time.

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

While Golden State already has a solid power forward in David Lee, it doesn't make a lot of sense to draft a guard with Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson anchoring the backcourt for the foreseeable future. It might take Jones III some time to get his feet under him anyway, so he might come off the bench for a while.

8. Toronto Raptors: Jeremy Lamb, SG (UConn)

The Raptors have plenty of young talent, but they could use a scorer with more upside on the perimeter. That could very well be Jeremy Lamb. He averaged almost 18 points in his second season at Connecticut and could be one of this draft's most NBA-ready rookies.

Lamb also has good size for an off-guard. He has an especially long wingspan that in time could make him an effective defensive presence.

9. Detroit Pistons: John Henson, PF (North Carolina)

The Pistons may opt to take the best available talent, but the 6'10" Henson would give Detroit's front line a needed injection of length and athleticism. His defense and energy would play well alongside the much improved Greg Monroe.

10. New Orleans Hornets (via Minnesota Timberwolves): Damian Lillard, PG (Weber State)

Lillard might not start ahead of Jarret Jack immediately, but he could establish himself as worthy of the job by season's end. He scored 24.5 points a game last year and can score in a lot of different ways (including from long range).

11. Portland Trail Blazers: Kendall Marshall, PG (North Carolina)

Marshall isn't as good of a scorer as Lillard, but he may be this draft class's best passer. He's a safe bet for a Portland team that needs a pass-first floor general. If the Trail Blazers don't opt to address their needs at the point, Marshall could slide a bit in the first round.

12. Milwaukee Bucks: Tyler Zeller, C (North Carolina)

Zeller might not replace Andrew Bogut immediately, but he's probably the safest option the Bucks have. The seven-footer moves like a quicker power forward and has a nice touch around the rim. He might not start until he adds some muscle to his frame, but that ultimately depends on what alternatives Milwaukee has.

13. Phoenix Suns: Terrence Jones, SF (Kentucky)

Perry Jones III isn't this draft's only Jones with a high ceiling. Terrence is already a multifaceted forward and would give Phoenix a nice long-term replacement for Grant Hill. If Hill moves on this summer, Jones could get a chance even sooner.

14. Houston Rockets: Austin Rivers, G (Duke)

Rivers might be good enough to start for most lottery teams, but that's less certain if he falls to the Rockets. It might be just as well, though. He has all the makings of a sixth man in the mold of Jason Terry or Louis Williams. His shoot-first disposition might prevent him from becoming a starting point in the NBA, but he'd make for an ideal spark-plug off the bench.

If Rivers goes to another team, he might get more opportunities in the short term. He averaged more than 15 points a game at Duke and should learn the NBA game quickly.

15. Philadelphia 76ers: Jared Sullinger, PF (Ohio State) 

It's hard to say how Sullinger's below-the-rim game and solid but undersized frame will play at the NBA level. Elton Brand's similar experience at the position could help groom Sullinger to serve as an eventual replacement.

16. Houston Rockets (via New York Knicks): Arnett Moultrie, PF (Mississippi St.)

The Rockets traded away young centers Hasheem Thabeet and Jordan Hill, so it wouldn't be surprising if Houston re-stocked its post rotation a bit. Regardless of what happens to guys like Marcus Camby, Samuel Dalembert and Luis Scola, Moultrie has enough upside to take the gamble.

17. Dallas Mavericks: Meyers Leonard, C (Illinois)

If teams are looking to take a bit of a risk, Leonard could go even higher. He could also slide a few spots. He makes a lot of sense for Dallas, though. With Brendan Haywood a prime amnesty candidate, the Mavericks would be wise to grab a big they can build around down the road.

Leonard raised his game in his sophomore season, increasing his scoring average by more than 11 points. He'll continue to improve.

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

Ross could go in the lottery, especially if teams wind up preferring him to Jeremy Lamb. He can score inside and out, averaging more than 16 points and six rebounds as a sophomore at Washington. Minnesota could use a young stud at shooting guard to add to a youthful lineup of Ricky Rubio, Kevin Love and Derrick Williams.

19. Orlando Magic: Jeff Taylor, SF (Vanderbilt)

The Magic won't be trotting out guys like Hedo Turkoglu and Jason Richardson for too much longer. Taylor won't wow a lot of people, but he's an exceptional defender with an increasingly reliable jump shot. His 6'7" size makes him a perfect fit for the wing.

20. Denver Nuggets: Tony Wroten Jr., PG (Washington)

Wroten Jr. is a big floor general with a lot to learn about actually playing like a floor general. With Ty Lawson playing big minutes at the point in Denver, the Nuggets could afford to wait while this guy figures it all out. He may not yet make the best decisions, but he's got a Rodney Stuckey-like game that might look pretty good in a couple of years.

21. Boston Celtics: Quincy Miller, SF (Baylor)

Miller may not be the next Paul Pierce, but he'd be a great backup for the Celtics' star forward. Boston could also use his athletic ability and energy to add juice to an otherwise aging rotation. The Celtics may be nearing a transitional phase, so the 6'9" Miller could get his foot in the door in his first season or two.

22. Boston Celtics (via Los Angeles Clippers): Fab Melo, C (Syracuse)

Boston hasn't had a good, young center in a long time. There's no telling if Melo has what it takes to become a legitimate starter in the NBA, but he's probably the best chance a team has of finding one this late in the draft. At the very least, his size and explosive ability will earn him a role.

23. Atlanta Hawks: Dion Waiters, G (Syracuse)

The Hawks' offense is known to stagnate, and Waiters could help correct that as a reserve who can create his own shot. Atlanta's aged bench could also use his quickness and energy, qualities in short supply when Jeff Teague sits.

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

The Cavaliers seem to like what they have in Alonzo Gee, but there's no question another small forward would come in handy. Harkless won't look as dominant in the NBA as he did at St. John's, but he's a great rebounder who'll be more than just a scorer for Cleveland.

25. Memphis Grizzlies: Marquis Teague, PG (Kentucky)

Mike Conley won't be going anywhere any time soon, but that doesn't mean Memphis wouldn't benefit from having a quick guard on the bench. Memphis could also look to find Rudy Gay a backup after trading Sam Young at midseason.

26. Indiana Pacers: Andrew Nicholson, PF (St. Bonaventure)

The Pacers are pretty set at every position, so it wouldn't be shocking if this pick gets moved just like last year's selection of Kawhi Leonard. If not, Indiana might look to solidify its future in the paint in anticipation of David West moving on.

27. Miami Heat: Draymond Green, F (Michigan St.)

The Heat could use just about anything to add depth to their bench, and Green could become the heir apparent to Mike Miller and Shane Battier as replacements on Miami's wing. The 6'7" forward does a little bit of everything and would have plenty of time to polish his game before being needed for any real action.

28. Oklahoma City Thunder: Festus Ezeli, C (Vanderbilt)

Outside of Nick Collison, the Thunder don't have a lot of depth in the paint. Ezeli might not be starting material in the NBA any time soon, but Oklahoma City really wouldn't need him to be.

29. Chicago Bulls: Evan Fournier, SG (France)

The Bulls might take a page out of the San Antonio Spurs' playbook and grab a guy they could stash overseas for the time being. Chicago is arguably the deepest team in the league, so it won't have many priorities other than finding someone to eventually take Richard Hamilton's place.

30. Golden State Warriors (via San Antonio Spurs): Doron Lamb, SG (Kentucky)

It won't be easy for the Warriors to find much of an impact player at the end of the first round, but they can't go wrong with a dead-eye shooter like Lamb. He needs to add some muscle and become more than a spot-up shooter. But he could earn a small role as a rookie on a team like Golden State.