2012 NBA Mock Draft: First-Round Prospects Ready to Thrive on Playoff Teams
Every prospect entering the NBA draft would love to get selected inside the top five, but getting picked later in the first round isn't always a bad thing. It provides the player with a chance to join a team that already has most of the pieces necessary to compete for a title.
With that in mind, here's a full mock draft of Round One featuring players that will immediately help teams hoping to improve their playoff chances. It's a pretty deep class, so there should still be talent left on the board late in the round.
1. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky
The Bobcats have hit rock bottom, so there's no where to go but up. Taking Davis gives them the perfect foundation to begin rebuilding the roster.
2. Washington Wizards: Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas
Even though there are concerns about Robinson's height, his ability to knock down mid-range jumpers should keep defenses honest enough to make him highly effective.
3. Cleveland Cavaliers: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, Kentucky
Kidd-Gilchrist won't have the same amount of instant success as his Wildcat teammate taken two picks earlier, but the Cavaliers can afford to wait for him to develop.
4. New Orleans Hornets: Andre Drummond, C, Connecticut
Another season at Connecticut would have helped Drummond potentially become the top pick next season. It's tough to blame him for declaring right away, though.
5. Sacramento Kings: Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina
The Kings have a more talented roster than their record indicates, especially on the perimeter. Barnes would give them a solid swingman to hold things together.
6. Portland Trail Blazers (via Brooklyn Nets): Bradley Beal, SG, Florida
Portland has the potential to go several different directions with this pick, making it a key point in the round. Beal turned heads late in the season and has plenty of upside.
7. Golden State Warriors: Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State
While Sullinger never became the dominant interior force most Buckeyes fans were expecting, he would still bring much-needed size to the Warriors' front line.
8. Toronto Raptors: Perry Jones III, F, Baylor
It's tough to project how Jones' game will translate to the next level, which makes him a risky pick. That said, it has the potential to pay off big time.
9. Detroit Pistons: Arnett Moultrie, PF, Mississippi State
The Pistons battled inconsistency on offense all season. Moultrie brings versatility to the table with his ability to score in the paint or by stepping out to stretch the defense.
10. New Orleans Hornets (via Minnesota Timberwolves): Kendall Marshall, PG, North Carolina
Marshall was having a terrific season for North Carolina before an injury cut his season short. He should be healed and ready to lead the Hornets offense.
11. Portland Trail Blazers: Tyler Zeller, PF, North Carolina
With two early picks, the Blazers stand to walk away from the draft as the biggest winners. Zeller should step in to make an immediate impact.
12. Milwaukee Bucks: Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois
Leonard already has NBA size, which is why he probably decided to leave Illinois early. He still has to develop his offensive game, so he'll slide a bit to Milwaukee.
13. Phoenix Suns: Damian Lillard, PG, Weber State
Having flown under the radar during his college career, Lillard will have to prove he deserves a lottery selection. He has the talent to do exactly that.
14. Houston Rockets: Jeremy Lamb, SG, Connecticut
The Rockets have a couple picks in the first round and must focus on players like Lamb who can create their own offense. They were stagnant on that end far too often.
15. Philadelphia 76ers: Austin Rivers, SG, Duke
Rivers would go inside the top 10 if the draft was based on offensive talent alone, but concerns about his ability and work ethic on defense will hurt his stock.
16. Houston Rockets (via New York Knicks): Terrence Jones, SF, Kentucky
Another Kentucky star who has already played in his fair share of big games, Jones should have no problems helping the Rockets right away.
17. Dallas Mavericks: Terrence Ross, SG, Washington
The Mavericks' title window hasn't closed quite yet, but they will need to make some savvy additions to provide a boost to their aging roster.
18. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Utah Jazz): Dion Waiters, G, Syracuse
Kevin Love and Ricky Rubio give the Timberwolves two solid cornerstones. Now they must start putting the right pieces around them.
19. Orlando Magic: Andrew Nicholson, PF, St. Bonaventure
Nicholson didn't garner much attention while playing at St. Bonaventure, but a strong showing in the NCAA Tournament should push him into Round One.
20. Denver Nuggets: John Henson, PF, North Carolina
There's already a lot to like about Henson's game. He could take it to the next level if he's able to add some more strength before his rookie season.
21. Boston Celtics: Doron Lamb, SG, Kentucky
With the future of Ray Allen uncertain, drafting a pure scorer like Lamb would give the Celtics some security moving forward.
22. Boston Celtics (via Los Angeles Clippers): Royce White, SF, Iowa State
Another pick for the Celtics to provide a little extra punch to a roster that's getting old. White had a terrific final season for the Cyclones. He led the team in scoring at 13 points while chipping in nine rebounds and five assists per game.
That all-around ability makes him an interesting prospect. The Celtics obviously already have a starting small forward in Paul Pierce, but White would benefit from sitting behind an All-Star while providing some help off the bench.
Boston will want him to improve his free-throw shooting. He made less than 50 percent of his attempts last season, which is a concern for someone who attacks the basket like him. Otherwise, he has a ton of long-term potential the Celtics will love.
23. Atlanta Hawks: Tony Wroten, G, Washington
Wroten's stock could skyrocket because of his athleticism. All it takes is for one team to fall in love with his potential to push him toward the lottery.
24. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Los Angeles Lakers): Draymond Green, PF, Michigan State
Even though Green has been projected in the second round for the most part, it's tough to find a more reliable option this deep in the first round.
25. Memphis Grizzlies: Marquis Teague, PG, Kentucky
After a disappointing regular season, Mike Conley has stepped up in the playoffs, which could boost his trade value with so many teams needing point guards. That would be important if Teague is still on the board when Memphis picks.
Teague didn't put up monster numbers with Kentucky, but when you consider all of the talent around him that isn't a major surprise. He should thrive in a situation where he's a little higher in the pecking order on the offensive end.
The Grizzlies have plenty of talent up front assuming Zach Randolph can bounce back, so adding a few guards will be the key to the offseason. Teague should give the teams plenty of options when deciding how to best upgrade the roster for next fall.
26. Indiana Pacers: Moe Harkless, SF, St. John's
Harkless could have used another couple years at St. John's to develop his raw tools into actual ability, but he'll fit in nicely with an already deep Pacers squad.
27. Miami Heat: Fab Melo, C, Syracuse
The Heat don't have much cap room with three megastars under contracts, so they have to take chances on players like Melo and hope they pan out.
28. Oklahoma City Thunder: John Jenkins, SG, Vanderbilt
Adding Jenkins to an offense that already has three good scorers would give the Thunder the league's most dangerous offense.
29. Chicago Bulls: William Buford, SG, Ohio State
Richard Hamilton doesn't have much left in the tank and Derrick Rose couldn't stay healthy for any extended period of time this season. That means the Bulls should focus on selecting a guard in the opening round and Buford makes the most sense based on who's available.
He has a ton of experience after playing at least 29 minutes per game in all four years at Ohio State. That should make his transition to the NBA easier, making him an ideal fit for a team that is looking for impact over upside.
The Bulls know exactly what they would get from Buford. He's a capable scorer who can knock down outside shots and he also plays strong defense. He won't ever be an elite player, but he'll be a nice piece for a contending team for years to come.
30. Golden State Warriors (via San Antonio Spurs): Jeffery Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt
Taylor fits the mold of Warriors players with a lot of athletic ability. His ability to sneak into the first round will depend on his offensive play during the draft process.
