2012 NBA Mock Draft: Sure-Fire Locks for Every First-Round Team

Although there is some thought that the 2012 NBA draft class isn't particularly deep, there is no question that there are plenty of potential stars waiting to get taken. Kentucky forward Anthony Davis is obviously the crown jewel of this year's draft, but there are several very talented players behind him, as well as starting-caliber players later in the round.

It's obviously impossible to project how every player will develop over the course of their respective careers, so all teams can base their picks off of right now are their own boards and positional needs. Because of that, it would seem fairly easy to project where some players will land.

Here are my predictions for every team picking in the first round of this year's NBA draft, complete with full analysis.

1. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis, F, Kentucky

Regardless of who gets the top pick in this year's draft, Davis has to be the pick as he is head and shoulders above the rest and has the potential to be a star immediately.

2. Washington Wizards: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, F, Kentucky

The Wizards simply need to add some talented pieces to play with point guard John Wall, and Kidd-Gilchrist is a versatile forward who should be a great complement.

3. Cleveland Cavaliers: Bradley Beal, G, Florida

Cleveland has a choice between two possible studs at different positions, but the allure of pairing Beal with Kyrie Irving at guard will be too much to pass up.

4. New Orleans Hornets: Thomas Robinson, F, Kansas

No matter what happens in the first three picks, the New Orleans Hornets are going to get a very good player if they wind up with the fourth overall selection. They took a big tumble in the standings this season after trading point guard Chris Paul and losing power forward David West in free agency, so you have to think that they'll use their picks to try to replace those departed stars.

There isn't a point guard worth taking at this point, but Kansas power forward Thomas Robinson would be an excellent choice. Robinson was the driving force all season long for the Jayhawks and was a huge reason why they made it all the way to the national championship game. He has a wide array of offensive maneuvers in the post and should develop into a better player than West.

Robinson isn't the greatest shooter, but he can knock down some jumpers, so he'll keep opposing defenses honest. On top of that, he is a great rebounder, and that is something that the Hornets sorely lack. Robinson is a perfect fit for New Orleans and he'll be the pick if he's there.

5. Sacramento Kings: Andre Drummond, C, Connecticut

The Kings are on the brink of playoff contention thanks to their young talent, and they will be much more formidable if they complement DeMarcus Cousins with Drummond inside.

6. Portland Trail Blazers (via NJ): Kendall Marshall, G, North Carolina

You could argue that taking Marshall at this spot is a bit of a reach, but the Blazers desperately need a point guard and Marshall is unquestionably the best pure point in the class.

7. Golden State Warriors: Harrison Barnes, F, North Carolina

The Warriors roster is beginning to come together with talented players like Andrew Bogut, David Lee and Stephen Curry, and Barnes will fill their deficiency on the wing.

8. Toronto Raptors: Jeremy Lamb, G, Connecticut

Toronto's biggest issue is that it lakes pure scorers, but Lamb is one of the best shooters in the draft and would slot quite nicely next to Jose Calderon.

9. Detroit Pistons: Perry Jones III, F, Baylor

Jones' effort has been questioned by many, but his talent is undeniable and it will prove to be too much for the Pistons to ignore as they decide to pair him with Greg Monroe.

10. New Orleans Hornets (via MIN): Damian Lillard, G, Weber State

While Lillard may not be a traditional point guard who can replace everything Chris Paul brought to the table, he's a dynamic scorer who will be a great fit.

11. Portland Trail Blazers: Jared Sullinger, F/C, Ohio State

With Greg Oden out of the picture for good, the Blazers need to find a man in the middle to complement LaMarcus Aldridge and the rough-and-tumble Sullinger should be the pick.

12. Milwaukee Bucks: Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois

There are some players who are drafted for what they have already accomplished and there are others who are drafted for what they could accomplish, and Illinois center Meyers Leonard will certainly represent the latter in this year's draft. Leonard had a solid season with the Illini, as he averaged 13.6 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game, but he has only scratched the surface of his potential.

Most NBA teams would do absolutely anything to get a capable big man, and at 7'0", Leonard has a chance to develop into one. There is no doubt that he still has to grow into his frame, as he is currently a mere 215 lbs, but if he can add 20 to 25 lbs over the next couple years, he has a chance to become a dominant force.

The Milwaukee Bucks had a promising center in Andrew Bogut, but they were fed up with his injury issues and dealt him to the Golden State Warriors for Monta Ellis. While Ellis has performed well, there is a major hole in the interior currently, and the Bucks should fill it by taking Leonard.

13. Phoenix Suns: Austin Rivers, G, Duke

There seems to be a good chance that Steve Nash will be departing Phoenix via free agency and while nobody can replace his playmaking skills, Rivers will be able to pick up some of the slack offensively.

14. Houston Rockets: Tyler Zeller, F/C, North Carolina

The Rockets obviously don't view Samuel Dalembert as a long-term option at center, so they'll be sure to address the position with a promising offensive player like Zeller.

15. Philadelphia 76ers: John Henson, F, North Carolina

The Sixers have an abundance of solid wing and backcourt players, but the frontcourt could use a talent infusion and Henson has the ability to affect games on both ends of the floor.

16. Houston Rockets (via NY): Terrence Jones, F, Kentucky

Houston has pretty good depth at every position, but it certainly wouldn't hurt them to take a versatile forward like Jones, who can play in many different situations.

17. Dallas Mavericks: Arnett Moultrie, F, Mississippi State

As one of the oldest teams in the league, the Mavericks need to bring in some young talent, and Moultrie will be a nice complement to Dirk Nowitzki inside.

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

The Timberwolves have an excellent host of forwards and a promising point guard in Ricky Rubio, so a good scoring guard like Ross should fit in nicely.

19. Orlando Magic: Doron Lamb, G, Kentucky

If the Magic intend to keep Dwight Howard they need to surround him with more offensive talent, and three-point marksman Doron Lamb would provide a great outside presence.

20. Denver Nuggets: Dion Waiters, G, Syracuse

The Nuggets already have more depth than they know what to do with, and this pick will provide them with more as Waiters can run the point or play the 2.

 21. Boston Celtics: Moe Harkless, F, St. John’s

Both Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett are obviously getting up there in age, so it's time that the Celtics grab a promising young forward like Harkless to groom behind them.

22. Boston Celtics (via LAC): Fab Melo, C, Syracuse

There are plenty of question marks regarding Melo's ability to translate to the next level, but he has the potential to be a great defender and the Celtics lack that at center.

23. Atlanta Hawks: Royce White, F, Iowa State

With Josh Smith entering the final year of his contract, the Hawks would be wise to grab another skilled forward like White in case they can't re-sign him.

24. Cleveland Cavaliers (via LAL): Andrew Nicholson, F, St. Bonaventure

With a backcourt of Irving and Beal already in place, the Cavs can afford to address the frontcourt with this pick, and Nicholson can become a much younger version of Antawn Jamison.

25. Memphis Grizzlies: Tony Wroten, G, Washington

The Grizzlies already have pretty much everything you look for in a team, but an attacking shooting guard like Wroten would be a good complement to O.J. Mayo.

26. Indiana Pacers: Marquis Teague, G, Kentucky

This is more of a luxury pick than anything since the Pacers already have Darren Collison at point guard, but you can never have too much quality at the position.

27. Chicago Bulls: John Jenkins, G, Vanderbilt

The Chicago Bulls obviously have to worry about point guard Derrick Rose rehabbing his torn ACL and getting ready for next season, but when Rose is healthy, the Bulls have one of the league's elite teams. One spot that they have had a difficult time filling, though, is shooting guard. They gave Richard Hamilton a go this season, but he simply couldn't stay on the floor.

There is no doubt that they need a younger option to play the 2 across from Rose, and the best option for them at this point is Vanderbilt guard John Jenkins. This past season, Jenkins was the most prolific three-point shooter in college basketball and he averaged roughly 20 points per game. The threat of his shot alone was a big reason why Vandy was able to upset Kentucky in the SEC title game.

Chicago simply doesn't have many threats from outside, but Jenkins can completely open up the offense if he is as efficient from beyond the arc at the pro level. The Bulls realize that they have to address the position, and Jenkins seems like a great match.

 28. Golden State Warriors (via SA): William Buford, G, Ohio State

There isn't a dynamic guard in the draft who can make up for the loss of Monta Ellis, but Buford is a guy who can do it all and complement the strengths of Stephen Curry.

29. Oklahoma City Thunder: Festus Ezeli, C, Vanderbilt

The Thunder have one of the more formidable front lines in the NBA in Kendrick Perkins and Serge Ibaka, and Ezeli will be able to keep them fresh.

30. Miami Heat: Draymond Green, F, Michigan State

Since there isn't a center worth taking here, the Heat would be wise to select a great leader like Green, as he'll bring a great attitude as well as a versatile skill set to the table.