2012 NBA Mock Draft: Underrated Studs Who Will Be Superstars

The 2012 NBA raft is heavy at the top, with a lot of impact talent in the top four selections, but after that there are a lot of questions without definitive answers. Some of these players have become overrated because we idealize their future, while others aren't getting talked about enough. 

It is a very unique catch-22, but one that is going to have a handful of teams smiling because they got impact talent and were able to do it without mortgaging their futures with trades. 

Here is a look at our latest NBA mock draft and the underrated studs who will turn into superstars.

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

Davis will be a superstar, but there is no way you can call him underrated after the season he had at Kentucky. 

2. Washington Wizards: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF (Kentucky)

Kidd-Gilchrist is going to be the face of the franchise that the Wizards need, because John Wall can't do it all on his own. 

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

Beal is already one of the top players available in this draft, but I still don't see him getting the respect he deserves. To me, he is the No. 2 player available and a great addition to the Cavaliers roster. 

With Irving and Beal in the backcourt for this franchise, the Cavaliers suddenly look a lot more formidable, and Beal is going to be an All-Star in the very near future. He has a great shooter's touch, with the strength, quickness and athleticism to penetrate the lane and get to the hoop. 

Being the No. 3 pick may not sound like someone who is being underrated, but when you look at Beal's skills, getting him at three is going to be a steal. 

4. New Orleans Hornets: Thomas Robinson, PF (Kansas)  

Robinson juts keeps getting better and the Hornets need to draft a relatively safe player who has some upside and projection left in his game. The point guard spot is a need, but it doesn't give them good value at this spot. 

5. Sacramento Kings: Andre Drummond, C (Connecticut) 

Drummond has actually gotten overrated, in my opinion. The size and potential is great, but he has never came close to being the dominant inside presence everyone assumed he would be at Connecticut last year. 

6. Portland Trail Blazers (via New Jersey): Kendall Marshall, PG (North Carolina) 

While he may not be a great scorer or shooter in the NBA, Marshall is the best passing point guard in this draft. He has great vision and could eventually turn into a Rajon Rondo-type player. 

7. Golden State Warriors (from Utah): Harrison Barnes, SF (North Carolina)

Barnes' slight frame leaves him a man without a position, but when you can shoot the way he can, teams will find a way to get you on the floor. I don't see him ever becoming a star player, though if he is contributing 12-14 points per game and shooting 45 percent from the floor, he will be fine. 

8. Toronto Raptors: Perry Jones III, PF (Baylor)

Jones is arguably the most polarizing player in this year's draft. While there could be something to his fragile mindset, on talent alone he is far better than the eighth-best player in this draft. 

Inconsistent play in college doesn't really worry me, especially when you are as dynamic with the ball as Jones. As he matures mentally, Jones is going to learn not to worry so much about what is coming down from the stands. 

If the Raptors are able to land Jones, they will finally have that franchise building block they haven't had since the early days of the Vince Carter era. 

9. Detroit Pistons: Jared Sullinger, PF (Ohio State)

Sullinger did add a lot of bulk to his frame last year, which makes him more likely to handle himself as a power forward. However, I still worry about his conditioning and ability to last 82 games in the NBA each year. 

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

Lillard is a shoot-first point guard with speed and the ability to drive the lane at the next level. He doesn't have star potential, but the Hornets need more youth at the point guard position. 

11. Portland Trail Blazers: Austin Rivers, SG (Duke)

Some team is going to reach on Rivers just because of his name. If he can get more consistent with his shot and work on getting his teammates more involved in the offense instead of trying to do everything on his own, he can be a star. Right now, he doesn't have that potential. 

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

Zeller is not a bad prospect, he is just going to be more of a role player than starter at the next level. Given that the Bucks need someone with size and the ability to score the ball, he will be a good fit. 

13. Phoenix Suns: Jeremy Lamb, SG (Connecticut)  

Like fellow UConn draftee Andre Drummond, Lamb has a mountain of potential that he didn't show in college. His raw skills could make him a top-10 pick, but his inconsistent play will likely push him down some boards. 

Given that the Suns are probably going to be looking for someone who will take the place of Steve Nash as the face of the franchise, they have to take a chance on Lamb. As long as he is able to get more aggressive with the ball, he is going to be a star. 

Since he is only 19 years old, Lamb has time to mature mentally and do what he must in order to succeed. 

14. Houston Rockets: Arnett Moultrie, PF (Mississippi State)     

Moultrie needs to work on his inside game in order to become the dominant post presence that his size and athleticism suggest he should be. 

15.  Philadelphia 76ers: John Henson, PF (North Carolina)

A 210-pound power forward is going to get destroyed in the NBA. Henson needs to find a way to add some bulk to his frame in order to be a star at the next level, but the skills are there if he makes the adjustments. 

16. Houston Rockets (via New York): Terrence Jones, PF (Kentucky)

Jones' point production dropped from his freshman year to his sophomore year, but his shot looked better and he was more confident in all aspects of the game. His size and strength are two invaluable assets, but he has to start playing down low more often. 

Given that Jones was playing alongside Anthony Davis last year, I am not worried about him taking things inside when he gets to the NBA. As long as he plays with the intensity he showed during the NCAA tournament, the Rockets are going to get a star with a world of upside. 

17. Dallas Mavericks: Dion Waiters, SG (Syracuse)

While Waiters is built more like a point guard, he is best suited to play the two-guard spot in the NBA. He doesn't have a great shot, so his stock is based on his ability to drive past defenders at the next level. 

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

Ross is basically a one-dimensional player, as he can shoot the lights out from beyond the arc. Given that the Timberwolves need to find more offensive playmakers, he is a valuable asset at this spot. 

19. Orlando Magic:  Meyers Leonard, C (Illinois) 

Leonard's defensive game is far ahead of his offense, but given the volatile situation the Magic are facing with Dwight Howard this summer, they need to make sure they have a backup plan at the center position. 

20. Denver Nuggets: Quincy Miller, SF (Baylor)   

Miller is a budding star who didn't get talked about enough on a Baylor team that was loaded with talent. He has off-the-charts athleticism and the versatility to play at guard or forward in the NBA. His shot is outstanding and he isn't afraid to go get the ball off the glass. 

Miller's game isn't as advanced as you would like, which is why he is still available at this spot, but the holes in his game are not so profound that he can't overcome them. In three years, he is going to look like the biggest steal in this draft. 

The biggest problem Miller has to work on his driving the lane. He has a good enough jumper to get by, but using his speed and athleticism is get in the paint are critical to his future. 

21. Boston Celtics: Doron Lamb, SG (Kentucky)

Lamb is a great shooter who will give the aging Celtics a replacement for Ray Allen. He just has to work on his defense to play for Doc Rivers. 

22. Boston Celtics (via Los Angeles Clippers): Royce White, SF (Iowa State)

White is another dynamic player that will give the Celtics the athleticism they have been lacking for the last two years. His social anxiety disorder makes him a wild card, but there is no denying the talent he has. 

23. Atlanta Hawks: Tony Wroten, Jr., PG (Washington)

Wroten has been all over the place in his one season at Washington. He has the size and athleticism to be a star in the NBA. His shot, shot selection and attitude are big red flags right now. 

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

A seasoned college player, Nicholson doesn't have a lot of upside to his game but is going to be a good sixth man in the NBA. He is a strong defender and goes all out on both sides of the ball. 

25.   Memphis Grizzlies: Moe Harkless, PF (St. John's)

A well-defined jump shot is the only thing keeping Harkless from being a top-20 player in this draft class. He has size, speed and can score with anyone in this class. 

26.   Indiana Pacers: Marquis Teague, PG (Kentucky)

The Pacers desperately need help at the point. Teague made quite an impression in his one year at Kentucky, but his shot and lack of polish push him down to the bottom of the first round. 

27. Miami Heat: Draymond Green, PF (Michigan State)

Green doesn't do anything great, but has worked hard to become a solid all-around player. Given that the Heat need role players more than superstars, Green is the perfect pick for them. 

28.  Oklahoma City Thunder: Fab Melo, C (Syracuse) 

Adding the defensive-minded Melo to a team loaded with offensive talent only makes the Thunder that much more dangerous heading into next season. We could be seeing a dynasty in the making. 

29. Chicago Bulls: Jeffrey Taylor, SG (Vanderbilt)

Taylor is not a versatile player, nor does he bring a lot of tools to the table, but he can shoot the lights out. The Bulls are desperate to find players who can put the ball in the hoop after seeing what happens when they are without Derrick Rose. 

30. Golden State Warriors (via San Antonio): Will Barton, SG (Memphis)

While Barton doesn't have a lot of range on his shot, he is quick enough to get in the lane and create problems for opposing teams. His explosiveness will mesh nicely with the controlled style the Spurs like to play. 

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