2012 NBA Mock Draft: Anthony Davis and Prospects with Greatest Star Potential
The NBA's June draft is more than an opportunity for teams to merely address roster needs—it's also a chance to find that rare superstar-in-the-making who can turns a team's fortunes around.
Of course, while every club hopes to get its hands on such a difference-maker, most won't be so lucky. Even the most promising young prospects can find themselves struggling to adjust their skills to NBA competition.
A precious few, however, will live up to every expectation. Still, others will surpass expectations altogether and take a less heralded route to stardom.
Given the depth of this year's draft, there's more star potential available than is usually the case. Here's a look at where some of these elite talents will land, along with a complete mock scenario for the first round.
1. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis, PF (Kentucky)
The historically bad Bobcats are in no position to get too creative here. Davis is obviously the best all-around player in the draft, and he'll instantly make Charlotte a better defensive team thanks to his length, energy and athleticism in the paint.
Davis averaged over 14 points a game in his lone year at Kentucky, but don't be surprised if most of his rookie points come off of offensive rebounds and his use of quickness around the basket. He won't be an offensive powerhouse right away, but as he polishes his post game and mid-range shooting, he'll reach new levels of stardom.
2. Washington Wizards: Thomas Robinson, PF (Kansas)
Conventional wisdom suggests the Wizards might want to take Michael Kidd-Gilchrist here, but there just might be something to Robinson breaking out the Washington Nationals hat this week.
Washington currently has second-year forward Trevor Booker and Andray Blatche to play the 4, but Booker's upside is unknown, and Blatche has become an expensive disappointment. Robinson would help to infuse the Wizards with some edge and a winning culture. He could also put up some big numbers with John Wall getting him the ball.
3. Cleveland Cavaliers: Bradley Beal, G (Florida)
With Anthony Parker set to possibly retire and Daniel Gibson a less-than-ideal solution at the starting shooting guard position, Beal could step in right away and play an important role in the Cavaliers' rebuilding process.
He averaged nearly 15 points as a freshman at Florida, and that probably won't change next to a competent young floor general like Kyrie Irving. Beal can get in the paint and score from outside, giving him the right combination of tools to become a big-time player.
4. New Orleans Hornets: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF (Kentucky)
If Kidd-Gilchrist survives the second and third selections, the Hornets will snatch him up without a second thought. He very well could ultimately become this draft's biggest star thanks to his broad range of skills and a toughness that's hard to teach.
At the very worst, Kidd-Gilchrist should be a slightly better version of Andre Iguodala—if he becomes a better shooter, he could be a whole lot better.
5. Sacramento Kings: Harrison Barnes, SF (North Carolina)
The Kings have started playing Tyreke Evans out of position at small forward, but drafting Barnes would give them the ability to leave Evans in the backcourt (where he almost certainly belongs). It's unclear that this guy has superstar potential, but he could easily have a Luol Deng kind of career.
6. Portland Trail Blazers (via Brooklyn Nets): Andre Drummond, C (UConn)
The question surrounding Drummond has already become one of this draft's greatest quandaries: Will he reach the grand potential typically associated with a big man of his size and strength?
If so, he could become one of this draft's most dominant stars and the NBA's next best center. Then again, he could be the next Kwame Brown. Consistency is not yet in this kid's DNA. Either way, though, Portland serious needs a center after moving Marcus Camby.
7. Golden State Warriors: Perry Jones III, PF (Baylor)
Like Drummond, Jones III could be a huge star or an even bigger flop. The Warriors have plenty of solid, young players already, so they might be willing to gamble that he'll become the huge star.
Jones III proved his talent and versatility in two seasons with the Bears, and his athleticism would be a welcome addition to Golden State's front line. If he can bring the same level of intensity to every game, his talent should do the rest. At 6'11", his combination of size and quickness could make him an improved version of Anthony Randolph.
8. Toronto Raptors: Jeremy Lamb, SG (UConn)
The Raptors really don't have much of a go-to scorer, especially in the backcourt. DeMar DeRozan has the potential, but Lamb wouldn't be a bad choice to share some of that burden.
Lamb certainly has star potential—he scored nearly 18 points a game as a sophomore at Connecticut and may wind up as one of this draft's most impressive offensive weapons. He has the length and quickness to be a pretty good defender too.
9. Detroit Pistons: John Henson, PF (North Carolina)
Henson's career is more likely to mirror Serge Ibaka's than that of an instant All-Star, but he could still make a big difference for a team like the Pistons. He's got the motor and length to impact the paint on both ends of the floor.
10. New Orleans Hornets (via Minnesota Timberwolves): Damian Lillard, PG (Weber State)
With Jarret Jack and Greivis Vasquez New Orleans' only options at the point for now, Lillard could be the Hornets' long-term solution at the position. Eric Gordon will remain the backcourt's premier scoring option, but Lillard would give this team another quick scoring threat.
11. Portland Trail Blazers: Kendall Marshall, PG (North Carolina)
Portland struggled to integrate Raymond Felton into the offense, and Marshall gives the club an opportunity to go in a very different direction. He's a fantastic passer with great size for a point guard, and he's the kind of distributor the Trail Blazers need to get guys like LaMarcus Aldridge the ball.
12. Milwaukee Bucks: Tyler Zeller, C (North Carolina)
Andrew Bogut's trade to Golden State left a massive hole in the Bucks' front-line. At the moment, Drew Gooden and Larry Sanders are the only in-house options to fill that hole, so a big guy like Zeller could be the perfect addition. He may not have the most upside, but he's a safe bet to be a consistent starter at the pro level.
13. Phoenix Suns: Terrence Jones, SF (Kentucky)
Jones is incredibly multifaceted for his age— he can score, defend and pass incredibly well for a forward. He's one of those guys who straddles the fence between playing on the perimeter and in the paint, but he has the talent to be quite good once he figures his game out.
Jones' ability to impact games was overshadowed in his second season at Kentucky on account of guys like Davis and Kidd-Gilchrist having such exceptional seasons, but he could really blossom for a team that needs him. The Suns could very well be that team with Grant Hill near the end of his line.
14. Houston Rockets: Austin Rivers, G (Duke)
Rivers could be something of a star, but he remains a fairly one-dimensional scorer at the moment (albeit a very good one). He may be better suited for sixth-man duties where his electric offense would be especially useful.
15. Philadelphia 76ers: Jared Sullinger, PF (Ohio State)
Philadelphia could use a burly bruiser to help clean the glass when Elton Brand moves on, and Sullinger will probably be one of the most consistent players in this draft. He doesn't have much game above the rim though, and there's not much indication he has the makings of a star.
16. Houston Rockets (via New York Knicks): Arnett Moultrie, PF (Mississippi St.)
Houston has lots of young talent at just about every position—this pick would make for decent trade bait if the Rockets are more interested in acquiring some proven veteran talent. Otherwise, Moultrie has some of the best physical tools among bigs in this draft, and a team can never have too many prospects along those lines.
17. Dallas Mavericks: Meyers Leonard, C (Illinois)
Leonard may not have all the makings of a star, but his significant improvement between his freshman and sophomore seasons suggests anything is possible. He's a great rebounder who can intimidate shots, and the Mavericks could use someone like that in the middle.
18. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Utah Jazz): Terrence Ross, SG (Washington)
Ross might not last this long in the draft, especially if the teams selecting ahead of the Timberwolves opt for the best available talent rather than positions of need. He averaged over 16 points in his second year at Washington, and he'll do all the little things too (e.g. defend and rebound).
Minnesota would be a perfect fit for Ross given the team's need for a scorer to pair with Ricky Rubio and Kevin Love.
19. Orlando Magic: Jeff Taylor, SF (Vanderbilt)
This pick may not stay with Orlando for long—this team reasons to be involved in all kinds of trade talk until Dwight Howard's destination is finally determined. If the Magic hold on to it, Taylor would give the team a first-rate on-ball defender, as well as a guy who can spot up and hit from the perimeter.
20. Denver Nuggets: Tony Wroten Jr., PG (Washington)
Wroten Jr. is still a bit rough around the edges—he's got the size to do some interesting things from the point but is prone to playing a little out of control and taking some questionable shots. If Andre Miller sticks around in Denver, Wroten Jr. wouldn't be called to contribute right away—if Miller doesn't return, he could serve as Ty Lawson's new backup.
21. Boston Celtics: Quincy Miller, SF (Baylor)
The Celtics need to get younger and more athletic, and Miller might be the perfect option. The 6'9" forward is still raw, but a more polished offensive game would go a long way in making him a prominent piece in Boston's rotation. He could fill in for Paul Pierce down the road, but he'll be more of a project in the early going.
22. Boston Celtics (via Los Angeles Clippers): Fab Melo, C (Syracuse)
The Celtics resorted to playing Kevin Garnett at the center position, but they need to get some legitimate bigs on the roster whether Garnett sticks around Boston or not. Melo may not be the Celtics' ultimate answer in the middle, but he's likely to be the best option still left on the board.
23. Atlanta Hawks: Dion Waiters, G (Syracuse)
Waiters didn't put up huge numbers at the NCAA level, but he could become a solid sixth man in the NBA, especially for a team that could use some youth on its bench. That's where the Hawks come into play. Even if free agent Kirk Hinrich returns to Atlanta's backcourt, they still need someone with a little more quickness playing with the reserves.
24. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Los Angeles Lakers): Moe Harkless, SF (St. John's)
Harkless is a solid rebounder who also displayed some scoring ability at St. John's. He may not be much of a star at the pro level or even start ahead of small forward Alonzo Gee (assuming he returns to Cleveland), but he could add valuable depth to a pretty thin bench unit.
25. Memphis Grizzlies: Marquis Teague, PG (Kentucky)
Memphis doesn't have a lot of depth behind Mike Conley, and Teague would be a start in giving Lionel Hollins some options to work with. The Grizzlies could also test the trade market given their youth and talent at every position.
26. Indiana Pacers: Andrew Nicholson, PF (St. Bonaventure)
David West won't stick around forever, and who knows if Tyler Hansbrough is the starter of the future. Nicholson might not be that guy either, but he can shoot from mid-range and play pretty strong in the paint.
27. Miami Heat: Draymond Green, F (Michigan St.)
Young prospects aren't much more than a bonus for the Heat, but Green could become useful with back-up wing players like Mike Miller and Shane Battier moving on in age. The 6'7" forward can already pass and rebound the ball well for his position, and he wouldn't need to become much of a star to help Miami out.
28. Oklahoma City Thunder: Festus Ezeli, C (Vanderbilt)
The Thunder have more than their fair share of young talent, but they could use someone to give Kendrick Perkins a breather. Ezeli spent four years at Vanderbilt honing his skills, so he could step in and provide help relatively quickly, even if only in a limited role.
29. Chicago Bulls: Evan Fournier, SG (France)
Chicago doesn't have many needs at the moment, but it could use help on the wing if it becomes too expensive to retain both Kyle Korver and Ronnie Brewer. Even if the Bulls do re-sign everyone, Fournier could spend some time in Europe polishing his game.
30. Golden State Warriors (via San Antonio Spurs): Doron Lamb, SG (Kentucky)
With Monta Ellis no longer in the picture, Klay Thompson becomes the heir to the starting shooting guard position. Lamb wouldn't challenge him for that anytime soon, but he'd be a lethal shooter off the bench capable of giving the Warriors some quick buckets.
