NBA Draft 2012: Rookie Projections for Likely Lottery Picks

The 2012 NBA draft class comes with a ton of intriguing talent, but the projected lottery picks will be those who garner the most attention from the majority of fans.

But how will these player fare in their rookie seasons?

With the official lottery order to be determined on May 30, there is no doubt that teams picking inside the top 14 are anxiously chomping at the bit in order to have a realistic idea of which prospects will be available on draft day.

Rarely do the ping pong balls bounce the way they should, and we traditionally have at least one surprise team picking inside the top five. 

Let's take a look at how the top college standouts will produce during their rookie season.

14. Terrence Jones, Small Forward, Houston Rockets

Projected Stat Line: 9.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.7 blocks

Jones has a versatile skill set that should translate to the next level, but he's not going to get the playing time to produce huge numbers in his first season.

Although he's very talented, Jones had a tendency to get lost during games at Kentucky, a pattern that can't continue in the NBA. 

Should he wind up with the Rockets, Jones has a chance to become a stable part of the rotation are perhaps more if he develops as expected.

13. Austin Rivers, Shooting Guard, Phoenix Suns

Projected Stat Line: 10.6 points, 2.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 0.6 steals, 0.2 blocks

Rivers' production during his rookie season is going to be highly dependent on where he lands, and his best chance at immediate playing time will likely come as a member of the Suns.

Despite struggling during his tenure at Duke, Rivers' game is well-suited for the professional level and he should quickly develop into a solid scorer in the right situation.

He works better with the ball in his hands, but he will need to learn to play better off the ball in order to stay on the court consistently.

12. Tyler Zeller, Center, Milwaukee Bucks

Projected Stat Line: 8.7 points, 6.2 rebounds, 0.9 assists, 1.1 blocks, 0.4 steals

Zeller has the height thing going for him, and with Milwaukee searching for a replacement for Andrew Bogut, he seems to be a solid fit for the Bucks based off need alone.

Milwaukee needs a cost-controlled option inside without a ton of financial flexibility in the free agent market, and it's going to be difficult for the Bucks to take a big man other than Zeller without justifying it as a major reach.

Zeller is going to have to add some serious strength to his frame and polish his approach at the offensive end before he can be considered a threat.

11. Perry Jones III, Forward, Portland Trail Blazers

Projected Stat Line: 11.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.0 steals, 1.2 blocks

Jones has one of the highest ceilings of any prospect in the class, but questions about his desire and effort between games is something that will impact his draft stock.

The Baylor product has enormous upside and could prove to be one of the best value selections of the entire class, but he will need to bring it every night in order to fulfill his massive potential.

The guidance Jones has under his first head coach will be crucial to his development, but the Blazers would be getting a top-five talent at a discounted price if he lasts this long.

10. Kendall Marshall, Point Guard, New Orleans Hornets

Projected Stat Line: 10.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 1.2 steals, 0.4 blocks

Marshall has incredible court vision for someone of his age, and his ability to make his teammates better will be an immediate asset.

With the New Orleans Hornets needing a point guard of the future, landing Marshall this late is really an ideal situation.

Marshall should be able to find major minutes right off the bat for Monty Williams, and his ability to minimize his mistakes (and learn from them) will set him apart from many of his peers next season.

9. John Henson, Power Forward, Detroit Pistons

Projected Stat Line: 9.6 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.1 steals, 1.4 blocks

I'm admittedly higher on Henson's pro prospects than others who have watched him play, but this kid appears to be blossoming at just the right time.

Henson would be a really nice complement next to Greg Monroe on Detroit's frontline, and the Pistons would be able to focus on improving production from the wing if they nabbed Henson.

A player with this much talent on both ends of the floor should really be getting talked about more frequently than Henson has been to date.

8. Arnett Moultrie, Power Forward, Toronto Raptors

Projected Stat Line: 7.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.4 steals, 0.9 blocks

Moultrie is an absolute banger beneath the basket, but he's a little older than many teams picking inside the lottery might like considering how young the majority of prospects are this season.

While 2011 draft pick Jonas Valanciunas will be joining Andrea Bargnani at center next season, the team could certainly use some energy off the bench to help back up Amir Johnson. 

It will be very interesting to see where Moultrie is selected as his draft stock is rather volatile among those who have evaluated his game.

7. Harrison Barnes, Small Forward, Golden State Warriors

Projected Stat Line: 12.5 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 0.7 steals, 0.3 blocks

Barnes might not develop into a star like some have thought, but that doesn't mean he won't find success in the right role with the proper team.

For the Warriors, a club that must find an answer at small forward, Barnes represents a solid selection with the chance to be even more than that.

He's probably not going to wow anyone during his first season, but Barnes can certainly help the team and earn major minutes as he learns how to play in the NBA.

6. Damian Lillard, Point Guard, Portland Trail Blazers

Projected Stat Line: 11.5 points, 3.7 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 1.2 steals, 0.3 blocks

Some might not be familiar with just how talented Lillard is, but he's got a ton of potential to become a very valuable point guard in the NBA.

Although he needs to improve on facilitating the flow of the offense for his teammates when he's on the floor, Lillard has a solid scoring touch and isn't afraid to challenge the opposition.

For the Trail Blazers, a team that must find its point guard of the future, Lillard would add an element to the club that doesn't currently exist. 

5. Andre Drummond, Center, Sacramento Kings

Projected Stat Line: 9.1 points, 7.3 rebounds, 0.7 assists, 1.0 steals, 1.7 blocks

A pairing of DeMarcus Cousins and Drummond would provide the Kings with an impressive tandem down low, but what will the UConn product bring during his rookie season?

Drummond underproduced during his one and only year in school, and some are viewing that as a potential red flag for his potential success in the league.

Drummond needs to assert himself with regularity to earn stable playing time, and if he does, the Kings will have a formidable duo for a long time that other teams will have a tough time defending.

4. Thomas Robinson, Power Forward, New Orleans Hornets

Projected Stat Line: 11.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.5 steals, 1.3 blocks

Robinson might be a bit undersized for his position, but he plays with the type of intensity that will allow him to earn serious minutes under Monty Williams.

A grinder who plays with 110 percent effort every time he steps on the floor, Robinson can immediately step into the picture in New Orleans and make an impression for the Hornets.

He's got solid strength which allows him to go up against bigger competition, and Robinson won't ever quit in a game regardless of what the scoreboard reads.

That type of work ethic is hard to come by, and there is no doubt it will be a major part of his game throughout the course of his career.

3. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Small Forward, Cleveland Cavaliers

Projected Stat Line: 11.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.4 blocks

Kidd-Gilchrist is a popular choice for the second overall selection, but there is a good chance that he gets picked just after that.

A solid player on the wing who isn't afraid to attack the basket in transition, Kidd-Gilchrist's speed allows him to have an advantage over those who are typically lined up against him.

Cleveland needs to upgrade at small forward after the failed Omri Casspi experiment, and Kidd-Gilchrist would give Kyrie Irving a talented running mate on the fast break. 

2. Bradley Beal, Shooting Guard, Washington Wizards

Projected Stat Line: 14.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.2 steals, 0.2 blocks

Beal's stock continues to rise as we approach the June draft, and it wouldn't be the least bit shocking to see his name fly off the board earlier than anticipated.

A very solid player with the chance to become a legitimate star, Beal would give John Wall some much-needed support in the starting lineup and create a dynamic one-two punch in the backcourt.

Jordan Crawford is better served as a sixth man because he looks for his own offense so frequently, and drafting Beal would allow the Wizards to push Crawford back to the bench.

1. Anthony Davis, Power Forward, Charlotte Bobcats

Projected Stat Line: 12.8 points, 9.0 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 0.8 steals, 1.8 blocks

Davis is more raw on the offensive end than some fans might imagine, but his incredible size and length will allow him to find the bottom of the net when he's positioned near the rim.

He needs to do a much better job in the low-post and improve his footwork, but Davis' insane athleticism should bring him success in his first season.

Davis will also need to add some strength to his frame, but the Bobcats will gladly take him as is considering how awful they were last season.