2012 NBA Mock Draft: First-Round Locks for Every NBA Team
Many teams don't like to take risks in the first round of the NBA Draft because missing on high draft picks can really set your franchise back years.
This is why see a lot of teams pass on high-risk, high-reward players who have the potential to be future busts.
Let's look at first-round locks for each team in this fresh NBA mock draft.
1. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis, Kentucky
There's no way the Charlotte Bobcats don't draft Anthony Davis to be the face of their franchise for years to come. He's a future NBA superstar.
2. Washington Wizards: Bradley Beal, Florida
Brad Beal would be the reliable scorer the Wizards need in the backcourt, and he would fit in well on the Wizards because of his great athleticism.
3. Cleveland Cavaliers: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Kentucky
The Cavaliers won't pass on the all-around Kentucky small forward who will play well at both ends of the floor as a rookie.
4. New Orleans Hornets: Thomas Robinson, Kansas
New Orleans needs a player who can star right away at both ends of the floor, so Thomas Robinson of Kansas makes the most sense for them.
5. Sacramento Kings: Andre Drummond, Connecticut
Drummond is the best center available and would give the Kings a really talented front court to build on for years.
6. Portland Trail Blazers (via New Jersey): Harrison Barnes, North Carolina
Harrison Barnes is an offensive star with good outside shooting, an improving low-post game, and the ability to create his own shot.
7. Golden State Warriors: Arnett Moultrie, Mississippi State
The Warriors haven't had many quality centers throughout their history, and it's one reason why the team has had little playoff success over the last decade.
8. Toronto Raptors: Kendall Marshall, North Carolina
Kendall Marshall is the playmaking, unselfish point guard the Toronto Raptors need to become a playoff contender again.
9. Detroit Pistons: Perry Jones III, Baylor
The Pistons don't need a power forward in this draft, but the amazing offensive potential of Perry Jones will be too difficult for Detroit to pass on in the top 10 picks.
10. New Orleans Hornets (via Minnesota Timberwolves): Jared Sullinger, Ohio State
The Hornets need more players who can score in the low post and rebound consistently, which makes Jared Sullinger a great pick at No. 10.
11. Portland Trail Blazers: Austin Rivers, Duke
Rivers has an impressive offensive game and would be able to fill the scoring void created by Jamal Crawford if he leaves the team in the summer.
12. Milwaukee Bucks: Tyler Zeller, North Carolina
The Bucks would love to add a center like Zeller, who can block shots and score from any area on the court.
13. Phoenix Suns: Damian Lillard, Weber State
If Marshall is off the board, Lillard should be the choice for the Phoenix Suns as they rebuild toward being a playoff contender again.
14. Houston Rockets: Jeremy Lamb, Connecticut
Lamb's ability to play both guard positions would add some needed versatility to the Houston Rockets back court.
15. Philadelphia 76ers: John Henson, North Carolina
North Carolina star John Henson would give head coach Doug Collins another quality young forward with great athleticism.
16. Houston Rockets (via New York Knicks): Terrence Jones, Kentucky
If Jones puts in the effort needed to develop his immense talent, he could end up being a superstar NBA player.
17. Dallas Mavericks: Terrence Ross, Washington
Ross could be the eventual successor to Shawn Marion with the Dallas Mavericks at the small forward position.
18. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Utah Jazz): Dion Waiters, Syracuse
Adding an athletic player like Dion Waiters would make the already-fast Timberwolves backcourt even more difficult to defend in the open floor.
19. Orlando Magic: Meyers Leonard, Illinois
With the Orlando Magic likely to lose center Dwight Howard over the next year or so via trade or free agency, the need to find someone who can replace him must be addressed. Meyers Leonard will be the best all-around big man available around pick 20.
20. Denver Nuggets: Quincy Miller, Baylor
Quincy Miller's impressive work ethic and athleticism would fit in well with a rapidly improving Nuggets team.
21. Boston Celtics: Tyshawn Taylor, Kansas
With the possibility of Ray Allen leaving in free agency this summer, the Celtics will need to draft a shooting guard who can make shots from the outside consistently.
22. Boston Celtics (via Los Angeles Clippers): Fab Melo, Syracuse
Fab Melo would be a valuable addition to a Celtics front line which desperately needs help rebounding at both ends of the floor.
23. Atlanta Hawks: Doron Lamb, Kentucky
The Hawks may look at a center, but Doron Lamb of Kentucky has too much talent to pass on at pick No. 23.
24. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Los Angeles Lakers): Moe Harkless, St. John's
You can never have enough center depth, and the Cleveland Cavaliers could certainly use more big men who shine defensively.
25. Memphis Grizzlies: Royce White, Iowa State
One of the strengths of the Memphis Grizzlies is the play of their front court, so why not add to that by taking a defensively-minded power forward like Royce White?
26. Indiana Pacers: Marquis Teague, Kentucky
Marquis Teague has the strong combination of scoring and playmaking that would really boost the level of offensive quality in the Pacers front court.
27. Miami Heat: Tony Wroten, Washington
Mario Chalmers has improved this season at point guard, but selecting an offensive-minded guard in the draft like Tony Wroten would still be a good idea, considering the Heat bench doesn't have enough scoring.
28. Oklahoma City Thunder: Draymond Green, Michigan State
The Thunder haven't gotten what they expected out of former first-round pick Cole Aldrich, so drafting another big man in Draymond Green would be a good idea.
29. Chicago Bulls: Evan Fournier, France
The Bulls clearly need more offensive consistency and athleticism at shooting guard, which makes Kansas star Tyshawn Taylor a safe pick at the end of the first round.
30. Golden State Warriors (via San Antonio Spurs): Jeffery Taylor, Vanderbilt
Adding some size and defense to the small forward position would be an intelligent idea for the Golden State Warriors towards the end of the first round.
