2012 NBA Mock Draft: High-Profile Prospects Who Will Make an Immediate Impact

The NCAA's best will soon be making the cases that they're the NBA's next best thing as well. Some will make better cases than others, and some of them will make those cases from day one.

That's good news for the clubs attempting to turn around dismal seasons with a lottery pick or two. Teams like the Charlotte Bobcats, Washington Wizards, Cleveland Cavaliers and New Orleans Hornets are a long way away from vying for a playoff spot, but every difference-making piece will help.

Other franchises, like the Houston Rockets and Portland Trail Blazers, are closer to competing with the big boys—their lottery selections could be the difference between another year of mediocrity and finally taking the next step.

Here's a complete mock-up of June's draft with special attention paid to the guys most ready to become stars from the outset.

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

It would be hard for a player not to make an impact on the historically bad Bobcats, even if that player were half the prospect that Davis is. He'll give Charlotte an explosive interior presence who can control the paint on both ends of the floor.

The Bobcats have some young talent, but Davis would instantly become this club's closest thing to a superstar. Besides his talent and physical ability, Davis also gives this young team the dynamic energy it desperately needs night in and night out against far superior teams.

2. Washington Wizards: Thomas Robinson, PF (Kansas)

There's still a very good chance the Wizards select Michael Kidd-Gilchrist here, but it's just so hard to find a star power forward than in this league. Robinson could become exactly that thanks to his unmatched drive and well-rounded skill set. He can score inside and from the mid-range, and he's a tough defender.

Someone like that could do wonders for a team that's been relying on Andray Blatche to man the 4. Robinson would also give point guard John Wall a dangerous target in the paint.

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

If the Cavaliers wind up grabbing Beal, they could very well wind up with a second consecutive Rookie of the Year. The 18-year-old shoots well from the perimeter but isn't afraid to take the ball to the rim, either. That kind of multifaceted talent could do wonders alongside Kyrie Irving.

Cleveland also happens to be in desperate need of a shooting guard. It could certainly pick Michael Kidd-Gilchrist to man the 3 if he's still on the board, but it would be hard to pass up Beal's electric scoring ability.

4. New Orleans Hornets: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF (Kentucky)

The Hornets would do equally well to select either Kidd-Gilchrist or Thomas Robinson. Monty Williams' club needs difference-makers, whatever the position (although Beal would be somewhat redundant with Eric Gordon).

While Kidd-Gilchrist is not yet an elite shooter, he has all the other makings of a superstar. He'll rebound, play exceptional defense and drive hard to the basket—the Hornets would benefit from the contributions starting on day one. If he becomes a more lethal scorer, he could wind up being this draft's best player.

5. Sacramento Kings: Harrison Barnes, SF (North Carolina)

Barnes certainly could be something of a dark horse for Rookie of the Year honors, but chances are it takes him a couple of years to turn into a real star (if he ever gets there). That doesn't mean he won't contribute—the Kings could desperately use his spot-up shooting and solid defensive acumen.

6. Portland Trail Blazers (via Brooklyn Nets): Andre Drummond, C (UConn)

Drummond's rookie season probably won't even scratch the surface of his full potential, but he could still have a strong campaign. Portland needs a center to build around, and the 6'11" big man could be this league's next elite behemoth in the paint once he works out his kinks in the post and learns how to stay engaged for a complete game.

7. Golden State Warriors: Perry Jones III, PF (Baylor)

Perry Jones III has the physical tools to be the next Kevin Garnett, but it's still entirely unclear if he has the mental make-up reach anything remotely close to that kind of stardom. Regardless, he'll still be somewhat effective from the outset—he's got fantastic size and athletic ability, and the Warriors need that as soon as possible.

8. Toronto Raptors: Jeremy Lamb, SG (UConn)

Lamb averaged nearly 18 points a game in his sophomore year at UConn, and he could pick up where he left off if selected by the Raptors. Toronto needs a wing scorer to take some of the pressure off DeMar DeRozan.

The 6'5" guard needs to add some muscle, but he can still earn minutes thanks to his long wingspan and quickness of defense. Toronto could potentially go with a more conservative pick, but Lamb is there best bet of grabbing a superstar this late in the lottery.

9. Detroit Pistons: John Henson, PF (North Carolina)

Henson could make an immediate impact for the Pistons, but he won't be enough to turn this team around right away. Still, there's no question Detroit could use an energetic above-the-rim presence to complement Greg Monroe's below-the-rim game in the paint.

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

The Hornets should be in the market for a point guard to eventually replace Jarret Jack. Lillard is more of a shoot-first guy at the moment, but he'd have some time to broaden his game and become a more complete floor general before becoming the full-time point.

11. Portland Trail Blazers: Kendall Marshall, PG (North Carolina)

Portland needs a point guard who can start, but Marshall may not be ready quite yet. He's arguably the best passer the Trail Blazers can get their hands on via the draft, though—despite not scoring much, Marshall averaged nearly 10 assists per game in his sophomore campaign at UNC.

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

Without Andrew Bogut manning the middle in Milwaukee, the Bucks could use a well-rounded center to anchor the post going forward. Zeller can do a little bit of everything and should develop into a starter as he adds muscle.

13. Phoenix Suns: Terrence Jones, SF (Kentucky)

The Suns have some solid young pieces in Marcin Gortat, Jared Dudley and Markieff Morris, but they could desperately use someone with a little star potential. Jones isn't there quite yet, but he's a great all-around forward who will immediately make contributions with his defense, rebounding and passing. The scoring should come along too, though perhaps more slowly.

14. Houston Rockets: Austin Rivers, G (Duke)

Chances are that Rivers will wind up on a team that already has some solid depth. While he could help the Rockets off the bench (especially if free agent Goran Dragic becomes to expensive to retain), it's unlikely that he'll make key contributions right away. Still, Rivers is an electric scorer who could surprise some people.

15. Philadelphia 76ers: Jared Sullinger, PF (Ohio State) 

Until Sullinger develops a more sophisticated post game, his size will be something of an obstacle against the NBA's bigger front lines. Given the 76ers' depth across the board, Philly could wait for Sullinger develop before throwing him into the fire.

16. Houston Rockets (via New York Knicks): Arnett Moultrie, PF (Mississippi St.)

After Andre Drummond, Moultrie has one of the more impressive big bodies in the draft. He might not start for the Rockets anytime soon, but he'd provide some insurance given the uncertainty surrounding free agents Marcus Camby and Samuel Dalembert.

17. Dallas Mavericks: Meyers Leonard, C (Illinois)

The Mavericks don't have a competent starting center, and there's no guarantee they'll be able to find one on the free-agent market or via trade. Leonard needs to build strength and learn how to post up more effectively, but he could probably find some playing time on this roster sooner rather than later.

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

The Timberwolves have promising young talent at just about every position, but they probably wouldn't mind finding a shooting guard. Ross could be one of this draft's biggest steals if he slides beyond the lottery—he can score, defend and hustle.

19. Orlando Magic: Jeff Taylor, SF (Vanderbilt)

20. Denver Nuggets: Tony Wroten Jr., PG (Washington)

Wroten Jr. still has a lot to learn about being a floor general in the NBA, but he's got the size to be the next Rodney Stuckey. The Nuggets will probably try to hold on to free agent Andre Miller, but Wroten Jr. could be a solid long-term solution to Denver's need for a backup point guard.

21. Boston Celtics: Quincy Miller, SF (Baylor)

22. Boston Celtics (via Los Angeles Clippers): Fab Melo, C (Syracuse)

The Celtics have made due with Kevin Garnett manning the center position, but this team desperately needs a young big to come in and patrol the paint. Boston would benefit from Melo's explosiveness and size regardless of how the organization plays its cards in free agency.

23. Atlanta Hawks: Dion Waiters, G (Syracuse)

24. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Los Angeles Lakers): Moe Harkless, SF (St. John's) 

The Cavaliers could use a backup for Anderson Varejao, but they might need a small forward even more (unless they select Michael Kidd-Gilchrist or Harrison Barnes in the lottery). Harkless could compete for a starting position, but Cleveland could also use him to beef up a pretty shallow bench.

25. Memphis Grizzlies: Marquis Teague, PG (Kentucky)

26. Indiana Pacers: Andrew Nicholson, PF (St. Bonaventure)

27. Miami Heat: Draymond Green, F (Michigan St.)

Miami has just about everything it could possibly want other than an elite bench unit. Green would bring some youth and versatility to that bench, especially as Mike Miller and Shane Battier lose another step or two to age.

28. Oklahoma City Thunder: Festus Ezeli, C (Vanderbilt)

As good as the Thunder are, they don't have a whole lot on the bench behind Kendrick Perkins. Ezeli isn't the most talented big guy in this draft, but he has enough size to at least clog up the paint and grab some boards.

29. Chicago Bulls: Evan Fournier, SG (France)

Chicago could potentially be in the market for wing support if either Kyle Korver or Ronnie Brewer leaves via free agency. And even if the Bulls hold on to both, Fournier could wait overseas for a couple of year before being called to duty.

30. Golden State Warriors (via San Antonio Spurs): Tyshawn Taylor, PG (Kansas)

Golden State could use some depth behind Stephen Curry given his penchant for injury, and Taylor's big-game experience make him worth a roll of the dice.