2012 NBA Mock Draft: Lottery Busts and Failures

They may call it the lottery because the draft slots are determined by ping-pong balls, but it should also refer to the risk that every team picking atop the draft is taking.

Sure, you could nail the pick and change the future of your franchise for the better. But if you take a risk on a player with high potential and that player ultimately becomes a bust, you could set your organization back and lose your job in the process.

So which picks have the potential to be harbingers of doom and gloom (okay, so maybe that's a bit harsh...) for the organization that drafts them?

Let's find out.

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

He's the one franchise-changing player in this draft. He'll be a stud.

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

His offensive game needs to develop, but he'll be a solid player in every other regard from day one.

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

He may struggle a bit out of the gate, but he's got all of the ability in the world. He'll be a good one.

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

He'll be an instant contributor, as he may be the most-NBA ready player in the lottery other than Anthony Davis. There won't be many players in this draft class that will work and play harder than Robinson.

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

The issue with Drummond isn't his size, athleticism or potential—he's got plenty to spare in each regard.

The issue is that Drummond may simply be too nice of a guy to become a dominant force in the NBA. He has the ability to dominate down on the post—and the athleticism to extend his game beyond the paint, for what it's worth—but he often plays without the aggressive, intense edge the top players possess.

If Drummond dedicates himself to dominating, he won't be a bust. But I'm not so sure he'll do that.

6. Portland Trail Blazers (via New Jersey): Austin Rivers, SG (Duke)

He may end up being a one-dimensional scorer in the NBA in the vein of a Monta Ellis. But there are worse things to end up with than a dynamic player that can score the rock at will.

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

The Warriors need help on the wing, and they need a legitimate scorer after the departure of Monta Ellis. Barnes fits both bills.

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

He's this draft's biggest enigma, plain and simple.

He's an electric athlete that has flashed moments of domination at Baylor, but he's also wildly inconsistent and has been prone to simply disappearing for stretches or even games at a time. He's been accused of playing soft and failing to show up against elite competition.

Still, the talent is there. And finally being able to provide his family with financial security might eliminate some distractions and add some consistency to his play.

There are a lot of questions surrounding Jones. He'll have to answer each and every one of them.

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

His offensive game isn't sexy, but everything else about Sullinger is solid. He'll never be a star, but he'll be a very good player.

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

Lillard can light it up. He and Robinson will instantly make this team better.

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

The Hornets can have the high-scoring Lillard. The Blazers will certainly accept the draft's best passer in Marshall.

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

Andrew Bogut, you've been replaced.

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

With his potential, Lamb could shoot into the top 10 of this draft. He's a solid shooter who moves well without the ball, has excellent length and athleticism and does not need to dominate the ball to be effective.

He also does not demand the ball as often as he should. While Lamb led UConn in scoring last season, he never was able to lift the team on his back and lead them like Kemba Walker before him. Whether it's because his teammates were a bit greedy or Lamb was simply a little soft, he never quite dominated as expected.

It's something that could plague him at the next level. If Lamb does not develop a killer instinct, it may be his career that is led to the slaughter.

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

He's one of this draft's lesser-known commodities, but he's a very solid player that is creeping up boards.

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

Elton Brand's best days are behind them. Adding depth to the frontline should be a priority for the Sixers.

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

If used correctly, Jones could have the sort of impact off the bench that Lamar Odom used to have for the Los Angeles Lakers.

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

Waiters is another riser on the boards, and his addition alongside the possible free-agent signing of Deron Williams would make the Mavs backcourt nasty next season.

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

Ross is not shy about putting the ball and the bucket, and the Wolves will likely go after the best 2-guard option with this pick.

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

The Magic may have a hard time finding the sort of impact player Dwight Howard covets at this draft slot. So why not draft Howard's potential replacement in case the star center departs after next season?

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

The Nuggets can take some time allowing Miller to develop. He could end up being one of the sneakier steals in this draft.

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

He won't replace Ray Allen, but he'll help ease the transition.

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

White is known to have an anxiety disorder and has faced off-court questions in the past, but he can ball. The Celtics can go high-risk, high-reward at this juncture of the draft.

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

The Hawks need to find the point guard of the future, and Wroten could be that player. Do not be surprised if he's off the board higher than this.

24. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Los Angeles Lakers): Andrew Nicholson, PF (St. Bonaventure)

They've taken care of the backcourt with Irving and Beal, and they nailed down the center position in last year's draft by selecting Tristan Thompson. At this point, they can select the player with the most potential remaining on the board.

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

We've reached the "raw player with high ceilings" portion of the draft.

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

Another playoff team that could do worse than take a chance on a point guard with potential. Teague will surprise some people at the next level.

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

Most people probably have him in the second round. I like him as a fit on the Heat. Feel free to mock my mock if you're so inclined.

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

If the Thunder struggle against or lose to the Lakers, it will be because they are outplayed on the glass and in the paint. Melo can help with that.

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

Taylor shoots a high percentage from three (.423 percent last season) and plays excellent defense. Sounds like the perfect fit for the Bulls to me.

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

The Conference USA Player of the Year can play either the 2 or 3, and will have the chance to be the team's starting shooting guard from day one.

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