2012 NBA Mock Draft: Shocks, Surprises from Latest First-Round Predictions

The 2012 NBA playoffs are speeding by and most teams have already had their championship hopes and dreams dashed.

There is always next season, which is why the upcoming draft lottery and the actual event itself are so important.

Let’s take a look at the latest first-round mock with some selections that might surprise you.

1. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis, Kentucky

No surprise here. The No. 1 pick is going to be Anthony Davis, barring some insane circumstances leading up to June 28. He’s the best player in the class and a future superstar.

2. Washington Wizards: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Kentucky

MKG has been steadily rising up boards all year long and is a solid No. 2 pick. He’s not an elite scorer yet, but he plays great defense and does all the little things you want from a starting 3.

3. Cleveland Cavaliers, Bradley Beal, Florida 

Beal has NBA range on his jumper and the bulk to repeatedly get to the cup and draw contact. Cleveland needs a star like this in its backcourt to complement Rookie of the Year winner Kyrie Irving.

4. New Orleans Hornets: Thomas Robinson, Kansas

Robinson was arguably equal to Davis in terms of production in college last season. His upside isn’t as high due to his age, but he’s still an amazing lottery pick and New Orleans would be happy to grab him up at No. 4.

5. Sacramento Kings: Jared Sullinger, Ohio State

It’s a bit of a shock that Sullinger would go this early, but he’s definitely good enough to. He didn’t help his status by returning to the Buckeyes for his sophomore year and didn’t show much improvement, but he’s an NBA-ready player who can immediately contribute to a team that needs to get past the rebuilding process soon—such as Sacramento.

6. Portland Trail Blazers (via New Jersey Nets): Andre Drummond, Connecticut

Drummond is a top prospect because of his immense size and high ceiling. He may not have dominated the way his frame suggested he would during his time at UConn (see his awful performance in the Huskies only tournament game), but he’s worth a gamble for a size-starved team like Portland.

7. Golden State Warriors: Perry Jones III, Baylor

The Warriors would be stupid to let this potential star slip past them at No. 7. His motor and work ethic are questionable, but his talents are clearly incredible. If he could get motivated, PJIII is going to be a beast.

8. Toronto Raptors: Harrison Barnes, North Carolina

Like Sullinger, Barnes did not help his stock by returning to school for another season. He revealed himself to be mostly a one-dimensional scorer—albeit a damn good one. Toronto has a huge hole at the 3 and lacks a go-to scoring option, which is exactly the role Barnes could play for it.

9. Detroit Pistons: Arnett Moultrie, Mississippi State

Moultrie is a bit of a wild card. He’s got enough talent and athleticism to be a top-10 pick, but enough question marks to fall into the mid-20’s.

Detroit can afford to gamble on him here as it needs another big to pair with emerging center Greg Monroe. The Pistons will not be truly competitive until Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva’s contracts come off the books in 2014, time they can use to develop Moultrie.

10. New Orleans Hornets (via Minnesota Timberwolves): Kendall Marshall, North Carolina

Marshall could be the first PG off the board for numerous reasons. He’s a good fit as a character guy and winner for a rebuilding team like New Orleans. He’s arguably the best passer in the draft and his upside isn’t as bad as many believe it to be.

11. Portland Trail Blazers: Austin Rivers, Duke

Doc’s son has superstar potential. He’s dangerous when he has the ball and is always looking to score. He could become the alpha dog that the Trail Blazers have been missing since Brandon Roy retired.

12. Milwaukee Bucks: Tyler Zeller, North Carolina

This pick doesn’t have a lot of upside, but the Bucks can’t afford a bust. Zeller has the experience to step in and log minutes in his rookie year in the paint. Milwaukee cannot afford to miss on a big, and this is the pick.

13. Phoenix Suns: Damian Lillard, Weber State

If Steve Nash departs the desert, the Suns will need a great guard to replace him. Lillard is one of the best scoring ones available and is improving as a ball-handler and facilitator.

14. Houston Rockets: Jeremy Lamb, Connecticut

Lamb has consistency issues and a questionable motor, but there is no denying his skills when he is involved in a play. Look for the Rockets to take a chance on him as the best player available at No. 14.

15. Philadelphia 76ers: John Henson, North Carolina

Henson is an athlete with a 6’10” frame, and that is quite useful in the NBA. He’d be a nice addition to the 76ers, a team that could develop him off the bench until he is ready to start.

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

Jones should be a top pick, but he’s crazy inconsistent. He has the talent and scoring ability to be a superstar, but perhaps not the desire. Again, Houston will go best available and not let the Kentucky prospect slip past.

17. Dallas Mavericks: Terrence Ross, Washington

The Mavericks need to address their aging shooting guard rotation (see: Jason Terry and Vince Carter) with this pick. Ross is a great athlete who is just beginning to scratch the surface of his potential.

18. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Utah Jazz): Meyers Leonard, Illinois

Everyone knows Minnesota needs a starting shooting guard. No. 18 in the draft is not the place to find one, especially not for a roster that is already stacked with young players. The Timberwolves can address that need via trades or free agency and go for a backup big like Leonard here.

19. Orlando Magic: Quincy Miller, Baylor

Miller is an elite scorer that will only get better with experience. He could be the No. 1 guy in Orlando once Dwight Howard finds a new home.

20. Denver Nuggets: Dion Waiters, Syracuse

The Nuggets don’t have too many needs, so look for them to either trade this pick or go with someone like Waiters—whom they can stash in the D-League or end of bench—when it is their turn to pick.

21. Boston Celtics: Andrew Nicholson, St. Bonaventure

This kid has a great mid-range game and the experience to immediately make an impact on a good team like Boston. The Celtics may be losing Kevin Garnett and have had a lack of size all season, making Nicholson a perfect selection.

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

White has top-10 talent but suffers from an anxiety disorder that can impact his play in a negative fashion. If he can get treatment and move past it, this pick is an absolute steal for a great big who can bang down low, score and pass well.

23. Atlanta Hawks: Doron Lamb, Kentucky

Lamb isn’t afraid of taking and making the big shot. He was consistent all year for the Wildcats and stepped up when the pressure was at its highest.

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

Cleveland hasn’t had a proper 3 since LeBron James took his talents to South Beach, meaning it’s high time the Cavaliers address that need with the No. 24 pick. Harkless is a future stud in the making, but it might take a few years for him to fully develop.

25. Memphis Grizzlies: Tony Wroten, Washington

Wroten has the highest ceiling of any PG prospect in this class and could easily become the best of the group when all is said and done. He’s extremely raw and still has to develop, but the traits are there.

26. Indiana Pacers: Marquis Teague, Kentucky

Teague hails from Indiana and would be a great option as a backup PG on a team full of athletes. He could facilitate the fast break and get easy buckets in transition.

27. Miami Heat: Fab Melo, Syracuse

The Heat are rolling through the postseason without a dominant big man. It hurt them last year against Dallas and it might come back to haunt them again. That is why they’ll roll the dice on someone like Melo.

28. Oklahoma City Thunder: Draymond Green, Michigan State

Green can play both forward positions and by all accounts is a great locker room guy. He’d be a nice addition to the OKC Thunder.

29. Chicago Bulls: John Jenkins, Vanderbilt

With Rip Hamilton being severely limited by injury all season and getting up there in age, the Bulls should elect to draft a SG like Jenkins. He’s a marksman who will thrive on the open looks in Chicago.

30. Golden State Warriors (via San Antonio Spurs): Jeffery Taylor, Vanderbilt

It would be an absolute stunner if Taylor fell to 30 on draft night, as he is one of the premier athletes in the class and a great player. The Warriors would not let him slip outside of the first round.