2012 NBA Mock Draft: Future All-Stars to Make Immediate Impact
Somewhere in this NBA draft, there are several future All-Stars.
Who they are, no one knows at this point.
Except for Anthony Davis. Everyone is already as sure he's an All-Star as they are Skip Bayless will talk about Tim Tebow tomorrow.
Other than that, though, it's nearly impossible to predict who will be an All-Star. Every draft certainly has those types of studs, but they often come in the later picks.
With that being said, here's a look at my first-round mock draft with a closer look at potential All-Stars who will make immediate impacts for their teams.
Note: Future All-Stars are in italics.
1. Charlotte Bobcats (7-59): Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky
Davis is only 19 years old, but he has the skills to contribute from Day 1 in the NBA.
At the very worst, Davis, who has the length of an orangutan, is going to be an absolute force on the defensive end. He'll likely block somewhere close to two shots per game, but even if he doesn't do that, he'll alter enough to make an impact.
On offense, Davis is still a little too thin to bang down low at power forward, but his rare athleticism and ball skills for a player his size make him a potential scary option at the three. Davis extended his range as his freshman season wore on, and he looks like he'll be a menace from mid-range.
He's somewhat of a hybrid between Kevin Garnett, Marcus Camby and maybe even Tim Duncan.
This future All-Star is a no-brainer No. 1 pick for whoever wins the lottery.
2. Washington Wizards (20-46): Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, Kentucky
Kidd-Gilchrist is another young player coming out of Kentucky, yet he also has the type of game that will have him ready to contribute right away.
He needs to improve his outside shot, but Kidd-Gilchrist's ability in transition is unmatched by anyone in college basketball. If he lands with a high-tempo team (hello, Wizards), watch out. He will be a highlight reel waiting to happen.
What's more, Kidd-Gilchrist is a lock-down defender capable of guarding any position but center. He's slightly short for a small forward at 6'7", but he's very strong, can bang on the inside and is a good finisher around the rim.
The Wizards would be smart to grab this exciting player.
3. Cleveland Cavaliers (21-45): Bradley Beal, SG, Florida
Beal was inconsistent shooting the ball at Florida, but his pretty shooting stroke is undeniable. He's also very strong for the position and would make for a nice complement to Kyrie Irving in that backcourt.
4. New Orleans Hornets (21-45): Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas
T-Rob, who is projected to go No. 2 by some people, is a good value pick here and finally gives New Orleans some consistency on the inside.
5. Sacramento Kings (22-44): Andre Drummond, C, Connecticut
I understand the concerns around Drummond, especially considering the disappointing season he had during his only year at Connecticut.
But if the Kings—or whoever—can squeeze a drop of Drummond's endless potential out of him, he'll be a steal at No. 5.
The man is 6'11" and 275 pounds and is still quite possibly the most athletic big man in this draft. Players with that type of combination and skill just don't come around every day.
Additionally, Drummond actually has a high basketball IQ. He's smart under the basket, has a nice array of moves, and is a great shot blocker on the other end.
As long as he asserts himself, Drummond is going to be an absolute force on both ends of the court. It's a crap shoot as to whether or not he'll actually do that, but I'm on the side that thinks he will.
If the Kings can get DeMarcus Cousins to focus, then they can clearly do anything.
6. Portland Trail Blazers (via 22-44 New Jersey Nets): Kendall Marshall, PG, North Carolina
Marshall lacks athleticism and a consistent jump shot, but his ability to run an offense and see everything on the court is so valuable.
He will instantly make scorers like Wesley Matthews and Nicolas Batum better.
7. Golden State Warriors (23-43): Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina
Barnes isn't necessarily ready for the next level, but if he puts things together, he has the size and jump shot to be a deadly scorer in the NBA.
His propensity to settle for unnecessary fadeaways, however, makes him a good fit in Golden State.
8. Toronto Raptors (23-43): Perry Jones III, PF, Baylor
He's a project, and he'll probably disappear when you need him most, but the Raptors could use some size and athleticism.
Jones has both of those in bunches.
By the way, is it just me, or are there an usual amount of boom-or-bust type players in this year's draft?
9. Detroit Pistons (25-41): Jeremy Lamb, SG, Connecticut
Ben Gordon, it's time for you and your hefty contract to vacate Detroit. Your replacement will be Jeremy Lamb, who is silky smooth on the offensive end and will be a sight for sore eyes in Detroit.
10. New Orleans Hornets (via 26-40 Minnesota Timberwolves): Damian Lillard, PG, Weber State
The Hornets have Jarrett Jack, a replaceable option, at point guard, and Eric Gordon, someone who could be gone to free agency in the near future, at shooting guard.
Lillard is listed as a point guard, but he has the size and shoot-first mentality to make him the perfect option for New Orleans.
11. Portland Trail Blazers (28-38): Tyler Zeller, C, North Carolina
Zeller is a true seven-foot center with a good mid-range jump shot, a consistent jump hook and solid defense around the basket. Those don't come around too often anymore.
He still needs to rebound better, but Portland grabbing Zeller along with Kendall Marshall would be a genius move.
12. Milwaukee Bucks (31-35): Austin Rivers, SG, Duke
I don't believe Austin Rivers, 19, should have left for college after his freshman season at Duke. He was inconsistent and could have continued to learn under Mike Krzyzewski.
Nonetheless, I can't fight the man-crush I have on Rivers.
He doesn't really have a true position, but that doesn't matter. He's lighting quick and can get to the hoop with absolute ease, where he can finish under contact.
But where he truly excels on the offensive end is his shooting, which doesn't seem to have a cap on the range. If he's in the gym, Rivers can probably knock it down. Additionally, he has a killer instinct and can hit the big shot, as evidenced here:
Rivers isn't the best athlete, and he sometimes takes questionable shots when the pass is the better option, but Doc's son will be ready to score in a hurry in the NBA.
He could very well turn into one of those players who is better in the NBA than they are in college.
13. Phoenix Suns (33-33): Terrence Ross, SG/SF, Washington
Ross is one of the best athletes in this class, and he's a tremendous shooter from both mid- and long-range.
He's another player who will light up the scoreboard and make ESPN a couple times during his rookie season.
14. Houston Rockets (34-32): Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State
Sullinger, a prototypical post player, doesn't really make sense here because the Rockets already have Luis Scola, but the former Buckeye is good value at No. 14.
He was seen as a top-three pick at this time last year.
15. Philadelphia 76ers (35-31): Dion Waiters, SG, Syracuse
Waiters will enter Philadelphia with one task.
Score the ball.
And Waiters, who is incredibly impressive at getting into the lane and scoring with contact, does just that. He was the best sixth man in America last season and he'll continue to provide a scoring punch and energy for one of the worst offensive teams in the league.
16. Houston Rockets (via 36-20 New York Knicks): Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois
Meyers Leonard, who stands 7'0", has a soft touch around the rim and even has solid range on his jumper.
The Rockets could really use that since Marcus Camby and Samuel Dalembert aren't long-term options.
17. Dallas Mavericks (36-30): John Henson, PF, North Carolina
Henson is extremely long and will provide all kinds of defense. He has a similar skill set to Anthony Davis, but he's less valuable since he's three years older.
Nonetheless, Dirk isn't getting any younger, and this would be a nice pick for Dallas for the future.
18. Minnesota Timberwolves (via 36-30 Utah Jazz): Royce White, SF, Iowa State
Simply put, watching Royce White play basketball is a fun thing to do.
He's a big, strong player, but he has unique athleticism, ball-handling skills and vision. He's reminiscent of Boris Diaw, just strong instead of fat.
If White proves to teams his anxiety disorder is no big deal, he'll easily go this high.
19. Orlando Magic (37-29): Tony Wroten, PG/SG, Washington
The potential for Wroten is there, but he's no where near ready to contribute right away. He has the size, quickness and passing ability to be an exciting player in this league.
And then you see him shoot.
And then you throw up.
Orlando, who can roll with Jameer Nelson for another year or two, should take the risk on Wroten as a project.
20. Denver Nuggets (38-28): Arnett Moultrie, PF, Mississippi State
Moultrie's stock has been rising quickly over the last month and he could easily be drafted higher than this.
He needs to get stronger, but Moultrie is long and explosive. He's more athletic than a man of his size should be.
21. Boston Celtics (39-27): Terrence Jones, SF, Kentucky
Terrence Jones has seen his stock drop after a less-than-stellar year at Kentucky, but he'll still make for a solid player in Boston.
22. Boston Celtics (via 40-26 Los Angeles Clippers): John Jenkins, SG, Vanderbilt
John Jenkins is deadly accurate from the outside and has a very quick release, which mean he will be a perfect catch-and-shoot player who comes off multiple screens.
Yup, sounds like the perfect young player to eventually replace Ray Allen.
23. Atlanta Hawks (40-26): Moe Harkless, SF, St. Johns
The reigning Big East Freshman of the Year is long, athletic and very solid in transition. If the Hawks scoop him up, he has a very good chance at starting in place of Marvin Williams.
24. Cleveland Cavaliers (via 41-25 Los Angeles Lakers): Jeff Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt
Taylor's game isn't overly exciting, and his long-range shot needs work, but he's extremely athletic, can get to the hoop and plays very solid defense.
This would the perfect young role player the Cavs need.
25. Memphis Grizzlies (41-25): Andrew Nicholson, PF, St. Bonaventure
Nicholson has a high basketball IQ and can score with relative ease from both inside and out. He's the perfect type of player for Memphis.
26. Indiana Pacers (42-24): Marquis Teague, PG, Kentucky
The Pacers aren't losing a ton to free agency, but one player set to leave is Leandro Barbosa.
John Calipari's point guards have all had success in the NBA, so Indiana would be smart to grab Teague for guard depth.
27. Miami Heat (46-20): Fab Melo, C, Syracuse
Miami doesn't seem to like their centers having offense, so Melo makes sense here. The former Syracuse center isn't the sharpest tool in the shed, but one thing he can do is protect the rim.
28. Oklahoma City Thunder (47-19): Evan Fournier, SF, France
Fournier is a great scorer, but it's unknown whether or not the 19-year-old is ready to make his way overseas just yet.
Fortunately for the Thunder, they can afford to make a pick for the future.
29. Chicago Bulls (50-16): Doron Lamb, SG, Kentucky
Richard Hamilton isn't going to be around for much longer, but Lamb is a solid shooter who will be able to replace him.
30. Golden State Warriors (via 50-16 San Antonio Spurs): Drew Gordon, PF, New Mexico
Gordon is a bit undersized, but he will outwork just about anyone. He's terrific off the glass and even has some athleticism to boot.
Kenneth Faried's rise to fame this year will help Gordon, who has a similar blue-collar style of play, rise to the end of the first round.
