2012 NBA Mock Draft: Teams Guaranteed to Reach in First Round

Every NBA team has a big board for the draft, and while all of them maintain they stay true to their respective boards regardless of position, I can't help but think positional needs often influence selections. That will likely be the case once again this year, and it's certain to lead to a few reaches that get fans talking.

A reach normally carries a negative connotation when it comes to drafts because it suggests that said player could have been had much later in the round. Reaches aren't always necessarily a bad idea, though, because if a team truly values a player, it shouldn't let the opinions of outside sources affect whom it picks.

In addition to a full, first-round mock draft, here is some further analysis on teams that are likely to reach when it comes time for their selections.

*Draft order based on regular-season standings and projected playoff results

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

It doesn't matter which team ultimately gets this pick, Davis is unquestionably the top player in the draft and everyone would love to get their hands on him.

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

The Wizards are likely going to have to choose between Kidd-Gilchrist and Thomas Robinson at this point, but they'll ultimately buy into MKG's incredible versatility.

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

Cleveland appears to be on the right track with Rookie of the Year Kyrie Irving in the mix, and giving him a running mate in Beal will put the Cavs back in the playoff picture.

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

There appear to be four players who are a cut above the rest in this year's draft, and the Hornets will be perfectly happy to have Robinson fall to them and fill a big hole at power forward.

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

DeMarcus Cousins provided the Kings with an excellent interior presence this season, and putting Drummond next to him will give Sacramento one of the best young duos in the NBA.

6. Portland Trail Blazers (via New Jersey): Kendall Marshall, G (North Carolina)

As mentioned previously, reaches are usually considered to be bad picks, but in the case of the Portland Trail Blazers, they will have an interesting choice if they pick at No. 6. They have pressing needs at both point guard and center, and with Drummond being taken a pick ahead of them, their options are a bit limited.

He carries a grade that is slightly outside the top 10 by most draft analysts, but North Carolina point guard Kendall Marshall is undoubtedly the best at his position in the draft. It took a little time for him to gain proper recognition, but Marshall was the most important player on a highly talented Tar Heel squad last season. That was proven to be true when the team essentially melted down after he suffered a wrist injury.

Marshall is that rare type of player who can make everyone around him better, and the Blazers need that. Raymond Felton just hasn't been a good fit and Portland needs somebody to get the ball to the likes of LaMarcus Aldridge and Nicolas Batum. Marshall can do precisely that, so the Blazers would be justified in taking him a bit earlier than anticipated.

7. Golden State Warriors: Harrison Barnes, F (North Carolina)

Thanks to his combination of size and scoring ability, Barnes is the most-talented wing player in the draft and he fills a major need for the Warriors.

8. Toronto Raptors: Jeremy Lamb, G (Connecticut)

The Raptors desperately need a guy who can make opposing defenses pay for collapsing on Andrea Bargnani and DeMar DeRozan, and Lamb has the shooting stroke to do it.

9. Detroit Pistons: Perry Jones III, F (Baylor)

He has gained a label for struggling in games that count, but Jones is a supremely athletic big who would be an excellent fit alongside Greg Monroe.

10. New Orleans Hornets (via MIN): Damian Lillard, G (Weber State)

The Hornets would love to replace Chris Paul, and while Lillard is nowhere near CP3 in terms of playmaking ability and pure talent, he can really fill it up from the point guard position.

11. Portland Trail Blazers: Jared Sullinger, F/C (Ohio State)

Having already taken Marshall and having pretty good depth on the wing, the Blazers need an interior presence to complement Aldridge, and the wide-bodied Sullinger will do that.

12. Milwaukee Bucks: Meyers Leonard, C (Illinois)

Depending upon whom you ask, the No. 12 pick may be the right spot for Illinois center Meyers Leonard to be taken, but considering the 7'0" center is a big-time project at this point, I would call it a bit of a reach. Leonard flashed plenty of potential this past season and is a hard-working player who is willing to get better, but we have seen plenty of promising big men flame out at the next level.

The Milwaukee Bucks took center Andrew Bogut No. 1 overall several years ago in hopes that he would be the cornerstone of their franchise for years to come, and while he had his moments, he simply couldn't overcome injuries. That prompted the Bucks to ship Bogut to the Golden State Warriors for guard Monta Ellis. While Ellis looked good with the Bucks, they now have a major hole in the paint.

That is where Leonard comes in as he is one of the few true centers in the draft worthy of a first-round pick. He isn't anywhere near as talented as Bogut, but if he can stay healthy then perhaps he can provide a similar presence. It may be a little early for the Bucks to take him, but he fills an obvious need.

13. Phoenix Suns: Austin Rivers, G (Duke)

If Steve Nash leaves this offseason the Suns will need someone to replace some of his offensive production in the backcourt, and Rivers is the best choice at this juncture.

14. Houston Rockets: Tyler Zeller, F/C (North Carolina)

The Rockets can't seem to find a capable replacement for Yao Ming at center, but Zeller is a seven-footer with plenty of offensive ability near the basket.

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

Philly has managed to do a lot with a little this season and with Elton Brand on his last legs at power forward, the Sixers could use a young athlete like Henson at the position.

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

He likely wouldn't start with Luis Scola in the fold, but Jones is a good all-around forward who can play a few different positions, rebound and provide energy for the Rockets.

17. Dallas Mavericks: Arnett Moultrie, F (Mississippi State)

There is no doubt Moultrie has enough talent as an interior player to be a top-10 pick, and his skill set will mesh well with Dirk Nowitzki for the Mavs.

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

With Kevin Love and Derrick Williams at forward and Ricky Rubio running the point, the T'Wolves have a lot of promise, but they need a scoring guard like Ross to bring it all together.

19. Orlando Magic: Doron Lamb, G (Kentucky)

The Magic have a lot of decent players but no stars, and while they aren't going to get one with this pick, Lamb has the scoring ability outside to be a good complement to Dwight Howard.

20. Denver Nuggets: Dion Waiters, G (Syracuse)

No team values versatility and positional flexibility more than the Nuggets, so they'll be overjoyed to get a talented combo guard in the form of Waiters.

 21. Boston Celtics: Moe Harkless, F (St. John’s)

With the first of two first-round picks the Celtics will look for somebody who can provide some depth behind aging stars like Paul Pierce and Ray Allen, so Harkless makes a lot of sense.

22. Boston Celtics (via L.A. Clippers): Fab Melo, C (Syracuse)

To call center Fab Melo's tenure at Syracuse tumultuous would certainly be an understatement. The talented seven-footer has all the ability in the world, but outside factors prevented him from reaching his true potential with the Orange. Melo was suspended twice for academic issues and his offensive game never came around the way many expected it to.

Melo was a defensive force when he played, however, and his absence was felt by Syracuse in the NCAA tournament. Because of Melo's lack of offensive acumen, there is some thought that he might be similar to former Connecticut center Hasheem Thabeet at the next level. Thabeet was an even better defender than Melo in college, but he was beyond raw offensively and his skills didn't translate.

Despite that and concerns that Melo might never fully develop, he makes sense for the Celtics at this point. Boston hasn't been the same since trading away Kendrick Perkins and Jermaine O'Neal hasn't filled the void effectively. Melo can possibly be the defensive stopper that the Celtics need inside, so they won't mind reaching a bit to get him.

23. Atlanta Hawks: Royce White, F (Iowa State)

The Hawks have gotten to the point where they may be running out of chances to make noise in the Eastern Conference, and if Josh Smith leaves as a free agent after next season they need a replacement like White.

24. Cleveland Cavaliers (via L.A. Lakers): Andrew Nicholson, F (St. Bonaventure)

Cleveland doesn't really have a lot to complement the prospective combo of Irving and Beal, but Nicholson is a versatile forward who can score in myriad ways.

25. Memphis Grizzlies: Tony Wroten, G (Washington)

Because of his status as a tweener, Wroten falls a bit, but the Grizzlies will be very happy to grab him as a change of pace from O.J. Mayo and Tony Allen.

26. Indiana Pacers: Festus Ezeli, C (Vanderbilt)

The Pacers need to add a legitimate star more than anything, but until they can do that they'll be happy to add some depth behind Roy Hibbert at center with Ezeli.

27. Chicago Bulls: John Jenkins, G (Vanderbilt)

It isn't yet known when point guard Derrick Rose will return from injury, but when he does come back he should be welcomed by a great pure shooter in Jenkins.

28. Golden State Warriors (via San Antonio): Marquis Teague, G (Kentucky)

I'm sure Stephen Curry wasn't too happy to lose his backcourt mate in Monta Ellis last season, but drafting Teague will take some of the ball-handling burden away from Steph.

29. Oklahoma City Thunder: Kevin Jones, F (West Virginia)

There really isn't a ton that the Thunder need to address, but since their interior players are defensive in nature, Jones would be a nice addition as a scoring power forward.

30. Miami Heat: Draymond Green, F (Michigan State)

The Heat can do anything they want with this pick as the projected NBA champions, so they'll take a player with great versatility and a winning attitude in the form of Green. 

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