2012 NBA Mock Draft: Big-Time Players Who Will Turn Around Floundering Teams

The greatest way to turn around an NBA franchise is by building through the NBA draft. 

Free agency is certainly another nice way to improve a team, but you aren't going to get 20-year-old prospects with oozing potential in free agency. You know what you're getting with those players.

In the draft, however, there's always that chance you strike gold with a franchise-changer. Sure, there's also the chance you draft the franchise-killer (hello, Kwame Brown, Michael Olowokandi, and others), too, but let's just not think about that.

Here's a look at my first-round NBA mock draft with further analysis about players who will turn lottery teams into contenders.

Note: These big-time players are in italics 

1. Charlotte Bobcats (7-59): Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky

Listen, the Bobcats are going to need more help than Davis, but he is what you would not be scared to call a franchise-saver. 

The kid is just 19 years old, but he already looks like one of the best, most versatile defenders in the NBA. He's 6'10", and while he needs to add some more weight, he'll be able to defend the paint with his insane length.

If he doesn't translate to a power forward, he has the athleticism and ball-handling skills to play small forward too. 

There just aren't prospects with Davis' combination of size, skill, basketball IQ, and potential that come around too often.

Oh, and by the way, he absolutely dominated college basketball, so he's not someone like Andre Drummond, who is just here because of upside and not production.

Davis is going to make whoever gets the No. 1 pick very happy.

2. Washington Wizards (20-46): Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, Kentucky

John Wall is one of the best players in the NBA on the break, right? Well Michael Kidd-Gilchrist was the best in college basketball this year.

Putting him on the same team as Wall would be as exciting as it would be effective.

Kidd-Gilchrist can also guard any position, which is something the Wizards desperately need. 

3. Cleveland Cavaliers (21-45): Bradley Beal, SG, Florida

Putting Bradley Beal in the same backcourt as Kyrie Irving is going to make the Cavaliers downright dangerous.

Beal is an electric shooter who can knock down shots from anywhere on the floor, but he's also smart, strong, and can get to the hoop effectively.

The former Gator is also a solid defender. The only real knock on him is that he is an inch or two short for a shooting guard in the NBA, but his athleticism helps him make up for that on defense.

Remember the Cavs also have defensive monsters Tristan Thompson and Anderson Varejao down low. An Irving, Beal, Thompson, and Varejao core, combined with another first-round pick this year is going to make Cleveland a team that will easily approach .500 in the East. 

4. New Orleans Hornets (21-45): Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas

Thomas Robinson is a power forward with great athleticism, good offensive skills, and he will contribute right away, I'm just not sure he has game-changing ability.

Nonetheless, this is a good pick for the Hornets, who are looking for stability down low. 

5. Sacramento Kings (22-44): Andre Drummond, C, Connecticut

Sacramento is already a very young team with lots of potential, and this pick makes them even more so.

Drummond has rare size and athleticism and has the most upside of anyone in this draft not named Davis. He failed to produce at Connecticut, but this is a solid risk for the rebuilding Kings to take. 

6. Portland Trail Blazers (via 22-44 New Jersey Nets): Kendall Marshall, PG, North Carolina

Marshall's athleticism, shooting, and defense are all average at best, but he has the type of game that can immediately make a team better.

The former Tar Heel easily has the best vision and passing ability in this draft. He is a natural floor leader who will instantly make everyone around him better. 

Just look at how North Carolina looked on offense after Marshall broke his wrist last March.

For a team like Portland, who has plenty of scorers at the other positions (Wesley Matthews, Nicolas Batum, LaMarcus Aldridge), and another first-round pick to grab a big man, Marshall is the perfect pick to turn this team right back into a contender.

Raymond Felton is still around, but he's been inconsistent since leaving New York, and might be better served coming bringing energy off the bench. 

7. Golden State Warriors (23-43): Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina

The knock on Barnes is that he can be too soft and struggles to get his own shot, but there's no denying his perfect size and perfect jump shot. 

Putting him on the same team as Steph Curry, who is effective at driving and finding the open shooter would be a smart move.

8. Toronto Raptors (23-43): Austin Rivers, SG, Duke

Rivers' decision-making isn't always ideal, but putting him next to a very smart point guard in Jose Calderon would be good for him.

What's more, Rivers' scoring ability is second-to-none. He has amazing quickness to the hoop and his range is anywhere on the court. This move would let the Raptors move DeMar DeRozan to small forward, which is where he is better suited.

9. Detroit Pistons (25-41): Perry Jones, PF, Baylor

The Pistons could use another big man to play next to Greg Monroe.

Additionally, Brandon Knight and Rodney Stuckey have looked good playing with each other, so a big man makes even more sense.

Jones has the highest upside and would provide the best possible value here.

10. New Orleans Hornets (via 26-40 Minnesota Timberwolves): Damian Lillard, PG, Weber State

If the Hornets take a big man with their first pick, they will need to take a guard here. Either a point guard to eventually replace Jarrett Jack or a shooting guard to provide insurance for restricted free agent, Eric Gordon would make sense.

Lillard is technically a point guard, but he scores like a shooting guard. He would provide solid versatility for a team looking to fill multiple positions. 

11. Portland Trail Blazers (28-38): Tyler Zeller, C, North Carolina

Not only is Zeller the true center that Portland needs, this pick would pair him up with former teammate Kendall Marshall.

Don't underestimate having players with great chemistry playing on the same team. 

12. Milwaukee Bucks (31-35): Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois

The Bucks solidified their backcourt of the future when they traded for Monta Ellis and paired him up with Brandon Jennings.

They also have some solid big men in Ersan Ilyasova, Drew Gooden, and Ekpe Udoh. However, Ilyasova is a free agent and Gooden and Udoh are far from consistent. 

Leonard is a legitimate, seven-footer with good offensive skills, who is seeing his stock steadily rise. He would fit this system, as he has good athleticism for his size and could get up and down the court.

13. Phoenix Suns (33-33): Jeremy Lamb, SG, UConn

I could honestly see Lamb going anywhere from sixth or seventh to about 17th, but he'll drop here simply because of team need.

The Suns won't care, though, as they'll get a dynamic scorer and shooter at a position of need.

14. Houston Rockets (34-32): Terrence Ross, SG, Washington

It became clear this season that Kevin McHale isn't comfortable with Kevin Martin as Houston's shooting guard.

The Rockets could also use a center, but with Leonard going slightly early, they'll grab the best available shooting guard in Ross.

The former Husky is incredibly athletic and can shoot off the dribble with rare precision. 

15. Philadelphia 76ers (35-31): Dion Waiters, SG, Syracuse

If you've been watching the playoffs, you know how much Philadelphia struggles to score the ball.

Dion Waiters, fortunately for Philly, is someone who excels at putting the ball in the basket.

He came off the bench at Syracuse, but he would have scored 20 points per game if he played for any other school. Putting him next to Lou Williams would give Philly an unstoppable second unit. 

16. Houston Rockets (via 36-20 New York Knicks): Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State

Sullinger, much like Luis Scola, has an old-school, below-the-rim, post game. Nonetheless, the Rockets need some big-man depth and Sully could even play as an undersized center from time to time. 

17. Dallas Mavericks (36-30): John Henson, PF, North Carolina

Henson is a defensive mastermind. He'll provide lots of energy and solid play for Dallas' second unit while providing insurance for Dirk Nowitzki. 

18. Minnesota Timberwolves (via 36-30 Utah Jazz): Royce White, SF, Iowa State

Minnesota's main position of need is small forward. Luckily for the Wolves, White is a small forward and he's a Top 10 talent who won't be drafted like it.

White has a unique skill set. He's 6'8" with tons of muscle, but he handles the ball and passes like a point guard, and he is a very solid shooter from mid-range.

If it weren't for White's anxiety disorder, he would be a contender for a much higher pick, but it's something some general managers and coaches will be scared of.

Nonetheless, if the Timberwolves make this pick, White will contribute right away and turn Minnesota into a playoff team. 

19. Orlando Magic (37-29): Tony Wroten, PG/SG, Washington

Wroten won't be a factor right away, but his potential as a big, fast, scary point guard is too difficult to pass up.

This is a good pick for the Magic, as Wroten can back up Jameer Nelson for a year or two before replacing him. 

20. Denver Nuggets (38-28): Terrence Jones, SF, Kentucky

Jones is a sneaky talent. He didn't produce as well as he should have during his sophomore year at Kentucky, but he has a good combination of size, athleticism, and shooting ability.

He gives Denver yet another solid role player off the bench.

21. Boston Celtics (39-27): Arnett Moultrie, PF, Mississippi State

Who knows what Kevin Garnett will do in the offseason?

Garnett is a free agent and Moultrie is someone who can replace him and insert immediate speed, athleticism, and offense. 

22. Boston Celtics (via 40-26 Los Angeles Clippers): John Jenkins, SG, Vanderbilt

Much like Garnett, Allen's future in Boston is a big question mark, which makes sharpshooter John Jenkins the perfect pick here. 

23. Atlanta Hawks (40-26): Moe Harkless, SF, St. John's

Harkless is a long, explosive athlete, and looks very similar to Josh Smith. The Hawks need a small forward, so this makes sense.

The former Johnnie could easily see his stock rise higher than this before the draft. 

24. Cleveland Cavaliers (via 41-25 Los Angeles Lakers): Jeff Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt

When I detailed Cleveland's potential starting lineup earlier, it was missing a small forward.

Taylor, who is experienced, can shoot the three and plays good, athletic defense, looks like the perfect role player to insert into that rotation. 

25. Memphis Grizzlies (41-25): Andrew Nicholson, PF, St. Bonaventure

The Grizzlies don't have a lot of needs, but Nicholson is a smart player with good range on the offensive end for a power forward.

This is a good pick for the future.

26. Indiana Pacers (42-24): Marquis Teague, PG, Kentucky

Marquis Teague is a young, athletic point guard and most importantly, he has the success of previous John Calipari coached point guards going for him.

The Pacers are likely going to lose Leandro Barbosa to free agency, so Teague is a nice pick to fill that spot off the bench. 

27. Miami Heat (46-20): Kevin Jones, PF, West Virginia

If you're watching the Heat without Chris Bosh, you'll realize they need some big men off the bench who can actually provide offense.

At this pick, Jones is the best player who fits that role. 

28. Oklahoma City Thunder (47-19): Evan Fournier, SF, France

The Thunder can afford to take on a project, and Fournier is just that. He's a smart, high-IQ type of player who can score in a variety of ways, but he's still just 19 and might not be ready to contribute right away. 

29. Chicago Bulls (50-16): Doron Lamb, SG, Kentucky

Richard Hamilton won't be productive for much longer, and Lamb looks to be a good replacement. He doesn't provide much other than a very nice shooting touch, and he's a little small for the position, but he'll fit in with Chicago. 

30. Golden State Warriors (via 50-16 San Antonio Spurs): Fab Melo, C, Syracuse

Mark Jackson is looking to turn Golden State into a defensive force and Fab Melo is the best true defensive center in this draft.

He's a smart pick for Jackson and the Warriors here, even though he doesn't provide much offense. 

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