2012 NBA Mock Draft: Dynamic Scorers Who Will Dazzle as Rookies

It just so happens that some of the NBA's worst teams also have the most sluggish offenses. Their nightmares could be coming to an end if they can get their hands on this summer's most electric scorers via June's draft.

There should be no shortage of guys who can make a difference. From tough inside threats like Thomas Robinson to sharpshooters like Austin Rivers, teams in and out of the lottery alike should have their pick of the litter.

To be fair, this draft's best scorers aren't necessarily its best players. Kentucky's Anthony Davis and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist could make the biggest impacts of all, but their rookie years may not be especially high-scoring affairs. But putting all those other important things (like rebounding and defending) aside for a moment, here's one first-round scenario with the spotlight on this draft's finest scorers. 

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

Davis may not be the most electric scorer in the draft, but that won't stop Charlotte from selecting him with the first overall pick. He has the physical tools and talent to improve his offense, but his biggest selling point is, of course, all the damage he can do defensively (and on the glass).

2. Washington Wizards: Thomas Robinson, PF (Kansas)

While this draft features a number of solid prospects at the power forward position, none may be as ready to score as Robinson. He has the quickness and strength to take the ball inside, but he also has the touch to face up and hit mid-range jumpers.

The Wizards could very well go with either Michael Kidd-Gilchrist or Bradley Beal, but it's awfully hard to find guys like Robinson. Besides his size and productivity, he's also one tough hombre—both physically and mentally. Washington could desperately use that kind of edge to turn around a team that has been nothing if not soft.

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

With Rookie of the Year Kyrie Irving the unquestioned centerpiece of Cleveland's rebuilding process, the Cavaliers' most urgent needs are at shooting guard and small forward. Unfortunately, Cleveland's premium lottery selection will only be able to solve one of those needs, but Beal would be one heck of a solution.

He averaged nearly 15 points and seven rebounds as a freshman, and he appears to have been built to score prolifically at the NBA level. He has plenty of long-range ability, but he's also fearless enough to drive to the rim or pull up for a jump shot. Cleveland doesn't have many guys who can create their own shots, so Beal would be an especially valuable addition.

4. New Orleans Hornets: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF (Kentucky)

Kidd-Gilchrist is an elite prospect to be sure, maybe even good enough to be chosen immediately after his former teammate Anthony Davis. The only weakness is his still developing outside shot, a liability that could limit his scoring (at least initially). Otherwise, the 18-year-old small forward can do it all and do it well.

5. Sacramento Kings: Harrison Barnes, SF (North Carolina)

Barnes should have a solid rookie season thanks to his already polished jump shot, but he may struggle early on to diversify his offense enough for NBA defenders. He'll learn in time, though, and he could certainly make the Kings better on both ends of the floor right away. After scoring over 17 points a game as a sophomore, there's no doubt this kid can shoot.

6. Portland Trail Blazers (via Brooklyn Nets): Andre Drummond, C (UConn)

Drummond has the kind of hulk-like frame that could make scoring relatively easy for him one day, but he's still far too raw to deploy those fledgling post skills just yet. He could still earn some playing time early on, especially for a team in dire need of a center (like Portland), but he'll earn those minutes on account of his defensive impact more than anything else.

7. Golden State Warriors: Perry Jones III, PF (Baylor)

How Jones III fares as a rookie is still anyone's guess. He's long, athletic and can jump out of the building, but he's yet to prove he can remain focused throughout the course of a season. If his mental approach catches up to his talent, he could become a great scorer (among other things).

8. Toronto Raptors: Jeremy Lamb, SG (UConn)

If Lamb goes this high in the draft, it will be almost entirely because of his scoring ability. He scores from virtually anywhere and stands to become even more lethal as his already decent shooting stroke improves still further.

The 19-year-old could stand to add some muscle, but his freakish 7'0" wingspan still gives him the tools to become a versatile scorer. The Raptors already have DeMar DeRozan, but they desperately need more shooting on the wing. Lamb could be their guy, and it wouldn't be at all surprising to see him have a MarShon Brooks-like emergence in his rookie campaign.

9. Detroit Pistons: John Henson, PF (North Carolina)

It could take Henson some time to develop his scoring ability, but he should develop much like the similarly molded Serge Ibaka has for the Oklahoma City Thunder. His penchant for making a defensive impact with his length and energy should make for a perfect fit alongside the vastly-improved Greg Monroe.

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

As long as Jarrett Jack is in New Orleans, someone like Lillard would see most of his minutes come in a sixth-man capacity. That should suit the shoot-first spark-plug just fine until he improves his floor vision. By that time, the starting point guard role should be his to take.

Lillard scored over 24 points a game in his junior year at Weber State, getting his baskets from the perimeter and painted area alike. He has a combination of quickness and shooting ability that could make him the next Kyle Lowry.

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

Marshall averaged fewer than 10 points in each of his two seasons at UNC, but he's a much better prospect than meets the eye. That's due in large part to his fantastic passing acumen and a mature understanding of the game that eludes most young point guards.

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

Zeller has a much better all-around game than most of his peers. Whereas the average big-man prospect earns attention on account of size or athleticism, Zeller's game falls more in line with the fundamentally sound approach taken by Tim Duncan. That wouldn't be so bad for the Bucks, who sorely need a center to replace Andrew Bogut.

13. Phoenix Suns: Terrence Jones, SF (Kentucky)

Jones' 7'3" wingspan and first-rate athleticism make him one of the most promising players in the draft. He racked up more than his fair share of blocked shots for Kentucky, and a more diversified offensive game would pay huge dividends. The Suns need a guy with star potential, and Jones has just that.

14. Houston Rockets: Austin Rivers, G (Duke)

For all of Rivers' shortcomings as a passer and team player, he could be one of the most prolific scorers to come out this summer. He can create his own shots and make more than a few of them—especially from mid-range.

Even though Rivers might not start right away, he should still score a lot of points right away. He's the perfect candidate to come off the bench and provide the second unit with a jolt. With the risk that Goran Dragic may become too expensive for the Rockets' taste, Houston could be in the market for a backcourt addition.

15. Philadelphia 76ers: Jared Sullinger, PF (Ohio State) 

Sullinger was a double-double machine at Ohio State, but he'll have his hands full with the NBA's larger front lines. Philadelphia doesn't have many immediate needs, though, so the undersized power forward would have some time to acclimate himself to the pro game.

16. Houston Rockets (via New York Knicks): Arnett Moultrie, PF (Mississippi St.)

Moultrie has nice size at 6'11" and worlds of athletic ability. But outside of his rebounding and explosiveness, it's still unclear how much else he can contribute. Either way, the Rockets could use a young big who can run the floor and develop over time.

17. Dallas Mavericks: Meyers Leonard, C (Illinois)

The Mavericks don't have much of choice here—they desperately need a center to replace the pricey ineffectiveness of Brendan Haywood. Even if it takes Leonard some time to round out his game and build the strength to start at the pro level, he'll be well worth Mark Cuban's patience.

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

Ross scores, plays defense and hustles his way to more rebounds than the average shooting guard. Minnesota's lone weak spot has been at the shooting guard spot, and one more young piece could make this the best young team in the league.

19. Orlando Magic: Jeff Taylor, SF (Vanderbilt)

Orlando needs a lot of things, but an athletic defender on the wing should top the list. Taylor is one of the best on-ball defenders in the draft, and he's not a bad shooter either. Unless a total gem slips all the way to Orlando, Taylor would be a safe bet here.

20. Denver Nuggets: Tony Wroten Jr., PG (Washington)

Wroten Jr. probably doesn't deserve to be selected this high, but his upside and size could become too tempting for a franchise that should know better. Still, if his development goes perfectly, the Nuggets could have themselves the next Rodney Stuckey coming off their bench.

21. Boston Celtics: Quincy Miller, SF (Baylor)

Miller didn't get a ton of attention thanks to the Bears' deep squad, but he was an essential component to Baylor's emergence as an NCAA contender. At 6'9", his length and athletic ability would give Boston a versatile resource to spell the aging Paul Pierce at small forward. 

22. Boston Celtics (via Los Angeles Clippers): Fab Melo, C (Syracuse)

Boston hasn't had a legitimate center in some time, and certainly not a youngster with much potential or explosive ability. Melo could change that, at least down the road. Even in the short term, however, he could provide some useful depth.

23. Atlanta Hawks: Dion Waiters, G (Syracuse)

Waiters is one of this draft's best slashers, and he'd immediately energize the Hawks' aging bench. With Kirk Hinrich potentially on his way out, Atlanta's backcourt could definitely use the help.

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

Assuming the Cavaliers address their need for a 2 in the lottery, the next priority is bringing in some help at small forward. Harkless averaged 15.3 points and 8.6 rebounds in his freshman campaign at St. John's, and could be the best small forward available this late in the first round.

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

With Darrell Arthur and Marreese Speights free agents, Memphis could start thinking about adding some depth to its front line. Nicholson isn't the best rebounder, but he scores well for a power forward and has better range than most.

26. Indiana Pacers: Draymond Green, F (Michigan St.)

The Pacers have a deep roster and few pressing needs that a pick this late could actually address, but Green would give them a tough guy to stash on the bench. Indiana could also look for some depth at center (behind Roy Hibbert) or look to package this pick for a more veteran upgrade.

27. Miami Heat: Marquis Teague, PG (Kentucky)

Unless Miami is satisfied with its point guard combination of Mario Chalmers and Norris Cole, Teague could be an intriguing addition. He has lethal quickness and better floor vision than most point guard prospects.

28. Oklahoma City Thunder: Festus Ezeli, C (Vanderbilt)

Ezeli averaged two-or-more blocks a game in both his junior and senior years, and the Thunder could use that kind of intimidation coming off the bench. With Nick Collison more accustomed to drawing charges than blocking shots, Ezeli could help protect the paint when Ibaka and Perkins are sitting.

29. Chicago Bulls: Evan Fournier, SG (France)

The sharpshooting Frenchman might be Chicago's best bet this late in the draft, but don't be surprised if the Bulls move this pick in an effort to secure a point guard. With Derrick Rose potentially out for the whole season, it might be time to get creative and acquire a veteran who could step in and run the point.

30. Golden State Warriors (via San Antonio Spurs): Tyshawn Taylor, PG (Kansas)

Taylor has some big game experience and a nice combination of point guard skills. Golden State may simply opt to take the best available talent, but Taylor would address the Warriors' need for some insurance behind the oft-injured Stephen Curry.