2012 NBA Mock Draft: Teams That Must Target Immediate Impact Players
Every team in the lottery of the 2012 NBA draft is looking for an immediate impact player. They all won't find one, but they are all looking for one.
There is a reason they didn't make the playoffs, and in most cases it has to do with a lack of talent.
While that can be hard to fathom sometimes, it is the legitimate truth.
However, there are also teams that are one or two players away from making a push towards being a contender. In those cases sometimes a rookie is all that they need.
Here is a look at the teams that must target immediate impact players in the 2012 draft.
1. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis, Kentucky
The Bobcats are a long way off from competing, but to at least earn double-digit wins they need to find someone who can help them from day one.
Should they land the No. 1 pick, Davis is an easy choice.
2. Washington Wizards: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Kentucky
Washington isn't nearly as far off as Charlotte, but it's yet to find a way to get the most out of the young talent on its roster.
MKG is a big answer to a lot of the Wizards' problems. He can step on the court and be an impact starter on both ends of the court from day one.
He's going to have to become a better shooter, but he can make this team better from the get-go.
3. Cleveland Cavaliers, Bradley Beal, Florida
The Cavs are in need a genuine superstar alongside Kyrie Irving, and fortunately for them, in this scenario they get a chance to land Bradley Beal.
If they are lucky enough to select the sweet-shooting freshman from Florida they could actually make some noise at the back end of the Eastern Conference a year from now.
Beal has been compared to Ray Allen and will be superb alongside a true guard like Irving.
4. New Orleans Hornets: Thomas Robinson, Kansas
The Hornets need a lot more than just one player to fix things in New Orleans, but Thomas Robinson is a good start for them.
His ceiling is limited, but he's the type of hustle player they need now and for the future.
5. Sacramento Kings: Jared Sullinger, Ohio State
Sullinger is the most NBA-ready player in this draft and a great big to pair up with DeMarcus Cousins. He'll never be a superstar in this league, but he'll help the Kings get the most of the players they have on the court.
6. Portland Trail Blazers (via New Jersey Nets): Andre Drummond, Connecticut
This is a complete potential-based pick, although the Blazers need help immediately. Drummond is nowhere near ready to dominate, but his potential is through the roof.
7. Golden State Warriors: Perry Jones III, Baylor
Much of the same goes for PJIII with the Warriors. He's a gifted athlete with a ton of potential, but he's struggled to live up to it time and time again. He'll flash brilliance, but the Warriors are making this selection based on potential.
8. Toronto Raptors: Harrison Barnes, North Carolina
The Raptors could go a number of ways here and are one of the more intriguing teams in this draft. They'd love an immediate help, but they could opt for a potential-based pick depending who is on the board.
9. Detroit Pistons: Arnett Moultrie, Mississippi State
This team isn't all that far away from putting together a solid squad, so looking for someone to help now, but also to develop, is the best idea.
Moultrie is exactly that.
10. New Orleans Hornets (via Minnesota Timberwolves): Kendall Marshall, North Carolina
As said earlier, the Hornets need a ton of help before they're ready to compete, but Marshall is an NBA-ready point guard.
He has the potential to be a left-handed Deron Williams.
11. Portland Trail Blazers: Austin Rivers, Duke
The Blazers again gamble a bit here, but they've decided they're going to build for the future rather than get stuck in neutral the way they were before melting down this year.
12. Milwaukee Bucks: Tyler Zeller, North Carolina
The Bucks just missed out on the postseason and now they're out to find one thing: a big man. They traded away Andrew Bogut and now they're ready to bring in his replacement.
Zeller is exactly that.
His ceiling may be limited, but the Bucks know exactly what they're going to get from the seven-footer and they'll be happy to stick him under the hoop and let him rebound and block shots for the foreseeable future.
13. Phoenix Suns: Damian Lillard, Weber State
It remains to be seen whether or not the Suns will bring back Steve Nash, but eventually they'd need to replace him. Lillard is scoring guard like Nash but has work to do as a passer.
If they do bring back the Hall of Famer he'll have someone great to learn from.
14. Houston Rockets: Jeremy Lamb, Connecticut
Who knows what to think about the Rockets and where they're headed. GM Daryl Morey makes some questionable decisions from time to time, but Lamb has great potential.
15. Philadelphia 76ers: John Henson, North Carolina
Philly continues to show how talented and good it can be, but it's not perfect. Another youthful big man is definitely on its wish list and John Henson fits that need perfectly.
The Sixers have a plethora of scoring guards, but Henson is the big guy they lack.
16. Houston Rockets (via New York Knicks): Terrence Jones, Kentucky
Courtesy of the Knicks, Houston lands a lottery talent at pick No. 16.
Jones has the potential to be an elite wing in this league, but has some work to do.
17. Dallas Mavericks: Terrence Ross, Washington
The Mavericks will likely say goodbye to Jason Terry this offseason, so they'll need another instant-offense guard they can count on off the bench.
That is where Ross comes in.
The 6'6" to-be rookie is a gifted scorer and will fill that role perfectly and immediately.
18. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Utah Jazz): Meyers Leonard, Illinois
We know the Timberwolves don't need anymore point guards, but they could use another big to develop.
Leonard's a genuine seven-footer with good upside.
19. Orlando Magic: Quincy Miller, Baylor
The other Baylor star, Miller doesn't fill an immediate need but gives Orlando a potential building it hopes will keep Dwight Howard from bolting again.
20. Denver Nuggets: Dion Waiters, Syracuse
The Nuggets have no shortage of scorers, but Waiters is another guy who can fit into their rotation and score points.
21. Boston Celtics: Andrew Nicholson, St. Bonaventure
The Celtics will have immediate needs at the end of this season, but Nicholson is like a watered-down version Paul Pierce—a guy who can do everything even though he doesn't look all that athletic.
22. Boston Celtics (via Los Angeles Clippers): Royce White, Iowa State
Depending on how the playoffs and free agency play out, the Celtics could be looking for a rebounder and White does that better than most.
23. Atlanta Hawks: Doron Lamb, Kentucky
A clutch scorer sounds great for Hawks team that is still trying to find the right mix of talent to push deep into the postseason.
24. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Los Angeles Lakers): Moe Harkless, St. John's
After landing one potential superstar at No. 3, the Cavs turn around and great another late in the first. Harkless has great potential and could be a steal this late in the draft. He's a gifted swing who could replace Antawn Jamison.
25. Memphis Grizzlies: Tony Wroten, Washington
The long combo guard gives Memphis an insurance policy if it loses O.J. Mayo and someone who can backup Mike Conley, Jr., too.
26. Indiana Pacers: Marquis Teague, Kentucky
A backup point guard is something Pacers are heavily interested in, and Teague actually has "steal" written all over him.
27. Miami Heat: Fab Melo, Syracuse
If Fab Melo matures he could a good NBA player, but that is a big if. The Heat need bodies under the basket though, and he's a genuine seven-footer.
28. Oklahoma City Thunder: Draymond Green, Michigan State
Green's a do-everything kind of guy who'll thrive coming off the bench for this team. He's an immediate impact player depending on how much time he's given on the court.
29. Chicago Bulls: John Jenkins, Vanderbilt
Jenkins is arguably the best shooter in this draft and could be the replacement for Richard Hamilton in Chicago. We've talked about the Bulls' need for a legitimate two-guard for a while now.
30. Golden State Warriors (via San Antonio Spurs): Jeffery Taylor, Vanderbilt
Taylor has a ton of athleticism and is a safer pick at this spot than PJIII was in the lottery.
