2012 NBA Mock Draft: Surprise Selections Destined to Shock on Draft Day

If mock drafts were as accurate as their authors might like to believe, there wouldn't be much point in tuning in for the actual draft.

Fortunately, there's really nothing predictable about the NBA draft. When June 28 finally rolls around, we'll almost certainly be in store for some wheeling and dealing that will shake up the draft order beyond our wildest imagination.

On May 30, the draft lottery could shake our predictions even further.

But even if the draft order winds up looking exactly like we expect it to look, there's no telling what will be going on in the heads of each team's chief decision-makers. Player workouts and interviews will tell each team far more about these prospects than their track records at the college level.

For those of us who aren't privy to such insider information, we'll just have to make due with our best guesses. And, maybe we can predict some of those surprises along the way.

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

No surprises here. The Bobcats are terrible, and Anthony Davis is amazing in almost every respect. It may not be a match made in heaven, but Charlotte will be more than happy to add such a long, athletic and versatile defender.

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

Here is where things might start to get interesting. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Thomas Robinson both make a ton of sense for the Wizards. Kidd-Gilchrist may eventually become this draft class' best all-around player, but Robinson just might get the nod here.

The junior out of Kansas averaged nearly 18 points in his final season and may just be the most NBA-ready player in the draft. He also brings to the table the physical and mental toughness John Wall's young Wizards desperately need. That might be good enough to edge Kidd-Gilchrist out here.

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

Like the Wizards, Cleveland could also use someone like Kidd-Gilchrist (and for all the same reasons). But the Cavaliers might prefer Beal on account of his ability to score from virtually anywhere on the court.

On the one hand, there's nothing too shocking about that–this is a franchise that isn't interested in being patient. We know Kyrie Irving is ready to go, and he could use a backcourt partner who's similarly ready for action in the big leagues. As hard as it is to imagine Kidd-Gilchrist slipping to the fourth pick, there are good reasons to believe he might.

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

While it may be surprising for neither the Wizards nor Cavaliers to take Kidd-Gilchrist, it won't be at all surprising when the Hornets finally do. Anthony Davis' teammate will either be a top-notch sidekick or a superstar in his own right. He defends and plays hard every possession

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

Most predictions seem to have Andre Drummond going to the Kings, and there's certainly some logic to that. Sacramento's defense is terrible, and Drummond's massive, athletic frame would presumably help rectify that. He'd also free DeMarcus Cousins to focus on his offensive game (at which he excels).

Nevertheless, Drummond is something of a high-risk proposal. He's still raw, and he may never live up to his scary-good potential. Meanwhile, we know Harrison Barnes can make jump-shots and defend the perimeter pretty well. He may not be the most conventional pick here, but he's probably the safest one.

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

The Trail Blazers own two lottery selections, so they should be a bit more inclined to take the risk on someone like Drummond. They can always play it more safely with the next pick. Portland also has a glaring need in the middle, and Drummond will make important contributions even as his skills take some time to develop.

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

If Jones III were as consistent as he is talented, he'd give Anthony Davis a run for the first-overall selection. Unfortunately, the 6'11" power forward still has a lot to prove. He'd have a chance to prove plenty with the Warriors, though–they could use an athletic big man to provide a different look from starter David Lee.

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

Toronto already has a wealth of young talent, but it hasn't been able to do that much with it so far. Without a position of particular needs, the Raptors are probably best suited to go with the best available talent. Some might dispute that Lamb fits the profile, but there's probably no one more ready to come into a pro game and score from day one.

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

The Pistons' problem really isn't a lack of talent–it's just that they have all the wrong talent. One lottery pick won't change that, but Henson will certainly make Detroit's interior defense much better. He's a lengthy power forward who should quickly earn the starting job over Jason Maxiell and Charlie Villanueva.

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

The Hornets are a better team than their record indicates–a healthy Eric Gordon will make more of an impact than either of this team's two lottery picks. Still, someone like Lillard could come in right away and put up a lot of points. While his point guard skills leave something to be desired, he can drive to the rim and shoot from range.

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

Marshall is essentially the polar opposite to Damian Lillard in every way. He's nowhere near the scorer, but he's one heck of a passer. The kid wasn't averaging nearly 10 assists per game at UNC by accident.

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

There's absolutely nothing surprising about Milwaukee's need for a new center. Andrew Bogut had long been this team franchise player, but his trade to Golden State creates an immediate need in the middle. Zeller can do the job, and after staying at UNC for four years, he should be ready to go in no time at all.

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

This pick would be surprising for at least a couple of reasons. First, there's a good chance Jones will already be taken off the board–he's got a ton of potential. Second, conventional wisdom suggests the Suns will look for a guard to either replace or join Steve Nash.

Nevertheless, Jones could slide this far largely because there are other good wing players in this draft, and some of them may be more ready to contribute right away. And, the Suns could be in the market for Jones given their need for an eventual superstar. Of course, there's no guarantee Jones will become that star, but he has just about as good of a chance as anyone.

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

The Rockets' first selection should be used to give the team the flexibility to trade Kyle Lowry and/or Kevin Martin. Rivers is a prolific scorer who would allow Houston to do just that. If Goran Dragic becomes too expensive to re-sign, Rivers could also take over as the de facto sixth man.

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

The last thing the 76ers really need is another middling rotation piece to join a roster that's already deep with decent but underwhelming players. Unfortunately, Philly probably won't be able to do much better than that with this selection. Sullinger could be a very good power forward if he adjusts to NBA size, but he probably won't become more than a solid starter in this league.

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

Moultrie can get up and down the floor and attack the glass with the best of them. He won't do much more that (at least initially), but he'd be a nice addition to a team that could use some athleticism inside the paint.

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

Leonard may be a bit of a project in the short term, but the Mavericks should still take what reasons to be the best available center. Dallas hasn't had a legitimate starter in the middle since Tyson Chandler left for the New York Knicks, and Leonard could well be the long-term answer.

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

This pick wouldn't be a surprise in one sense–the Timberwolves are in dire need of a promising shooting guard to pair with Kevin Love, Ricky Rubio and Derrick Williams. It would, however, be somewhat surprising to see Ross slide this far in the first round.

He has the broad set of skills that should earn him a spot in the lottery, but given this draft's depth and the premium teams place on big men, Ross could very well wind up in Minnesota's lap. That might be best for both sides. A good team would get a lot better, and Ross would find himself on a potential playoff team.

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

Taylor would give Orlando a fantastic on-ball defender with deceptively solid scoring ability. That said, the Magic could do any number of things here depending on how it's planning to either (a) convince Dwight Howard to stick around or (b) prepare for his potentially inevitable departure.

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

Wroten Jr. has loads of upside, but he has even more work to do. His floor vision isn't what you'd prefer from a point guard, but his shooting isn't much better. The Nuggets have enough youth and depth that they could afford to wait while he better learns the game.

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

The Celtics couldn't ask for a better draft to have a couple of first-round picks, even if they are toward the bottom of the pack. This is a deep draft, and Quincy Miller is proof of that. He has the upside that might land him in the lottery in another draft.

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

Kevin Garnett has performed quite well as Boston's interim center, but this team still doesn't have a legitimate big man outside of the still unproven Greg Stiemsma. Melo has enough size and explosive ability to earn a first-round pick, even though his current talent-level makes him look a lot more like a second-rounder.

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

Waiters can get to the basket in a flash and could form a dangerously quick backcourt combination with starting point guard Jeff Teague. He may be more of a combo-guard than a conventional 2, but that would suit Atlanta's youth-deprived bench just fine.

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

If Cleveland doesn't take a small forward with its lottery pick, it should look for one here. Harkless is probably their best bet–he's a good athlete who could round out into an above-average pro if he further develops his skill set.

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

Nicholson probably wouldn't find himself starting so long as Zach Randolph is in Memphis, but he would give the Grizzlies some flexibility in the event that Darrell Arthur and Marreese Speights don't stick around. This kid shoots well for a power forward and has a frame that should withstand NBA size.

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

Green could wind up being one of this draft's biggest steals. He does a little bit of everything, and he does it with hustle. The Pacers have plenty of depth, but Green could crack the rotation thanks to his unusually well-rounded skill set.

27. Miami Heat: Festus Ezeli, C (Vanderbilt)

The Heat may win a lot of games, but it's no secret this roster has some holes–especially at the center position. Ezeli may not be starter-material, but he could earn minutes as a shot-swatter off the bench.

28. Oklahoma City Thunder: Evan Fournier, SG (France)

It's hard to imagine the Thunder drafting someone who can contribute right away. OKC could use some depth, but there aren't many minutes to go around with Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden around. If the Thunder don't trade this pick, expect them to take a long-term project like Fournier.

29. Chicago Bulls: Marquis Teague, PG (Kentucky)

The Bulls should be in the market for a point guard with Derrick Rose potentially out for the duration of next season. Teague will be their best bet–he's a speedy point guard with far better decision-making than most floor generals his age.

30. Golden State Warriors (via San Antonio Spurs): William Buford, SG (Ohio State)

The Warriors could use another young scorer to audition for a prominent spot in the rotation. Buford showed his stuff in the NCAA tournaments and just might be able to crack the first round as a result.