2012 NBA Mock Draft: Projecting Year 1 Starters in the 1st Round
Forget the NBA Finals.
To the dismay of the few teams still alive in the playoffs, that's exactly what the vast majority of the league is thinking right now. They're focused on next season and, more specifically, the draft.
Here's a 2012 first-round mock highlighting the players who'll start from Day 1.
1. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis, PF (Kentucky)
Charlotte needs help everywhere except at the point guard position. The Bobcats' only option is to select the best player available, and that's without a doubt Anthony Davis.
The 6'10" athletic freak will make an instant impact in the NBA wherever he goes.
2. Washington Wizards: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF (Kentucky)
As much as the Wizards would love to acquire a lethal scorer, Washington has so many needs that its best bet is to take the best player available.
That'd be Kidd-Gilchrist, and there isn't anyone respectable at the 3 to compete for the starting job on the Wizards.
John Wall would love running the break with MKG, who's an elite finisher at the rim.
3. Cleveland Cavaliers: Bradley Beal, SG (Florida)
Antawn Jamison is a free agent, so the Cavs badly need a scoring boost.
Believe it or not, Kyrie Irving can;t do it all, but with Beal alongside him, Cleveland would boast the most promising backcourt in the league. Beal has no ceiling and possesses the potential to develop into one of the NBA's top scorers.
4. New Orleans Hornets: Thomas Robinson, PF (Kansas)
Carl Landry is a free agent, and Jason Smith couldn't outplay Robinson if his life depended on it. The Jayhawks superstar has Blake Griffin-like athletic ability.
New Orleans needs a new face of the franchise, and Robinson is flashy enough to be just that.
5. Sacramento Kings: Andre Drummond, C (UConn)
Drummond is raw, but alongside DeMarcus Cousins, Tyreke Evans, Marcus Thornton, Isaiah Thomas and Jimmer Fredette, Sacramento would boast one of the most promising cores in the league on paper.
6. Portland Trail Blazers: Harrison Barnes, SF (UNC)
With two first-round picks, Portland should pick the best available player, and despite his poor March Madness play, that'd be Barnes.
7. Golden State Warriors: Perry Jones, PF (Baylor)
Golden State has absolutely no depth behind David Lee and Andrew Bogut after trading away Ekpe Udoh.
8. Toronto Raptors: Jeremy Lamb, SG (UConn)
This is a reach for Lamb, but the Raptors are desperate to add a wing across from DeMar DeRozan.
As raw as the Husky is, Lamb wouldn't have much competition to start from Day 1 in purple. With his athleticism, though, Toronto would at least be a fun team to watch.
9. Detroit Pistons: Terrence Jones, PF (Kentucky)
If Jason Maxiell opts out, Jones would start right away next to Greg Monroe.
The Wildcat tweener is being labeled by many scouts as the next Lamar Odom. He would add a new element to a Pistons team that is in need of any sort of spark.
10. New Orleans Hornets: Damian Lillard, PG (Weber State)
Jarrett Jack isn't the point guard of the future, and the explosive Lillard would be an ideal replacement.
11. Portland Trail Blazers: Jared Sullinger, PF (Ohio State)
Sullinger doesn't have much upside, but he's one of the most pro-ready prospects in this class.
Portland badly needs a big man, so adding a player who would've been a Top Five pick last year at this point in the draft is incredible value. Sullinger would combine with LaMarcus Aldridge to give the Trail Blazers a pair of low-post scoring threats—something not many teams in the league possess.
12. Milwaukee Bucks: Tyler Zeller, C (UNC)
After trading Andrew Bogut, Milwaukee has no one at the center position. And with the undersized Monta Ellis at the 2, the Bucks won't ever contend without countering with tremendous size down low.
After playing four years at North Carolina, 7'0" Zeller's game is well-rounded enough to start right away.
13. Phoenix Suns: Kendall Marshall, PG (UNC)
Steve Nash would be insane to re-sign with the Suns.
Phoenix needs a successor either way, and if Nash does sign with a contender, Marshall would start from Day 1. He's the best passer in this class by far and is the perfect replacement for Nash.
14. Houston Rockets: John Henson, PF (UNC)
Houston needs size, and the 6'11" Henson would provide just that.
15. Philadelphia 76ers: Arnett Moultrie, PF (Mississippi State)
Philadelphia's backcourt is extremely deep, but its frontcourt needs work.
16. Houston Rockets: Austin Rivers, SG (Duke)
Kevin Martin only has one year remaining on his contract, and his numbers plummeted this past season.
17. Dallas Mavericks: Dion Waiters, SG (Syracuse)
At this point in the draft, Mark Cuban isn't passing on a player who's being compared to Dwyane Wade.
18. Minnesota Timberwolves: Terrence Ross, SG (Washington)
Minnesota is getting zero production from the shooting guard position right now.
19. Orlando Magic: Tony Wroten Jr., PG (Washington)
Orlando needs to roll the dice on the player with the highest ceiling who's capable of producing right away if the Magic plan on competing for the remainder of the Dwight Howard era.
20. Denver Nuggets: Marquis Teague, PG (Kentucky)
Andre Miller is a free agent, and the Nuggets have plenty of depth everywhere besides at point guard.
21. Boston Celtics: Meyers Leonard, C (Illinois)
Whether or not Kevin Garnett re-signs, retirement is on his radar.
22. Boston Celtics: Quincy Miller, SF (Baylor)
Like Leonard, Miller is a raw, high-potential prospect as the Celtics look to build for the future.
23. Atlanta Hawks: Moe Harkless, SF (St. John’s)
If Marvin Williams feels the wrath of the amnesty clause—which he should—Atlanta will need to select a 3 to eventually step into his role.
24. Cleveland Cavaliers: Fab Melo, C (Syracuse)
Cleveland doesn't have a true center on its roster after passing on Jonas Valanciunas last year.
25. Memphis Grizzlies: Andrew Nicholson, PF (St. Bonaventure)
With no point guard worthy of being selected, Memphis should select the best big man available for depth.
26. Indiana Pacers: Doron Lamb, SG (Kentucky)
Leandro Barbosa will be a free agent, so the Pacers must find a scorer to replace him.
27. Miami Heat: Will Barton, SG (Memphis)
Miami needs someone capable of creating his own shot outside of the Big Three, and Barton would be an ideal fit to lead its bench.
28. Oklahoma City Thunder: Royce White, SF (Iowa State)
With no quality big men available, OKC should find a capable backup for Kevin Durant.
29. Chicago Bulls: John Jenkins, SG (Vanderbilt)
Chicago needs to add the best scorer available at this selection—Derrick Rose is its entire offense.
30. Golden State Warriors: Jeffery Taylor, SF (Vanderbilt)
Taylor is a spectacular wing defender—something the Warriors haven't had in ages.
David Daniels is a featured columnist at Bleacher Report and is a syndicated writer.
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