2012 NBA Mock Draft: First Round Picks Destined for Greatness

Plenty of drafts throughout NBA history have been loaded with talent. Just look at the 1996 class if you need a shining example of that. It included Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash, Allen Iverson, Ray Allen, Stephon Marbury, Antoine Walker, Jermaine O’Neal and Marcus Camby among others.

Does the 2012 class have the same star power lurking within?

Let’s take a look at the latest first-round mock with an eye on some players that have a chance to become superstars.

1. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis, Kentucky

Davis is going to be a household name in a few years. He is an immense talent on defense already and once his offense catches up, there will be no stopping him.

There is little doubt that Davis goes anywhere but No. 1 overall, and that is for good reason. He is a special player.

2. Washington Wizards:  Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Kentucky 

MKG is another Kentucky product with a bright future. He has the best motor in the class with the athleticism to match. If he does not become a star, it will not be because he did not try hard enough.

3. Cleveland Cavaliers, Bradley Beal, Florida 

Beal looks like the next great shooting guard in the league. He has NBA range on his three-point shot and the muscle mass to absorb contact when going to the rim. The current crop of elite SGs is getting up in age, and Beal is ready to fill their shoes.

4. New Orleans Hornets: Thomas Robinson, Kansas

The Hornets need someone to start rebuilding around and Robinson is someone they can count on for the long haul. He has got a huge frame, a great motor, a nose for rebounds, a solid jumper and everything else you can expect from a franchise PF.

5. Sacramento Kings: Jared Sullinger, Ohio State

While the Kings may not want to go big, they have to be intrigued by adding Sullinger here to partner with DeMarcus Cousins in the paint. Both players can score easily in the post and would make a formidable defensive tandem.

6. Portland Trail Blazers (via New Jersey Nets): Andre Drummond, Connecticut

Portland desperately needs size and Drummond is the prospect with the most upside at the center position. His poor production in college is a red flag, but there is a chance he becomes one of the top players in the class.

7. Golden State Warriors: Perry Jones III

PJIII has the skill to be the No. 1 overall pick but the motor of an undrafted player. He has got to start caring more and has to stop disappearing for stretches on the court to become a star.

8. Toronto Raptors: Harrison Barnes, North Carolina

The Raptors need a scorer and a small forward. Barnes is exactly that and perfectly fills the biggest hole on that team. He could easily become a 20-plus PPG guy that the franchise builds around.

9. Detroit Pistons: Arnett Moultrie, Mississippi State

The fact that it took a transfer from UTEP for Moultrie to find success at the NCAA level is concerning, but scouts can look past that when they see what he did during his season with Mississippi St. and his tremendous athleticism.

10. New Orleans Hornets (via Minnesota Timberwolves):  Kendall Marshall, North Carolina 

Marshall is the best facilitator in the draft and someone the team needs to install to help replace Chris Paul. He will never be that good overall, but his passing could certainly be in the same class.

11. Portland Trail Blazers: Austin Rivers, Duke

Rivers appears to have a great future in the NBA. He plays like a star and could easily become one once he learns to play off the ball a bit better and get teammates more involved.

12. Milwaukee Bucks: Tyler Zeller, North Carolina

Zeller does not have much upside, but he has experience and the ability to be immediately plugged into Milwaukee’s lineup. They are too small to compete right now and this UNC product can change that.

13. Phoenix Suns: Damian Lillard, Weber State

Lillard is the best scoring guard in the country, but he has got to prove himself as a facilitator to replace Steve Nash in Phoenix. He could always move to the 2 if he does not pan out as a true PG.

14. Houston Rockets: Jeremy Lamb, Connecticut

If Lamb is dialed in, he is one of the best players in college basketball. Unfortunately, there are too many times when he is going through the motions and not making the impact he could. Houston will still take a chance on his ceiling.

15. Philadelphia 76ers: John Henson, North Carolina

Henson is a lengthy, athletic PF that the Sixers can stash on the bench until Elton Brand leaves via free agency or retirement. He should be groomed and ready to go as a starter by then.

16. Houston Rockets (via New York Knicks): Terrence Jones, Kentucky

Jones is another player who lacks a motor. If he were to play at his best at a consistent level, there is no ceiling for this young man. Alas, he is far too prone to lackadaisical efforts.

17. Dallas Mavericks: Terrence Ross, Washington

Ross will inject much needed youth into the aging SG rotation the Mavs trotted out in their title defense. He’s definitely got a future as a starter if he develops properly.

18. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Utah Jazz):  Meyers Leonard, Illinois

Minny will not be able to land their starting 2 here, so they go with the next best thing for their team and take a backup big man to play behind Nikola Pekovic and Kevin Love.

19. Orlando Magic: Quincy Miller, Baylor

Miller is great at scoring the basketball and only getting better. If he can continue to hone all facets of his game, there is no telling how good he can become.

20. Denver Nuggets:  Dion Waiters, Syracuse

Denver is likely going to trade this pick because their team is so deep and stacked at nearly every position. If they do decide to stay at No. 20, they could either take a Euro player to stash for a few years or go with someone with a lot of upside like Waiters.

21. Boston Celtics: Andrew Nicholson, St. Bonaventure

The C’s have to get a replacement for Kevin Garnett, who may leave via free agency this summer or retirement after his last contract. Nicholson has the experience, size and mid-range game to help fill that void.

22. Boston Celtics (via Los Angeles Clippers): Royce White, Iowa State

White is a huge forward with a lot of strength. He’s also got a knack for passing and scoring, which makes him seem like a top-ten pick. He would be if it were not for an anxiety disorder that scouts are extremely leery of.

23. Atlanta Hawks: Doron Lamb, Kentucky

The Hawks need a reliable 3-point threat and someone who can make big shots when Joe Johnson is not having a great night. Lamb seems like the perfect guy to fill that role.

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

Harkless has incredible upside and is one of the younger players in the draft. If he develops up to his potential over the next few seasons, Cleveland will have an elite SF here.

25. Memphis Grizzlies: Tony Wroten, Washington

Wroten is the PG with the highest upside in this class. He did not have the best freshman season with the Huskies, but his size and improving vision mean the sky is the limit.

26. Indiana Pacers: Marquis Teague, Kentucky

Teague will not become a traditional starting 1, but his speed and agility will make him an excellent facilitator and finisher on the fast break for a second unit.

27. Miami Heat: Fab Melo, Syracuse

Melo flushed his stock down the toilet by not being eligible for the 2012 NCAA tournament. The Heat will not care, as they desperately need a big man with size and upside.

28. Oklahoma City Thunder: Draymond Green, Michigan State

OKC has built a great locker room full of high character winners. Green fits the bill and can be a backup for both forward positions.

29. Chicago Bulls: John Jenkins, Vanderbilt

Jenkins is a sniper that has a chance to take over Rip Hamilton’s role in Chicago if he is injured or ineffective once again.

30. Golden State Warriors (via San Antonio Spurs): Jeffery Taylor, Vanderbilt

Taylor is an incredible athlete who will not slip out of the first round. He’s improving his jumper and has the experience to immediately contribute.