2012 NBA Mock Draft: First Round Talent Ready for NBA Success
In the NBA, the best way to save a failing franchise is through the NBA draft. Some picks may take longer than others to develop, but there are plenty of prospects ready to contribute right away.
Take a look at Kyrie Irving this year and you'll understand both how important rookies can be and how fast they can have an impact.
In this first-round mock draft, I'll take a closer look at the players who are ready to have success at the next level right away.
Note: These instant-impact players are in italics
1. Charlotte Bobcats (7-59): Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky
If Davis isn't ready to make an instant impact, I'm not sure who is. I mean, he's already competing to go to the Olympics for the U.S.
The former Kentucky star may only be 19, but his ridiculous combination of length and athleticism will help make the transition from best college basketball player to Rookie of the Year.
Not only will he control the paint with his shot-blocking ability, but the former guard, who is now 6'10" by the way, has the ability to defend some small forwards too.
That's just not fair.
Throw in his increasingly-improving jump shot, which is just icing on the defensive cake he provides, and you have a prospect that just doesn't come around all that often.
2. Washington Wizards (20-46): Andre Drummond, C, Connecticut
While the first pick is a lock, this one could go either way.
However, after workouts are completed, I don't think Drummond will get passed up. Teams are always looking for a franchise center, and he has the size and athleticism that makes teams drool.
He's a potential bust, especially considering his poor year at Connecticut, but his ceiling is sky high.
3. Cleveland Cavaliers (21-45): Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, Kentucky
Kidd-Gilchrist is a bit undersized for a small forward and still needs to work on his shooting, but his defensive prowess, relentless motor and ability to get to the hoop and finish with ease make him an easy top-five pick.
The Cavs would jump for joy if they were able to pair Kyrie Irving with Kidd-Gilchrist.
4. New Orleans Hornets (21-45): Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas
T-Rob isn't the most exciting prospect, but he's ready to play in the NBA.
When he took a mediocre Kansas team all the way to the national championship, that became clear.
Not only is Robinson a terrific rebounder, he's athletic, he never stops working, he has an NBA body and even has a jump shot with range out to the NBA three-point line (though it's not consistent).
The biggest worry around Robinson is his height, but he's shown he has the type of skills to work around that. In all honesty, this would be a steal for the Hornets.
5. Sacramento Kings (22-44): Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina
Harrison Barnes still has plenty to work on, but he has the ability to be a dynamite scorer right away in the NBA. On one condition.
He goes to a team with a good point guard.
Barnes, who has the prototypical NBA small forward body and length, can absolutely shoot the lights out, whether it be from mid or long range.
What he struggles with, however, is creating his own shot and getting to the hoop. If he has a point guard to create open shots and keep his confidence going, he's going to absolutely roll to an NBA All-Rookie First Team.
Hey, if Ryan Anderson can be a productive shooter in the right system, then so can Barnes, who has plenty more natural tools.
6. Portland Trail Blazers (via 22-44 New Jersey Nets): Kendall Marshall, PG, North Carolina
I worry about this pick, but Portland could use a pass-first point guard, and that's exactly what Marshall is.
His athleticism and defense are both questionable, but don't underestimate a guy who is going to make everyone else better on offense.
7. Golden State Warriors (23-43): Brad Beal, SG, Florida Gators
Beal has an NBA body, plus he's an electric scorer. He can get to the hoop and he has very deep range, although he struggled with his jump shot at Florida.
The former Gator has top-three potential, but I think he'll fall here simply because of team need. The Warriors will be lucky to grab him.
8. Toronto Raptors (23-43): Austin Rivers, SG, Duke
Much like Beal, Rivers is lightning quick to the hoop and possesses the ability to hit the three-pointer from several feet beyond the line.
Putting that type of scorer next to a less-athletic, pure point guard in Jose Calderon would be smart, plus the Raptors could move DeMar DeRozan to small forward.
9. Detroit Pistons (25-41): Perry Jones, PF, Baylor
Jones is a bit of an enigma, but there's no denying what that his ceiling is fairly higher than almost everyone else in this draft.
He's 6'1", 235 pounds, has a long reach and is still an athletic freak. It's boom-or-bust for Jones and the Pistons will take that risk.
10. New Orleans Hornets (via 26-40 Minnesota Timberwolves): Damian Lillard, PG, Weber State
He's not a true point guard, as he's better suited driving and shooting than he is passing, but I think Russell Westbrook is proving teams can get by without a true passing point guard.
This gives New Orleans an eventual Jarrett Jack replacement and a scary weapon next to fellow scorer, Eric Gordon, should he stick around.
11. Portland Trail Blazers (28-38): Tyler Zeller, C, North Carolina
Zeller is a true center, but he is fast for his size and possesses many solid offensive skills, such as a mid-range jumper and a nice jump hook from the post.
He's not overly strong, but with Zeller, Portland could keep LaMarcus Aldridge at power forward.
12. Milwaukee Bucks (31-35): Jeremy Lamb, SG, Connecticut
I think Lamb's lack of strength and propensity to disappear from games will drop his stock, but it's going to be hard for some teams to pass him up.
He's 6'5", so he'll play shooting guard, but he has a ridiculous 7'0" wingspan that will help him cause all kinds of problems for opponents.
Also, he's a good shooter with plenty of athleticism. It's safe to same Lamb is one of the more intriguing prospects in the draft. He could be Ray Allen, but he could also be Austin Daye.
13. Phoenix Suns (33-33): Terrence Ross, SG, Washington
Terrence Ross is another guy who has the talent to contribute right away.
At times he shied away from action with Washington, but other than that, there's not much to dislike about this kid.
He's easily the best jumper in the draft, as he time and time again threw down in-game dunks you didn't think were possible.
Additionally, he has terrific shooting ability, and more importantly, he has the unique skill of being able to consistently hit shots off the dribble and off a variety of moves.
Ross' ability to score in such a variety of ways is going to make him valuable right away in the NBA. The Suns will luck out by getting him with this pick, as I believe he has top-10 talent.
14. Houston Rockets (34-32): Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois
I'm not a huge fan of Leonard, but 7'0" centers with offensive skills don't come along too often. Plus, Samuel Dalembert and Marcus Camby aren't the centers of the future in Houston.
15. Philadelphia 76ers (35-31): Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State
Elton Brand isn't getting any younger and Spencer Hawes could be leaving in free agency, so the 76ers will have to bolster their frontcourt.
Sullinger is a polished offensive player and will provide good value at No. 15.
16. Houston Rockets (via 36-20 New York Knicks): Dion Waiters, SG, Syracuse
Whether Goran Dragic leaves via free agency or Kyle Lowry is traded, I don't think the Rockets will go forward with two terrific point guards.
What's more, the Rockets coaching staff isn't in love with Kevin Martin. That makes Waiters, who can also play point guard in a bind, the perfect pick.
Waiters is one of the best scorers in the draft and could easily see his stock jump in the next few weeks.
17. Dallas Mavericks (36-30): John Henson, PF, North Carolina
If nothing else, John Henson is going to block a lot of shots and give the Mavericks great depth on the frontcourt while providing insurance for Dirk Nowitzki.
At best, he continues to develop his average jump shot and turns into a Serge Ibaka type player in the future.
18. Minnesota Timberwolves (via 36-30 Utah Jazz): Moe Harkless, SF, St. John's
I'll admit it. I have a man crush on Moe Harkless. Wherever he's drafted, I'm making sure I get him in my fantasy basketball league.
He needs to improve his shooting, but his ability to get into the lane and score at the hoop combined with his length, rebounding, defense and all-around stat sheet stuffing ways are going to be very valuable in the NBA.
Oh, and the Timberwolves need a small forward too.
19. Orlando Magic (37-29): Quincy Miller, SF, Baylor
I'm not as high on Miller as most scouts or pundits, but it wouldn't surprise me to see the Magic take a flier on the high-potential player here.
They need a young, athletic wing player who can slash and score at the rim.
20. Denver Nuggets (38-28): Terrence Jones, SF, Kentucky
The Nuggets, a team with tons of quality role players, don't have any glaring needs, but Jones would be terrific value here. ESPN rates him as the 14th-best prospect.
21. Boston Celtics (39-27): Arnett Moultrie, PF, Mississippi State
As I continue to move down this draft, I realize how insanely deep this year's class is. Moultrie, an incredibly athletic power forward who has good range on his jumper, could easily go in the Top 15, if not lottery.
Yet, the Celtics luck out with the future replacement for Kevin Garnett.
22. Boston Celtics (via 40-26 Los Angeles Clippers): John Jenkins, SG, Vanderbilt
And with their next pick, they'll replace the second-third of the original Big Three. Much like Ray Allen, Jenkins is a lights out long-distance shooter with a quick release.
23. Atlanta Hawks (40-26): Royce White, SF, Iowa State
White is one of my favorite prospects in this draft.
He's big (6'8") and strong (240 pounds), but he's also a terrific ball-handler. During his only season with Iowa State, White led the cyclones in points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks.
Yup, all of them.
He's a special talent and the Hawks will be happy in getting their small forward of the future.
24. Cleveland Cavaliers (via 41-25 Los Angeles Lakers): Tony Wroten, PG/SG, Washington
Wroten is another boom-or-bust prospect.
If he develops a jump shot to go with his amazing ball-handling, quickness and vision, he'll be an All-Star in the NBA.
The thing is, he's a long way from having even a mediocre jump shot.
25. Memphis Grizzlies (41-25): Marquis Teague, PG, Kentucky
Backup point guard should be Memphis' biggest concern, and you know John Calipari's consistently turn out in the NBA.
Teague makes a lot of sense at No. 25.
26. Indiana Pacers (42-24): Doron Lamb, SG, Kentucky
Above all else, Doron Lamb is going to be a three-point shooter in the NBA.
He's undersized and will struggle on defense, but as a role player off the bench, that won't be a huge concern.
27. Miami Heat (46-20): Andrew Nicholson, PF, St. Bonaventure
If you've watched the Heat without Chris Bosh, it's clear they need another big man who can actually score the ball.
Andrew Nicholson is without a doubt the best available of that type.
28. Oklahoma City Thunder (47-19): Evan Fournier, SF, France
The Thunder are one of the best and one of the youngest teams in the NBA. They can afford to take on a project.
Fournier is that project. The Frenchman can score in a variety of ways, but he's just 19 and might not come to America for another year.
29. Chicago Bulls (50-16): Draymond Green, SF, Michigan State
Green is a little bit like Royce White in that he absolutely fills up the stat sheet as a point forward.
He can do everything on the court, and he makes sense as the third or fourth player off the bench for a contending team like the Bulls.
30. Golden State Warriors (via 50-16 San Antonio Spurs): Fab Melo, C, Syracuse
Fab Melo has potential on offense, but he's still fairly raw on that end and his real potential is defensively.
For Mark Jackson, who is trying to shed the "no-defense Warriors" label, this pick makes sense for depth and for the future.
