2012 NBA Mock Draft: Underrated Stars That Will Impress

Underrated talent slips through the cracks in nearly every NBA draft. Just take a glance back at any class and you will see plenty of busts and borderline rotation players selected far ahead of some legitimate superstars.

It likely will be more of the same in a few years when we go back and analyze the 2012 draft.

Let’s take a look at the latest mock and attempt to predict which underrated players will fall towards the latter portions of the first-round and come back to haunt teams that passed on them.

1. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis, Kentucky

Davis is likely going to be the best player in this class. He is as polished right out of the gates as anyone else and has more upside than everyone else too. There is absolutely no reason not to take the big man with the No. 1 overall pick.

2. Washington Wizards:  Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Kentucky

MKG has a blue-collar mindset to go along with his elite athleticism and frame. There is little doubt he will succeed in the NBA because of his work ethic, ability to guard three positions and improving offensive game.

3. Cleveland Cavaliers, Bradley Beal, Florida 

The Gator product has range out and beyond the NBA three-point line, the bulk to constantly slash to the rim when his shot is not falling and great off-ball skills. He looks like the next big thing at the 2. 

4. New Orleans Hornets: Thomas Robinson, Kansas

Kansas was able to get to the 2012 national title game on the massive shoulders of Robinson. He possesses a smooth jumper, great rebounding and shot-blocking ability and a passion for the game that few other players have.

5. Sacramento Kings: Jared Sullinger, Ohio State

Sacramento may already have one emerging big man in DeMarcus Cousins, but adding a beastly PF like Sullinger into the mix would make the Kings a more formidable presence in the post.

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

Drummond has a lot of work to do at the combine and workouts. He has to prove he can dominate top-flight opponents on a consistent basis. The UConn kid showed plenty of promise during his one year at school, but he has to improve his motor.

7. Golden State Warriors: Perry Jones III

Speaking of players with poor motors, PJIII is notorious for taking plays off and coasting through minutes on the floor. He has the talents and size to be the No. 1 overall pick, but he is simply not consistent enough to be considered.

8. Toronto Raptors: Harrison Barnes, North Carolina

The consensus opinion on Barnes is that he is not much more than a scorer. It is something he is extremely good at, but eventually this young man is going to develop into much more. If develops properly and works to hone all aspects of his game, the SF will become one of the best players in the class.

9. Detroit Pistons: Arnett Moultrie, Mississippi State

Moultrie’s a big of an enigma right now and his stock will vastly change based on his workouts. Scouts like what they saw from him this season, but are understandably concerned that it took a transfer from UTEP to harness his success.

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

If Marshall continues to work on his ball handling and court vision, there is a chance he becomes one of the leading set-up artists in the league. It was not an accident that he set the all-time assist record in the ACC—he is that good of a passer.

11. Portland Trail Blazers: Austin Rivers, Duke

It would be surprising if Rivers did not develop into a superstar. The prospect reminds a lot of people of a young Kobe Bryant for his skills with the ball and ability to make ridiculous shots. He has to become better at moving without the rock before he can truly become great.

12. Milwaukee Bucks: Tyler Zeller, North Carolina

Zeller looks like a rotation player at best, but the Bucks are so desperate for a big man that they will have to take the best one available at this point. They should highly consider trading down here and taking the UNC product later in the draft. 

13. Phoenix Suns: Damian Lillard, Weber State

Lillard’s scoring ability is amazing, but it remains to be seen if he can be a full-time PG in the NBA. He was not asked to do much facilitating at Weber State and has to prove to GMs that he can run an offense and get teammates involved.

14. Houston Rockets: Jeremy Lamb, Connecticut

Lamb has a special knack for shooting, attacking the basket and even defending—despite being extremely thin right now. The one problem he has is leadership. The 2012 Huskies were his team but he did not step up and take that role. Hopefully, he will not be counted on as more than a second-option in the NBA.

15. Philadelphia 76ers: John Henson, North Carolina

Philly needs to start grooming an heir to Elton Brand and a lengthy, athletic PF like Henson is the perfect fit for their team. The team is going to be contending in the postseason for the foreseeable future and need to bring in a good prospect. Henson fits the bill. 

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

Jones has the tools to become a real superstar in the NBA. He can do everything on the court and at a high level. The only problem—and main reason he is not going to be a top-five pick—is that he is terribly inconsistent.

With the right coaching and support system, this young man will blossom given the time to adjust.

17. Dallas Mavericks: Terrence Ross, Washington

Ross is a solid 2 that will infuse some youth into a Mavs team that direly needs it. They give Vince-freakin-Carter and Jason Terry huge minutes at the position and it is starting to hurt them against younger competition.  

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

T-Wolves fans will hate this pick, but the reality is the team needs a solid backup to Nikola Pekovic and Kevin Love. They cannot address their need for a 2 here and should instead look for a veteran at the position via free agency or trade.

19. Orlando Magic: Quincy Miller, Baylor

Miller is a sweet-shooting swingman that could one day become one of the elite NBA scorers. He is still recovering from an ACL injury and it hindered his performance during his freshman year.

Assuming a full recovery, Miller is going to be a steal. If he stops attempting so many jumpers—especially when they are not falling—there is no telling how good he can be.

20. Denver Nuggets:  Dion Waiters, Syracuse

Denver should look into trading this pick, as their roster is loaded with youth and depth. If they do decide to stay put, a prospect like Waiters—who has a ton of upside—could be nice to stick on the end of the bench for development purposes.

21. Boston Celtics: Andrew Nicholson, St. Bonaventure

Nicholson is going to immediately contribute as a backup on whichever team takes him. He has got experience and a good mid-range game to go with some decent size.

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

White has a unique skill set for his massive frame. He is a great finisher and incredible passer that excels in the post and out on the perimeter. If he did not have an anxiety disorder that is causing scouts to have their own fears about him, he would be a lottery pick.

23. Atlanta Hawks: Doron Lamb, Kentucky

Lamb has found a niche as a sniper who is not afraid of making big shots when they count. The Hawks need a second-option like that when Joe Johnson is not on fire.

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

The Johnnies swingman has a lot of developing to do, but his upside is insane. The Cavaliers cannot afford to pass on it, as they have a huge hole at the 3 and he is the best left on the board.

25. Memphis Grizzlies: Tony Wroten, Washington

If Wroten has a good combine and some solid workouts, he is going a lot higher than this. He has got perfect size and is developing his vision and instincts. His floor is the No. 25 pick and a backup PG to Mike Conley Jr. in Memphis.

26. Indiana Pacers: Marquis Teague, Kentucky

Teague makes a lot of sense for the Indiana. For starters, he is from the Hoosier state and most likely would love to play there. He is also incredibly good on the fast break with athletes surrounding him, which is what the Pacers roster is full of.

27. Miami Heat: Fab Melo, Syracuse

Miami’s big man woes consistently haunt them. Melo has a lot of upside and is the best center prospect available this late in the draft.

28. Oklahoma City Thunder: Draymond Green, Michigan State

Green can back up both forward positions and is a solid locker room presence. He just makes too much sense as an OKC draftee.

29. Chicago Bulls: John Jenkins, Vanderbilt

Jenkins can fire the three-ball all day and make them at a good clip. Chicago is always looking for a decent backcourt mate for Derrick Rose and Jenkins has a chance to eventually be a starter.

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

Taylor could shoot up draft boards if he continues to improve his jumper. He is one of the better athletes in the class and should not fall out of the first round.