NBA Draft 2012: 7 Projected Lottery Picks with Immediate Impact Potential

Come this June, teams with lottery picks will have a difficult choice to make: Do we take the player with the most potential, or do we go for the guy who will help right away?

Sometimes—albeit ever so rarely—teams will find a prospect who fits both profiles.

Anthony Davis is a prime example of that caliber of player.

It's all but a foregone conclusion that the power forward out of Kentucky will be selected with the first-overall pick (likely by the Charlotte Bobcats should they land said pick). While the quick and super-athletic 6'10" live-wire will hustle his way to a few points, his most immediate contribution will be on the defensive end.

Thanks to his freakish length and nice hops, Davis blocked 4.7 shots a game as a freshman at Kentucky and grabbed a few steals to boot. He's also one of the best—if not the best—rebounding big man in the draft.

Regardless of what his scoring average looks like at his rookie season's end, there's no question he will have made his mark.

Here are six more prospects who will likely get down to business sooner rather than later.

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist–SF, Kentucky

Much like Davis, Kidd-Gilchrist will make ample contribution whether he scores prolifically or not. Unless he finds a more consistent perimeter stroke, odds are the 18-year-old will average around 10 or 12 points a game—not bad for a rookie.

More importantly, though, the gritty small forward will make life supremely unpleasant for scorers on the perimeter with his sound but aggressive defense. This kid brings a lot of energy to the game and could become a leader right away for a young team like the Washington Wizards or Cleveland Cavaliers.

Bradley Beal–G, Florida

The 6'3" guard out of Florida may be as ready to rack up some points as any prospect in this draft. He doesn't have the size most scouts would prefer from a 2, but he's a good bet to make the most of his frame in the tradition of Eric Gordon or—at worst—Ben Gordon.

Thomas Robinson–PF, Kansas

While Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Bradley Beal both stand a strong chance of going immediately after Anthony Davis, Thomas Robinson could give them a run for their money. The power forward spent three full seasons at Kansas, and it showed in his dramatic improvement (which included a 10.1-point increase in scoring from his sophomore campaign).

Robinson will also rebound plenty and contribute the kind of toughness just about every lottery team sorely needs.

Jeremy Lamb–SG, UConn

Lamb is a prototypical shooting guard who can contribute on both ends of the floor. He averaged nearly 18 points in his sophomore season at Connecticut, and his unusually long 7'0" wingspan makes him plenty dangerous on the defensive end of the floor.

His rookie year production will ultimately depend on what kind of team he winds up on, but he certainly has the ability to score a lot of points right away. If he lands with a team that needs a starter—a very real possibility—he could very easily be named to the All-Rookie First Team.

Harrison Barnes–SF, North Carolina

Barnes may never become a superstar, but he should be a solid scorer thanks to an already consistent spot-up shooting game. His mechanics and game IQ make him far more NBA-ready than most, though. Even if Barnes never becomes an elite slasher, he'll hold his own on the wing thanks to a solid skill set.

Tyler Zeller–C, North Carolina

Zeller doesn't have the athletic upside of Andre Drummond or Anthony Davis, but he moves well for a seven-footer and has good skills around the post area. He's the kind of guy who should be able to crack a starting lineup before most of his peers even though his long-term potential may never reach All-Star levels.