2012 NBA Mock Draft: Projecting First-Round Stars with Biggest Upside
When it comes to the NBA Draft, nothing means more to talent evaluators and front office executives than the term “upside.”
With the vast majority of the 2012 class 21 or younger, there are going to plenty of players that will need time to develop. A lot of guys are going to get splinters sitting on the bench in their first year or two, but can develop into premier players in due time.
In the latest mock draft, the focus is on players that may not have had storied collegiate careers, but will eventually become some of the best talents in the league.
(Players with the most upside highlighted in italics)
1. Charlotte Bobcats- Anthony Davis, PF- Kentucky
Davis has more potential than any other player in this draft, and will be a force on the defensive end from the jump. His ability to anticipate when the shot is going to be released by an opponent is pure natural instinct and something that can’t be taught.
While everything is gravy on the defensive end, his offensive game is going to take time to develop. His 1-for-10 performance in the national championship game suggests he still can’t score at will. His frail 6’10’’ and 220 pound frame will have to fill out before he can bang with some of the biggest players in the league today.
Regardless of his current weaknesses, Davis’ ceiling is sky-high.
2. Washington Wizards- Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF- Kentucky
Kidd-Gilchrist is the opposite of Andre Drummound. He works extremely hard but doesn’t have the ideal frame (6’6’’ 216 pounds) to suggest greatness.
Kidd-Gilchrist is a jack of all trades that doesn’t need the ball to be an outstanding player. He’ll find a role instantly regardless of the team that drafts him.
3. Cleveland Cavaliers- Bradley Beal, SG- Florida
Beal’s stock is rising, but I don’t see an All-Star.
At 6’4’’ he is a tad undersized, and is notorious for getting his shot blocked around the basket. Will that magically change in the NBA?
He is an incredible shooter no doubt, but he’ll end up developing more into a role player on the Cavs.
4. New Orleans Hornets- Andre Drummond, PF/C- UConn
Scouts love his 6’10’’ and 270 pound frame, but there are way too many questions regarding his heart and hustle to warrant such a high pick.
Drummound has a high ceiling if he’s willingly to work hard, and I don’t see that happening.
5. Sacramento Kings- Thomas Robinson, PF- Kansas
Robinson is going to be a success in the NBA because he plays with 100 percent energy on every play and will work his hardest to improve.
Yet he is undersized at 6’9’’ and will never be able to truly dominant offensively in the paint because of that.
6. Portland Trail Blazers (from Brooklyn)- Jeremy Lamb, SG- UConn
At 6’5’’ he may be undersized, but this guy has the talent to be the next Ray Allen or Reggie Miller eventually.
He is a terrific athlete that is extremely smooth, has great explosiveness and can jump out of the gym. Not only did he shoot 48 percent from the floor in college, but he displayed the ability to create his own shot whenever he wanted to.
He has long arms and stupendous foot speed, meaning he has the tools to be an elite defender as well.
You have to love the ceiling on Lamb.
7. Golden State Warriors- Kendall Marshall, PG- North Carolina
Marshall is a pure point guard in every sense of the word, but he’ll never be a 20 PPG scorer.
The Warriors need some serious help right now and could use this pick as trade bait to land Dwight Howard.
8. Toronto Raptors- Harrison Barnes, SF- North Carolina
After a poor showing in the NCAA tournament, some have soured on Barnes.
Not me.
When you have a premier dribbler that is 6’8’’ and 225 pounds who can hit three-pointers consistently, you have yourself a future star.
Barnes is a slasher who has the length and mobility to become one of the most creative scorers in the game. He has a high basketball IQ and possesses the tools to become an elite defender.
Best-case scenario: Barnes is the next Kevin Durant.
9. Detroit Pistons- Jared Sullinger, PF- Ohio State
Sully will be a solid pro…but nothing more.
He is essentially the same player as Thomas Howard with a few less offensive moves in his arsenal.
This is the sort of player Detroit needs right now.
10. New Orleans (from Minnesota)- Meyers Leonard, C- Illinois
When you stand at 7’0’’ and weigh 240 pounds, you don’t need to have a ton of talent.
Leonard will be the center to replace Chris Kaman and grab 10 rebounds, but he certainly isn’t the next Dwight Howard.
11. Portland Trail Blazers- Dion Waiters, SG- Syracuse
The 6’4’’ and 215-pounder is a finisher that isn’t afraid to attack the basket against taller players.
He reminds me of Dwyane Wade with his ability to absorb contact and still find a way to make the bucket. He excels in transition and shot 48 percent from the field last season at Syracuse.
He may not have played a ton of minutes in college, but once he is given the opportunity to show off his complete offensive arsenal, he’ll be a top scorer in the NBA for years to come.
12. Milwaukee Bucks- Arnett Moultrie, PF- Mississippi State
The Bucks need bulk to replace Andrew Bogut and Moultrie (6’11’’, 220 pounds) can certainly provide for them.
13. Phoenix Suns- Perry Jones III, PF- Baylor
Jones III has an enormously high ceiling.
At 6’11’’ he can score in the post and from as far as 15 feet out. He shot 53 percent this past season, and had more than a few 20-point nights. He made it look easy.
The problem lies in his head. He tended to lose his focus at times as a sophomore and it led to games where he wouldn’t score more than one bucket. He needs a coaching staff that is willing to develop him into the All-Star he has the potential to be.
14. Houston Rockets -Tyler Zeller, C- North Carolina
Zeller makes things happen with his hustle, but a lack of athleticism makes him a less than desirable pick to have a high ceiling.
A solid starter, but nothing more.
15. Philadelphia 76ers- John Henson, PF- North Carolina
Henson has a bit more upside than his former teammate Zeller, but is also a potential bigger bust. Bulking up will go a long way in producing a long and productive NBA career. With the decline of Elton Brand, the upstart 76ers could use his production now.
16. Houston Rockets (from New York)- Royce White, SF/PF- Iowa State
This is the guy who scored 23 points on 9-of-12 shooting while grabbing nine rebounds and three steals against Kentucky in the tournament.
While he was rather inconsistent during the regular season, he has the ability to be a terrific starter for a Rockets team that needs more frontcourt scoring.
17. Dallas Mavericks- Austin Rivers, SG- Duke
Rivers didn’t show me enough in college to suggest he can become an elite scorer, but he has the Duke pedigree and hit that infamous game-winning shot at North Carolina, so he’ll be a top 20 pick.
18. Minnesota Timberwolves- Damian Lillard, PG- Weber State
We all know how much GM David Kahn loves drafting point guards. Lillard is the best on the board and can fill the void while Ricky Rubio rehabs.
19. Orlando Magic- Tony Wroten, PG- Washington
This is an incredibly risky pick. He will either be an All-Star or one of the biggest busts of the first round.
At 6’5’’ and 180 pounds he is the ideal size for a point guard, and has the strength to go with it. His crossover is ankle-breaking and his ability to finish in traffic is outstanding. He's also one of the best offensive-rebounding guards to come around in a while.
While he needs to make a concerted effort to play defense, he could be the steal of the draft in a perfect world.
20. Denver Nuggets- Moe Harkless, SF- St. John’s
A 6’8’’ guard that averaged over 15 points and eight rebounds as a freshman?
Harkless may have flown under-the-radar this past season, but will be skyrocketing up the first round draft board once the pre-draft workouts conclude.
21. Boston Celtics- Terrence Ross, SG- Washington
With Ray Allen likely to walk via free agency, Ross would help fans forget about his departure in a hurry.
22. Boston Celtics (from LA Clippers)- Andrew Micholson, PF- St. Bonaventure
If they replace Allen with the 21st pick, drafting a replacement for another free agent in Kevin Garnett has to be the move.
Micholson is a strong rebounder; just don’t expect a lot in the scoring department.
23. Atlanta Hawks- Terrence Jones, SF- Kentucky
The 6’9’’ hybrid will do anything the Hawks ask. Jones can do the dirty work, something Atlanta could use after getting bullied by the Boston Celtics in the playoffs.
24. Cleveland Cavaliers (from LA Lakers)- Jeffery Taylor, SF- Vanderbilt
Taylor is an intriguing pick.
He is a seasoned college veteran that can help a team in a hurry, but will he ever find his niche?
25. Memphis Grizzlies- Will Barton, SG, Memphis
Barton won’t have to travel far for his new NBA home, and can teach Tony Allen how a two-guard is supposed to shoot the ball.
26. Indiana Pacers- Marcus Teague, PG- Kentucky
The Pacers are extremely close to being deemed championship contenders, but still need help at the point guard position.
Teague is the best available on the board.
27. Miami Heat- BJ Young, PG- Arkansas
Miami is still looking for help at the point and Young is a player oozing with talent.
Scoring 15.3 PPG, he can be the additional scorer Miami so desperately needs.
28. Oklahoma City Thunder- Draymond Green, SG- Michigan State
OKC doesn’t need to bother with a player who could take years to develop. Green can step on the floor and give them quality minutes from the jump.
29. Chicago Bulls- John Jenkins, SG- Vanderbilt
Depth at shooting guard is priority No. 1 for a team that is trying to win a championship now. Derrick Rose needs more shooters.
30. Golden State (from San Antonio Spurs)- Fab Melo, C- Syracuse
The Warriors lack bulk inside and need a guy who can knock a guy on his butt when driving the lane.
Melo and his 7’0’’, 255-pound frame can do that.
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