2012 NBA Draft: 5 Prospects Houston Rockets Should Consider in First Round

Barring a statistical miracle, Houston will be selecting with the 14th and final pick of the lottery in the 2012 NBA Draft. 

Despite having a pick late in the lottery and in the middle of the first round, Houston has a number of talented players oozing potential to choose from.  Their late-season struggles have spotlighted a few areas of need. 

Here are five draft prospects who the Rockets should be targeting, and who could push Houston over the playoff hump. 

Anthony Davis

The talented big man from Kentucky is the near-unanimous number one selection in the 2012 NBA Draft, and will likely hear David Stern call his name hours before the Rockets are on the clock. 

However, Rockets GM Daryl Morey will undoubtedly be feverishly working the phones and trying to cobble together a Godfather offer to bring the dominant Davis to Houston. 

Anthony Davis was a defensive monster under John Calipari at Kentucky, averaging an eye-popping 4.8 blocks per game.  His penchant for defensive disruption is almost unparalleled and would dramatically improve Houston's interior defense as well as give the Rockets the dominant big man they've been searching for since Yao Ming retired. 

Though Davis' offensive game around the rim needs some polishing, Davis has guard-level ball handling and passing skills, as he played guard in high school before a tremendous growth spurt forced him to change positions. 

John Henson

If the Rockets fail to acquire Davis, which is a very likely scenario, John Henson would be a very nice consolation prize. 

Henson combines size, tremendous length, and elite athleticism to have the potential to notch a few NBA All Defensive First Team honors in his NBA career.  His quickness makes him an ideal big man to run an up-tempo offense but can also play smart enough and within his game to be above average in half court sets. 

Henson would immediately help fill the Yao-sized hole in the middle that the Rockets are still trying to fix. 

Jared Sullinger

Jared Sullinger's stock has risen and fallen several times since the Buckeyes season ended in March. 

Once thought to be a potential top three pick, the Rockets have a very real chance of plucking Sullinger from the draft pool if they stay put at 14. 

Sullinger differs from Henson and Davis in that he's a much thicker and stronger interior player.  His tremendous weight and power allow him to bully his defender and gain optimal position almost at will. 

His offensive game is also much more polished, featuring advanced footwork around the basket and a pretty sweet stroke for a big man.  Conversely, his size limits his athleticism and makes him markedly less disruptive and explosive than Henson or Davis. 

Meyers Leonard

If the Rockets decide they'd like more of a balance between offensive ability and defensive prowess, they could opt to take Illinois center Meyers Leonard.

Leonard is arguably the only "true" center in the top 20 or so draft prospects.  Leonard is a well-rounded big man with good explosiveness, great passing ability, impressive court vision, and agility around the rim. 

Though he lacks a dominant offensive move, he does just about everything well offensively.  If Leonard can pack on some more muscle and increase his strength, he could be the biggest value of the first round, and the Rockets would love to be the team that pulls this diamond from the rough. 

Damian Lillard

I could definitely see Daryl Morey falling in love with the somewhat unheralded Damian Lillard.

With Goran Dragic likely moving on to greener pastures and Kyle Lowry facing significant health and injury concerns, the Rockets may choose to move on the Weber State point guard if he is available at 14.

While not a prototypical NBA point guard, Lillard is one of the most prolific scorers in the country.  Lillard exudes enough confidence to launch a three from "Jimmer range" and maintains the three point efficiency (43% on 7 attempts per game) to justify his shot selection. 

Though some may compare Lillard to another unorthodox point guard who played his college ball in Utah, Lillard doesn't have the size or athleticism deficiency that plagued Jimmer Fredette last season.  Lillard has a fierce drive and determination, and will undoubtedly look to prove that his college production was not simply a product of inferior competition.