2012 NBA Mock Draft: Studs Guaranteed to Win an MVP Award

Most draft classes would be lucky to have even one future MVP candidate in their midst.

This June's will have a number of guys who could one day make a compelling case for the league's highest individual honors. And while no one is ever a lock to reach MVP status, some of this draft's most elite talent have some legitimate odds.

Even the ones who don't could still find themselves leading teams and playing significant roles for winning clubs.

From dominant big men like Anthony Davis to electric scorers like Bradley Beal, this draft could shape the league's upper echelon of talent for years to come.

Here's a complete first-round mock that should give us a better sense of where some of those top picks might wind up.

1. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis, PF (Kentucky)

It will undoubtedly take Anthony Davis a few years to score at an MVP level, but everything else will be there from the outset. Davis is set to be become one of the NBA's most dominant defensive presences thanks to his superior length and athleticism.

The 6'10" freshman averaged 4.7 blocks and anchored the paint for the best team in the country. He'll remain an elite shot-blocker in the NBA, as well as one its best rebounders.

Of course, the Charlotte Bobcats would have to become a competitive team for Davis to have a real shot at the MVP award. It could be a long time before that happens, but when it does, Davis will have a lot to do with it.

2. Washington Wizards: Thomas Robinson, PF (Kansas)

The Wizards will take a long, hard look at Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Bradley Beal, but Robinson might be the best fit for Washington given its serious needs at the power forward position. He made huge strides in his junior season, averaging almost 18 points and impacting games on both ends of the floor. He's also a locker-room leader who'd seriously help a rebuilding club like the Wizards.

3. Cleveland Cavaliers: Bradley Beal, SG (Florida)

The Cavaliers may already have their franchise player in Kyrie Irving, but they still need a go-to guy who will complement their Rookie of the Year for the foreseeable future. Beal may be the best all-around scorer in the draft, and he could develop into a superstar down the road.

Cleveland would also have to consider Michael Kidd-Gilchrist if he's still available, but Beal may be the safer bet on the offensive end. He gets to the rim like a bullet and has a solid jump shot from just about anywhere on the floor. If he can fulfill the promise he showed as a freshman, he may be one of the league's most elite scorers before too long.

4. New Orleans Hornets: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF (Kentucky)

Kidd-Gilchrist is just as likely to be selected with the second or third selection as he is to go here. In a lot of drafts, he could even make a case for the first-overall selection.

As it is, though, he could he still become the best player in this draft, especially with an improved perimeter shot. Everything else is definitely there. He's a balanced player on both ends of the floor and has the mindset of a tested veteran. Even without his impressive defensive skills and exceptional athleticism, he'd make key contributions to a team with his leadership alone.

5. Sacramento Kings: Harrison Barnes, SF (North Carolina)

The young Kings have plenty of needs, and they certainly might be tempted to bring in Andre Drummond to man the paint alongside DeMarcus Cousins. But, he is one of the safest bets in the draft to at least become a reliable starter. His abilities to contribute on both ends of the floor and hit spot-up jumpers make him a solid choice here.

6. Portland Trail Blazers (via Brooklyn Nets): Andre Drummond, C (UConn)

As risky as Drummond may be, the Trail Blazers are due some good luck. The athletic 6'11" hulk could immediately provide a defensive presence and rebounding presence–but without Marcus Camby around, Portland will be more than happy just to have a center with worlds of raw potential.

7. Golden State Warriors: Perry Jones III, PF (Baylor)

Jones III is still an enigma. He could wind up being the very best player in this draft, or he could become a monumental bust. His athleticism is second to none, but his focus and consistency leave something to be desired.

8. Toronto Raptors: Jeremy Lamb, SG (UConn)

While Lamb has some MVP potential in the best of all possible worlds, he's probably more suited to simply become Toronto's most valuable player. Of course, from the Raptors' standpoint, that should be good enough.

Lamb has deceptive length for a shooting guard and the kind of wide-ranging shooting skills that would excite any pro team. As a sophomore at Connecticut, he scored almost 18 points per contest, and he could very well pick up where he left off in his rookie season.

9. Detroit Pistons: John Henson, PF (North Carolina)

The Pistons suffered through yet another sub-par season, but they'd be wise to avoid taking any huge risks with this selection. Henson may never become an All-Star, but we could make a huge difference with his rebounding and shot-swatting.

10. New Orleans Hornets (via Minnesota Timberwolves): Damian Lillard, PG (Weber State)

Lillard is one of the best pure scorers in the draft, and he could round out into a solid all-around point guard with a little more seasoning. With the opportunity to spend some time behind Jarret Jack in New Orleans, he'd have the perfect chance to develop improved court vision and passing acumen.

11. Portland Trail Blazers: Kendall Marshall, PG (North Carolina)

Assuming Portland grabs a center with its first selection, the team still has a massive need at the point guard position. Raymond Felton didn't work out especially well this season, and the pass-first Marshall would be the perfect alternative.

12. Milwaukee Bucks: Tyler Zeller, C (North Carolina)

With no more Andrew Bogut around in Milwaukee, it's time for the Bucks to find someone new to anchor the post. Zeller will need to get a bit stronger, but he's a skilled seven-footer who moves well for his size.

13. Phoenix Suns: Terrence Jones, SF (Kentucky)

Jones is easily one of the most multifaceted players in the draft thanks to his passing, rebounding and defensive prowess. His 7'3" wingspan also makes him an incredibly versatile small forward; that makes him an asset who could be valuable sooner rather than later for the Suns, especially with Grant Hill moving on (either this summer or soon thereafter).

Describing Jones as a lock for MVP is ridiculous in many respects. He's yet to prove he's a consistent scorer, and it's hard to be sure he won't become too much of a "tweener" at the NBA level. If everything goes according to plan, though, Jones could be a superstar that a team like Phoenix can build around.

14. Houston Rockets: Austin Rivers, G (Duke)

Rivers is still a work in progress thanks to his shoot-first disposition, but when you can score like this kid, shooting isn't such a bad idea. He'd give Houston a lethal sixth man who could become an even more prominent part of the rotation if he diversifies his offensive approach more.

15. Philadelphia 76ers: Jared Sullinger, PF (Ohio State)

There are different schools of thought when it comes to Sullinger. On the one hand, he's a skilled big man with a strong frame. On the other hand, he's a bit undersized for NBA front lines and may never be more than a very good role player.

16. Houston Rockets (via New York Knicks): Arnett Moultrie, PF (Mississippi St.)

The Rockets' plans depend heavily on what the team decides to do with free agents like Marcus Camby and Goran Dragic. But, all things being equal, Moultrie would give the team an athletic big to spell Luis Scola for a few minutes a game.

17. Dallas Mavericks: Meyers Leonard, C (Illinois)

There's no telling what this team will need once it decides how to shuffle the roster this summer, but Leonard would make a lot of sense in almost any scenario. Given how hard it is to find a legitimate seven-footer with some star potential, he's hard to pass up at this point in the first round.

18. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Utah Jazz): Terrence Ross, SG (Washington)

After averaging 16.4 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.3 steals as a sophomore, Ross may be long gone before the Timberwolves are up to pick. If he's still around, though, Minnesota has a golden opportunity to solidify its starting lineup with a very talented shooting guard.

19. Orlando Magic: Jeff Taylor, SF (Vanderbilt)

Taylor could be anything from a solid role player to a good starter in this league. He'll earn most of his reputation on account of his exceptional on-ball defense, but he's also a better-than-advertised scorer who can shoot and take the ball to the rim.

20. Denver Nuggets: Tony Wroten Jr., PG (Washington)

The Nuggets have youth and depth at just about every position, so they might go with a high-risk, high-reward prospect like Wroten Jr. His offensive game and passing still need a lot of work, but he's got excellent size and athletic ability for a point guard.

21. Boston Celtics: Quincy Miller, SF (Baylor)

Boston's roster could look a lot different next season, and Miller's versatility along the front line makes him a safe bet to fit alongside the rest of the Celtics' rotation, whoever that might include. He'd also give head coach Doc Rivers an athletic backup for the aging Paul Pierce.

22. Boston Celtics (via Los Angeles Clippers): Fab Melo, C (Syracuse)

It's been a long time since the Celtics had a young seven-footer to anchor their paint, and Melo would have a decent opportunity to grow into reliable inside presence for this team. He still has a lot of work to do, but his explosive ability makes him an intriguing pick here.

23. Atlanta Hawks: Dion Waiters, G (Syracuse)

The Hawks need youth to rejuvenate the bench, and they need a spark-plug who can drive and score. Waiters would help meet both needs thanks to his capabilities as a slasher, and he could develop into one of Atlanta's better scorers.

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

Cleveland needs more depth on the wing regardless of who it selects in the lottery. For now, Harkless is still a raw prospect, but he has the perfect build and profile to become a solid small forward at the NBA level.

25. Memphis Grizzlies: Andrew Nicholson, PF (St. Bonaventure)

Nicholson has a much better mid-range shot than most prospects his size, and he would give the Grizzlies another solid backup for Zach Randolph. Given that Memphis doesn't have that many needs at the moment, it wouldn't be surprising to see this pick moved in an attempt to upgrade the lineup with a veteran.

26. Indiana Pacers: Draymond Green, F (Michigan St.)

The Pacers could have used an extra body on the wing to throw at the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, and Green could help address those needs next season. He can score, pass and rebound well, especially for a small forward.

27. Miami Heat: Festus Ezeli, C (Vanderbilt)

The Heat have yet to find a reliable big man to hold down the middle, and Ezeli would give the club a more formidable rebounder capable of intimidating more than a few shots. Miami could also go after another point guard or look for wing player to energize an aging bench unit.

28. Oklahoma City Thunder: Evan Fournier, SG (France)

Oklahoma City's roster is pretty much set, so this selection would be a good opportunity to plan for the future. Fournier could become a nice back-up for Durant down the road, making him a logical choice given the Thunder's relative lack of depth on the wing.

29. Chicago Bulls: Marquis Teague, PG (Kentucky)

Chicago's offseason priorities have changed with possibility that Derrick Rose could miss the duration of next season recovering from surgery to repair his ACL. Teague is a quick guard with the potential to become every bit as good as his older brother Jeff; that would be a valuable addition to the Bulls' shorthanded backcourt.

30. Golden State Warriors (via San Antonio Spurs): William Buford, SG (Ohio State)

The Warriors don't really need to get any younger, but if they keep this pick, Buford could be a bit of a sleeper. He's a sometimes electric scorer who would help deepen Golden State's bench.