2012 NBA Mock Draft: Projecting How the Entire 1st Round Will Play out

The NBA draft is a great opportunity for teams to pick up young players who have the potential to develop into stars or just players who can fill a need.

There are a ton of young athletes coming out this year that have ridiculous upside, and this seems to be one of the better draft classes in recent memory. Let's get started!

1. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis, PF

No real surprise here—Davis is the consensus first pick of the draft regardless of the team that takes the lottery. He is one of the best shot-blockers in the class and plays the game with a ton of energy, which is complemented well by his great athletic ability.

His only notable con is his weight, and he will need to gain some pounds in order to fill out his frame and be successful.

The Bobcats need help at every position, save for point guard, and will draft the best player available regardless of where they fall in the lottery.

2. Washington Wizards: Thomas Robinson, PF

Robinson is one of the more NBA-ready players in the draft just based on his athletic ability and his size. He plays the game with a ton of energy and will be hard to stop down low. His jumper can still use some work and he will struggle against the better post defenders in the NBA.

Overall, with his work ethic and determination, I see him coming in next year and putting up solid numbers from the beginning.

The Wizards need to go with the best-player-available strategy and give John Wall someone reliable to hand the ball to.

Washington struggles from immaturity as much as anything, and Robinson is a proven leader who can give the team a good locker room presence.

3. Cleveland Cavaliers: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF

Kidd-Gilchrist would be the perfect complement to Kyrie Irving. and his athleticism along with his great driving ability will be welcome in Cleveland. His work ethic is terrific and his defense will carry well into the NBA.

Cleveland is in full rebuilding mode and Kidd-Gilchrist would be a very safe pick here to get the Cavs closer to relevancy.

4. New Orleans Hornets: Bradley Beal, SG

Whether or not Eric Gordon comes back next season, Beal would be a great addition to this team. If Gordon leaves, as many are expecting him to, Beal comes in as an NBA-ready prospect and can make up for Gordon’s loss.

If Gordon stays, Beal comes off the bench and makes the second unit of the Hornets that much better. He is a terrific shooter, and while he is just a little short, he makes up for it with his strong build and his high basketball IQ.

Beal is also not a liability on defense and can be very disruptive by blocking shots and deflecting passes.

5. Sacramento Kings: Andre Drummond, PF/C

The Kings jump on Drummond, who some will be surprised is still on the board.

Drummond is built nearly identically to DeMarcus Cousins but is much more athletic. He is a project player and will take a few years to develop to fully reach his potential, but he will be a great complement to Cousins in the front court. His athletic ability is simply amazing and he should be on many highlight reels early on in his career.

The Kings will also greatly improve their rebounding and inside defense and could potentially see a great improvement in record next year. Very good pick for the Kings here.

6. Portland Trail Blazers: Harrison Barnes, SF

Portland will go with a safe pick here and pick up a solid spot-up shooter with high basketball IQ and great potential.

He will take some time to fully develop, but as of now Portland will get an NBA-ready prospect who might not make a huge impact but can provide a spark for the team.

7. Golden State Warriors: Jared Sullinger, PF

With Sullinger the Warriors will get an NBA-ready big who can play both power forward and center.

He is not the most athletic player in the draft by any means, but he is a very fundamental guy with great footwork and low post skill set. Has great range for a big guy and a very high IQ.

If he improves his conditioning and loses a few pounds, he will prove to be a steal for the Warriors.

8. Toronto Raptors: Austin Rivers, SG

The Raptors land probably the best scorer in the draft class and he will have an immediate impact. His range is unlimited and his dribbling skills make him a great slasher.

While he can finish around the rim in a variety of ways and has a very strong attitude for a rookie, he is known to take plays off on defense and is really only reliable on the offensive side of the floor. However, he has the potential to be one of the better scorers in the NBA and with time his defense could become decent.

9. Detroit Pistons: Perry Jones, SF/PF

Greg Monroe is one of the most promising young big men in the league and Jones would be a good player to put next to him. Jones has a huge upside and amazing athletic ability to go along with a developing jump shot.

He has the potential to be a perennial All-Star, and if he even lives up to half of that he will be a great pick. The Pistons are slowly but surely rebuilding and Jones is a guy who can use a few years to develop.

10. New Orleans Hornets: John Henson, PF

The Hornets boost their defensive presence with this pick and get a high-energy guy who is a very gifted athlete. He is a good finisher around the rim with either hand and his elevation will insure he is part of many alley-oops this season.

With him and Beal, the Hornets drastically improve their rebounding and their defense.

11. Portland Trail Blazers: Tyler Zeller, PF/C

After getting a forward earlier in the draft the Trail Blazers get some frontcourt presence by picking up the most NBA-ready center in the draft. Zeller is a top athlete for someone who is 7' and has a jump shot that is only improving.

His post moves are ready for the next level, and he can be disruptive on the defensive end of the floor.

12. Milwaukee Bucks: Meyers Leonard, C

The Bucks desperately need a center and Leonard is the best one still on the board.

For a seven-footer Leonard is exceptionally quick and is also a good all around athlete. He has a good IQ and his jump shot is relatively reliable mid-range. On defense he will contest shots, and if he adds some weight onto his frame he will become a force.

The Bucks can use someone athletic who can run the floor with Brandon Jennings and Monta Ellis, which is where Leonard falls in perfectly.

13. Phoenix Suns: Jeremy Lamb, SG

This is where Lamb’s slide down the lottery will end. Lamb is an incredibly versatile scorer who has range and can finish off the dribble as well as spot up. He is quick and very athletic, which will go very well in the NBA next to his shooting ability.

His defense is very good as is, and with his work ethic and character I have no doubt it will continue to improve and I could see him becoming a top perimeter defender.

Lamb is a very promising prospect with great potential.

14. Houston Rockets: Terrence Jones, PF

With the 14th pick the Rockets select the versatile forward out of Kentucky. His ceiling is ridiculous, and if he develops his jump shot he would prove to be a steal.

He has an NBA-ready body and will succeed in grabbing boards on both ends and should be a good defensive presence. Jones can also give the team a good spark with his speed and great ball handing for his size.

15. Philadelphia 76ers: Arnett Moultrie, PF

The Sixers get a physical post presence with Moultrie, who plays hard and has the athleticism to be a presence on both ends. The Sixers already have good rebounding and Moultrie will only help them and give them more second chance opportunities.

He is very efficient on the offensive end of the floor and does not force many shots. For a young developing team like the Sixers he will be a safe pick.

16. Houston Rockets: Dion Waiters, PG/SG

A true combo guard who can both score and pass the ball, Waiters has great range on his jump shot; while he is undersized, he plays hard and can finish through contact.

His scoring touch will be the reason he gets drafted, but his passing ability will determine how successful he is.

At 6’4" his size will be an issue and he will need to develop his point guard skills in order to get minutes.

17. Dallas Mavericks: Kendall Marshall, PG

It’s only appropriate that the point guard that draws comparisons to Jason Kidd be drafted by the legendary point guard’s current team.

Marshall is without a doubt the best passer in the draft and has the ability to make everyone around him much better. He runs the floor beautifully and has a ridiculously high basketball IQ.

His scoring ability is very limited, to say the least, but his passing more than makes up for it. Marshall’s defense is not great, but it is not bad either and he will not give up any easy shots.

The Mavericks get a great floor general with this pick.

18. Minnesota Timberwolves: Terrence Ross, SG

Another great scorer coming out of the draft, Ross is a versatile scoring guard that should make an immediate impact for the Timberwolves, who need help on offense.

He is not going to be one of the top players in this draft, but he fits perfectly with the Wolves. With Ricky Rubio hopefully coming back in top form, Ross will get a lot of scoring chances and he should deliver.

19. Orlando Magic: Damian Lillard, PG

The scoring point guard out Weber State University finds himself as the 19th player taken off the board. There are question marks about how well he will transition into the NBA, but this late in the draft he can prove to be a steal.

His quickness will allow him to get by his man in the NBA, and if he improves his passing he will fit right in around the shooter on the Magic. If Dwight Howard stays he will finally get a scorer next to him that can do more than just shoot, and it might be enough for Howard to stay quiet.

20. Denver Nuggets: Tony Wroten, PG/SG

A big point guard who is very quick and has good passing ability, Wroten's basketball IQ is still developing, but he shows good promise.

At the top of his potential we have a triple-double threat considering his above-average rebounding ability. Whether he reaches the top remains to be seen, but he is a very exciting prospect who is a great pick-up for the Nuggets.

21. Boston Celtics: Doron Lamb, SG

The Celtics need to get younger and Lamb is a great combo guard who should see immediate minutes in the NBA.

He can score in a variety of ways from anywhere on the court. Every team needs a shooter and Lamb plays that role beautifully. He can create a shot if necessary and plays hard on defense, which is welcome in Boston.

22. Boston Celtics: Royce White, SF

The Celtics improve their athleticism with this pick here. White is a physical presence on the court and possesses top athleticism. Some even view him as a lottery pick, but he still needs a lot of work to refine his play.

The Celtics have a good veteran backing and that should help him develop and stay focused. White has the potential to be the biggest steal in the draft if he reaches his potential.

23. Atlanta Hawks: Quincy Miller, SF

Miller has a lot of question marks around him after the torn ACL he suffered as a senior in high school. He is still a good athlete, and while his quickness is seemingly a little down, he can still get by most defenders.

Mentally Miller is NBA ready and it seems he will work extremely hard at the next level to earn his minutes. He has a good upside and is a smart pick here for the Hawks.

24. Cleveland Cavaliers: Fab Melo, C

The Cavs decide to help their defense out here and get perhaps the best shot-blocker in the class with the 24th pick.

His offensive game is very limited, but that is no secret, and Melo can still develop some game on offense if he stays focused.

25. Memphis Grizzlies: Marquis Teague, PG

The Grizzlies need someone off the bench to back up Michael Conley, and Teague is the perfect candidate. He is physical and very fast, which helps him get to the lane almost at will.

He shows good leadership on the court and is a very mature player. Teague is different from Conley, which is a good thing coming off the bench, and he will change the pace of the game instantly.

26. Indiana Pacers: Andrew Nicholson, PF

A refined forward who will only help the depth on this already very deep team, Nicholson is not a great athlete, but he is very technically sound and has a good IQ.

On offense his range is very impressive and he will hit a three occasionally if left open. The Pacers are a rising team and make themselves even more dangerous with this pick.

27. Miami Heat: Will Barton, SG/SF

The Heat can use a scorer coming off the bench and Barton can be effective playing both the shooting guard and small forward position.

His defense is solid, and playing alongside Dwyane Wade and LeBron James will only make him better.

28. Oklahoma City Thunder: Festus Ezeli, C

The Thunder don’t really need much, but Ezeli can be a good defensive presence off the bench. He does not have great potential, but he is a role player, and that’s all the Thunder really need.

29. Chicago Bulls: John Jenkins, SG

Jenkins is NBA ready and will immediately make his name as a marksman from downtown. His work ethic is strong, which means he could develop to be something more, but as is he's a welcome addition to the Bulls.

His shot is pure and very quick, which will help him get it off even with a man in his face.

30. Golden State Warriors: Moe Harkless, SF

The first round closes out with a player who very well could have went much higher. Harkless is a top athlete with good frame.

His jump shot is still developing, but he can hit mid-range shots consistently. Harkless has good touch around the rim and has show ability to adjust through contact.

He can prove to be a steal considering his physical tools.

Well that is all, thanks for reading and please feel free to follow me on Facebook!