2012 NBA Mock Draft: Lottery Teams That Can't Afford to Screw Up
The NBA draft is what makes or breaks GMs.
This is where they earn the big bucks, and this is where jobs are lost.
There are more than a few squads in this year’s lottery (teams in the top 14) that have their backs against the wall. They can’t afford to whiff on such a valuable pick after failing to deliver much success to their fan base this past season, yet need to ensure they are set up for the long-term.
The leash is short.
As we go through the latest mock draft, the focus is on lottery teams that are in deep trouble if they can’t land the perfect pick in the first round.
(Lottery teams that can’t afford to screw up highlighted in italics)
1. Charlotte Bobcats- Anthony Davis, PF- Kentucky
No team has to nail their first pick more than the Bobcats.
After experiencing the worst season in NBA history, anything short of landing a future All-Star will not cut it.
Luckily for Charlotte, Davis and his 6’10’’ and 220-pound frame is just that. While the Bobcats offense was one of the worst we’ve seen in quite some time, the instant impact Davis will have on the defensive end of the floor instantly makes the Bobcats five-to-10 wins better.
2. Washington Wizards- Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF- Kentucky
The John Wall era is entering Year 3 and the lack of progress is very concerning.
This is a very important year in Washington and landing a guy that can play now, while also having the potential to develop into a star is the best route to go.
The only knock on the 6’7’’, 230-pound MKG is his flat jumper. That is certainly something that can be improved.
With a NBA-ready body and the ability to defend multiple positions on the floor, he is a great fit for a Wizards team looking for an identity.
3. Cleveland Cavaliers- Bradley Beal, SG- Florida
Beal would be a terrific fit for Cleveland as a prolific shooter to pair with Kyrie Irving, but it’s not like this is a do-or-die situation for the Cavs.
They hit a home run last year with Irving, and can afford a pick here that doesn’t have to save the franchise.
4. New Orleans Hornets- Thomas Robinson, PF- Kansas
Who is the face of the Hornets franchise?
Exactly.
Unless you count Eric Gordon (nine career games with New Orleans), there is nobody that even closely resembles a star. They have to find a player that can sell tickets and generate a buzz by the Bayou.
Robinson is incredible aggressive, which allowed him to grab 11.8 rebounds per game last season despite standing at 6’9’’. He doesn’t have as high of a ceiling as some of the other players in this draft, but he is one of the safest picks.
5. Sacramento Kings- Andre Drummond, PF/C- UConn
Now this is a team that has to nail their pick.
With discussions beginning to break down between the city of Sacramento and the Maloof brothers, the team is dangerously close to getting moved to a different city.
So it’s hit a home run or start packing for the Kings.
At 6’10’’ and 270 pounds, there is surely a reason to like Drummond.
But he is the definition of a project and is not going to be a solid contributor in the NBA for at least 2-to-3 years. If you’re a Kings fan, cross your fingers they don’t pick this immature and lazy prospect.
6. Portland Trail Blazers (from Brooklyn)- Jeremy Lamb, SG- UConn
The Blazers aren’t used to the lottery, and don’t need to draft an All-Star to ensure the front office remains intact.
With a healthy LaMarcus Aldridge, this team could have been playoff bound last season. I fully expect them to be back in the postseason next year…especially if they draft the sharp-shooting Lamb.
7. Golden State Warriors- Harrison Barnes, SF- North Carolina
One of the best fan bases in the NBA, Warriors fans are incredibly patient, and seemingly always willing to jump on board for whatever excuse the team gives them.
This year won’t be any different unless Barnes turns in one of the worst rookie seasons in recent memory. With the versatility of his offensive game, that won’t be happening.
8. Toronto Raptors- John Henson, PF- North Carolina
The Raptors and the Warriors have a lot in common.
Both have terrific fans that support them through thick-and-thin, and both teams are unfamiliar with the term “defense”.
And both will draft players from North Carolina that can help them instantly.
9. Detroit Pistons- Jared Sullinger, PF- Ohio State
The Pistons are quietly building something special, and adding more front court depth is the way to go.
This is a franchise heading in the right direction.
10. New Orleans (from Minnesota)- Kendall Marshall, PG- North Carolina
I’ve already discussed the importance of having a strong draft for New Orleans, and if they are able to land both Robinson and Marshall, the rebuilding process will be well ahead of schedule.
11. Portland Trail Blazers- Dion Waiters, SG- Syracuse
I love the potential of Waiters.
A true combo guard that can shoot the three and finish after contact, there is a lot to like about the 6’4’’, 215-pound sophomore from Philly.
Watch his stock rise as the draft gets closer.
12. Milwaukee Bucks- Meyers Leonard, C- Illinois
The 7-footer weighs a solid 240 pounds and is the natural replacement for Andrew Bogut, a player the Bucks should have never given up on.
After being one of the biggest surprises in the NBA two years ago, the franchise is at a crossroads.
Is Brandon Jennings a franchise player? Is he worth building around?
The choices Milwaukee makes in the next few months will go a long way in determining the long-term future of this franchise.
13. Phoenix Suns- Perry Jones III, PF- Baylor
The Suns will likely be losing Steve Nash, putting them in full-blown rebuilding mode. That means they can afford to take on a project like Jones III, who has all of the talent in the world, but needs a few years to mature into the star he’s capable of being.
14. Houston Rockets -Tyler Zeller, C- North Carolina
The Rockets are on the cusp, and nabbing a speedy 7-footer that’s capable of playing from Day 1 is the best move they can make.
15. Philadelphia 76ers- Austin Rivers, SG- Duke
The 76ers were the surprise of the playoffs, and they really don’t need any more players. They need more playoff experience. This is a prime pick to be had via trade.
Maybe the Lakers would like this pick.
16. Houston Rockets (from New York)- Arnett Moultrie, PF- Mississippi State
His 6’11’’ frame suggests he’ll get selected here, yet transferring from UTEP to Mississippi State for only one season suggests he’s a long-term project that will take time to develop.
Right now his basketball IQ is not where it should be.
17. Dallas Mavericks- Marcus Teague, PG- Kentucky
The Hawks always need a point guard and Teague has the ability to become a starter almost instantly.
Watching some of Teague’s clips in college, he reminds me a lot of Steve Francis, a former All-Star point guard of the Rockets. He is a shoot-first point with incredible explosiveness.
18. Minnesota Timberwolves- Jeffery Taylor, SF- Vanderbilt
At 6’7’’ and 226 pounds, he can play either shooting guard or small forward, and can become a lock-down defender in a hurry. That is exactly what the T-Wolves need right now.
The big issue is the consistency on his jumper.
19. Orlando Magic- Tony Wroten, PG- Washington
He has the ability to score 20 points a night…or to get buried on the bench.
At 6’5’’ and 205 pounds he has outstanding vision and a quick first step, but needs to improve his mental toughness.
20. Denver Nuggets- Moe Harkless, SF- St. John’s
This is the perfect replacement if Andre Miller leaves town.
Harkless is a 6’8’’ guard who averaged over 15 points and eight rebounds as a freshman. He is long, athletic, and can be a big-time scorer for an up-tempo team like Denver.
21. Boston Celtics- Terrence Ross, SG- Washington
The Celtics need some serious upgrades on offense and Ross is a great candidate to ease their pains. He can score in a variety of ways and is one of the most consistent shooters in the entire draft.
22. Boston Celtics (from LA Clippers)- Andrew Micholson, PF- St. Bonaventure
He has a high basketball IQ and can play right away for Boston, but the ceiling is not very high on Micholson.
At 6’9’’, 240 pounds he is undersized for the position and lacks athleticism.
23. Atlanta Hawks- Royce White, SF/PF- Iowa State
The Hawks could use a 6’8’’, 270-pound beast that isn’t afraid to do the dirty work in the post and has the heart of a lion.
This is an underrated player that will fall this far strictly because of the school he played for.
24. Cleveland Cavaliers (from LA Lakers)- Terrence Jones, SF- Kentucky
Versatility is the calling-card for Jones, and he would be ideal to fill a variety of roles for a Cavs team that needs to get more athletic.
25. Memphis Grizzlies- Will Barton, SG, Memphis
Easiest pick of the first round?
Barton played his college ball in Memphis, and is a prolific shooter who made some serious strides between his freshmen and sophomore season of college.
Exactly what Memphis needs.
26. Indiana Pacers- Damian Lillard, PG- Weber State
Who cares if he played in the Big Sky?
He is a deadly scorer that has the athletic ability to breeze past NBA defenders. The Pacers need a point guard and Lillard is the best available.
27. Miami Heat- Quincy Miller, SF, Baylor
Miller is a very intriguing prospect.
A small forward with a 7’3’’ wingspan, Miller has the ability to be a big-time player with the proper time to develop.
Miami is one of the few teams that can afford to wait.
28. Oklahoma City Thunder- Draymond Green, SG- Michigan State
The Thunder don’t need much help, and landing a rebounder like Green that can run the floor and play solid defense is the right move to make.
29. Chicago Bulls- John Jenkins, SG- Vanderbilt
Chicago needs more three-point shooters and Jenkins can fill the void.
But will he get many open looks with CJ Watson running the show for the majority of the season?
30. Golden State (from San Antonio Spurs)- Fab Melo, C- Syracuse
The Warriors need more size, and Melo is a steal at No. 30.
He made tremendous strides in his sophomore season and is a legit center at 7’0’’, 255 pounds that can be a force on defense in due time.
