2012 NBA Mock Draft: Future Stars Who Can Make Their Teams into Title Contenders

The 2012 NBA draft features some superstars that have the ability to carry their team to a title in the future.

While the NBA draft is always a gamble to some degree, a team can really turn their future around by drafting a superstar and surrounding him with the right talent. Failing to nab a star in the first round can be a team's greatest downfall, and grabbing one is the best-case scenario in the draft.

Where would the Oklahoma City Thunder be if they had taken anyone other than Kevin Durant in the 2007 draft or where would Dallas be if they hadn't landed Dirk Nowitzki in a draft night trade in 1998? The beauty of the draft is that everyone has a chance to draft their next star; it's up to each team not to mess it up.

1. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky

The first selection of this year's draft is an absolute no-brainer who figures to be a stud in the NBA for a very long time. While it's hard to imagine Davis turning around the Bobcats in just one season, he could definitely be the cornerstone for a contending team in the future.

It may take a few years, but with the 6'10" Davis anchoring the Bobcat defense they could blossom into a contender as he develops. Davis already comes to the team as a polished defender and rebounder, but will need to work on his offensive repertoire if he wants to be the franchise player that he can become.

With fellow shot blocker extraordinaire Bismack Biyombo already in the front court, Kemba Walker running the point and the likelihood of another lottery pick in 2013, the Bobcats are putting together a nucleus that could help them get past their early struggles and become a threat.

Now's not the best time to mention that Michael Jordan's last No. 1 pick overall in the draft was Kwame Brown, but Davis isn't coming right out of high school and comes as a much more proven commodity. The way Davis was able to dominate college games without putting up a ton of points shows he has what it takes to carry a franchise.

2. Washington Wizards: Bradley Beal, SG, Florida

The Wizards are in line to receive the second pick in the draft and should look to add a running mate for John Wall, and Florida guard Bradley Beal fits the bill.

Beal is a good defender who actually rebounds the ball well for a 6'3" guard. He is also an adept shooter who can get hot at any time and score in bunches. He can be a spark plug who can get the offense going when Wall is having an off night, as well as a match-up nightmare when Wall has things going.

3. Cleveland Cavaliers: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, Kentucky

The Cavs come into the 2012 draft fresh off of grabbing a future star in Kyrie Irving with the first pick in the 2011 draft and primed to add another star. If the Cavs are lucky enough to get the opportunity to grab Kidd-Gilchrist, they might be able to forget about the guy who used to play small forward for the Cavs (I think he plays for Miami or something now).

Simply put, Kidd-Gilchrist can fill up the stat sheet, and, aside from his fellow Wildcat Anthony Davis, has the most complete game of any prospect in this year's class. Kidd-Gilchrist was able to lead Kentucky to the national championship with his consistent production across the board.

At 6'7", 230 pounds, Kidd-Gilchrist has a ready-made NBA frame, and should continue to be a factor on the glass. His outside shot needs development, but with Irving running the show, he should get plenty of open looks and opportunities to slash to the basket.

With Irving and Kidd-Gilchrist on the perimeter, the Cavs could become a threat in the East sooner rather than later.

4. New Orleans Hornets: Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas

The New Orleans Hornets have Emeka Okafor and Chris Kaman at center, so it's unlikely that they'll look to add UCONN center Andre Drummond here, as Thomas Robinson is a better fit.

Robinson's athleticism and explosiveness should give the Hornets a nice piece going forward as neither Kaman nor Okafor are all that exciting. Robinson is raw but has the skill-set to become an Amare' Stoudemire type of player.

5. Sacramento Kings: Andre Drummond, C, Connecticut

The Kings have plenty of young players on the wing who can score and are continually developing. What they don't have is a big man of note to develop alongside DeMarcus Cousins.

The Kings will look to add size, and Drummond is the highest rated player available in this scenario. Drummond brings a 6'11" 270 pound frame to the table but is still very raw and will need time before he makes an impact.

6. Portland Trail Blazers (Via Nets): Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina

With the early retirement of Brandon Roy and Jamal Crawford likely on his way out, the Trail Blazers are desperate for some outside scoring. Harrison Barnes is one of the more highly-touted prospects in the draft, and scoring is his strength.

While a sub-par performance in the March Madness tournament leaves questions about Barnes's ability to create his own shot, the Blazers are in a good position to roll the dice with two lottery selections to make.

7. Golden State Warriors: Perry Jones III, F, Baylor

Golden State looks to add a solid player after a tumultuous letdown of a season in 2012. The Warriors could look to add the versatile Perry Jones III to start alongside David Lee at small forward or bring him off the bench as a power forward to add spark to the second unit.

Jones III had an up-and-down career at Baylor and didn't make the kind of improvement that you'd like to see between his freshman and sophomore years. If he's able to match his talents with consistency, then he'll become a great pick for the Warriors.

8. Toronto Raptors: Jared Sullinger, PF/C, Ohio State

The Raptors already have a solid scoring center in Andrea Bargnani, but what they seriously lack is toughness. Keeping that in mind, Jared Sullinger seems to be their ideal prospect.

Sullinger isn't a tremendous athlete, but he's a big body who can help right away on the boards, and while he doesn't translate to be a great scorer in the NBA, Bargnani scores enough that the Raptors can do without another scorer inside.

9. Detroit Pistons: Terrence Jones, F, Kentucky

The Pistons have youth in the backcourt, and center Greg Monroe seems to be a solid fit at center, so the Pistons will look to add a young player to break into the four spot, where they currently rotate an aging Ben Wallace and Jason Maxiell.

Jones should present a much more dynamic option at the position, and can even slide over to the three spot if necessary. Jones struggled a bit with shot selection at Kentucky, but when he's committed to scoring inside, he's among the nation's best.

10. New Orleans Hornets (via Timberwolves): Kendall Marshall, PG, North Carolina

With the New Orleans Hornets getting athletic forward Thomas Robinson earlier in this draft, they could be getting their true franchise player with their second selection. With the frontcourt shored up by Robinson, the draft's best pure point guard would be a great fit in New Orleans.

Marshall possesses tremendous court vision, and is the draft's most gifted passer. Marshall was often overlooked as a Tar Heel because of the talent surrounding him, but he was truly the straw that stirred the drink. When Marshall went down during the tournament, the Tar Heels were a different team—they struggled to put away 13-seed Ohio and lost handily to Kansas.

Coming into the draft, Marshall has been largely overlooked as a top-ten talent, but his ability to distribute could make him a star. Marshall averaged nearly 10 assists a game, and his lack of scoring is one of the few concerns remaining.

While Marshall may never turn into a scorer like that former Hornets point guard Chris Paul, he could very easily turn into an assist machine a la the Celtics' Rajon Rondo. Marshall is one of the few players in this draft with star potential, and he could carry the Hornets far in the future.

11. Portland Trail Blazers: Tyler Zeller, C, North Carolina

If the Blazers add Barnes with their first selection, his North Carolina teammate Zeller could be a good follow-up pick. Barnes and Zeller would create a good inside-outside dynamic that could be featured for a long time.

Zeller is a seven-footer who runs the floor well so he really fits into a uptempo or slow-paced offense, and will offer a great complement to LaMarcus Aldridge.

12. Milwaukee Bucks: John Henson, PF, North Carolina

Make it three Tar Heels in a row as the Bucks go with power forward John Henson here. With Brandon Jennings and Monta Ellis, the Bucks have all the backcourt they need and must now look to add depth to the frontcourt.

With breakout player Ersan Ilyasova possibly out the door via free agency, the Bucks will look to take the best available replacement, and Henson fits the bill.

13. Phoenix Suns: Damian Lilard, PG, Weber State

With so many forward-needy teams ahead of them, the Suns actually find themselves in a good spot in the draft. With the Steve Nash era drawing to a close, the Suns probably can't turn things around with this draft alone, but having their pick of Lilard or one of the scoring guards available should be a nice selection for them.

Lilard is a scoring point guard who tore up at Weber State and can run the offense. A wheeling and dealing point guard to replace Steve Nash couldn't be a better fit.

14. Houston Rockets: Arnett Moultrie, PF/C, Mississippi State

Houston rounds out the lottery teams, and they'll be looking to add size to a frontcourt that featured the likes of Samuel Dalembert and Marcus Camby last season.

Moultrie was a productive player at Mississippi State who averaged double digit rebounds per game and has the body to contribute right away. If the Rockets can keep him from drifting out to the three point line, he should be a solid pick for them.

15. Philadelphia 76ers: Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois

If the young 76ers playoff run was any indication, they could use an electrifying scorer. However, with the potential departure of center Spencer Hawes in free agency, they could be in dire need of a center.

Leonard is one of the few legitimate centers available in this draft and, while he is a hit-or-miss prospect, the Sixers would feel obliged to take the chance at this point.

16. Houston Rockets: Jeremy Lamb, SG, Connecticut

With their biggest need filled at No. 14 with Moultrie, the Rockets can afford to upgrade their shooting guard position by taking Lamb. Lamb is a lottery talent, but could slip due to positional needs.

Lamb has the length to be a shut-down defender, and can score in bunches. He is likely to be able to contribute right away because of his defense, and would be an improvement over Kevin Martin in time.

17. Dallas Mavericks: Austin Rivers, SG, Duke

Rivers is another player with lottery potential that teams would be happy to scoop up if he falls out of the top 14 picks. The son of Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers, Austin has the smarts and IQ that you want in a prospect, and can shoot from range.

The Mavericks are in need of shooters and Rivers would be a great piece who could contribute with his shooting off the bench from day one.

18. Minnesota Timberwolves (Via Jazz): Dion Waiters, SG, Syracuse

The Timberwolves continue the run on scoring guards here by selecting Dion Waiters out of Syracuse. The T'Wolves would be ecstatic to land the guard, as he has a good frame at 6'4" 215 pounds, and will add an explosive outside threat to complement point guard Ricky Rubio.

19. Orlando Magic: Tony Wroten Jr., PG, Washington

The Magic seem to be a good fit for Wroten Jr.; he has lottery potential, but doesn't shoot all that well and doesn't seem to know—his shot selection could use some work. That being said, he's a great slasher, and with the right coaching, will develop nicely to take over Jameer Nelson's spot down the road.

20. Denver Nuggets: Marquis Teague, PG, Kentucky

Teague figures to be the fourth Wildcat taken in the first round, and would be a good fit in Denver. Backup point guard Andre Miller isn't getting any younger, and could leave town in free agency. Good fit for a good player here.

21. Boston Celtics: Terrence Ross, SG/SF, Washington

If Ross slides all the way to the Celtics at 21, they'll be tripping over their feet to get this pick to the podium. Ross has the size to play both the two and the three, and will provide depth behind Avery Bradley while being groomed as Paul Pierce's eventual successor.

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

The Boston Celtics certainly don't plan on sticking Kevin Garnett at center long-term, and need to use their two first-round picks to find quality players ready to make an instant impact. In Melo, the Celtics get just that, as he is a sturdy seven-footer whose defense and rebounding will translate well to the NBA early on.

23. Atlanta Hawks: Moe Harkless, SF, St. John's

Atlanta uses this pick on lanky, athletic forward Moe Harkless who will join an already long and athletic team that features Josh Smith and Joe Johnson. Harkless will take some time to develop, but could be a solid role player with some patience.

24. Cleveland Cavaliers (Via Lakers): Festus Ezeli, C, Vanderbilt

This may be a little early for Ezeli, but the Cavs have a need at center and with them taking Kidd-Gilchrist in this scenario, a second selection on the wing may be overkill.

Ezeli stayed in school for four years, but made marked improvement every season and would contribute immediately for the Cavs.

25. Memphis Grizzlies: Quincy Miller, SF, Baylor

At this point, the Grizzlies have a solid veteran-laden roster that allows them to take a gamble in the draft. Miller is a player who, with seasoning, has the potential to be a consistent starter in the NBA. He could have dramatically improved his stock with another season at Baylor, but the Grizzlies would gladly take him at this spot.

26. Indiana Pacers: Jeff Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt

The Pacers get a great athlete to add to their rotation in Taylor. Taylor was a four-year starter at Vanderbilt, and is able to use his athleticism to get to the rim.

While he may not become a great scorer in the NBA, his defense will earn him a spot in the rotation and as the Heat series showed, the Pacers could use an extra wing defender.

27. Miami Heat: Andrew Nicholson, PF, St. Bonaventure

The Miami Heat add a nice role player here who could break into the ice-thin frontcourt rotation and play right away. Nicholson is a tough rebounder with a nice shooting touch. Think Udonis Haslem with three-point range.

28. Oklahoma City Thunder: Royce White, F, Iowa State

White is one of the more interesting prospects in this class. An extremely versatile forward, he suffers from severe anxiety and has a fear of flying. White could end up being a bust given his mental health issues but could be a very good player if he's able to overcome them.

The Thunder can avoid taking a gamble here as they have put together one of the best rosters in the NBA. 

29. Chicago Bulls: Will Barton, SG, Memphis

Last time the Bulls took a guard out of Memphis, it worked out all right for them. While Barton is certainly no Derrick Rose, he was able to light up the scoreboard at Memphis, and could offer a great scoring outlet off the bench, while even filling in at the point occasionally, if necessary.

30. Golden State Warriors (via Spurs): Draymond Green, SF, Michigan State

Green was a great collegiate player, and played all four years under Tom Izzo at Michigan State. An extremely smart player and an excellent rebounder, Green is the kind of player you want on your team and could add some toughness to the Warriors roster.