2012 NBA Mock Draft: Teams That Must Target Elite Big Men in Round 1

With the 2012 NBA conference finals underway and the NBA lottery draft tonight, it’s time to figure out which teams must target elite big-men in the first round.

Every team in the NBA needs a big man, but certain teams are one piece away from the Promised Land; landing the right player now could change to fortune of all the following franchises.

The team’s that need big men the most are italicized.

1. Charlotte Bobcats (7-59): Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky

After one of the worst seasons in NBA history, the Charlotte Bobcats are looking to turn their fortunes around and snag the No. 1 overall player, power forward Anthony Davis.

There is no team in the NBA that has more troubles to overcome than the Bobcats, and Davis is the kind of defensive-minded star that can change the culture of an organization.

With a star like Davis willing to accept a defensive role, the whole team will become responsible for their own actions. The defensive adjustment will open up the offense and start to change how basketball is played in Charlotte.

2. Washington Wizards (20-46): Andre Drummond, C, Connecticut

Arguably the most overrated player of 2012, Andre Drummond proved in the NCAA Tournament with UConn that he is a long-term project with major issues to overcome.

3. Cleveland Cavaliers (21-45): Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, Kentucky

While there is no comparison between LeBron James and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, MKG is an amazing basketball player that can fill the void at small forward better than most. Pairing with Kyrie Irving will make this team great over time.

4. New Orleans Hornets (21-45): Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas

Arguably the best player of the 2012 NBA draft, Thomas Robinson has an NBA body and the talent to step on the court from day one and be a starter. New Orleans has found their new David West.

5. Sacramento Kings (22-44): Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina

With a good head on his shoulders, the hope is that the young Harrison Barnes can take his leadership abilities as well as his on-court prowess and lead the immature Kings to the next level.

6. Portland Trail Blazers (via 22-44 New Jersey Nets): Kendall Marshall, PG, North Carolina

Since Brandon Roy’s departure, Portland has lacked a real ball mover in the half-court offense. Kendall Marshall will usher in a new generation for the Trail Blazers.

7. Golden State Warriors (23-43): Brad Beal, SG, Florida Gators

With Monta Ellis shooting ill-advised jumpers in Milwaukee, the Warriors need to snag a stud like Bradley Beal that can fill the basket up on his own.

8. Toronto Raptors (23-43): Austin Rivers, SG, Duke

The Toronto Raptors need playmakers, and that is exactly what Austin Rivers can do. He is a one-man fast break.

9. Detroit Pistons (25-41): Perry Jones, PF, Baylor

The Pistons haven’t had a dominant force down low since Ben Wallace’s first tenure in Detroit, but Perry Jones could have what it takes to be a solid addition to the team.

10. New Orleans Hornets (via 26-40 Minnesota Timberwolves): Damian Lillard, PG, Weber State

With the need for a point guard that can make his own offense like Chris Paul, the closest thing the New Orleans Hornets will get at No. 10 is Weber State’s Damian Lillard.

11. Portland Trail Blazers (28-38): Tyler Zeller, C, North Carolina

With the Greg Oden experiment finally over, it’s time for the Trail Blazers to try again. UNC star center Tyler Zeller will be the answer.

12. Milwaukee Bucks (31-35): Jeremy Lamb, SG, Connecticut

While the combo of Monta Ellis and Brandon Jennings is impressive, the team lacks depth behind them. Jeremy Lamb can play both guard spots and small forward, so the Bucks won’t be able to pass on that versatility.

13. Phoenix Suns (33-33): Terrence Ross, SG, Washington

One of the best pure scorers in the whole draft, Terrence Ross will fill the Suns’ void left by the possibly departing Steve Nash.

14. Houston Rockets (34-32): Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois

No team in the NBA needs a big man more than the Houston Rockets, and 2012 will be their year to find the future of the team in Illinois center Meyers Leonard.

Since the injuries and subsequent retirement by Yao Ming, the Rockets have lacked any real low-post presence. Leonard would change that over time.

While the Illinois star will be great eventually, there is no doubt that he needs time to develop physically and with his basketball IQ. If Houston can train the star properly, he is bound to be the center they so direly need.

15. Philadelphia 76ers (35-31): Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State

If Jared Sullinger falls to the Philadelphia 76ers at the No. 15 spot, this will be the steal of the draft and it won’t even be close.

16. Houston Rockets (via 36-20 New York Knicks): Dion Waiters, SG, Syracuse

To compliment their big center pick, the Rockets may be looking to take the possible long-term future at shooting guard, Dion Waiters.

17. Dallas Mavericks (36-30): John Henson, PF, North Carolina

While Lamar Odom was supposed to be the man at power forward off the bench or starting, the Dallas Mavericks now have to hope rookie John Henson can step in and fill that role.

18. Minnesota Timberwolves (via 36-30 Utah Jazz): Moe Harkless, SF, St. Johns

With Moe Harkless being a small forward, he hits the current criteria of anyone not a point guard or power forward!

19. Orlando Magic (37-29): Quincy Miller, SF, Baylor

With Dwight Howard’s future in Orlando up in the air, the team must do everything they can to add talent around him. A stellar shooter like Quincy Miller is exactly that the team needs.

20. Denver Nuggets (38-28): Terrence Jones, SF, Kentucky

The Denver Nuggets need a player that can take the ball in the last few seconds of a game and get his team two points or get fouled. Terrence Jones is their man.

21. Boston Celtics (39-27): Arnett Moultrie, PF, Mississippi State

While Arnett Moultrie is one of the rawer prospects coming out in 2012, there is no doubt that he will be a great long-term replacement down low in Boston.

22. Boston Celtics (via 40-26 Los Angeles Clippers): John Jenkins, SG, Vanderbilt

With Ray Allen surely gone after this season, John Jenkins is the best pure shooter in the 2012 draft and the heir apparent to the shooting-guard throne for the Celtics.

23. Atlanta Hawks (40-26): Royce White, SF, Iowa State

While there is no shortage of talent already in Atlanta, Royce White will offer all the intangibles at both ends of the floor the team needs to keep them on track and playing consistently all season.

24. Cleveland Cavaliers (via 41-25 Los Angeles Lakers): Tony Wroten, PG/SG, Washington

While Tony Wroten played a mix of both guard spots in college, he will have to take on the main point guard role in Cleveland. This could be the biggest boom-or-bust pick of the draft.

25. Memphis Grizzlies (41-25): Marquis Teague, PG, Kentucky

The Memphis Grizzlies need a pure point guard that will commit to being a primary distributor without begging for shots. Marquis Teague could be the man in Memphis.

26. Indiana Pacers (42-24): Doron Lamb, SG, Kentucky

The Indiana Pacers proved they have the talent and depth to be a contender, so adding another great talent in Doron Lamb is not even a question.

27. Miami Heat (46-20): Andrew Nicholson, PF, St. Bonaventure

If this postseason has taught NBA fans anything, it’s that Miami needs a serious backup for Chris Bosh. Andrew Nicholson will be their man.

28. Oklahoma City Thunder (47-19): Evan Fournier, SF, France

Every other team in the NBA has their sniper off the bench, and the OKC Thunder will find their Kyle Korver (except with talent) in Evan Fournier.

29. Chicago Bulls (50-16): Draymond Green, SF, Michigan State

When Derrick Rose got hurt for the Bulls, the wheels fell off. The hope is that a strong leader like Draymond Green will be the team’s backup leadership plan.

30. Golden State Warriors (via 50-16 San Antonio Spurs): Fab Melo, C, Syracuse

With David Lee offering no defensive help at all, the Golden State Warriors need a long-term solution at center to protect their offensive-minded stars.

That’s where Syracuse center Fab Melo comes into play. Melo would be the shut-down defender the team needs down low to create stops at key moments.

The team has made an effort to concentrate more on its defense, so investing a late first-round pick on a defensive prospect at a position of need is a no-brainer.

Check back for more on the National Basketball Association as it comes, and don’t miss Bleacher Report’s NBA page to get your fill of all things basketball.

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