NBA Mock Draft 2012: Latest 1st-Round Mock Before Lottery Drawing

The 2012 NBA draft lottery will be taking place in just a few hours, meaning that every single team will know exactly where they are picking (barring last-minute trades).

It’s going to make a huge impact on how the order shakes out, but here is one last final attempt at predicting the first round.

I’ll bring you an all-new and updated mock tomorrow after we know exactly which teams are picking where.

1. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis, Kentucky

Davis is the top player in the draft and without a doubt going to be the first-overall pick. Selecting anyone but this young man would be borderline suicide for a franchise in the lottery.

2. Washington Wizards: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Kentucky

MKG is a hard-worker that brings his lunch bucket onto the court for each game. He’s a great finisher, top-notch defender and improving his offensive game each night. He’d be a great fit next to John Wall in Washington.

3. Cleveland Cavaliers: Bradley Beal, Florida 

Beal has established himself as the premier 2 in the class. He’s got NBA three-point range and a body that will allow him to penetrate. There is nothing that the Cavaliers should be afraid of when making this pick.

4. New Orleans Hornets: Thomas Robinson, Kansas

The Jayhawks superstar deserves to go top five because of his great athleticism, ability to rebound, play defense and shoot jumpers. He’s the definition of an asset to a team, and the Hornets would love to have him aboard.

5. Sacramento Kings: Jared Sullinger, Ohio State

Sullinger’s upside may not be as high as some other guys, and he’s not a supreme athlete, but he’s got an NBA-ready post game and knows how to play down low. The Kings need someone like that next to DeMarcus Cousins.

6. Portland Trail Blazers (via New Jersey Nets): Andre Drummond, Connecticut

Portland is rolling the dice here, which they should be fine with since they acquired this pick at the deadline in somewhat of a surprise deal. Drummond has a lot of upside and fills a huge position of need.

7. Golden State Warriors: Perry Jones III

PJIII has got to start working harder and improve his motor. There is no way he’s going to harness all of that talent if he’s continually lethargic on the court. His upside is still unreal, and it’s unfathomable that he will drop from the lottery.

8. Toronto Raptors: Harrison Barnes, North Carolina

Barnes should go off the board no later than No. 8 to Toronto. He’s a born scorer that seems made to play the 3 and will start from Day 1. The Raptors need a No. 1 option that plays SF to turn their franchise around immediately.

9. Detroit Pistons: Arnett Moultrie, Mississippi State

Moultrie’s a high-upside guy with athleticism to match. It’s concerning that it took him a transfer from UTEP to find success, but there is no doubting that he’s finally figured out how to play at a high level.

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

Marshall is the premier passer in the class right now, although his upside is not as high as some of the other PG prospects. The point is, the UNC product is a proven winner that makes everyone around him better, and that is why he would go this high.

11. Portland Trail Blazers: Austin Rivers, Duke

Rivers has superstar potential and has the look of a young Kobe Bryant. If he continues to improve without the ball in his hands and stops relying on his jumper so much, it's possible he could be as good one day.  

12. Milwaukee Bucks: Tyler Zeller, North Carolina

Zeller is a low-upside big man that fills an immediate hole in Milwaukee. He’s a legit seven-footer that can give meaningful minutes at the 5.

13. Phoenix Suns: Damian Lillard, Weber State

Lillard is a dynamic scorer that still needs to prove he can facilitate an offense. If he proves unable to, the Suns can slot him at the 2 and draft a PG in another class or trade. There is no way that Lillard doesn’t find a way to be useful in the NBA.

14. Houston Rockets: Jeremy Lamb, Connecticut

Lamb’s a steal at No. 14. He’s got the talent to be a top-five pick, but often looks complacent and content to let other less-skilled players dominate the ball. Lamb has to be more assertive in the NBA.

15. Philadelphia 76ers: John Henson, North Carolina

Henson makes perfect sense to develop behind Elton Brand or take over if the team decides to amnesty him this summer. He’s a long, athletic 4 that fits with the Philly system.

16. Houston Rockets (via New York Knicks): Terrence Jones, Kentucky

Houston takes another high-value pick by nabbing Jones here. Jones has consistency issues and has to show that he can play like a star on a nightly basis, not just show flashes from time to time.

17. Dallas Mavericks: Terrence Ross, Washington

Ross may be one of the best shooting guards in the class when all is said and done, but there is not enough tape on him against quality opponents. That is why he will likely fall outside the lottery.

18. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Utah Jazz):  Meyers Leonard, Illinois

Leonard can immediately grab some minutes in the Minny rotation if they decide to keep this pick. It wouldn’t surprise me to see them flip it in order to acquire a veteran SG or find some way to trade this on draft day.

19. Orlando Magic: Quincy Miller, Baylor

Miller’s high school ACL injury is still giving some teams a scare. He’s got to prove that he’s comfortable on it and fully healed. If he does, he’ll go much higher than this as a natural scorer with a high ceiling.

20. Denver Nuggets:  Dion Waiters, Syracuse

Waiters has a decent mid-range game and an excellent ability to get to the hoop. He’s got to work on the rest of his skills, but he’s a solid project this late in the draft.

21. Boston Celtics: Andrew Nicholson, St. Bonaventure

Nicholson has size and the mid-range jumper to replace Kevin Garnett in Boston. The team is definitely going to need to look at this man if he is available.

22. Boston Celtics (via Los Angeles Clippers): Royce White, Iowa State

White is another big that the C’s desperately need on draft day. He’s got a lot of upside and could be a star in the league if he is able to overcome a panic disorder that has been holding him back.

23. Atlanta Hawks: Doron Lamb, Kentucky

Lamb was a monster during the NCAA tournament, and that has greatly improved his stock. GMs can trust that he’ll never shy away from taking—and making—a huge shot.

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

Harkless’ stock has been going up, but where he falls will largely depend on his workouts and interviews since he is so raw and young. He’s got great upside and could end up being one of the stars of the class.

25. Memphis Grizzlies: Tony Wroten, Washington

Wroten has insane size for the position, but needs to develop the rest of his skills. He’s still worth a gamble this late based on what he showed during his one season with the Huskies.

26. Indiana Pacers: Marquis Teague, Kentucky

Teague isn’t a traditional point guard, but he’s got the skills to push the ball in transition and get all the young athletes on the Pacers squad involved.

27. Miami Heat: Fab Melo, Syracuse

Miami may be glad that Melo missed the NCAA tournament when all is said and done. It hurt his stock and will possibly allow the huge center prospect to fall down to them this late.

28. Oklahoma City Thunder: Draymond Green, Michigan State

Green is a versatile forward that is a high-character guy that wants to be part of a winning locker room. Sounds like a perfect member of the OKC Thunder.

29. Chicago Bulls: John Jenkins, Vanderbilt

Jenkins is a sharpshooter that could eventually take over for Rip Hamilton at the 2 in Chicago. At the least, he provides some depth to an extremely thin guard spot while Derrick Rose is rehabbing.

30. Golden State Warriors (via San Antonio Spurs): Jeffery Taylor, Vanderbilt

Taylor is an immense athlete who should go higher than this on draft day. He’s developing his jumper and has the experience to contribute right away.