2012 NBA Mock Draft: Final Four Standouts That Are Lottery Bound
The move from the spotlight of the Final Four to the NBA Draft Lottery seems like a natural one, but it isn't automatic. The Louisville Cardinals put on a surprising run to New Orleans, but they aren't likely to have a player selected in the draft at all—let alone the lottery.
The three other teams will be represented among the top-14 picks. As a matter of fact, by my estimation, representatives from North Carolina, Kentucky and Kansas will make up half of the NBA draft lottery.
Here is a spotlight on those players within a full first-round mock draft.
(Spotlighted players and teams will be italicized.)
1. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky
Previous Mock: Same
Davis is the consensus No. 1 pick in the draft, and it's understandable, but I still contend that Andre Drummond is the best selection. It's hard to argue with taking the best player, from college basketball's best team, but I see limitations on the offensive end.
Those limitations make me hesitant to call him a player worthy of the No. 1 pick. Most of Davis' buckets came from put-backs, transition or via the lob. That isn't a player with the profile of a future offensive force.
Still, whoever takes Davis will get a solid player.
2. Washington Wizards: Andre Drummond, PF/C, UConn
Previous Mock: Same
Drummond is the player with the most upside of any player in the draft. At 6'10", 270 pounds with elite athleticism, he looks like a No. 1 pick. Judging by this recent tweet from ESPN's Chad Ford, he's acting like one as well:
"Drummond has lost 22 pounds since ending the season. He's at 268 now. He's very quick laterally for a big guy. VERY QUICK
— Chad Ford (@chadfordinsider) May 29, 2012"
3. Cleveland Cavaliers: Bradley Beal, SG, Florida
Previous Mock: Same
I feel like Luther Vandross and Cheryl Lynn:
If this pick were mine
I would draft M - K - G
For the Cava-Liers,
It just makes sense to me
But the pick is not mine, and I think the Cavs will go for a shooting guard, and the wrong one at that with Beal. He isn't the best shooting guard in the draft in my opinion, but still a decent prospect.
4. New Orleans Hornets: Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas
Previous Mock: Same
Robinson is my early choice for NBA Rookie of the Year.
Why?
Because he has the most NBA-ready game of any player in the draft. He is built like a tank, has good athleticism, works hard, has a great attitude and has three years of collegiate basketball experience.
Most recently, he guided the Kansas Jayhawks to the national championship game. They of course fell short, but in my opinion Robinson deserved player of the year honors.
The Hornets would do well to grab him here.
5. Sacramento Kings: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, Kentucky
Previous Mock: Same
What doesn't MKG do well?
I can only think of one major flaw, and that's his shooting (he shot only 25 percent from three-point range). Once you've talked about that, most of the discussion about MKG is positive. He plays hard, attacks the rim with ferocity and he defends.
He would be an asset to the Kings' team on the court, in practice and in the locker room.
6. Portland Trail Blazers (via Brooklyn Nets): Damian Lillard, PG, Weber State
Previous Mock: Same
Lillard is an explosive scorer, he averaged over 24 points per game this past season, and I think he's going to be a lottery pick. The Blazers need help at both guard spots and Lillard may be the best of the bunch.
7. Golden State Warriors: Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina
Previous Mock: Same
Barnes is a solid small forward prospect that hasn't ever really developed into the dominant player many thought he'd become. That said—17 points per game in the ACC is nothing to dismiss as an empty accomplishment.
Barnes would be great for the Warriors at small forward, it would allow them to part with Dorell Wright and their starting five could be quite good with Barnes.
This would be a solid selection for the Warriors.
8. Toronto Raptors: Kendall Marshall, PG, North Carolina
Previous Mock: Same
If you asked me who the best player at point guard in this draft is, I'd say Lillard, but if you asked me who the best, pure point guard is, I'd say Marshall.
He isn't explosive as a leaper or in his first step, but he knows how to play at different speeds, and how to set up his teammates. Marshall averaged 9.8 assists last year, and he made 35 percent of his three-point attempts.
In my opinion, the Tar Heels' title hopes went out the window when Marshall hurt his wrist. He was the leader and most important player on that team, and he could have a similar effect for the Raptors. They have some young talent, but they could use a young floor general.
9. Detroit Pistons: Perry Jones III, SF, Baylor
Previous Mock: Same
I really like PJ3's tools, and I'm also glad to see NBA people allowing him to work out as a perimeter player. Small forward is his best position, although he has the size at 6'11" to play the 4, he's more comfortable on the outside.
The Pistons could use his versatility.
10. New Orleans Hornets (from Minnesota): Austin Rivers, SG, Duke
Previous Mock: Same
I'm a believer in Rivers' ability to score and create his own shot. The Hornets would do well to get Robinson and Rivers on draft day.
11. Portland Trail Blazers: Tyler Zeller, C, North Carolina
Previous Mock: Same
Zeller is not a freakish athlete by any stretch, but he has a great motor and work ethic. He is fundamentally sound on offense and defense.
He can finish with either hand near the basket, make a 15-foot jump shot and he remains tall on defense to protect the basket.
Zeller isn't a future star, but a team like the Blazers don't need him to be. They already have LaMarcus Aldridge, and Zeller would fit what Portland needs in the middle.
12. Milwaukee Bucks: John Henson, PF/C, North Carolina
Previous Mock: Same
Henson going to Milwaukee is almost a perfect match. He loves defense and he takes pride in protecting the rim. That trait, coupled with his length and shot-blocking ability (2.9 per game last season), will get him early minutes under Scott Skiles.
Henson isn't all offense though. I like the form and rotation on his jump shot, and if he perfects that, he'll be a 10-year starter in the NBA.
If he lands in Milwaukee, I predict he will make the NBA's All-Rookie Team.
13. Phoenix Suns: Jeremy Lamb, SG, UConn
Previous Mock: Same
The Suns need a lot and here they could select the best player available. I like Lamb's versatility, but he isn't a future star or go-to player.
At this point in the draft, you aren't likely to find a player like that, so adding a role player is still a plus.
14. Houston Rockets: Arnett Moultrie, PF/C, Mississippi State
Previous Mock: Same
Moultrie is athletic, and he has good size at 6'11". He is a very offensive-minded big man, and that should fit in well with Houston who need an athletic post presence.
15. Philadelphia 76ers: Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State
Previous Mock: Same
Sullinger can score on the block, but I have always been wary of his ability to finish against long, and athletic bigs in the NBA.
He isn't a great athlete, and he may measure out at 6'8". If that is the case, he'll have a ton of doubters. I like him in Philly because the Sixers need a younger post-up option to replace Elton Brand.
16. Houston Rockets (from N.Y. Knicks): Dion Waiters, SG, Syracuse
Previous Mock: Same
Waiters has some nice slashing abilities, and he appears to be the type of player that can score in bunches. That said, he is only 6'4", and he looks a little soft in the body. Those are two concerns that may cause teams to hesitate in selecting him.
17. Dallas Mavericks: Terrence Ross, SG, Washington
Previous Mock: Same
I think Ross is the best shooting guard prospect in the draft. I had to see a little more of his workouts before I committed to that statement, but I'm there now.
If his stock doesn't rise, he's going to be a steal in the middle of the first round.
Check out this highlight reel of Ross:
18. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Utah Jazz): Terrence Jones, SF, Kentucky
Previous Mock: Same
One of the three Wildcats that I have projected outside of the lottery. This could change as Jones definitely has some skills, but as of now, I see him going here to the Wolves.
Minnesota could use his ability to play both forward spots in relief of Kevin Love, and alongside him.
19. Orlando Magic: Jeffery Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt
Previous Mock: Same
Taylor has tremendous bounce and lateral movement. He is already a great one-on-one defender, but the thing I'm most excited about with him is his improved shooting.
As a sophomore, Taylor shot nine percent from deep, this past season he shot 42 percent.
The Magic may be in complete rebuilding mode, and Taylor would be a nice pick-up to create a solid culture in the franchise.
20. Denver Nuggets: Quincy Miller, SF, Baylor
Previous Mock: Same
Miller is very talented, but he's still a bit raw. He needs some time to develop, but at 6'8" with the ball-handling skills he possesses, he could be a solid player in two years.
21. Boston Celtics: Andrew Nicholson, PF, St. Bonaventure
Previous Mock: Same
The Celtics need frontcourt help whether they complete an improbable run to a NBA championship, whether Kevin Garnett stays or goes in free agency. They need to get younger and bigger, and Nicholson would provide youth and size.
He is a very skilled post-player and he is NBA-ready. This could be another late-round steal.
22. Boston Celtics: Fab Melo, C, Syracuse
Previous Mock: Same
If the Celtics want to go all-out to re-build their frontcourt, they could select Melo here. He's a legit seven-footer that protects the rim, and has decent athleticism.
This pick would make sense for Boston.
23. Atlanta Hawks: Moe Harkless, SF, St. John's
Previous Mock: Same
Harkless' best attribute right now is defense. Offensively he's still finding himself, and he's very thin. At some point he could represent the future for the Hawks at small forward, if they select him.
24. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Los Angeles Lakers): Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois
Previous Mock: Same
Leonard is a project big man. He has legit seven-footer size, but he's a good athlete.
He needs to get stronger, but picking him would make sense for the Cavs.
When he's ready to contribute on a regular basis, the Cavs should be in the third phase of their rebuilding process.
25. Memphis Grizzlies: Tony Wroten, PG/SG, Washington
Previous Mock: Same
Wroten has a ton of talent, but he must improve his shooting. The 16 percent he shot from the three last year isn't going to cut it.
He could turn out to be one of the draft's best players in three years, but I still think he needed at least one more year in school. He could have worked on his shot over the summer and proved himself during his sophomore season.
This would have made his transition to the NBA smoother.
26. Indiana Pacers: Doron Lamb, SG, Kentucky
Previous Mock: Same
Lamb is another of the Wildcats that won't be a lottery pick. He is a very good shooter, perhaps the best in the draft, but he's a little undersized for the shooting guard position at 6'4".
He could be an asset to the Pacers as a gunner off the bench. The Pacers may need to replace George Hill who could leave as a restricted free agent.
27. Miami Heat: Festus Ezeli, C, Vanderbilt
Previous Mock: Same
Do you think Festus Ezeli ever dreamed of hearing his name chanted in South Beach?
Probably not, but because of his size and the Heat's need for a young athletic big man, it could happen.
If the Heat don't win an NBA championship this year, it'll be because of two things: one of them is a lack of size; the other is a lack in overall depth, and this pick could help address both needs.
Ezeli is like Joel Anthony with legitimate center's height.
This would be a major get for the Heat.
28. Oklahoma City Thunder: Marquis Teague, PG, Kentucky
Previous Mock: Same
The last of the Final Four first-rounders is Teague. He has great athleticism, but I think another year of school would have been ideal.
As it stands, his talent level would be difficult for the Thunder to pass on, considering they need depth at point guard.
29. Chicago Bulls: John Jenkins, SG, Vanderbilt
Previous Mock: Same
If Lamb isn't the best pure shooter in the draft, then Jenkins is. The Bulls still need a shooting guard, and though I think one that can create his own shot is a better fit, Jenkins would likely be the Bulls' selection.
He's a dangerous shooter with no conscience, and a proven scorer in college (over 19 points per game the last two years).
30. Golden State Warriors (via San Antonio Spurs): Draymond Green, PF/SF, Michigan State
Previous Mock: Same
Green is a tweener, and he needs to drop about 15 pounds, but he has great intangibles and a high basketball IQ. The Warriors are redefining their identity and Green would only improve the culture on the floor and behind the scenes.
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