2012 NBA Mock Draft: Prospects with Red Flags Not Worth the Price

Some NBA prospects just make you nervous, no matter how talented they may be.

Maybe they've been dogged for effort issues in the past. Perhaps their character has been called into question, or they've gotten themselves into trouble. Maybe they simply don't have a grasp on the game.

Whatever the case may be, I've identified a few players with red flags waving next to their names. Buyer beware.

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

The Bobcats will be praying they land the top pick in the lottery. Davis could change this franchise for the better, but failing to land him would be a devastating development.

2. Washington Wizards: Thomas Robinson, PF (Kansas)  

The Wizards can't go wrong with Robinson or Michael Kidd-Gilchrist here, but I don't think they'll be able to pass up a double-double machine and force in the post like Robinson.

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

MKG is the perfect running mate for Kyrie Irving, and he'll do whatever it takes to make the Cavs better. Things are looking up in Cleveland.

4. New Orleans Hornets: Andre Drummond, C (Connecticut)  

Drummond may be a bit too laid back on the court, but it's pretty hard to pass on a center with as much athleticism as Drummond possesses. If the team doesn't think it will be able to keep Eric Gordon in town, Bradley Beal is the pick.

5. Sacramento Kings: Perry Jones III, PF (Baylor)

No player is more intriguing and simultaneously frightening than Jones.

If this team didn't have Tyreke Evans and Marcus Thornton on the wing, Bradley Beal would be the pick. But adding a solid power forward to pair with budding star DeMarcus Cousins at center should be a priority, and Jones is the best option at this juncture.

He's been called soft, inconsistent and an underachiever. He's also had his character questioned. I think he'll be a very good pro and surprise a lot of people, but the red flags exist and can't be ignored.

6. Portland Trail Blazers (via New Jersey): Bradley Beal, SG (Florida)   

Point guard is the bigger need, but they can snag one at pick No. 11. The fact that Beal, a top-four talent, drops to them here is a huge coup for the Blazers.

7. Golden State Warriors (from Utah): Harrison Barnes, SF (North Carolina)

The Warriors are in danger of losing this pick on Wednesday night (top-seven protected only), but if they stay here and Barnes is available, it's a great scenario for the Warriors, who could use a scorer on the wing.

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

Rivers would be a nice option for the Raptors coming off the bench as a combo guard. If there is one thing Rivers will do at the next level, he will score, and he could give the team a great spark off of the bench.

9. Detroit Pistons: Jared Sullinger, PF (Ohio State)

His offensive game needs work, but he and Greg Monroe on the block would be dangerous.

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

If they want a pure, pass-first point guard, Kendall Marshall will be the pick. But if they are looking for a player who can score the rock while running the point, Lillard should be the team's man.

11. Portland Trail Blazers: Kendall Marshall, PG (North Carolina)

In this scenario, the Blazers just had the perfect draft, drastically improving the backcourt with Beal and an assists machine in Marshall.

12. Milwaukee Bucks: Tyler Zeller, C (North Carolina) 

His upside is limited, but nobody will work harder on the block or get more out of their talent than Zeller will.

13. Phoenix Suns: Jeremy Lamb, SG (Connecticut)  

He may end up being a top-10 pick, and he's got as pretty a spot-up jumper as anyone in this draft. He needs to be more aggressive at the next level to be truly effective, however.

14. Houston Rockets: Arnett Moultrie, PF (Mississippi State)     

Players who average double-doubles (15.8 PPG, 10.6 RPG) are always valuable, and Moultrie is only getting better. He's a nice value at the end of the lottery.

15. Philadelphia 76ers: John Henson, PF (North Carolina)

I don't know if Henson would drop to the Sixers at No. 15, but if he did, I think he would be a spectacular fit. He was the ACC's Defensive Player of the Year, and everyone knows the Sixers' bread-and-butter is the team's solid defense. With a budding offensive game, Henson would be a great find for Philly.

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

He doesn't have Lamar Odom's perimeter game, but they are similar in that they are tweeners who can bang on the block if necessary and get to the rim. Oh, and like Odom, Jones will probably be best coming off of the bench and could be a fantastic complementary piece if used correctly.

17. Dallas Mavericks: Dion Waiters, SG (Syracuse)

Waiters can light it up, and he might find himself starting for the Mavs next season. Not a bad situation to find yourself in.

18.  Minnesota Timberwolves (via Utah): Terrence Ross, SG (Washington)  

Minnesota could really use a 2-guard to round out a very promising young roster, and Ross is the best available at this point. There is no question Ross can score the rock, namely as a spot-up shooter with range, and his solid size makes him a nice defender as well. He should start instantly in Minny.

19. Orlando Magic: Meyers Leonard, C (Illinois) 

Big men tend to go higher than they should at the draft, so Leonard may go higher than this. I have a feeling Dwight Howard is gone, so the Magic may look to add this project to temper their potential losses.

20. Denver Nuggets: Quincy Miller, SF (Baylor)   

Miller is a fluid athlete and has a lot of versatility in his offensive game. He's also a big-time project. The Nuggets can take the time to develop him.

21. Boston Celtics: Moe Harkless, PF (St. John's)  

Harkless averaged 15.3 points and 8.6 rebounds as a freshman, and he's a pretty safe bet to be a serviceable NBA player this far down the board. A nice find for Boston.

22. Boston Celtics (via Los Angeles Clippers): Jeffrey Taylor, SG (Vanderbilt)  

It's hard to imagine a more perfect player in Boston. He shoots well from range, has good size and is a plus defender. Plus, he can step in right away and make an impact. Another nice pick for the Celts.

23. Atlanta Hawks: Tony Wroten, Jr., PG (Washington)

He gets to the rim and finishes well, can create his own shot and is a solid defender. As a pure point guard he struggles to get his teammates involved, but as a combo guard off the bench for Atlanta next year, he could be a fantastic addition.

24. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Los Angeles Lakers):  Fab Melo, C (Syracuse)

Yes, he was the Big East Defender of the Year last season after averaging 2.9 blocks per game.

No, he's not a very good rebounder and only averaged 5.8 rebounds per game at Syracuse last year. For a starting center, that's simply unacceptable. As many strides as he took defensively last year for the Orange, he nonetheless lacks a natural feel for rebounding defensively.

His offensive game needs a lot of work as well, as he is very unpolished on the attack. Teams may love his shot-blocking ability and athleticism, but he simply doesn't have enough of a feel for the game for my tastes.

25.  Memphis Grizzlies:  Royce White, SF (Iowa State) 

White has had character concerns in the past, a well-documented anxiety disorder and a fear of flying.

For all of the talent he brings to the table, he's got as many red flags. I'm not harping on the guy for having an anxiety disorder, but believe me when I tell you that NBA front offices will take a long, hard look into every nook and cranny of White's life. The business is cold in that way.

He averaged 13.1 points and 9.3 rebounds last season and had a strong showing in the NCAA tournament, so teams will give him a look. But he's a risk, no two ways about it.

26.  Indiana Pacers: Marquis Teague, PG (Kentucky)

Teague is still evolving as a pure point guard, but he's got a lot of talent. He's very athletic and incredibly fast, possesses nice size for the position and does well to get to the rim and finish there. He's a project, but one with a lot of potential.

27. Miami Heat: Draymond Green, PF (Michigan State)

Green may be a tweener, but he's a solid jump-shooter and above-average passer, and could fit perfectly into a system with a lot of spacing. Combine that with his ability to rebound proficiently and his high basketball IQ, and you're looking at a great fit for the Heat.

28. Oklahoma City Thunder:  Andrew Nicholson, PF (St. Bonaventure)  

He averaged 18.4 points and 8.5 rebounds per game last season as senior and is solid on the perimeter, especially for a power forward. He'll fit in nicely in OKC.

29. Chicago Bulls: Will Barton, SG (Memphis)

Last year's Conference USA Player of the Year after does a bit of everything for a team, evidenced by his 18.1 points, 8.1 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.4 steals per game last season at Memphis. Used correctly in Chicago, he could become an excellent player off the bench.

30. Golden State Warriors (via San Antonio): Doron Lamb, SG (Kentucky)

Lamb has an excellent jumper from range and could be used as a combo guard at the next level. He won't replace Monta Ellis, but he's a replacement with solid potential.

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