NBA Draft 2012: Team-by-Team Needs and Ideal Prospects

Less than one month until the 2012 NBA draft, team needs could potentially change with the combine coming up next month.

To that end, let's take a look at each team's current needs and the ideal prospects to realistically consider when the draft tips off at the end of June.

Charlotte Bobcats

Team Needs: SF, PF, SG

Anthony Davis is the most ideal prospect and after going 7-59, the Bobcats deserve the No. 1 pick. Davis's combination of size and athleticism will work at either the forward position and improve Charlotte's offense, rebounding and interior defense.

Washington Wizards

Team Needs: G, F

The Wizards can go a few directions here as a shooting guard or small forward would suffice. Kansas power forward Thomas Robinson, however, is the best solution. He can grab boards and help improve the defense to get the potential offense more opportunities.

New Orleans Hornets

Team Needs: SF, G

With a few positional options available, the Hornets have the luxury to decide between Harrison Barnes and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. Barnes is the safer bet as he's older and is arguably better on the outside, but New Orleans is basically splitting hairs when comparing all-around play and potential.

Cleveland Cavaliers

Team Needs: SG, F

Point guard Kyrie Irving needs a reliable shooting guard to dish the rock to on the outside. Bradley Beal is a perfect fit as he can drain the rock from anywhere and play solid defense. In turn, Beal's addition takes pressure off the frontcourt.

Sacramento Kings

Team Needs: C, PG

Sacramento won't be getting the point guard it needs until later, so expect the Kings to address the frontcourt in Round One. Here, a suitable fix to help DeMarcus Cousins is center Andre Drummond. Drummond brings the needed size to compete in the paint and play defense.

Brooklyn Nets

Team Needs: PG, SF, C

Without a first-round pick the Nets have to make the most in Round Two. There, Xavier point guard Tu Holloway is a viable option as he has the nimbleness to drive the lane and pass the ball back out. Holloway also plays sound defense and knows how to make plays.

Golden State Warriors

Team Needs: SF, G

Golden State gets a gift from the basketball gods as Kentucky's Michael Kidd-Gilchrist could be around if Harrison Barnes goes before him. The Warriors need a stud shooting guard to bolster the defense and improve the transition offense.

Toronto Raptors

Team Needs: SG, SF

Unless the Raptors get extremely lucky with the lottery their best options will be Austin Rivers and Jeremy Lamb. The good news is that both are great picks to contribute at shooting guard. Lamb is the safer bet however, as he provides a more versatile offensive skill set.

Detroit Pistons

Team Needs: F, SG

The Pistons need a dynamic player to make an impact at small forward and occasionally on the wing. Terrence Jones has the court awareness to play both and his size allows Detroit to go with big against more physical teams.

Minnesota Timberwolves

Team Needs: SG, C

Later in Round One we will see the Timberwolves select. Coming off another losing season, an impact player has to be selected. That said, Dion Waiters of Syracuse addresses that need with his ability to score and his experience in zone defense.

Portland Trail Blazers

Team Needs: C, F, PG

Portland has an opportunity in 2012 to really make a quick turnaround. Jared Sullinger is a great selection for the Trail Blazers as his potential is much greater than Greg Oden. The man can rebound and score from anywhere inside, which complements LaMarcus Aldridge and J.J. Hickson quite well.

Milwaukee Bucks

Team Needs: F, C

Getting a multidimensional forward would benefit Milwaukee quite well next season. North Carolina's John Henson provides that talent as the former Tar Heel can score from around the floor and bring much needed defense to the Bucks.

Phoenix Suns

Team Needs: PG, PF

The Phoenix Suns can go a few ways here as point guards Austin Rivers and Damian Lillard both are great fits. Rivers, however, brings an excellent offensive game and dynamic potential to develop as a point guard.

Houston Rockets

Team Needs: G, C

Houston is in the fortunate position where the best available player will suffice in Round One. Multiple players fit the bill such as Terrence Ross, Tyler Zeller and Perry Jones. Zeller is the best option though because the Rockets need to keep a young rotation at center to help the rest of the frontcourt.

Philadelphia 76ers

Team Needs: PF, C

The 76ers need bigs to match other Eastern Conference teams like Miami, Chicago, Boston and Atlanta. Perry Jones is an ideal selection because he has extreme potential. A great scorer from the field, Jones can get boards due to impressive athleticism for his size.

Utah Jazz

Team Needs: G, SF

The Jazz don't have a first-round pick so their Round Two selection has to be the right guy. Ohio State's William Buford makes for a good pick due to his size alone. Buford possesses an impressive shot from the outside and plays better defense than advertised.

Dallas Mavericks

Team Needs: G, F

Along the same lines as Houston, the Dallas Mavericks can't go wrong by taking the best available player. Here, Arnett Moultrie can enhance the frontcourt rotation at center and power forward while also providing the versatility to help a small forward. Albeit undersized for a center, Moultrie knows he isn't afraid to get physical and use his power.

New York Knicks

Team Needs: F, C

The Knicks have so much individual talent it's unfortunate they couldn't have a better 2011-12 campaign. As for the draft, getting the best possible frontcourt player in Round Two is the Knick's only option. There, Marquette's Jay Crowder is ideal as he can contribute at both forward positions to add dynamic depth in the rotation.

Orlando Magic

Team Needs: PG, C, SF

Orlando needs all kinds of help and not just in terms of positional needs. The Magic needs a guy like Terrence Ross who can come in and upgrade the shooting guard and small forward rotation. He can move well off the ball and score from anywhere, which opens up the frontcourt and takes pressure off the backcourt.

Denver Nuggets

Team Needs: G, PF

Denver could use a bigger point guard and North Carolina's Kendall Marshall is perfect. Marshall has a great basketball IQ and has that extra year of collegiate experience at running the point. His court awareness and anticipation skills will pay the most dividends in the long run.

Boston Celtics

Team Needs: F, SG

The Celtics are old and finding those eventual replacements right now is vital to maintaining consistent success. Moe Harkless fits comfortably well as he will be used a variety of ways. Although Harkless is more of a small forward, his size isn't overwhelming to rotation at shooting guard. That size combined with his athleticism just gives Boston another playmaker to rely on at both ends.

Atlanta Hawks

Team Needs: PG, C

The Hawks are already aged in the paint, so selecting a guy like Meyers Leonard solves the need for youth in the rotation down low. Leonard is a seven-footer who is a better athlete than given credit for and knows how to play defense. Atlanta needs that to compete with Miami in the Southeast Division.

Los Angeles Clippers

Team Needs: SG, F

Believe it or not, but the Clippers are on the rise. As for the draft they have to wait until Round Two, but a player such as Oregon State's Jared Cunningham adds to the offense. The Clippers were decent with the ball last season, but Cunningham's marksmanship alone will take the offense to new heights.

Memphis Grizzlies

Team Needs: G, F

The Grizzlies need an offensive-oriented player if they want to compete in the Southwest Division with San Antonio and Dallas more consistently. This last season was impressive, but next season could be even better by selecting Evan Fournier. A utility player at guard or forward, Fournier can be impressively effective off the bench with his scoring talent.

Los Angeles Lakers

Team Needs: G, F

As long as Kobe Bryant is around, Los Angeles just needs to surround him with the best available talent. A point guard that can push the pace suffices as the Lakers are excellent at grabbing boards. Casper Ware of Long Beach State has that capability since he possesses a reliable shot and can lock down defensively.

Indiana Pacers

Team Needs: C, F

Indiana is coming off a great season and has increased expectations for 2012-13. Those expectations can be met by drafting Baylor's Quincy Miller. Miller has the size to rotate at shooting guard and small forward while having the skills to consistently rebound and pass because of good court vision.

Miami Heat

Team Needs: PG, C

All the Miami Heat needs is a point guard that can find feed LeBron James and Dwyane Wade while occasionally providing the mid-range jumper. Kentucky's Marquis Teague is the best fit here, because Teague played on a team where all he had to do was dish the rock around. Coincidentally, that will be his main responsibility in Miami and when needed, he can score at will.

Oklahoma City Thunder

Team Needs: SF, PF

Oklahoma City needs a complete forward for depth and rotational purposes. Vanderbilt's Jeff Taylor answers that riddle with his size and experience combo. He improved each year for the Commodores and has the defensive wherewithal to make plays without getting called for many fouls.

San Antonio Spurs

Team Needs: G, F

After their dominance through the 2012 postseason the Spurs really don't need anything but reserve players to contribute whenever needed. So, expect San Antonio to take the best available player at its selection and Memphis's Wesley Witherspoon fits nicely. He's a shooting guard that can rotate at small forward to enhance the Spurs' dynamics.

Chicago Bulls

Team Needs: SG, SF, C

The Bulls need a young and promising No. 2 guard as the offense must improve for next season. Doron Lamb makes for an excellent selection because Chicago then has a complete player at that position. Lamb is a reliable defender and can drain it from anywhere on the floor.

John Rozum on Twitter.