2012 NBA Mock Draft: Latest Updates on 1st-Round Picks for NBA's Best Teams

The New Orleans Hornets have a chance to bring the biggest star from the NCAA tournament back to their city, this time to play his home games. The Hornets won the NBA draft lottery on Wednesday night, leapfrogging the other lottery teams on their way to a chance to draft Anthony Davis.

After New Orleans, the Charlotte Bobcats, Washington Wizards and Cleveland Cavaliers round out the top four, with the rest of the first round in the order expected from the records of the non-playoff teams.

Here is a complete look at the first round, including a highlighted look at the picks for the NBA's best teams. For the purposes of this article, we'll specifically look at the remaining teams still in the playoff hunt—San Antonio, Oklahoma City, Boston and Miami—and how the lottery might affect their outlook.

I've also decided to throw Chicago into the mix due to the loss of their league MVP Derrick Rose and two consecutive years of finishing at the top of the Eastern Conference.

1. New Orleans Hornets: Anthony Davis

The hat in the picture says it best. No. 1 was the predicted draft position of Anthony Davis since about midway through his freshman season, and he only solidified it by going out and helping his Kentucky teammates win a national championship.

Davis and Eric Gordon offer a solid foundation for the future, and Davis and Emeka Okafor should be a formidable tandem in year one, assuming the Hornets can avoid the injury bug that plagued them last year.

All in all, a great night for the previously NBA-owned Hornets, and a great start to the reign of Tom Benson over his second franchise.

2. Charlotte Bobcats: Michael Kidd-Gilchrest

This one is a tough choice for the Bobcats and owner Michael Jordan. After losing out on Anthony Davis, do they take the next most talented big man, Thomas Robinson, to pair with Bismack Biyombo, or go after a perimeter athlete like MKG?

My gut feeling is that Jordan and Rich Cho want the perimeter player, to pair with Kemba Walker and D.J. Augustin. While Thomas Robinson by no means would be a stretch here, this pick is going to come down to a coin flip, maybe decided by the new head coach (whoever that might be).

Charlotte certainly will be a loser of the draft in the minds of most, since they were unable to secure the No. 1 pick and grab a game-changer in Davis. But MKG would be a step in the right direction both in the defensive and full-court game while letting his individual offense catch up along the way.

3. Washington Wizards: Thomas Robinson

With Nene in the frontcourt already, is it a stretch to draft Robinson here, and not Andre Drummond or Bradley Beal? I'm going to say no, because the intangibles and motor on Robinson speak for themselves.

He averaged close to 18 points and 12 rebounds on the nation's second-best team, and he has no fear, as evidenced by going head-to-head with fellow prospects Jared Sullinger, Anthony Davis and Perry Jones last season.

Pairing Robinson and Nene will be great on offense. It's unclear how they will be on defense, however, and to rise back into the good graces of the East, Washington will need to play better defense in 2012-13.

4. Cleveland Cavaliers: Bradley Beal

Beal could wind up being a great complementary piece for the Cavs. He can stretch the floor (34 percent from three) and is an excellent free-throw shooter (77 percent).

Kyrie Irving will have a perimeter player to kick out to, off his superior penetration skills. Beal can also create his own shot, and with a healthy Anderson Varejao, this team could be dangerous in the third year since LBJ left the building.

5. Sacramento Kings: Andre Drummond

Drummond helps Sacramento keep up with the Joneses in the Western Conference. It seems like two seven-footers are needed to compete these days, and with Drummond protecting the rim, and DeMarcus Cousins doing his thing, Sacramento suddenly is in business.

I don't think Drummond gets past No. 5. If he's there, it's the Kings' pick for the taking. If he goes earlier, look for the Kings to also look for a more versatile athlete to put around Cousins, like Harrison Barnes or Perry Jones III.

6. Portland Trail Blazers (from Brooklyn Nets): Kendall Marshall

Marshall, who draws comparisons to Jason Kidd on film, might be a stretch at six. But there are so many athletes on the board in the early first round and only one point guard that can run an offense with the efficiency of a guy like Marshall.

His wrist injury might scare teams away, but if they look at the tape, they'll see the engine that ran the UNC offense and the difference it made when he wasn't in the ballgame in the NCAA tournament.

A lot of this pick assumes Nic Batum is a priority for the Blazers to re-sign. If he isn't, they'll go in another direction here.

7. Golden State Warriors: Harrison Barnes

Barnes just so happens to be the opposite of everything Golden State has built their franchise on the past few years. He's a technically sound player, plays solid defense and has great intangibles.

However, with the trade for Andrew Bogut and departure of Monta Ellis from town, this is suddenly the Andrew Bogut-Stephen Curry show.

Barnes will slide in nicely at the 3 with those two, David Lee and Klay Thompson. Golden State is quietly positioning themselves as a solid mixture of young backcourt and experienced frontcourt players.

8. Toronto Raptors: Jeremy Lamb

Lamb could be the offensive spark the Raptors need after their hiring of coach Dwane Casey and another solid season from Jose Calderon.

He's a long, athletic guard, and when paired with DeMar DeRozan and Andrea Bargnani, who knows what could happen? Lamb is clearly a player with a large upside, but his skills will need honing with longer players at the next level.

He has too much potential to pass up here, unless the Raptors decide a guy like Perry Jones III has more upside.

9. Detroit Pistons: Tyler Zeller

Zeller might be the most NBA-ready big man in the draft. Yes, Anthony Davis and Thomas Robinson are more athletic and have more upside, but Zeller has consistently gotten better during his time at UNC.

Paired with Greg Monroe in Detroit, he could do some damage. Monroe is more of a forward-center-tweener as it is, and allowing him to mature some at the 4 could be good for his development.

Also, Monroe will be a hotly contested name in restricted free agency in the next two years. If he decides to sign elsewhere, Detroit will have the option to not match if Zeller is a solid center. Either way, these two could be great low-post options with Brandon Knight and Rodney Stuckey making plays next season.

10. New Orleans Hornets (from Minnesota): Perry Jones III

Perry Jones is a great talent. If he and Anthony Jones are in Hornets uniforms next year, and Eric Gordon re-signs, then the Western Conference just got a little more interesting.

He's an extremely versatile and athletic forward, and would allow coach Monty Williams flexibility in lineups, as well as bring Al-Faroq Aminu off the bench, where he likely belongs.

New Orleans has a chance to be the big winners of the entire draft with two top-10 picks.

11. Milwaukee Bucks (trade with Portland): Jared Sullinger

Proposed Trade: Portland trades No. 11 pick to Milwaukee for No. 12, No. 42 and Tobias Harris

With the point guard of the future in Marshall, Portland is left to choose the best available option. They can't go wrong with Sullinger, who has some "Charles Barkley" in the way he does his craft around the rim.

Although he would be playing behind All-Star LaMarcus Aldridge and possibly J.J. Hickson should Portland extend a qualifying offer his way.

A more likely scenario might be Portland trading down should they deem the best available not good enough for their needs at their current pick. Meyers Leonard could be a target, if that is the case.

In this trade, Milwaukee ensures they can grab Sullinger away from the likes of any other team that might want to trade up. Sullinger and Ekpe Udoh would work well in the frontcourt together in Milwaukee. Both teams get what they want.

12.Portland Trail Blazers (Trade with Milwaukee): John Henson

Proposed Trade: Milwaukee trades picks No. 12, No. 42 and Tobias Harris to Portland for pick No. 11

Henson would give the Blazers a legitimate shot-blocker to plug in alongside Aldridge, and also reunite Marshall and Henson in Blazers uniforms.

While a little raw on offense, he's the best shot-blocker in the class behind Anthony Davis. The Blazers have lacked a legit youthful center that can alter shots since whiffing on Greg Oden, and Henson would be a solid replacement for years to come.

13. Phoenix Suns: Damian Lillard

With the uncertainty of Steve Nash returning, Phoenix must get an impact guard with their first pick. Since many think the choice will be between Kendall Marshall and Lillard, nabbing him at No. 13 seems to be a steal.

He would bring athleticism and a new flavor to the Suns, and it would likely be the beginning of the end for the Nash era in Phoenix.

14. Boston Celtics (from Houston): Austin Rivers

NBA BEST TEAM ALERT

Proposed Trade: Boston sends picks 21, 51 and a future (protected) first to Houston for pick 14 and a future second

It's the trade everyone knows Danny Ainge and Doc Rivers are dying to make. Whether it happens or not at No. 14 is up for debate, but no doubt Boston's two picks (21 and 22) are trying to turn into something better than they would get at that spot.

This trade would give Houston a decent first rounder later in the round, and since they pick again at No. 16, picking up a future first isn't a bad move, either.

Rivers and Rondo. Has a nice ring to it, doesn't it?

15. Philadelphia 76ers: Dion Waiters

Waiters is the versatile combo guard from Syracuse that lit up the Big East as a freshman, averaging 12.3 points and 2.9 assists. He's drawing comparisons to Dwayne Wade, and could be exactly what the Sixers need on offense.

Jrue Holiday, Evan Turner and Waiters could be a solid three-man starting backcourt next season for coach Doug Collins.

It would take pressure off Turner to do everything for Philly on offense, and a two-man lineup of Louis Williams and Waiters at the end of games should scare opposing teams.

16. Houston Rockets (from Knicks): Meyers Leonard

Houston has long been in the market for a productive center. Whether or not they bring one in via trade or free agency will be undecided by the time the draft hits, so nabbing Leonard here would be a nice move for GM Daryl Morey and coach Kevin McHale.

McHale, the post-move expert in his day, would love to mentor and teach Leonard how to use his big frame around the basket. While not flashy or overbearing, Leonard would fit right in with the rest of the Houston squad.

17. Dallas Mavericks: Moe Harkless

Harkless, the freshman forward from St. John's, would be a great infusion of youth and athleticism into the old and slow Mavs. If you watched the playoff series against the Thunder, you saw how badly Dallas needed to get younger and more athletic.

Right now, Harkless would guard James Harden, and Shawn Marion would stay on Kevin Durant in a game against OKC. That kind of defensive presence can't be ignored, and that's not even saying anything about what he could bring on offense.

Fab Melo and Quincy Miller are options here, but Harkless could be a starter at some point during his first two seasons and turn into something very special later on.

18. Minnesota Timberwolves (from Utah): Terrence Ross

The T-Wolves appear to be set at point guard, power forward and center. But the two wing positions have been touch and go, with names from Wayne Ellington to Wesley Johnson not living up to first-round potential.

Terrence Ross could be the next candidate to push the Wolves back to the playoffs. He's a big shooting guard with a good stroke and very athletic moves. Minnesota would get a guy ready to compete for the 2 or 3 job from day one.

19. Orlando Magic: Arnett Moultrie

While Orlando needs someone that can create a shot other than Jameer Nelson, finding a consistent big man that can play with Dwight Howard (if he's still on the team) is priority one.

I can see Orlando looking to trade up to add a guy like Waiters or Ross sooner, but if not, Moultrie or Andrew Nicholson are both quality big men who can score the ball.

20. Denver Nuggets: Terrence Jones

The athletically rich get richer. Having Jones on a team with JaVale McGee, Ty Lawson and Kenneth Faried is downright scary.

Throw in the rest of the bunch and a healthy Wilson Chandler, and suddenly Denver is right there in the conversation with OKC and the rest of the West. Jones might not fall this far, but if he does it's a no-brainer for the Nuggets.

21. Houston Rockets (trade with Boston): Tony Wroten

Proposed Trade: Boston sends picks No. 21, No. 51 and a future (protected) No. 1 to Houston for pick No. 14 and a future No. 2

Wroten would be a huge pickup for the Rockets, especially with the uncertainty surrounding both their guards, Kyle Lowry and Goran Dragic.

He's an athletic tweener who could fill both guard spots in a pinch, and would be a gift at 21 to the Rockets, depending on what their plans are for their current point guards.

22. Boston Celtics (from Clippers): Fab Melo

NBA BEST TEAM ALERT

The big man from Syracuse is a lock to go in the first round, but his draft position might be the most uncertain of the round. Mocks have him going anywhere from top 15 to all the way in the bottom of the round, so it's hard to project his value to a point. 

But in Boston, he would be a starter in Doc Rivers' defense-oriented system, and a nice piece for the future should the big three decide to break up.

If Jeff Green returns after his heart surgery, I think Melo is a lock if he's available here. If not, Boston might try to add more offense around Paul Pierce and Rajon Rondo.

23. Atlanta Hawks: Quincy Miller

With only six players under contract right now, the Hawks have some holes they'll have to fill. They can start by taking Miller, who, while still a raw prospect, is an offensive threat off the bench in any NBA system.

He's a matchup nightmare, pushing 4's to the perimeter and beating them with quickness, and taking 3's to the post where he displays a good low-post game.

He'll be a solid addition in Atlanta, who has been looking to repair the Marvin Williams mistake for some time now.

24. Cleveland Cavaliers (from Lakers): Andrew Nicholson

St. Bonaventure made an impressive tournament run on the shoulders of Nicholson, who averaged a double-double and showed an array of moves in putting the ball into the basket.

He'd come off the bench in Cleveland, but that kind of energy and offensive production shouldn't be taken lightly, especially with Varejao's injury history and the need to stockpile offensive threats these days.

He would also give Cleveland another young pick that would step right in and contribute, which would be a win for Dan Gilbert and company.

25. Memphis Grizzlies: Marquis Teague

Memphis gets their coveted point guard that can back up Mike Conley consistently, and Teague gets to play one state above his brother in Georgia.

Teague is a quality point guard who some feel is already better than his brother, coming out of school. Being a backup in an atmosphere like Memphis would be great for his development, and also allow Conley to finally get some rest with a point guard who can handle the offense.

26. Indiana Pacers: Festus Ezeli

Ezeli landing with the Pacers does two things: Gives them a quality backup that they didn't have against the Heat when Roy Hibbert was out, and also gives them an insurance policy should Hibbert cost too much for the Pacers to retain.

The big man was on his way to a breakout season before knee injuries and a suspension slowed his progress. But he has a good upside and is an excellent shot-blocker, which is key for Indiana when Hibbert isn't around.

27. Miami Heat: Royce White

NBA BEST TEAM ALERT

While most would contend Miami needs a point guard and a center to win multiple championships, I think White could be a solid bench player for the Heat.

He would add the versatility they lack, allowing Bosh to play center at times with White as the power forward. He could also slide down and give LeBron a rest from time to time, and maybe even allow the Heat to rid themselves of Mike Miller's contract sooner than later.

28. Oklahoma City Thunder: Jeffery Taylor

NBA BEST TEAM ALERT

Taylor reminds me of a more athletic version of Shane Battier. He has all the intangibles and is a better finisher than Battier ever was in college or the pros.

He'd be a great fit on a team looking to add outside shooters, and even be able to give Kevin Durant some rest at certain points while still giving James Harden and Russell Westbrook a shooter to spread the floor with when they attack the basket.

The rich get richer, as they say, and Taylor would make OKC more dangerous than they already are.

29. Chicago Bulls: Doron Lamb

NBA BEST TEAM ALERT

Lamb, who reminds some scouts of sixth men Louis Williams and Jason Terry, averaged 13 points per game on the loaded Kentucky team last year. Time will tell if those numbers will translate to the NBA, but with so much talent on his collegiate squad, you'd have to wager it will eventually.

He can hit the three and also knock down a mid-range jumper, two areas Chicago struggles to find consistently when Derrick Rose isn't on fire or not in the lineup at all. Richard Hamilton is injury prone, and Kyle Korver offers nothing more than uncontested three-pointers and the occasional steal.

Lamb would be a nice addition to a team looking to add some offense off the bench, and under coach Tom Thibodeau he would pick up the defense needed to excel, as well.

30. Golden State Warriors (from San Antonio): Kevin Jones

Jones is a rugged two-way player from West Virginia who is always fighting for his team or on the floor for a loose ball. He seems to be around the offensive glass on every possession, and can even knock down a jumper when left open.

Behind David Lee and Andrew Bogut, Jones could be a solid reserve, bringing the kind of toughness and scrappy play coach Mark Jackson wants his players to have. He can guard multiple positions and would be another sign of the end of "offense-only" types on the Golden State draft board.