2012 NBA Mock Draft: How Lottery Results Will Shake Up First Round
The 2012 NBA draft lottery results are in, with the New Orleans Hornets winning the first overall pick.
In what was a very predictable lottery for the first nine picks, the first shake-up was the Cleveland Cavaliers falling from the projected No. 3 spot to No. 4.
The Washington Wizards then fell from the projected No. 2 pick to No. 3, and the league-worst Charlotte Bobcats fell from the projected No. 1 to No. 2 overall.
So now with New Orleans, originally slated to pick fourth, getting the first overall pick and the right to select Anthony Davis, how will the rest of the lottery and first round shake out?
Here is an updated post-lottery 2012 NBA mock draft.
1. New Orleans Hornets: Anthony Davis, PF
1 of 302011-12 Stats Per Game: 14.3 points, 10.0 rebounds, 4.7 blocks
School: Kentucky
Year: Freshman
Height/Weight: 6'10", 220 pounds
The future of New Orleans basketball suddenly looks very bright.
Picking Anthony Davis to pair with Eric Gordon gives them a core they can build around for a long, long time.
Davis represents the most upside of any player in the draft. His best qualities are his length and feel for the game. His shot-blocking ability isn't too shabby, either.
2. Charlotte Bobcats: Thomas Robinson, PF
2 of 302011-12 Stats Per Game: 17.9 points, 11.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists
School: Kansas
Year: Junior
Height/Weight: 6'10", 237 pounds
Charlotte misses out on Davis but gets a terrific consolation prize in Robinson, who had 18 points and 17 rebounds against Davis and Kentucky in the NCAA Championship game.
Robinson would have been the first overall pick in a lot of drafts, but still sees himself going second in a loaded 2012 class.
Buried behind the Morris twins of Kansas last season, Robinson broke out and would have been the best player in college basketball if not for Anthony Davis.
A talented scorer from many areas and a tremendous rebounder, Robinson will start in the NBA from day one.
3. Washington Wizards: Bradley Beal, SG
3 of 302011-12 Stats Per Game: 14.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists
School: Florida
Year: Freshman
Height/Weight: 6'3", 207 pounds
Washington has a couple of needs, but shooting guard remains at the top of the list, as Jordan Crawford is better suited as a scoring option off the bench.
ESPN's Chad Ford has Beal ranked third on his 2012 big board and for good reason.
His game has been compared to that of Eric Gordon with a touch of Ray Allen, which any NBA team would love to bring on board.
4. Cleveland Cavaliers: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SG/SF
4 of 302011-12 Stats Per Game: 11.8 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists
School: Kentucky
Year: Freshman
Height/Weight: 6'7", 232 pounds
Despite playing mostly small forward at Kentucky, Kidd-Gilchrist was often tasked with guarding the opponent's best wing player, even if it was their point guard.
This versatility on defense, coupled with a tireless work ethic and outstanding attitude, should only translate to continued success at the next level.
Paired with former high school teammate Kyrie Irving, the Cavaliers could have an All-Star backcourt for years to come.
5. Sacramento Kings: Harrison Barnes, SF
5 of 302011-12 Stats Per Game: 17.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.0 assist
School: North Carolina
Year: Sophomore
Height/Weight: 6'8", 215 pounds
Barnes didn't have the remarkable two seasons at UNC that many expected he would, but still did enough to warrant a top-10 pick in the draft.
A good catch-and-shoot player with an NBA frame and good defensive ability, Barnes might not ever be a superstar but should be a solid wing scorer for years to come.
6. Portland Trail Blazers (via New Jersey Nets): Andre Drummond, C
6 of 302011-12 Stats Per Game: 10.2 points, 7.7 rebounds, 2.7 blocks
School: UConn
Year: Freshman
Height/Weight: 6'10", 250 pounds
In an interview at the Draft Lottery, Drummond was looking slim and revealed that he had dropped 20 pounds from last season's end, going from 270 down to 250. This should help his explosiveness and ease the impact on his ankles and knees that so many big men struggle with.
Drummond has a very similar body type to that of Dwight Howard when he came into the league, and while he lacks Howard's athleticism and intensity right now, the comparison is there.
A huge risk, yes, but centers of his size and athletic ability don't come around very often.
7. Golden State Warriors: Perry Jones III, SF/PF
7 of 302011-12 Stats Per Game: 14.0 points, 7.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists
School: Baylor
Year: Sophomore
Height/Weight: 6'11", 235 pounds
Jones would no doubt have been a top-five pick in last year's draft had he declared, but he made no significant improvements in his sophomore year and this is a deeper class.
A terrific but inconsistent athlete, Jones should probably deserve to go in the mid-to-late first round with his somewhat disappointing college career. Don't be surprised if a team like the Warriors selects him earlier, though, as his potential will be tough to pass on.
8. Toronto Raptors: Jeremy Lamb, SG
8 of 302011-12 Stats Per Game: 17.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.7 assists
School: UConn
Year: Sophomore
Height/Weight: 6'5", 180 pounds
As good as Kemba Walker was at UConn, Lamb easily had the better first two years of college both in the box score and overall impact on the team.
Often overlooked when talking about the elite players in this year's class, Lamb has the size and skill set to turn into one of the best NBA players of the entire draft.
A great shooter with a tremendous wingspan, Lamb could be the next Rip Hamilton or Reggie Miller with the right system and team.
9. Detroit Pistons: Tyler Zeller, C
9 of 302011-12 Stats Per Game: 16.5 points, 9.3 rebounds, 1.5 blocks
School: North Carolina
Year: Senior
Height/Weight: 7'0", 250 pounds
Detroit gets a true seven-footer with great post moves coming from one of the premier programs in college basketball.
With the Pistons, Zeller's main job would be to rebound and block shots, which goes right along with his scouting report.
Adding Zeller to the fold would also allow Greg Monroe to move to power forward full-time.
10. New Orleans Hornets (via Minnesota Timberwolves): Kendall Marshall, PG
10 of 302011-12 Stats Per Game: 7.8 points, 2.6 rebounds, 9.7 assists
School: North Carolina
Year: Sophomore
Height/Weight: 6'4", 195 pounds
With Anthony Davis on board, the Hornets get their point guard of the future here in Marshall.
Marshall won't be an elite point guard by any stretch, but he is fundamentally sound and the best pure floor general in the draft.
His impact on the court was evidenced by UNC's struggles in the NCAA tournament after he went down with a fractured wrist.
11. Portland Trail Blazers: Damian Lillard, PG/SG
11 of 302011-12 Stats Per Game: 24.5 points, 5.1 rebounds, 4.0 assists
School: Weber State
Year: Senior
Height/Weight: 6'3", 195 pounds
Lillard is a dynamic do-it-all guard who could inject some scoring into Portland's offensive attack.
He would likely be pushed into a starting point guard role, as the Blazers struggled to find a full-time answer at the position last season.
12. Milwaukee Bucks: Jared Sullinger, PF
12 of 302011-12 Stats Per Game: 17.6 points, 9.3 rebounds, 1.2 assists
School: Ohio State
Year: Sophomore
Height/Weight: 6'9", 265 pounds
Sullinger plays a game very reminiscent of Kevin Love. He is an excellent rebounder and scorer around the bucket who can also step out and hit jumpers.
Expect a double-double every night, as Sullinger has an NBA body right now and lost over 30 pounds in college while improving his overall game.
13. Phoenix Suns: Austin Rivers, SG
13 of 302011-12 Stats Per Game: 15.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.1 assists
School: Duke
Year: Freshman
Height/Weight: 6'4", 200 pounds
Rivers is too talented to fall much farther than this. A pure scorer who never met a shot he didn't like, Rivers would provide instant offense for the Suns.
With Steve Nash likely on his way out, the Suns will need a new face for the franchise, and Rivers has the potential to be just that.
14. Houston Rockets: Meyers Leonard, C
14 of 302011-12 Stats Per Game: 13.6 points, 8.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists
School: Illinois
Year: Sophomore
Height/Weight: 7'1", 245 pounds
Leonard may take a few years, but could develop into an above-average center in the NBA. He already has the size to contribute immediately on the defensive end.
Drafting Leonard might be a bit of a reach, but his size and length could make for a very balanced Rockets lineup.
15. Philadelphia 76ers: Arnett Moultrie, PF/C
15 of 302011-12 Stats Per Game: 15.8 points, 10.6 rebounds, 1.1 assists
School: Mississippi State
Year: Junior
Height/Weight: 6'11", 230 pounds
A great athlete who some project to go in the first 10 picks of the draft, Moultrie would be a great fit in Philly with his size and rebounding skills.
Backing up Elton Brand or being groomed into a starting center, Moultrie's upside is too great to leave on the bench for long.
16. Houston Rockets (via New York Knicks): Terrence Ross, SG/SF
16 of 302011-12 Stats Per Game: 15.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.4 assists
School: Washington
Year: Sophomore
Height/Weight: 6'6", 195 pounds
An excellent shooter coming off screens, Ross has great range and is a capable rebounder as well.
Despite being a tweener on the wing—a bit slow by shooting guard standards and slightly undersized for a small forward—Ross should become a solid contributor over the long haul.
17. Dallas Mavericks: Quincy Miller, SF
17 of 302011-12 Stats Per Game: 10.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.4 assists
School: Baylor
Year: Freshman
Height/Weight: 6'9", 210 pounds
Miller is making an extremely questionable decision leaving Baylor after only one season, as he could have really stood out as the go-to guy for the Bears next year.
Be that as it may, Miller still has star potential if a team develops him the right way.
18. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Utah Jazz): Dion Waiters, SG
18 of 302011-12 Stats Per Game: 12.6 points, 2.3 rebounds, 2.6 assists
School: Syracuse
Year: Sophomore
Height/Weight: 6'4", 215 pounds
Minnesota is a good shooting guard away from being a legitimate playoff contender, and Waiters could be just the guy to get them there.
A slashing sixth man for the Orange last season, Waiters was fourth in the entire Big East in PER.
His game has been compared to that of Dwyane Wade and James Harden, due to his ability to split the double-team and provide instant offense off the bench.
19. Orlando Magic: Terrence Jones, SF/PF
19 of 302011-12 Stats Per Game: 12.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.3 assists
School: Kentucky
Year: Sophomore
Height/Weight: 6'9", 252 pounds
An athletic combo forward, Jones could start right away or contribute off the bench in Orlando playing either forward position.
With the right coaching and development, Jones could become a Lamar Odom-like talent with his versatile scoring and rebounding.
20. Denver Nuggets: Tony Wroten, PG/SG
20 of 302011-12 Stats Per Game: 16.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.6 assists
School: Washington
Year: Freshman
Height/Weight: 6'5", 205 pounds
The Pac-12 Freshman of the Year, Wroten is a great athlete who can do everything well except shoot from deep.
Going in the mid-to-late first round could be a real steal for whichever team gets him. Denver could definitely use an impact shooting guard and should draft Wroten if he's still available.
21. Boston Celtics: Moe Harkless, SF
21 of 302011-12 Stats Per Game: 15.3 points, 8.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists
School: St. John's
Year: Freshman
Height/Weight: 6'8", 208 pounds
A talented wing who plays a smooth all-around game, Harkless could be a steal at the end of the first round.
As a freshman, Harkless exhibited a nice mid-range game and put up great rebounding numbers.
The 18-year-old shows a feel for the game far beyond his age.
22. Boston Celtics (via Los Angeles Clippers): John Henson, PF
22 of 302011-12 Stats Per Game: 13.8 points, 10.1 rebounds, 2.9 blocks
School: North Carolina
Year: Junior
Height/Weight: 6'11", 220 pounds
An athletic, lanky shot-blocker and rebounder, Henson would instantly become a defensive presence in the Boston frontcourt.
With some added muscle, Henson could see some time at center, but for now he projects as a power forward at the NBA level.
23. Atlanta Hawks: Fab Melo, C
23 of 302011-12 Stats Per Game: 7.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.9 blocks
School: Syracuse
Year: Sophomore
Height/Weight: 7'0", 255 pounds
Atlanta needs a true center like Melo so it can move Al Horford back to power forward and use Josh Smith as a trade chip.
Melo would give the Hawks a strong defensive presence inside and add some much-needed size to their frontcourt.
24. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Los Angeles Lakers): Festus Ezeli, C
24 of 302011-12 Stats Per Game: 10.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.0 blocks
School: Vanderbilt
Year: Senior
Height/Weight: 6'11", 255 pounds
After taking a wing player in Michael Kidd-Gilchrist with their first pick, the Cavs address their need at center with Ezeli.
A power dunker and shot-blocker, Ezeli doesn't have the highest of ceilings but he represents a good value at this stage of the draft.
His defensive contribution would be immediate, and Cleveland needs a backup for the fragile Anderson Varejao.
25. Memphis Grizzlies: Evan Fournier, SG/SF
25 of 302011-12 Stats Per Game: 13.4 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists (France)
School: Poitiers, International
Age: 19
Height/Weight: 6'6", 200 pounds
Fournier, the first international prospect of the draft, is a crafty finisher around the rim and would provide the Pacers with another offensive weapon.
The 19-year-old is leading his French team in scoring in just his second pro season.
26. Indiana Pacers: Marquis Teague, PG
26 of 302011-12 Stats Per Game: 9.4 points, 2.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists
School: Kentucky
Year: Freshman
Height/Weight: 6'2", 189 pounds
A score-first point guard with a quick first step, Teague is the latest Kentucky point guard looking to make some noise in the NBA.
A decent defender, Teague must improve on his low field-goal (41 percent) and free-throw (71 percent) percentages to excel at the next level.
27. Miami Heat: Andrew Nicholson, PF
27 of 302011-12 Stats Per Game: 20.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.5 blocks
School: St. Bonaventure
Year: Senior
Height/Weight: 6'9", 220 pounds
A good jump-shooter with a great motor, Nicholson has proved to be a capable defender and should immediately improve whatever second unit he lands on.
28. Oklahoma City Thunder: Draymond Green, SF/PF
28 of 302011-12 Stats Per Game: 16.1 points, 10.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists
School: Michigan State
Year: Senior
Height/Weight: 6'7", 230 pounds
OKC doesn't need much at this point, but a smart, well-coached player from a top college program certainly wouldn't hurt.
Green could play either forward position and bring it every day in practice. He would certainly work for and earn his minutes on the court.
29. Chicago Bulls: Doron Lamb, SG
29 of 302011-12 Stats Per Game: 13.7 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1.5 assists
School: Kentucky
Year: Sophomore
Height/Weight: 6'4", 210 pounds
A tremendous shooter and a national champion, Lamb would provide the Bulls with great insurance at the shooting guard position.
In his only two years with the Wildcats, Lamb shot 48 and 46 percent from behind the three-point line during his freshman and sophomore seasons.
30. Golden State Warriors (via San Antonio Spurs): Royce White, SF/PF
30 of 302011-12 Stats Per Game: 13.1 points, 9.2 rebounds, 5.1 assists
School: Iowa State
Year: Sophomore
Height/Weight: 6'8", 270 pounds
White will most likely end up being an undersized power forward in the NBA, even though some of his skills resemble those of a small forward.
He had some of his best games of the season when matched up with the NCAA's top big men—something that should definitely help his draft stock moving forward.









