NBA Draft 2012: Mock Draft Post-Lottery Edition

The winner of the Anthony Davis sweepstakes was the New Orleans Hornets.

While NBA Lottery conspiracy theories may exist, due to the NBA denying the Hornets' first attempt to trade Chris Paul, the Hornets now have in Davis a franchise-changing player with the potential to play at the level of a LeBron James or a Dwight Howard (spoiler alert). 

With all of this in mind, here is my 2012 NBA Mock Draft.

This includes picks among only the teams included in the lottery. 

Pick No.1: New Orleans Hornets Select PF Anthony Davis, Kentucky

Outstanding good fortune for the Hornets to get this pick, as they won 21 games despite no Chris Paul, no fair trade for Paul, and an injured Eric Gordon.

A great coach, Monty Williams represented the team in fashion tonight, and new team owner Tom Benson's presence didn't hurt either. 

As for the pick, Davis was widely considered the best player in college basketball despite no previous experience with the college game, and his hard work and natural ability is finally being justly rewarded. 

Davis has the offensive skill of a Lamar Odom, the athleticism of a Blake Griffin, a tenacity on the boards similar to Dennis Rodman, and a Dwight Howard-like skill to block shots.

He is the complete package, and could lead the Hornets to compete for a playoff berth as early as this coming season. 

Pick No.2: Charlotte Bobcats Select PF Thomas Robinson, Kansas

While Michael Kidd-Gilchrist may fill a more pressing need for the Bobcats at small forward, the team was looking to address the power forward position by drafting Davis, were he still available.

Regardless of the disappointment of missing out on Davis, Robinson was clearly the second best player in college basketball last year, and he would be the best choice for team owner Michael Jordan to make in this draft.

Current Bobcats PF Tyrus Thomas will most likely be amnestied anyway, and young PF Bismack Biyombo is a player who deserves to come off the bench at this point in his career.

There are no other young power forwards in free agency worth looking at, so Thomas Robinson should be the pick. 

Pick No.3: Washington Wizards Select SF Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Kentucky

Probably the biggest energy player for last year's NCAA championship team, Kidd-Gilchrist has a great ability to cut to the basket, is capable of playing power forward in a small lineup, can defend all three perimeter positions and has a phenomenal work ethic.

With Rashard Lewis and Andray Blatche most likely on the way out, a character player with a lot of talent and potential to improve, like Kidd-Gilchrist, fills a need for the Wizards at the small forward position.

Kidd-Gilchrist is a Kentucky grad who played under coach John Calipari, just like current Wizards' PG John Wall.

With a combination of Wall, Kidd-Gilchrist and FC Hilario Nene, the Wizards could potentially be competitive in the postseason as early as next year. 

Pick No.4: Cleveland Cavaliers Select SG Bradley Beal, Florida

Despite being a shorter player at only 6' 3'', Bradley Beal has been compared favorably to Ray Allen, and would be a perfect fit to play along with Cavs' PG Kyrie Irving, either as a starting shooting guard or as sixth man off the bench.

Beal probably would have been their pick had the Cavaliers stayed at No.3 like they were projected to anyway, so they lose nothing here.

In fact, a backcourt of Beal and Irving will be very entertaining and complementary with regard to both skills and ability. Plus, both players play bigger and taller than they are listed.

Beal and Irving have the potential to combine as the best young backcourt in the league. 

Pick No.5: Sacramento Kings Select SF Harrison Barnes, North Carolina

Though UConn center Andre Drummond would be an intriguing player to pair with DeMarcus Cousins in the post, his work ethic concerns and below 30% free throw shooting last season should scare the Kings away.

The Kings are a team that should know from the experiences of players like Tyreke Evans that potential can get you fired and behind the eight-ball if it doesn't bear fruit.

Harrison Barnes is a very good scorer from the small forward position. Although he could stand to get more aggressive, he loves the game, has a lot of good in his game and doesn't have a glaring weakness. 

Sacramento should take Barnes, though I would not be surprised if Drummond's potential sways them in his direction. 

Pick No.6: Portland Trailblazers Select C Andre Drummond, Connecticut

Yeah, I know that the Trailblazers should know better than to take a chance on a center after the Greg Oden experiment.

The thing is, Drummond's presence would give LaMarcus Aldridge the ability to play his natural position again at power forward, and give the Blazers a defensive presence they have been missing since Oden's injury.

At 6'11'' and 270 pounds, Drummond is comparable to Dwight Howard in terms of both size and the need to develop a bit more.

With his ability to block shots, rebound and defend the paint, Drummond is worth taking a chance on, a chance the Blazers can afford to take with two lottery picks at their disposal. 

Pick No. 7: Golden State Warriors Select SF/PF Perry Jones, Baylor

Jones, who stands at a solid 6'11" and 235 pounds, has the ability to play either forward spot. With an offensive skill-set similar to that of Lamar Odom, Jones could either play a sixth man role as a power forward or start as a small forward for Golden State.

He is a huge risk, but with the current depth on the Warriors' roster, and established starters such as David Lee, Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and hopefully a healthy Andrew Bogut, the Warriors can afford to take a chance on Jones.

Jones is a player who will either succeed like Lamar Odom, or fail to live up to his potential like Anthony Randolph.

If he can contribute early on, Golden State could compete for a playoff spot next season. 

Pick No.8: Toronto Raptors Select PG Kendall Marshall, North Carolina

Though Marshall is not a great scorer, and isn't very aggressive, he was the best point guard in college basketball last season. At 6'4'', he is capable of being tenacious and athletic as a defender.

Marshall is compared favorably to Jason Kidd as both a passer and a player who can be molded into a very good defender. Dwayne Casey, former lead assistant for the Dallas Mavericks, and current head coach of the Raptors, helped mold Kidd into a great defender during the Mavericks' championship season.

With PG/SG Jerryd Bayless probably gone, and PG Jose Calderon a free agent after next season, Toronto needs a floor general more than anything else. For that, Marshall is their man. 

Pick No.9: Detroit Pistons Select PF Jared Sullinger, Ohio State

Though he successfully both lost weight and faced more-double teams this year, Sullinger did not get the benefit of the doubt from NBA scouts in his sophomore season, as his draft stock has dropped slightly.

However, his situation could be a blessing in disguise, as he may get to play with Greg Monroe in the paint if the Pistons draft him.

A perfect combination of brute strength and scoring ability from Sullinger will mesh well with Monroe's skills. Plus, Sullinger will even have more of a chip on his shoulder, and will finally make current PF Charlie Villanueva an afterthought for Pistons fans.

A combination of three young studs like Sullinger, Monroe and Brandon Knight will give the Pistons a great core roster with which to start a winning culture.

Pick No.10: New Orleans Hornets Select C Tyler Zeller, North Carolina

Zeller has similar skills to a Pau Gasol in terms of passing, setting picks, and a good mid-range game.

Zeller plays with finesse, and is an offensive-minded big-man who is unselfish and helps the whole team get set. His skill set is sure to pair well with Anthony Davis's pure rebounding and defensive game.

With Chris Kaman likely on his way out, Eric Gordon already playing at shooting guard (if he re-signs), and Trevor Ariza as a solid small forward, the Hornets' one huge need that can't necessarily be filled in free agency is center.

There are many possible free agents at the point guard position, so the Hornets should go for a center like Zeller.

With Zeller, they're sure to have their frontcourt set for the next decade set.

Pick No.11: Portland Trailblazers Select SG Jeremy Lamb, Connecticut

Lamb is a sneaky-quick, thin guard who can penetrate, has a seven-foot wingspan, and is continually developing all parts of his offensive game.

Even though finding a point guard could be a bigger need for Portland right now, this year's NBA free agency has many floor generals available, and Portland still needs someone at the shooting guard position who can play well with Wesley Matthews.

Getting that type of depth on the wing positions with Nicolas Batum and Luke Babbitt at the small forward position will allow the Trailblazers to play with multiple lineups, and tailor their game to compete with any team in this league.

Plus, Lamb is the best player on the draft board, and is a sure thing compared to most other players available at this point in the draft.

Pick No.12: Milwaukee Bucks Select C Meyers Leonard, Illinois

With no true center, and the need to get past the Andrew Bogut era, there is no wingman worth taking; and with Beno Udrih already on the roster, a backup point guard isn't worth a first round pick.

Leonard is worth a little bit of a reach for the Bucks. With the Bucks expected to compete for the postseason next year, and be potential contenders for the next few years to come, they need someone stronger than Ekpe Udoh or Drew Gooden at the five spot.

Leonard has a great shooting touch to go along with his 7'1'' size, he just needs to be a little bit more tenacious. With a lot of depth and versatility on this roster, Milwaukee can afford to be patient with Leonard. 

Pick No.13: Phoenix Suns Select PG Damian Lillard, Weber State

This is the perfect scenario for the Suns, regardless of whether Steve Nash stays or not.

If Nash stays, he can teach Lillard the intricacies of the NBA game for a couple of years.

Either way, Lillard could start. He was the third leading scorer in the NCAA, despite playing on a poor Weber State squad.

This is a no-brainer pick for Phoenix at this point in the draft.

Pick No.14: Houston Rockets Select PF Arnett Moultrie, Mississippi State

Moultrie is a 6'11'', 230 pound power forward with the ability to play center in a small lineup.

He can play above the rim, sometimes create his own shot, has a decent mid-range game and has great character and effort (unlike his teammate, the infamous Renardo Sidney).

As only one of Houston's two picks is in the top 16 for the draft, it would not be a surprise if one of the picks, if not both, were traded in a blockbuster deal to get a star player on their roster.

However, as it stands right now, Moultrie is the pick.