NBA Mock Draft 2012: How Lottery Reveal Will Change Early Portion of Draft

Things may not have gotten shaken up too much when the New Orleans Hornets won the lottery, but my mock draft sure did.

While it's a virtual lock that Anthony Davis will be the top pick, it's the next three or four picks where things get very intriguing.

Let's take a look at how the top of the draft shakes out after the lottery was revealed last night, and examine how the rest of the draft may go after that.

1. New Orleans Hornets: Anthony Davis, PF (Kentucky)

Let the conspiracy theories rain down. One thing is certain—the Hornets will select Davis with nary a thought otherwise, and he might be enough to keep Eric Gordon in town as well. A huge night for the future of this franchise.

2. Charlotte Bobcats: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF (Kentucky) 

Now it gets interesting.

Charlotte has a lot of options here, but no player offers a better combination of security and upside than MKG does. While he would probably be best paired with an elite scorer in the future so he doesn't have to carry the offensive load, he's the type of prospect that will make everyone else around him better.

He's capable of defending any position except center, plays above the rim, will develop into a scoring threat and will be an excellent teammate. Charlotte can't afford to blow this pick: They must select MKG, who will help them now and become a stud in the future.

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

It remains interesting.

Do the Wizards look to bolster the power forward position with Robinson or give Wall an excellent running mate at guard for the next decade with Bradley Beal?

Flip a coin—that's how tough this decision will be.

Ultimately, I think the fact that Robinson can step in and be a factor immediately will be the difference between the two. Beal will be a stud, but he'll need some time to develop.

Robinson has the potential to be Rookie of the Year next year, and his work ethic and passion for the game will play well in Washington.

My guess is the team will go with Robinson, but don't be surprised if it's Beal.

4. Cleveland Cavaliers: Bradley Beal, SG (Florida)  

The questions keep on coming.

Do the Cavaliers look to an excellent young shooting guard to pair with the dynamic Kyrie Irving, or will they go with the incredibly athletic but risky center in Andre Drummond?

Frankly, Beal is the better option. The Cavs could use more scoring on the perimeter, and Beal will score at the next level. He's got an excellent jumper from range, finishes at the rim well and has no problem creating his own shot. He also rebounds well at the position and has ideal size.

Kyrie Irving and Beal in this backcourt is a scary proposition, and this team can lock down its future scoring options by pairing the two. Drummond is simply too risky, and this pick is too high to select a player like Harrison Barnes in my opinion.

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

There isn't a point guard worth selecting this high, Tyreke Evans and Marcus Thornton are holding down the wing and DeMarcus Cousins could use a running mate on the post.

Risky as it is, Jones III is the logical selection.

We've all heard the knocks against him a thousand times: About how talented but soft and inconsistent he is, so I won't reiterate them here. Remember, Cousins' character was questioned before he was selected and that's worked out quite well for the team.

Jones is a risk, but he's the right risk to take with this pick. I think he'll be better than people think.

6. Portland Trail Blazers (via New Jersey):   Andre Drummond, C (Connecticut)  

Hasheem Thabeet looks like a bust and there is too much talent on the board to reach for a point guard here. If Drummond can develop into his full potential, he and LaMarcus Aldridge will dominate the post.

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

Phew. They get to keep the pick. With a need for scoring on the wing and Barnes available, this pick is a no-brainer.

8. Toronto Raptors: Jeremy Lamb, SG (Connecticut) 

The Raptors could use a solid shooter, and if nothing else, Lamb is that. I'd love to see them add Lamb to take over the shooting guard position and allow DeMar DeRozan to come off the bench as a sixth-man extraordinaire on the wing.

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

He and Greg Monroe would do work on the block together. He's never going to be a star, but he's as steady an option as anyone in the lottery.

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

What a draft. The Hornets land the top available player (Davis) and the top point guard. A rotation of Eric Gordon, Jarrett Jack and Lillard at the two guard spots will certainly provide a scoring punch in New Orleans next year.

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

Here's where they nab a point guard. Marshall is nothing spectacular but he is the best passer in this draft, hands down. He'll be an assist-machine in Portland.

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

The Bucks would love it if Zeller dropped to them here, stepping in as the team's center of the future.

13. Phoenix Suns:  Dion Waiters, SG (Syracuse)   

His athleticism is unquestionable, and he's got the look of a similar player to Dwyane Wade. He's not that good or polished yet, but they have similar skill sets.

14. Houston Rockets: John Henson, PF (North Carolina)  

Henson should be a defensive force at the next level and has shown an improved offensive game. He should make an instant impact on Houston's frontline.

15. Philadelphia 76ers: Austin Rivers, SG (Duke) 

The Sixers could desperately use a pure scorer, and if Rivers drops this far they'll get one. He would be a combo guard in Philadelphia (similar to Lou Williams), but I think he's got far more talent than the Sixers' current sixth man (who might not be with the team next season anyhow).

16. Houston Rockets (via New York):  Meyers Leonard, C (Illinois)

Yes, he's a bit of a project, but Houston could use a long-term solution at center. They'll gamble that Leonard can be that man.

17. Dallas Mavericks:  Terrence Jones, PF (Kentucky)    

At this point Dallas should simply take the best available player. Jones is a bit enigmatic, but the talent is there.

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

The primary need for this team is a stud at the 2-guard, and Ross has the potential to be a dynamic scorer in the NBA at the position. He and Ricky Rubio will be a nice pair in the backcourt.

19. Orlando Magic: Quincy Miller, SF (Baylor)  

This is purely a project pick, but as it seems more and more likely (once again) that Dwight Howard will be departing, the team should be looking to the future anyhow.

20. Denver Nuggets:     Arnett Moultrie, PF (Mississippi State)

He was a double-double machine for Mississippi State last season and is a nice value here. Denver doesn't have many pressing needs, but adding some frontcourt depth is a nice luxury to have at this point.

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

Harkless averaged 15.3 points and 8.6 rebounds as a freshman, so he's pretty safe for being such a young player. He may never be Kevin Garnett, but he may be one of the sneakier finds at this point in the draft.

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

With Ray Allen all but gone, another shooting guard would be nice. Taylor will play immediately and is a great fit as a plus-defender and solid shooter from beyond the arc.

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

He needs to become a better facilitating point guard, but he's got explosive scoring capabilities, solid size and is a plus-defender at the point.

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

He was the Big East Defensive Player of the Year last season after averaging 2.9 blocks per game, but he's still a big-time project since he isn't a great rebounder and his offensive game is extremely rough around the edges. But he's worth a look at this point in the draft.

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. He also averaged 13.1 points and 9.3 rebounds last season and was excellent in the NCAA tournament, so he's a risk worth taking.

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

We've firmly reached the "projects" portion of the draft. Teague struggled to become a more facilitating (rather than scoring) point guard last season, but he showed serious strides by the end of the year. On a team with less superstars he would have shined.

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

He's got a solid jump-shot, is an above-average passer and would be perfect in the Heat's space-oriented offense. He may be a 'tweener, but he rebounds well and just feels like the right fit for this team.

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

He's NBA-ready after averaging 18.4 points and 8.5 rebounds per game last season as senior. A nice find for OKC.

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

Last year's Conference USA Player of the Year is versatile, scoring 18.1 points, 8.1 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.4 steals per game last season.

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

No, he isn't Monta Ellis, but he's an excellent shooter and should be able to play solid minutes immediately.

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