NBA Mock Draft 2012: Players That Will Contend for Rookie of the Year
Anthony Davis is the consensus No. 1 pick in the draft, but he isn't a lock for the Rookie of the Year. The number one pick has produced great players recently, but winning the Rookie of the Year has as much to do with talent, as it does with landing in the right situation.
If a talented rookie doesn't see enough minutes it can hinder his production. In addition to that, head coaches that are anti-rookie can handicap a young players development as well.
In this mock draft I'll examine the players with the best shot at winning Rookie of the Year.
(Spotlighted players and teams will be italicized.)
1. New Orleans Hornets: Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky
Davis is long, talented and he defends, those traits will get him on the floor early in New Orleans. Even with his offense under-developed, Davis will still make an immediate impact with the Hornets.
The team is thrilled to have him, and he'll get every opportunity to succeed. He'll likely start from day one and he is the new face of the franchise. Can you imagine what will happen if Davis wins a close race for the Rookie of the Year?
It'll be yet another reason for the conspiracy theorists to cry foul, but honestly I don't blame them.
2. Charlotte Bobcats: Andre Drummond, PF/C, UConn
If you've followed any of my previous mocks you know I love Drummond. If the top pick were mine I'd take him, but I do acknowledge he's a bit raw. I still believe he has the most superstar potential from this draft.
3. Washington Wizards: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, Kentucky
MKG is a great fit in Washington alongside another former Wildcat, John Wall. He rebounds, defends, plays great in transition and he's strong.
When you look at stats across the board, the player that could impact his team in the most areas is MKG. For that reason he has to be on any preseason Rookie of the Year rankings.
I know the Cavs would love to have him, but I don't think the Wizards will give them a chance.
4. Cleveland Cavaliers: Bradley Beal, SG, Florida
This would not be my choice for the Cavs, even with MKG gone, but Beal is a solid shooting guard. The Cavs would be better off moving down, adding assets and taking Jeremy Lamb or Terrence Ross.
5. Sacramento Kings: Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas
Robinson was my initial favorite for the Rookie of the Year award, but now that I have him projected to land with the Kings I'm not so sure. He will be productive anywhere he goes, but if he has to share the block with DeMarcus Cousins, or even come off the bench, his numbers will suffer.
I'm also not sure he affects the Kings' culture enough to make them successful. He is certainly a leader, but he isn't the best defender and that's what this team needs more than anything.
6. Portland Trail Blazers (via Brooklyn Nets): Damian Lillard, PG, Weber State
Lillard is a big-time scorer and that will always get attention. He has the ability to score in bunches, and he's a very dynamic athlete. The Blazers need backcourt help in the worse way, so Lillard would see plenty of minutes.
If the Blazers take Lillard he will almost certainly make the All-Rookie team and the Rookie of the Year is a real possibility.
7. Golden State Warriors: Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina
Barnes is safe pick for the Warriors here. He could step in and play major minutes at the small forward spot from day one.
8. Toronto Raptors: Kendall Marshall, PG, North Carolina
The Raptors need a young floor general. They have young bigs falling into place and a scorer at the shooting guard spot with DeMar DeRozan. Marshall would be an excellent facilitator for this young team.
9. Detroit Pistons: Perry Jones III, SF, Baylor
PJ3 should be allowed to play the small forward. This could finally mean the Pistons and Tayshaun Prince would part ways. PJ3 has enormous potential and athleticism on a 6'11" frame.
10. New Orleans Hornets (from Minnesota): Austin Rivers, SG, Duke
I'm shaky on this because the Hornets may stand a better chance at retaining Eric Gordon now. If Gordon wants to win, the Hornets aren't looking so bad now. New Orleans could go with Rivers here and use him as a sixth-man, which isn't a bad idea, but I'm not as confident in this pick as I was.
11. Portland Trail Blazers: Tyler Zeller, C, North Carolina
The Blazers have a chance to fill a few holes in the lottery alone. Zeller would be the perfect center to play alongside LaMarcus Aldridge.
12. Milwaukee Bucks: John Henson, PF/C, North Carolina
If Henson goes to the Bucks he'll shine because of his defense. I think he'll get solid minutes from Scott Skiles because he rewards the skill set Henson brings.
13. Phoenix Suns: Jeremy Lamb, SG, UConn
The Suns need guards as I don't think they have a shot at bringing Steve Nash back. Lamb is a good shooter, defender and a good athlete.
14. Houston Rockets: Arnett Moultrie, PF/C, Mississippi State
The Rockets could get a solid inside scorer with Moultrie. He's 6'11" long and athletic, and this would be a smart pick for the Rockets.
15. Philadelphia 76ers: Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State
Sullinger's bulk and touch in the post is a plus. He isn't a great athlete and that's why he'll still be on the board this late.
16. Houston Rockets (from N.Y. Knicks): Dion Waiters, SG, Syracuse
Houston could go big with the first pick, and then go for a scoring guard with this pick. Waiters has some upside, but he needs to control his weight and mature.
17. Dallas Mavericks: Terrence Ross, SG, Washington
This is my sleeper pick as a Rookie of the Year candidate. Only Drummond and Jeffery Taylor are perhaps better pure run-and-jump athletes. He has a smooth shooting stroke, long arms and he can handle the ball.
He has a very quick first-step and great all-around potential. He could be landing with the Mavericks at the right time. This team is ready to give time to younger guys now, and Ross would likely see the minutes he needs to shine.
He is my No. 1 shooting guard in this draft.
18. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Utah Jazz): Terrence Jones, SF, Kentucky
Jones has some potential as a big that can play either forward spot. If he can consistently knock down the three he could be a huge matchup problem.
19. Orlando Magic: Jeffery Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt
Taylor is one of the most underrated players in the draft. He and MKG are the draft's best one-on-one defenders and he is a special athlete.
20. Denver Nuggets: Quincy Miller, SF, Baylor
Miller has tons of upside as a scorer, but he is still a bit raw. I wish he had stayed another year in school. He could have been a top five pick in the 2013 NBA Draft.
21. Boston Celtics: Andrew Nicholson, PF, St. Bonaventure
Nicholson has great fundamentals and the Celtics need size and youth. This would be a perfect match considering his skill set and the team's needs.
22. Boston Celtics: Fab Melo, C, Syracuse
This would represent more size and youth for the Celtics. Melo protects the rim, blocks shots and he rebounds. The Celtics don't ask much more than that from their centers.
23. Atlanta Hawks: Moe Harkless, SF, St. John's
Harkless is a good athlete with long arms, but he is very thin right now. He needs to add strength, but once he does he could be a very good defender.
24. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Los Angeles Lakers): Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois
Leonard could add depth to the young Cavs frontcourt. He isn't NBA-ready in my opinion, but the Cavs can wait a year or two for him to get stronger and more comfortable.
25. Memphis Grizzlies: Tony Wroten, PG/SG, Washington
Wroten is a smooth lefty off-the-dribble. He doesn't have freakish athleticism, but he knows how to play at different speeds. He needs to improve his outside shooting, but he is a nice prospect.
26. Indiana Pacers: Doron Lamb, SG, Kentucky
The Pacers may lose George Hill to free agency, and if they do they will need a guard. Lamb is bigger, and he's a better shooter from the outside.
27. Miami Heat: Festus Ezeli, C, Vanderbilt
The Heat need more inside presence, and Ezeli could bring them that. He's 6'11", strong and he's a solid athlete. It would be like having Joel Anthony, but with a legitimate center's height.
28. Oklahoma City Thunder: Draymond Green, SF, Michigan State
The Thunder would do well to add Green. It would give them depth behind Kevin Durant and a glue guy for their second unit.
29. Chicago Bulls: John Jenkins, SG, Vanderbilt
Jenkins is not the ideal shooting guard for the Bulls, but he is at least capable of getting his own shot off-the-dribble. He's only 6'4" though, and not likely to be the permanent answer to the Bulls void at the position.
30. Golden State Warriors (via San Antonio Spurs): Marquis Teague, PG, Kentucky
Stephen Curry's ankle is iffy, and the Warriors don't have adequate players in his stead. Teague would be a valuable reserve and decent replacement if Curry goes down again.
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