2012 NBA Mock Draft: Easiest Choices for Every Franchise

The NBA draft is all about making choices, some of them easier than others. 

GMs are forced to ask themselves thousands of questions before making a simple pick. Do we draft a position of need? Do we draft value? Will this guy fit our system? Should we worry about his baggage? Can he play the position we need him to? Is he strong enough to...blah, blah, blah. 

Luckily for some GMs, everything just lines up perfectly and the selection they need to make can be summed up in one word.

Easy.

It's every GM's dream to have an easy pick to make, and fortunately for a few of them this year, that exact situation will play out. 

In my newest mock draft, I'll take a closer look at the easiest picks for certain franchises.

Note: These picks are in italics

Also note: All following stats come from draftexpress.com

1. New Orleans Hornets (21-45): Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky

It doesn't get more "sure thing" than Anthony Davis, who will contribute and dominate from day one in the NBA. 

Davis' ridiculous length (7'4" wingspan) makes him a force both defending the rim and guarding the perimeter, but his skills don't stop there.

The former Kentucky star is terrific on the glass (12.9 rebounds per 40 minutes), plus he has an ever-improving offensive game, even though he's fairly raw in the post. 

Not only is Davis easily the best prospect in the draft, the Hornets need a power forward and they'll have a month to mull this pick over.

That's the definition of easy pick.

2. Charlotte Bobcats (7-59): Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas

The Bobcats can't sulk over missing out on the first pick. They should try to trade this pick for about seven other role players, because they need lots of help.

If they can't do that, Robinson, an athletic, powerful power forward, is someone who can contribute right away.

They need that. 

3. Washington Wizards (20-46): Andre Drummond, C, Connecticut

Giving John Wall a big center who is athletic enough to dominate on the fast break? Yeah, that's a dangerous combo.

Drummond has bust potential, but the Wizards won't pass him up.

4. Cleveland Cavaliers (21-45): Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, Kentucky

What do the Cavs need?

Well, they could conceivably go in any direction that isn't point guard, so the highest value makes sense here.

The highest value is Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, who deserves to be drafted No. 2 overall.

Not only does MKG provide the Cavs with immediate toughness, defense, and the ability to get to the basket, he was Kyrie Irving's teammate in high school.

Usually it's tough for young players to get comfortable with each other and gel properly, but Kidd-Gilchrist and Irving would be a match made in heaven.

Easy. Pick. 

5. Sacramento Kings (22-44): Bradley Beal, SG, Florida

The Kings don't really need a shooting guard, but they won't let Beal fall out of the top five.

He's a force on both ends of the court, and more importantly, he gives the Kings flexibility with Marcus Thornton and Tyreke Evans. 

6. Portland Trail Blazers (via 22-44 Brooklyn Nets): Damian Lillard, PG, Weber State

I'm not convinced Damian Lillard is the sixth-best player in this draft, but the Blazers badly need a point guard.

Lillard is easily the best scorer in the draft (24.5 points per game) and he'll give Portland an exciting point guard for a long time.

7. Golden State Warriors (23-43): Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina

Barnes has perfect size for an NBA small forward and he's silky smooth on the offensive end.

The former UNC star struggles creating his own shot, but Steph Curry will help him ease that pain. 

8. Toronto Raptors (23-43): Jeremy Lamb, SG, UConn

The Raptors love defense and Lamb, who has a ridiculous 7'0" wingspan, is arguably the best defensive SG in this draft.

What's more, he is deadly accurate from mid-range. He's like Richard Hamilton with more defense.

9. Detroit Pistons (25-41): Perry Jones, PF, Baylor

You know who doesn't have length? Greg Monroe.

You know who does have length? Perry Jones. Putting Jones next to Monroe—a soon-to-be All-Star—in the post would be a great combination for the Pistons.

10. New Orleans Hornets (via 26-40 Minnesota Timberwolves): Austin Rivers, SG, Duke

This pick makes sense for two big reasons.

First, Rivers can serve as a backup point guard to either Jarrett Jack or Greivis Vasquez, who are both fairly inconsistent.

Second, he provides insurance for Eric Gordon, who hits restricted free agency this summer. 

11. Portland Trail Blazers (28-38): Tyler Zeller, C, North Carolina

After getting a point guard in Damian Lillard, the Blazers would do well to grab a true seven-foot center who can hold his own on offense and run the court.

Zeller and Lillard, along with Wes Matthews, Nicolas Batum and LaMarcus Aldridge, would make the Blazers scary on offense. 

12. Milwaukee Bucks (31-35): John Henson, PF, North Carolina

I love Henson's game. He's like a more experienced Anthony Davis (although that means less potential).

He's long, springy and will be a force on defense. If he continues to develop his offensive game, this is a steal for the Bucks, who need frontcourt depth. 

13. Phoenix Suns (33-33): Terrence Ross, SG, Washington

Terrence Ross is as exciting as it gets in this draft. He is going to win the Dunk Contest at some point in his career. For a Suns team that needs athleticism on the wing, Ross makes sense. 

The former Husky is also a great perimeter shooter.

14. Houston Rockets (34-32): Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois

First and foremost, the Rockets need a center. Samuel Dalembert and Marcus Camby are not the future down low, and Houston is stacked throughout the rest of the lineup.

That makes center a priority.

The best true center available is Meyers Leonard.

Jared Sullinger is too short and slow to play center in the NBA and Fab Melo is nowhere near Leonard in terms of offensive skills. 

Leonard is a bit raw, but he's athletic and has a very good offensive game from both the post and from the perimeter.

Assuming Zeller is gone, this is an easy pick for the Rockets. 

15. Philadelphia 76ers (35-31): Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State

Most have Sullinger going higher than this, but he is too unathletic for my tastes. 

Still though, he's a terrific offensive post player, and that's exactly what the Sixers need. 

16. Houston Rockets (via 36-20 New York Knicks): Dion Waiters, SG, Syracuse

This pick for the Rockets won't be as easy as their previous one. 

Assuming either Kyle Lowry or Goran Dragic are gone by next season, Waiters, who can score in a hurry from either guard position, makes a lot of sense at No. 16. 

17. Dallas Mavericks (36-30): Kendall Marshall, PG, North Carolina

The Mavericks could use athleticism in their backcourt after Jason Kidd leaves, but that just wouldn't be their style. 

Instead, the Mavs, who don't have much trust in Roddy Buckets (Rodrigue Beaubois), will turn to the North Carolina point guard.

Marshall isn't athletic and can't shoot very well, but I'm pretty sure his ability to run an offense so well would make Dirk Nowitzki relevant for about 10 more years. 

No way the Mavericks pass up this perfect pick. 

18. Minnesota Timberwolves (via 36-30 Utah Jazz): Moe Harkless, SF, St. Johns

Speaking of players who can't shoot, here is Moe Harkless, who hit 20 percent of his shots from long range at St. Johns.

Still, he has good mechanics and I think he'll improve with more repetition.

Even if he doesn't improve from the outside, Harkless' strength, length, defense and ability to get to the hoop make him an intriguing prospect. 

19. Orlando Magic (37-29): Quincy Miller, SF, Baylor

Miller is a little raw, but he has a solid future.

The Magic need some youth and athleticism on the wing, and Miller, who can play the "2" or "3," provides just that.

20. Denver Nuggets (38-28): Terrence Jones, SF, Kentucky

Jones is another player whose stock I feel will slip a little bit, but the Nuggets need some frontcourt depth and they won't pass on him here.

What's more, Jones can play either small forward or power forward and will give Denver some nice versatility.

21. Boston Celtics (39-27): Arnett Moultrie, PF, Mississippi State

Moultrie is incredibly talented, and the Celtics will be happy to see him fall this far.

The athletic power forward is long and can score from a variety of positions on the court. That's perfect Kevin Garnett insurance. 

22. Boston Celtics (via 40-26 Los Angeles Clippers): John Jenkins, SG, Vanderbilt

They got Kevin Garnett insurance, now the Celtics will get Ray Allen insurance.

Jenkins is easily the best shooter in this draft. As the No. 1 option for Vandy, Jenkins attempted 8.7 three-pointers per game and still knocked down 44 percent of them.

That's insanely good and the C's will be happy to have him.

23. Atlanta Hawks (40-26): Royce White, SF, Iowa State

White can do it all on the court.

At 6'8, 270 pounds, White is a menacing figure, but he often did the ball-handling for the Cyclones.

In fact, White led Iowa State in every major category. He is the prototypical point-forward, and even though he carries baggage, this will look like a steal by next year.

24. Cleveland Cavaliers (via 41-25 Los Angeles Lakers): Tony Wroten, PG/SG, Washington

Wroten can't hit the broad side of a barn, but he has terrific size (6'5"), he's athletic, and he has insane vision.

If the young point guard develops a shot, he'll easily be the best point guard out of this draft in a couple of years. 

25. Memphis Grizzlies (41-25): Marquis Teague, PG, Kentucky

The Grizzlies' backup point guard options are basically nothing, so Teague makes sense here.

He'll likely produce just like all of John Calipari's other point guard prospects. 

26. Indiana Pacers (42-24): Doron Lamb, SG, Kentucky

Behind Jenkins, Lamb is the second best shooter in this draft. 

He lacks ideal size and will struggle on defense, but as a role player in Indiana, he should thrive.

27. Miami Heat (46-20): Andrew Nicholson, PF, St. Bonaventure

I have high hopes for Nicholson.

He has a high basketball IQ, tremendous footwork in the post, and can knock down shots from NBA three-point range.

For a Heat team that needs scoring out of the frontcourt, this pick almost makes too much sense.  

28. Oklahoma City Thunder (47-19): Evan Fournier, SF, France

The Thunder are loaded and could go wherever they want with this pick.

Because of that, I expect them to take on project Evan Fournier. The Frenchman can score, but he won't make an immediate impact in the NBA. 

29. Chicago Bulls (50-16): Draymond Green, SF, Michigan State

Green can do everything on the court.

He can run the point, he can rebound, he can score out of the post, he can do whatever the Bulls ask of him.

The Bulls might look for a point guard, but Green will be too hard to pass up. 

30. Golden State Warriors (via 50-16 San Antonio Spurs): Fab Melo, C, Syracuse

Fab Melo makes DeMarcus Cousins look like Einstein, but there's no denying his presence on the defensive end.

For a Warriors team trying to toughen up, Melo makes perfect sense. 

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