2012 NBA Mock Draft: Rookies Who Won't Make an Immediate Impact

Almost all of the first-round prospects taken in June 28's NBA draft will be able to make at least some kind of initial impact, but some will only be scratching the surface of what they'll one day do in the NBA.

Some late bloomers simply need an extra year or two to hone their skills and adjust to a new level of competition. Others will find themselves on teams that just don't have enough minutes to go around to rookies.

Not even Kobe Bryant hit his stride in his first season, and some of the league's very best players don't. There's no shame in taking the longer road—sometimes the results are just as good, if not better.

Here's a complete first-round mock, including a few guys who won't who will take some time to blossom.

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

The Charlotte Bobcats almost certainly won't get a crack at the player everyone presumed they'd be selecting just a few days ago—the Hornets are a virtual lock to take the super athletic and versatile big man.

He'll give the rebuilding Hornets a dominant defender with the uncanny ability to run down perimeter scorers while also locking down the post. Davis is a rare talent at worst and a superstar in the making at best. 

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

The consolation prize in the Davis sweepstakes isn't half bad. MKG is a machine on both ends of the floor and could well emerge as this draft's best player when all is said and done. He's a relentless perimeter defender and hustle player, and he's got superstar athleticism.

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

Washington's power forward position has been a revolving door of untapped potential like Trevor Booker and once-promising question marks like Andray Blatche. Robinson would provide an immediate solution and restore a toughness to a roster that didn't give it its best in 2011-12.

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

The Cavaliers will almost certainly take the best available wing player with the fourth pick. That could be Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Harrison Barnes or Beal. Cleveland needs a legitimate small forward like MKG or Barnes, but it also needs a sure-thing scorer like Beal.

Ultimately, the Cavaliers' needs at the 2 are probably more pressing than at the 3, so I give the edge to Beal.

 

5. Sacramento Kings: Harrison Barnes, SF (North Carolina)

The Kings will either follow Cleveland in taking the best scorer on the board, or it will gamble and pick someone like Andre Drummond or Perry Jones III.

The franchise could go in a number of directions, but Barnes is the safest bet. He knows how to play, and he's a good shooter. Superstar or not, he won't be a bust.

6. Portland Trail Blazers (from Brooklyn Nets): Andre Drummond, C (UConn)

If Andre Drummond remains on the board, the Trail Blazers can't afford to pass him up. He may not reach his potential as quickly as early bloomers like Anthony Davis, but he could be every bit as good down the road.

His frame, athleticism and mobility compares to a young Dwight Howard, and it wouldn't be surprising to see a a gradual, Andrew Bynum-like development. Drummond may not be an immediate superstar for Portland, but he could still start quickly unless the Trail Blazers acquire another big to accompany LaMarcus Aldridge.

7. Golden State Warriors: Perry Jones III, PF (Baylor)

Jones has apparently impressed scouts with his versatility, and he may be gone before Golden State gets its shot. He'd be an awfully good fit if he's still around, though. The Warriors have David Lee at power forward, but the 6'11" Jones is long and quick enough to guard all three frontcourt positions.

Golden State needs the athleticism, and it needs someone who just might become a superstar to pair with Stephen Curry. It will take Jones some time to hit his stride, and it will take the Warriors time to learn how best to use him.

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

The Raptors need someone who can develop into a go-to scorer, and Lamb certainly has that kind of potential. He's got the physical tools (7'0" wingspan) to make an impact on both ends of the floor, and he'd give Toronto a shooter for Jose Calderon to target. 

9. Detroit Pistons: Terrence Jones, SF (Kentucky)

North Carolina's John Henson also makes sense here on account of his defensive ability, but Jones probably has more upside. The lefty has a multidimensional skill set that includes guard-like passing ability, an improving scoring arsenal and the ability to defend multiple positions.

Jones might not get as much playing time as he deserves with veterans like Tayshaun Prince and Jason Maxiell manning the forward positions, but his versatility will earn him some minutes while he works his way into a starting position.

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

Portland could conceivably give Lillard a look when they draft sixth, but it's hard to see him going ahead of guys like Andre Drummond, Perry Jones III or Harrison Barnes. Lillard would give New Orleans a lightning-quick floor general and a perfect complement to Eric Gordon and Anthony Davis.  

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

Marshall has the best floor vision in the draft, and he looks first and foremost to get his teammates involved. Portland needs that kind of engine to make the most of young scorers like LaMarcus Aldridge, Nic Batum and Wesley Matthews.

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

Zeller might be a bit of a reach here, but the Bucks need a true center. He'd be a well-rounded starter in no time and give Milwaukee's talented backcourt a young post presence for the foreseeable future.

13. Phoenix Suns: Austin Rivers, G (Duke)

Whether Steve Nash returns or not, Rivers would give the Suns a potent scorer with more star potential than the average late lottery pick. He doesn't have some of the guard instincts you'd like to see from a guy his size, but he's too electric too pass up—especially for a team that needs a sure difference-maker.

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

Houston could use some athleticism behind Luis Scola, and Henson would give the Rockets a defensive presence off the bench—think Serge Ibaka's rookie season.

15. Philadelphia 76ers: Terrence Ross, SG (Washington)

Ross would complete a promising young backcourt led by Jrue Holiday and give Philly a well-rounded wing option outside of Andre Iguodala. The 76ers offense can drag at times, and Ross could provide an instant spark while fitting into head coach Doug Collins' defense-first mantra.

16. Houston Rockets (via New York Knicks): Dion Waiters, G (Syracuse)

The Rockets have enough young talent on their roster already, and it wouldn't be surprising to see them move one of their picks either in an attempt to trade up or acquire veteran talent. If not, a perimeter slasher like Waiters might add something to the Rockets' bench.

17. Dallas Mavericks: Jared Sullinger, PF (Ohio State)

Sure, Dirk Nowitzki will continue to get the vast majority of minutes as the Mavericks power forward, but there's some sense to the idea of getting a wide bruiser to put in the post. In the long run, Sullinger may inherit Nowtizki's job, but he could probably still play an important role in the meantime.

18. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Utah Jazz): Arnett Moultrie, PF (Mississippi St.)

The Timberwolves would love to get their hands on a shooting guard like Terrence Ross if he's still on the board. If not, a backup big man like Moultrie could solidify this club's frontcourt depth.

19. Orlando Magic: Meyers Leonard, C (Illinois)

It's never too soon to start preparing for the potential loss of Dwight Howard. Leonard is still raw and needs to get stronger, but he could wind up being a very reliable center in the NBA. He's a legitimate seven-footer with good athletic ability.

Leonard still needs to smooth out his post game and footwork, and he won't be much of a scoring threat until he diversifies his game beyond a jump hook, but if he can add some moves, he could be a well-rounded big man.

20. Denver Nuggets: Tony Wroten Jr., PG (Washington)

Wroten Jr. is one of those picks that's all about the upside. For now, he's raw in just about every important respect, but he's got the physical profile of the next Rodney Stuckey. That just might intrigue a team whose starting point guard—Ty Lawson—is on the smaller end of the spectrum.

The upside is that he'd have time to figure become a more polished scorer and learn how to run an offense. If he lives up to his potential, he could thrive in Denver's open-court system.

21. Boston Celtics: Quincy Miller, SF (Baylor)

Assuming the Celtics hold on to both of their picks, they'll be in the market for young bench help that can develop over the long term. Miller fits that profile thanks to his athletic ability and the possibility that he could guard both forward positions (a bit like Jeff Green).

22. Boston Celtics (via Los Angeles Clippers): Fab Melo, C (Syracuse)

Boston needs a legitimate big man to reduce the club's dependency on Kevin Garnett in the middle. Melo is likely the best option they'll have this late in the first round, but his size and explosiveness could pay some immediate dividends.

23. Atlanta Hawks: Jeff Taylor, SF (Vanderbilt)

The Hawks could use just about anything on the bench. Unless there's a dangerous scorer left on the board, Atlanta may be wise to snatch up one of this draft's very best perimeter defenders and take Taylor.

24. Cleveland Cavaliers (from Los Angeles Lakers): Moe Harkless, SF (St. John's)

The Cavaliers will take the best available small forward unless they wind up taking Kidd-Gilchrist or Barnes in the lottery. Harkless is a good athlete with lots of room for growth.

25. Memphis Grizzlies: Andrew Nicholson, PF (St. Bonaventure)

The Grizzlies don't have any glaring needs, but Nicholson is a better scorer than most guys his size. He could be Zach Randolph's eventual replacement in a best-case scenario.

26. Indiana Pacers: Draymond Green, F (Michigan St.)

The Pacers need a star more than they need any more young depth, but Green isn't a bad find if they keep this pick. He has the chance to become a utility guy off the bench for just about any pro team.

27. Miami Heat: Festus Ezeli, C (Vanderbilt)

Like the Celtics, the Heat are likely to be on the look out for a young center. Ezeli should be the next one to go after Melo, and he may be the better defender of the two.

28. Oklahoma City Thunder: Evan Fournier, SG (France)

The Thunder have more to gain from a long-term investment like Fournier than a more mediocre player who could step in and contribute right away. The higher ceiling could be worth waiting for.

29. Chicago Bulls: Marquis Teague, PG (Kentucky)

The Bulls probably won't rely on a rookie to replace Derrick Rose while he recovers from knee surgery, but it wouldn't hurt to have some extra insurance. Teague could also serve as a nifty backup for a few seasons and potentially become a valuable trade chip.

30. Golden State Warriors (via San Antonio Spurs): Royce White, SF (Iowa State)

White's anxiety issues could scare some teams off, but he could still make an impact at both forward positions and give the Warriors some flexibility.