2012 NBA Mock Draft: Essential Guide to the First Round
The 2012 NBA draft order has finally been determined via the lottery, meaning we can start doing some in-depth speculation on exactly how the first-round is going to shake out.
Right now, it does look like there will be too many surprises lurking on the horizon—but as fans have come to expect—there will almost certainly be at least one blockbuster trade that shocks everyone.
Let’s take a look at the latest mock as players prepare for the combine next week and attempt to boost their stock. There could definitely be some stars rising and falling on this board as the month goes on.
1. New Orleans Hornets (21-45): Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky
Davis is going to be the newest star in NOLA. After losing Chris Paul and not having an owner, it seemed the franchise was in for some dark days. They are fortunate to have Tom Benson now running the franchise and a superstar in the making on the way.
2. Charlotte Bobcats (7-59): Bradley Beal, SG, Florida
Beal is the best scorer in the draft and should go to a team that direly needs someone who can consistently put the ball in the basket from anywhere on the floor. While Charlotte has plenty of needs, Beal will fill their biggest one.
3. Washington Wizards (20-46): Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, Kentucky
MKG is a perfect compliment to John Wall. The young point guard needs an athlete on his team who can run the floor, finish at the rim and hustle on every possession. Kidd-Gilchrist is a great defender and seems mature beyond his years as well.
4. Cleveland Cavaliers (21-45): Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina
The Cavaliers haven’t had a great scorer at the swingman spot since LeBron James took his talents to South Beach. Barnes fits perfectly here and will take a lot of heat off Kyrie Irving.
5. Sacramento Kings (22-44): Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas
The Kings have said they do not want to develop another big man prospect, but Robinson’s upside and value is too much to pass on. He is a strong, big-bodied 4 that fits perfect next to DeMarcus Cousins and has a great jumper to stretch the floor with.
6. Portland Trail Blazers (via 22-44 New Jersey Nets): Andre Drummond, C, UConn
Portland’s concerning lack of size at the center position means they have to take a stab at a high-risk, high-reward player like Drummond. He’s got the build to dominate in the NBA, but does he have the heart?
We will find out soon enough.
7. Golden State Warriors (23-43): Perry Jones III, PF, Baylor
Speaking of heart…PJIII has an incredible set of skills and abilities on the basketball court, but he seems to have no desire to use them
8. Toronto Raptors (23-43): Austin Rivers, SG, Duke
Toronto is another team that is desperate for scoring and a marketable star. Rivers looks like he has shades of Kobe Bryant in his game and could eventually develop into a big time player.
He’s got to get better off the ball in order to truly be great, but he’s on his way.
9. Detroit Pistons (25-41): Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State
Sullinger is a solid prospect that may not have the most upside, but he’ll be a key member of a Pistons team that is on the rise. He’s got an NBA-ready post game and can play good defense.
10. New Orleans Hornets (via 26-40 Minnesota Timberwolves): Kendall Marshall, PG, North Carolina
There may be point guards with higher upside, but there is no better passer in the class. Marshall will be perfect to facilitate the offense in New Orleans and will find a way to get Anthony Davis involved as much as possible.
11. Portland Trail Blazers (28-38): Terrence Jones, F, Kentucky
Jones has a lot of upside and can play both forward positions. He’s got to get more consistent if he’s going to make it in the NBA as a starter, but the talent is certainly there.
12. Milwaukee Bucks (31-35): Tyler Zeller, C, North Carolina
Zeller has an extremely low ceiling for such a tall kid. He’s just too old and has been consistent but not great during his time at UNC. He’s going to be a rotation player and fills a need in Milwaukee.
13. Phoenix Suns (33-33): Damian Lillard, G, Weber State
Lillard has to prove he has the ability to run an offense before anyone can consider him the point guard of the future in Phoenix. If he cannot facilitate, he’s looking more like an undersized gunner that could come off the bench.
14. Houston Rockets (34-32): Terrence Ross, G, Washington
Ross is sliding up draft boards as teams realize just how good this young man can be. Houston would love for him to fall to them at the last pick in the lottery and he makes an ideal replacement for Kevin Martin (who will likely be gone sooner than later).
15. Philadelphia 76ers (35-31): John Henson, PF, North Carolina
Elton Brand is no longer the answer at the 4 in Philly. Henson is a long, athletic big that fits perfectly in the system Doug Collins is running with the Sixers.
16. Houston Rockets (via 36-20 New York Knicks): Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois
Houston is still seeking a solid center and have not had stability at the position since Yao Ming was healthy, which was a long time ago. They won’t find it with Leonard, but he’s a big body that could log minutes in a rotation.
17. Dallas Mavericks (36-30): Quincy Miller, SF, Baylor
If Miller can prove he’s fully recovered from a high school ACL injury and feels comfortable on the floor, drafting him at No. 17 is a steal. Dallas doesn’t have much time left in the Dirk Nowitzki era, so locking up another potential star would be phenomenal for them.
18. Minnesota Timberwolves (via 36-30 Utah Jazz): Jeremy Lamb, SG, UConn
Lamb is far too lethargic on the court for a player with his abilities. He could be an absolute superstar, but it just seems like he doesn’t care enough.
19. Orlando Magic (37-29): Dion Waiters, SG, Syracuse
Some are much higher on Waiters than this, but I believe his unpolished game will haunt him during workouts. He’s a great slasher and has a decent mid-range game, but there isn’t much else to like about him right now.
20. Denver Nuggets (38-28): Moe Harkless, SF, St. John's
Harkless’ upside is incredible. He could be the next great NBA swingman if he continues to develop and works hard to improve.
21. Boston Celtics (39-27): Royce White, PF, Iowa State
White is a lottery talent, but he is stricken with an anxiety disorder that has impacted how he plays on the court and given him problems off of it. If he can get proper treatment and control it, he’s a steal at No. 21.
22. Boston Celtics (via 40-26 Los Angeles Clippers): Andrew Nicholson, PF, St. Bonaventure
Nicholson has a great jumper that will stretch the defense, good size and a commitment on the defensive end. He’s the perfect replacement for Kevin Garnett if the Big Ticket decides to leave Boston.
23. Atlanta Hawks (40-26): Arnett Moultrie, PF, Mississippi State
It seems that Josh Smith is perpetually unhappy in Atlanta. If this team can land a supremely athletic forward like Moultrie, that will make the disgruntled forward a bit more expendable.
24. Cleveland Cavaliers (via 41-25 Los Angeles Lakers): Doron Lamb, SG, Kentucky
With the Cavaliers addressing their need for a 3 with Barnes, they can get a solid 2 to play in the backcourt with Kyrie. Lamb is a good one who isn’t afraid to take—and make—any shot on the floor at any moment.
25. Memphis Grizzlies (41-25): Tony Wroten, PG/SG, Washington
Wroten has upside, but he has a lot of growing to do. He needs to see the floor better if he’s going to run the point in the NBA.
26. Indiana Pacers (42-24): Marquis Teague, PG, Kentucky
Teague proved that he’s capable of facilitating a fast break type of offense with a lot of athletes surrounding him. Indiana is the perfect situation to continue that type of play.
27. Miami Heat (46-20): Fab Melo, C, Syracuse
The Heat are lucky that Melo missed the 2012 NCAA tournament. He hurt his stock tremendously, but Miami will get a high ceiling center with a late pick here.
28. Oklahoma City Thunder (47-19): Draymond Green, SF, Michigan State
Green can play both forward positions and back up both Kevin Durant and Serge Ibaka. He’s a good locker room presence and a natural winner.
29. Chicago Bulls (50-16): John Jenkins, SG, Vanderbilt
Jenkins smooth stroke makes him a nice option behind Rip Hamilton in the Bulls backcourt. He’ll see a lot floor time with Rip’s consistent injuries.
30. Golden State Warriors (via 50-16 San Antonio Spurs): Jeffery Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt
Taylor is one of the best athletes in the draft, has a decent jumper and the ability to lock his man down. What is not to like at No. 30?
