2012 NBA Mock Draft: Highlighting Best Value Picks in Round 1

There may only be one surefire star in the 2012 draft, but the field offers plenty of depth.

The key to a good draft more often than not comes down to luck.

Sometimes the perfect fit falls right into your lap. Other times, a supremely talented player drops for whatever reason and becomes too valuable to pass up.

As we go through the latest mock, the focus is on teams who stand to acquire the best value for the pick they are saddled with. 

(Best values highlighted in italics)

1. New Orleans Hornets - Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky

Davis is going to New Orleans and can make a big-time impact right off the bat.

To what degree?

It depends on if Eric Gordon sticks around and if they make the right pick at No. 10.

2. Charlotte Bobcats - Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas

The Bobcats need a guy who can step in and be one of their best players right away.

Nobody is better suited for the task than Robinson, who can give Charlotte a terrific blend of athleticism, sheer strength and an outstanding will to compete. Did you see his intensity in the NCAA tournament?

Robinson is going to be diving for every loose ball, something you can’t say about virtually every Bobcat. Pairing him with Bismack Biyombo would give Charlotte a strong frontcourt for the next decade.

3. Washington Wizards - Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, Kentucky

The Wizards need to focus on defense with this pick, as well as an athlete that can run the floor in transition.

At 6’7’’, 230 pounds, Kidd-Gilchrist has the length and quickness to become a premiere lockdown defender in due time. He will be able to defend multiple positions on the floor, and can keep up with fellow former Wildcat John Wall in transition.

This is a perfect match.

4. Cleveland Cavaliers - Bradley Beal, SG, Florida

The Cavs need a deadly shooter to flank alongside Kyrie Irving, and Beal has the talents to be the perfect complement.

Considering how wide-open the backcourt is aside from the Rookie of the Year, they have to land a guard here.

5. Sacramento Kings - Andre Drummond, PF/C, UConn

Pro: He is 6’10’’ and weighs 270 pounds.

Con: He is not mentally ready for the NBA and will need a minimum of two years to make a real strong contribution.

While the idea of a Drummond/DeMarcus Cousins tandem in the paint is tantalizing, the Kings don’t have time to let it develop.

6. Portland Trail Blazers (from Brooklyn) - Jeremy Lamb, SG, UConn

The Blazers lucked out with the ping pong balls and now that they have such a high pick, they need to acquire a player who can score in bunches.

Lamb fits the bill with his silky smooth jumper and willingness to attack the rim.

7. Golden State Warriors - Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina

If Andrew Bogut can return from his injury with a clean bill of health, this team has the potential to be a big surprise next season.

They need more help on the wing, and Barnes would fit perfectly into their fast-paced offense. He can score from anywhere on the floor and has proven to be a sound defender as well.

8. Toronto Raptors - Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State

The Raptors, fresh off playing an entire season without 2011 first-round pick Jonas Valanciunas, need to start winning now and stop investing in long-term projects.

Sullinger may only have two years of college under his belt, but is one of the most polished post players in the entire draft. He has a variety of moves, 20-foot range on his jumper, and is a terrific rebounder.

He can make an impact in Toronto right away.

9. Detroit Pistons - John Henson, PF, North Carolina

Detroit is closer to competing than many think and landing a pro-ready big man is the right move.

Henson is a long and quick shot-blocker capable of being a prolific rebounder right off the bat. He would be an outstanding complement to the underrated Greg Monroe.

10. New Orleans (from Minnesota) - Kendall Marshall, PG, North Carolina  

If the Hornets are able to land Davis and Marshall…the rebuilding process will be way ahead of schedule.

Marshall is the best pure point guard in the draft, and at 6’4’’ and 180 pounds, is the ideal size.

His natural instincts at the point are incredible. Check out some of the eye-popping stats Draft Express was able to produce:

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Marshall's 10.7 assists per 40 minutes game adjusted this season rank the (which goes back to 2001/2002). He's also #1 all-time in Pure Point Ratio by a large margin, while his 3.51 Assist-Turnover Ratio ranks 3rd all-time.

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Is there any doubt Marshall has the potential to be one of the greats? And with the opportunity to land this pick No. 10?

This would be a steal for New Orleans.

11. Portland Trail Blazers - Austin Rivers, SG, Duke

I have a funny feeling the Trail Blazers are going to be involved in a trade.

Somebody will be desperate to land a guard with the potential of Rivers (cough, Lakers, cough), and with one of the smartest front offices in the league, Portland will oblige…for the right price.

Already with Lamb on board, this pick is very expendable.

12. Milwaukee Bucks - Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois

The seven-footer weighs a solid 240 pounds and can help the team forget about their awful trade to let Bogut go.

While Leonard may not be able to replace his presence on defense, he has an extremely long wingspan and can be a prolific rebounder instantly. This pick is a bit of a stretch, but it fills a need.

13. Phoenix Suns - Perry Jones III, PF, Baylor

The Suns are not going to the playoffs for at least the next two seasons, so they can afford to let Jones III take his lumps on the court.

He has incredible potential that features a strong inside game that extends all the way to the three-point line, but has a questionable mental makeup.

His sophomore season stats at Baylor flat-lined and he seemed to mentally check out far more often than he should have. With his talent, he is worth the risk at No. 13.

14. Houston Rockets - Tyler Zeller, C, North Carolina

The Rockets are loaded with sound talent at every position but center, so naturally they should draft the best one still on the board.

15. Philadelphia 76ers - Dion Waiters, SG, Syracuse

I love Waiters' potential.

Standing at 6’4’’ and 215 pounds, he plays the game with the sort of recklessness that makes me think of Dwyane Wade.

He excels in transition, is deadly off the pick-and-roll and has shown the vision to suggest he can play the point if asked. His first step makes defenders sag off him, which is a mistake considering he possesses an above-average jumper.

Waiters has top-five talent, and would be an absolute steal if he were to fall this far.

16. Houston Rockets (from New York) - Moe Harkless, SF, St. John’s

Harkless went under-the-radar because his team struggled, but don’t sleep on him.

He averaged over 15 points a game and can score in a variety of ways. Great sixth-man potential for a deep Rockets team that doesn’t have a ton of needs.

17. Dallas Mavericks - Marcus Teague, PG, Kentucky

Teague was overshadowed by his teammates in college, but they wouldn’t have won the championship without him.

His unselfishness and knack for knowing when to pick his spots is uncanny for such a young player, and I’m under the firm belief he can be one of the most cerebral point guards in the entire league in a few years.

18. Minnesota Timberwolves - Jeffery Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt

At 6’7’’ and 226 pounds, Taylor could fill a variety of holes for a team that has no idea what to do with Michael Beasley.

Draft Taylor and send Beasley packing.

19. Orlando Magic - Tony Wroten, PG, Washington

Registering in at 6’5’’ and 205 pounds, Wroten is a huge gamble.

Few players in this draft have Wroten's scoring abilities, who was almost unstoppable at times as a Huskie. His lighting fast first step and ability to finish after contact is incredible.

Yet, he showed some serious maturity issues at times and really needs to work on his three-point shot.

He drops this far because of the question marks revolving around him, but there is no doubt he has the potential to be one of the top scorers not only in this draft, but the entire NBA at some point.  

20. Denver Nuggets - Damian Lillard, PG, Weber State 

Who cares if he played in the Big Sky?

Lilard was one of the highest scoring players in the nation last year because nobody was able to stop him. His blazing fast speed and terrific pull-up jumper make him a nightmare for guards that don’t hold incredible foot speed.

While his defense needs work, this would be the ultimate replacement for Andre Miller if he were to sign with another team.

21. Boston Celtics - Terrence Ross, SG, Washington

The Celtics are entering a rebuilding mode of sorts and stockpiling talent is the best move to make.

Jones is a versatile scorer that doesn’t need plays run for him to be a threat. He fits the defensive schemes of coach Doc Rivers as well.

22. Boston Celtics (from L.A. Clippers) - Andrew Nicholson, PF, St. Bonaventure

The concern is that he is a big man that only checks in at 6’9’’ and 240 pounds, but that shouldn’t be a problem. Just ask Kenneth Faried how life in the NBA is working out for a 6’9’’ guy that plays primarily in the post.

23. Atlanta Hawks - Royce White, SF/PF, Iowa State

Another victim of the school he attended, White is an absolute load at 6’8’’, 270 pounds and has a ton of talent.

Off-the-court issues and the name of the school he attended will be the only reasons he falls out of the top 20.

24. Cleveland Cavaliers (from L.A. Lakers) - Terrence Jones, SF, Kentucky 

Jones has outstanding talent, but is a victim of being stuck in a draft with a ton of supremely talented forwards. He measures in at 6’9’’, but with a 7’2’’ wingspan he has the ability to be a prolific rebounder. He can run on the break and is a very smooth dribbler for somebody with his size.

The Cavs have other pressing needs, but luck out with Jones falling this far back. This is a big-time value pick.

25. Memphis Grizzlies - Will Barton, SG, Memphis

The Memphis product stays at home to help a woeful shooting team.

Barton averaged 16 points while shooting 48 percent from the field last season. Although making only 58 percent of his free throws is a real head-scratcher.

26. Indiana Pacers - Arnett Moultrie, PF, Mississippi State

His 6’11’’ frame is coveted, but his basketball IQ is not.

He needs time to develop and as crazy as this sounds, the Pacers have time to let him figure things out.

27. Miami Heat - Fab Melo, C, Syracuse

The Heat needs a strong defensive presence inside, and the 7’0’’, 250-pound Melo fits the bill.

He has improved greatly his sophomore season thanks to better conditioning, and now suddenly sports quickness and a strong leaping ability. It’s a great sign he is willing to get better and put in the additional work.

According to Draft Express, he ranked sixth   in the NCAA in blocks per 40 minutes and is terrific at rotating to closeout on the open man. He is exactly what Miami could use.

28. Oklahoma City Thunder - Draymond Green, SG, Michigan State

OKC may be the deepest team in the league, and don’t really need much out of this pick. Landing a small forward that averaged over 10 rebounds a game his senior season is a case of the rich getting richer.

29. Chicago Bulls - Tyshawn Taylor, PG, Kansas

While he wasn’t always the most consistent player in college, he has the instincts and experience to help fill the void while Derrick Rose recovers from his torn ACL.

30. Golden State (from San Antonio Spurs) - Quincy Miller, SF, Baylor

Miller is a very intriguing prospect.

A small forward with a 7’3’’ wingspan, he has loads of potential. Yet, he was very inconsistent in his one year of college and made a mistake leaving early.

He’ll take a while to develop, but the payoff could be worth it. 

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