2012 NBA Mock Draft: Guide to NBA's First-Round Selections

With the 2012 NBA draft order set, it’s time to get down to business in terms of what fans should expect from this season’s draft class.

While there are stars with serious potential, there are also busts waiting to happen. We’re here to tell you which are which.

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

Star: There is no doubt that the defensive juggernaut known as Anthony Davis will dominate the NBA. The Hornets are so lucky.

2. Charlotte Bobcats (7-59): Andre Drummond, C, Connecticut

Bust: While there is no doubt Andre Drummond has tons of upside, a mediocre work ethic and the proof that he shrinks in big moments will doom his NBA career. Another Charlotte Botchcats classic pick.

3. Washington Wizards (20-46): Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, Kentucky

Star: With a star like John Wall already on the team, a star in the making like Michael Kidd-Gilchrist will be an amazing addition to a Wizards team dying for an identity.

4. Cleveland Cavaliers (21-45): Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas

Star: Arguably the most NBA-ready talent of 2012, Thomas Robinson will fill the void at power forward like only Anthony Davis could have done from this class.

5. Sacramento Kings (22-44): Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina

Bust: While most NBA franchises hold the Tar Heels in a high regard, Harrison Barnes will prove he needs other players to make his job easier. When things get rough in Sacramento, he may not live up to the hype.

6. Portland Trail Blazers (via 22-44 New Jersey Nets): Kendall Marshall, PG, North Carolina

Star: The Portland Trailblazers are going to weigh so heavily on Kendall Marshall at the point that he can't help but be a star.

7. Golden State Warriors (23-43): Brad Beal, SG, Florida Gators

Star: While the Golden State Warriors have a solid shooting guard in Klay Thompson, they need a more consistent star, and Brad Beal is just that.

8. Toronto Raptors (23-43): Austin Rivers, SG, Duke

Bust: With the Toronto Raptors needing a defensive-minded player to help change the culture, Austin Rivers will be just as irresponsible defensively and with poor shots.

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

Bust: The need for a big man in Detroit doesn’t warrant picking a player that has proved nothing in his time at Baylor. While he has tons of upside, that doesn’t mean squat if you don’t fulfill it.

10. New Orleans Hornets (via 26-40 Minnesota Timberwolves): Damian Lillard, PG, Weber State

Star: With Anthony Davis on board, the Hornets will take the best offensive point guard in the 2012 NBA draft, Damian Lillard.

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

Bust: Greg Oden and the failed experiment surrounding him is gone, but Portland’s need for a big man will have them reaching for a center that will not live up to the billing. Maybe one day they’ll learn.

12. Milwaukee Bucks (31-35): Jeremy Lamb, SG, Connecticut

Star: While many scouts aren’t buying into Jeremy Lamb, his ability to make his own shots and play at several different spots on the floor will be too valuable to pass on for the Bucks.

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

Star: The need for a ball moving guard that can control a game like Terrence Ross will be even more important now that Steve Nash is a free agent.

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

Bust: While the need for a center is warranted, taking a project as rough as Meyers Leonard is not the smart choice for the future. This risk isn’t worth the reward.

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

Star: There is no doubt that Sullinger is undersized, but Philadelphia proved again this season that a team can win with tweener forwards. Elton Brand is nothing compared to what J-Sul will bring to the table.

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

Star: While Meyers Leonard will never be the star the Rockets hoped for, Dion Waiters will walk right onto the court and become a difference maker in the backcourt.

17. Dallas Mavericks (36-30): John Henson, PF, North Carolina

Bust: Another North Carolina player that will amount to nothing more than a bench player with minutes in the Tony Battie range.

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

Bust: While I will be proud that the Timberwolves didn’t take a point guard or power forward, the small forward they will snag will not amount to much.

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

Star: While Quincy Miller may be the future shooting star of the Magic, it doesn’t look like Dwight Howard will be there for very long.

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

Bust: The need for a dominant small forward has been there since Carmelo Anthony was traded, but Terrence Jones isn’t close to Carmelo good.

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

Star: While Kevin Garnett may stay in Boston for another season or two, the team needs depth behind him. Arnett Moultrie could be the man to offer the team that and more.

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

Bust: While John Jenkins may have been one of the best pure shooters in college, the SEC is not the NBA.

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

Star: While Royce White isn’t getting the hype he deserves, there is no doubt he will be a defensive star in the NBA.

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

Bust: As good as Kyrie Irving is, he needs help in the backcourt. That’s where Tony Wroten comes in.

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

Star: The Memphis Grizzlies need to refocus on the future, and a stellar point guard like Marquis Teague is a great addition.

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

Star: The Pacers have a very bright future, and it will get even brighter when they take Kentucky shooting guard Doron Lamb in the late first-round. This will be a great pick.

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

Bust: The need for depth behind Chris Bosh is very real, but there is no way Andrew Nicholson from St. Bonnies will be the answer for a championship-contending team.

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

Star: While he has the potential to be such a better player, Evan Fournier’s initial role with the Thunder will be as their three-point specialist. OKC’s Kyle Korver if you will.

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

Star: The need for an on-court leader in case of emergency will result in the Bulls reaching a bit on a role player like Draymond Green. This pick is all about a character player that can add some activity off the bench.

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

Star: With the need for a defensive-minded center, there is no better player for the Warriors at No. 30 than Fab Melo.

Check back for more on the National Basketball Association as it comes, and don’t miss Bleacher Report’s NBA page to get your fill of all things basketball.

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