2012 NBA Mock Draft: Simple Choices for NBA's 1st Round

General managers and scouts of NBA teams will do a ton of research and analysis on the top prospects of the 2012 NBA draft class, but many times, the best course of action on draft day is to just make the simple pick.

Making a safe selection can be the best thing for a franchise, especially one that needs immediate help next season, such as the Charlotte Bobcats.

Let's look at the simple choices for every first-round pick in this latest mock draft.

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

Davis reminds me a lot of Kevin Garnett, both in size and athletic skill. If he ends up having a career similar to Garnett's, the Hornets will be quite fortunate.

2. Charlotte Bobcats:  Andre Drummond, C, UConn

The Bobcats need a lot of help, but passing up on a potential star center in Andre Drummond would be a poor move by Michael Jordan.

3. Washington Wizards: Bradley Beal, SG, Florida

Brad Beal is already a good scorer, but if he can continue to improve his defense, he could become one of the best all-around players in the NBA.

4. Cleveland Cavaliers: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, Kentucky 

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist can satisfy several needs of the Cleveland Cavaliers, including small forward depth and a reliable scorer.

5. Sacramento Kings: Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas

The Kings need to take a player who is low-risk that will work hard at both ends of the floor. Thomas Robinson should be their choice.

6. Portland Trail Blazers: Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina 

With polished offensive talents, Harrison Barnes would dominate on a Blazers team lacking pure scorers.

7. Golden State Warriors: John Henson, PF, North Carolina  

John Henson and Antony Davis are similar players in that their defensive skills, especially shot blocking, are quite strong.

8. Toronto Raptors: Perry Jones III, PF, Baylor

The Raptors don't need a power forward, but they need to take the best player available in Baylor power forward Perry Jones.

9. Detroit Pistons: Jeremy Lamb, SG, UConn  

Replacing veteran guard Rodney Stuckey with UConn star Jeremy Lamb would be a smart move for a Detroit Pistons team that is a long ways from being a playoff contender.

10. New Orleans Hornets: Kendall Marshall, PG, North Carolina

Kendall Marshall and Anthony Davis would have the potential to be a top NBA PG/PF duo in their rookie seasons.

11. Portland Trail Blazers:  Terrence Ross, SG, Washington  

If the Blazers don't take Barnes, they will need a reliable scorer who can shoot well from the outside on a consistent basis such as Terrence Ross.

12. Milwaukee Bucks:  Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State

With a strong backcourt, the Milwaukee Bucks need to bolster the depth of their front court. Sullinger would be the best fit for their need at power forward.

13. Phoenix Suns: Damian Lillard, PG, Weber State  

The Suns need a playmaker who can score and get teammates involved, which is why Damian Lillard is the best pick to address their backcourt needs.

14. Houston Rockets: Terrence Jones, PF, Kentucky

Terrence Jones would be a fine choice as the team's future replacement for Luis Scola at power forward.

15. Philadelphia 76ers: Tyler Zeller, C, North Carolina 

If the Philadelphia 76ers had a legitimate center like Tyler Zeller, then they would be a serious contender in the Eastern Conference. Center is a major weakness for them.

16. Houston Rockets: Arnett Moultrie, PF, Mississippi State

Arnett Moultrie's shot-blocking ability would be a big boost to the Rockets talent at the center position, which, right now, is pretty weak.

17. Dallas Mavericks: Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois

The Mavericks didn't need adequately replace Tyson Chandler last season, so drafting a quality center like Meyers Leonard is the safest option for them.

18. Minnesota Timberwolves:  John Jenkins, SG, Vanderbilt  

John Jenkins has the ability to give the Timberwolves the athletic wing player who can shoot from the outside that they need. He's an underrated prospect quickly rising up draft boards.

19. Orlando Magic:  Fab Melo, C, Syracuse

Fab Melo's rebounding ability would make him a great backup for Dwight Howard next season, which is something the Magic didn't have this year.

20. Denver Nuggets: Royce White, SF, Iowa State

The Nuggets have a number of quality guards, so their primary concern heading into the draft should be finding a rebounder and shot blocker such as Royce White.

21. Boston Celtics: Austin Rivers, SG, Duke   

The Celtics need to add a shooting guard with consistent scoring ability since Jeff Green and Ray Allen may not be back in Boston next season.

22. Boston Celtics:  Jeffery Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt 

Taylor would be able to be a solid backup for Paul Pierce at the small forward position and give the Celtics another athletic player off the bench.

23. Atlanta Hawks: Tony Wroten, Jr., PG, Washington  

Tony Wroten, Jr. was one of the best players in the Pac-12 this season and would be the perfect point guard for an athletic Atlanta Hawks team.

24. Cleveland Cavaliers: Quincy Miller, SF, Baylor

If the Cavaliers don't take Harrison Barnes or Michael Kidd-Gilchrist in the top five, then expect them to address their need for a small forward at pick No. 24 by taking Quincy Miller.

25. Memphis Grizzlies: Evan Fournier, SG, France

Fournier would be a great replacement for shooting guard O.J. Mayo in case he leaves the Grizzlies as a restricted free agent this summer. Fournier could also play point guard.

26. Indiana Pacers: Moe Harkless, SF, St. John's 

Harkless would give the Pacers a lot more toughness in the front court, which is something the team needed more of in their second-round playoff matchup against the Miami Heat.

27. Miami Heat: Doron Lamb, SG, Kentucky

The would rather take a point guard in the first round, but Doron Lamb's scoring ability and offensive potential is too great to ignore.

28. Oklahoma City Thunder: Will Barton, SG, Memphis

The Thunder might have to make a choice between Russell Westbrook and James Harden soon, and having a good scorer like Will Barton would give the team good guard depth if they are forced to part with one of their stars.

29. Chicago Bulls:  Marquis Teague, PG, Kentucky  

Marquis Teague would immediately be the best backup behind Derrick Rose on the Chicago Bulls depth chart.

30. Golden State Warriors: Tyshawn Taylor, SG, Kansas

Taylor would give the Warriors another reliable outside shooter to stretch the floor with.

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