2012 NBA Mock Draft: Finding the Biggest Flops of the First Round

With the 2012 NBA draft lottery out of the way, it’s time to readjust the mock yet again and see where the top stars of this class will fall.

For as many stars as we will have, there are far more busts and potential flops than anything else in the first round.

This year’s biggest flops will be italicized.

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

The unquestioned No. 1 Anthony Davis was already sporting Hornets gear pre-draft. Conspiracy theory?

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

With Michael Jordan distraught over missing out on Anthony Davis, he will still feel the need to grab a big man. Once Jordan sets his sights on something, consider it his.

Say hello to your new star center, Bobcats fans: Andre Drummond. While he wasn’t all that impressive at UConn, his upside will have Charlotte biting hook, line and sinker on this kid.

Drummond is honestly one of the most overrated prospects of 2012 draft and will further sink the Bobcats into irrelevance.

3. Washington Wizards (20-46): Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas

With John Wall up high and Thomas Robinson down low, there is no reason to believe the Washington Wizards won’t be a contender within the next two seasons.

4. Cleveland Cavaliers (21-45): Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, Kentucky

While Michael Kidd-Gilchrist is no LeBron James, he would be a solid replacement for King James at small forward in Cleveland.

5. Sacramento Kings (22-44): Bradley Beal, SG, Florida Gators

With question marks surrounding what the Kings will be doing with Tyreke Evans, if Bradley Beal falls to them at No. 5, they will take him.

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

Portland needs a ball-moving point guard that can keep its offense from getting stagnant, and Kendall Marshall from North Carolina will be the perfect addition.

7. Golden State Warriors (23-43): Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina

The Golden State Warriors need a defensive-minded small forward that can be held liable at both ends of the court. Harrison Barnes fits their mold perfectly.

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

With the Toronto Raptors wanting to add hype around their organization and an offensive-minded star, they will select free-shooting guard Austin Rivers.

Not only will Rivers be nothing but a disappointment for the Raptors, he will complicate the backcourt unless he can manage to play point guard.

As we saw at Duke, Rivers' goal is not to be a passer, and he is too small to be a shooting guard. If Toronto reaches for Rivers here, it will regret it.

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

Despite a terrible performance in the NCAA tournament, the Detroit Pistons hope Baylor star Perry Jones lives up to the hype.

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

While the addition of Anthony Davis will be huge for the organization, adding a point guard that can add everything you’d ever need offensively makes this a dynamite draft for the Hornets.

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

With Greg Oden trying to take his talents to South Beach, it’s time for the Trail Blazers to get smart and take Tyler Zeller as their next long-term project. Let’s just hope this one works out.

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

If the Milwaukee Bucks take Jeremy Lamb, they would be wise to play him at both shooting guard and small forward and see how well he adapts to the latter. I always thought he had the body and skill to play the 3 in the NBA.

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

The need for a revamped backcourt that may include Terrence Ross will be made even more important if Steve Nash signs elsewhere as expected.

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

Houston needs its fill of imported centers, and Meyers Leonard fills that mold.

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

The 76ers love the tweener forwards that aren’t really either position. Jared Sullinger is the best tweener and one of the most underrated players of 2012.

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

With uncertainty in the Houston backcourt, drafting a replacement like Dion Waiters for whoever will be moved is the smart choice.

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

The Dallas Mavericks will take the best power forward they can get when they pick No. 17 in the draft, and that will be UNC’s John Henson.

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

The fact that the Minnesota Timberwolves are selecting something other than a point guard or a power forward makes taking Moe Harkless this high acceptable.

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

For as good of a shooter as Quincy Miller is, drafting him won’t be enough to keep Dwight Howard in town. Nothing says role player like not having a role to play.

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

The Denver Nuggets haven’t had an elite small forward since Carmelo Anthony was traded, but Terrence Jones has the potential to be their next prime-time player.

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

The Boston Celtics need to find a long-term replacement for Kevin Garnett and will look to Arnett Moultrie to be the apprentice to KG’s throne.

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

While John Jenkins may be a sniper, he is no Ray Allen. Then again, who is?

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

With a stellar shooting guard and power forward, the Atlanta Hawks need a versatile player that can defend well, rebound and do all the little things correctly. Royce White is the perfect fit.

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

While Kyrie Irving is clearly Cleveland’s Batman, Washington star Tony Wroten would be an amazing backcourt Robin.

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

For as good as they can be in the defensive end, the Grizzlies need a viable point guard that can run the offense. That’s where Marquis Teague makes his impact.

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

Depending on what happens with Roy Hibbert, the Pacers may be moving up to get a center. If not, Doron Lamb is their man.

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

The biggest key for the Miami Heat this offseason is finding a viable option down low when Chris Bosh goes down. His injury this postseason exposed that weakness for all the league to see.

While the position will be filled by St. Bonaventure power forward Andrew Nicholson, he is too raw to be an instant impact. The Heat are trying to win now and must draft players that can step in now and play major minutes if a star goes down.

Whether scouts believe he will be a long-term success or not, Miami must win now. It should be drafting with that mindset.

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

Oklahoma needs a viable long-term option behind Kevin Durant. Given time, Evan Fournier will be the kind of player to allow Durant longer minutes on the bench.

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

The Chicago Bulls need a leader to back up Derrick Rose the next time he goes down with an injury. Draymond Green can pick up the slack.

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

With the lack of depth at center and almost no viable defensive low-post options in Golden State, the team would be foolish to pass on Fab Melo here.

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