2012 NBA Mock Draft: Teams in Position to Drastically Improve
While one draft alone usually can't turn a team from failure to title contender, there are several teams in this year's NBA draft that are in position to make huge turnarounds.
Two first-round picks usually makes something like that much easier.
In my newest first-round mock draft, I'll take a closer look at what teams are in prime position to make a huge leap before next season.
Note: These picks are in italics.
Also note: All following stats come from DraftExpress.com.
1. New Orleans Hornets (21-45): Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky
Not only are the Hornets going to get the only franchise-changer in the draft with the No. 1 pick, but they also hold on to the No. 10 pick.
Add those two picks to Eric Gordon, Jarrett Jack, Greivis Vasquez and Al-Farouq Aminu, and the Hornets will have a very good core, especially from a defensive prospective.
Anthony Davis is only going to make the Hornets even more scary on defense. At 6'10", Davis has a ridiculous wingspan that will let him defend the rim, even though he doesn't have elite strength quite yet.
Throw in a developing offensive game and there's no other direction the Hornets can go with this pick.
2. Charlotte Bobcats (7-59): Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas
The Bobcats need a ton of help. Because of that, they can't afford to take on a project. They need someone who can contribute right away.
That someone is Thomas Robinson, who has scary athleticism, monster rebounding skills and even a jumper that extends to the three-point line.
3. Washington Wizards (20-46): Andre Drummond, C, Connecticut
You've seen how electric John Wall is on the fast break. Well, imagine adding a big, athletic center to the same team.
Drummond has lots of bust potential, but the Wizards won't be able to pass on his rare combination of size and athleticism.
4. Cleveland Cavaliers (21-45): Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, Kentucky
While many people think the Cavs are still reeling from the loss of LeBron James, they are well on their way to contending very soon.
The fourth and 24th picks will help that process, especially if Kidd-Gilchrist somehow falls to them at No. 4.
MKG may not be the best shooter in the draft (or anywhere near the best), but he's a winner. He can guard almost any position, he's a force on the break, he rebounds well for his size and he'll give you 110 percent at all times.
Kidd-Gilchrist could have a contribution similar to what Kawhi Leonard did for the Spurs this season. Combining that type of talent with Kyrie Irving, who happens to be Kidd-Gilchrist's former high school teammate, gives Cleveland a dangerous future.
5. Sacramento Kings (22-44): Bradley Beal, SG, Florida
The Kings will draft Beal, who could easily go top three, as a pure value pick.
They don't necessarily need a shooting guard, but Beal is terrific on both sides of the court and will give the Kings an excuse to move Marcus Thornton or Tyreke Evans.
6. Portland Trail Blazers (via 22-44 Brooklyn Nets): Damian Lillard, PG, Weber State
The Blazers are another team set to make a big leap after this draft.
They already have an All-Star (LaMarcus Aldridge) and two very good young players (Wesley Matthews and Nic Batum), and now they have the No. 6 and 11 picks.
Portland took a huge fall in 2011-12, but if they do things right here, they'll see a huge rise in 2012-13.
Damian Lillard isn't a pure point guard, but there's no denying his ability to put the ball in the basket. He was the best scorer in the nation last year and will continue to score from all over the court in the NBA.
The Blazers need a point guard, and while Kendall Marshall is a possibility, I think they'll go with Lillard.
7. Golden State Warriors (23-43): Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina
Barnes has prototypical size for a small forward and he will be able to score with consistency from the outside.
He sometimes struggles finding his own shot, but he'll benefit from playing with Stephen Curry, who knows how to find teammates in the right position.
This is a good landing spot for Barnes, and it's a good pick for the Warriors.
8. Toronto Raptors (23-43): Jeremy Lamb, SG, UConn
Toronto is looking to build a defensive team and that makes Lamb the logical choice here.
Not only is he silky smooth on the offensive end, Lamb has a ridiculous 7'0" wingspan that will make him an elite defender at the position.
9. Detroit Pistons (25-41): Perry Jones, PF, Baylor
I see Perry Jones moving to small forward in the NBA, but that won't deter the Pistons, who need some length and athleticism.
Jones may not have a great motor, but he oozes both of those things.
10. New Orleans Hornets (via 26-40 Minnesota Timberwolves): Austin Rivers, SG, Duke
This is part two of the Hornets' turnaround. After getting a big man in Davis, they would be smart to grab Rivers, who can play both guard positions.
Not only will he provide insurance for Eric Gordon, he will play the point when he needs to. Rivers is an electric scorer and will give New Orleans an added dimension to their squad.
11. Portland Trail Blazers (28-38): Tyler Zeller, C, North Carolina
After getting Lillard with the No. 2 pick, the Blazers should go after a center. Zeller is the best true center in this draft and would have a good shot at cracking Portland's starting lineup.
Lillard, Matthews, Batum, Aldridge and Zeller is not too shabby of a starting lineup.
12. Milwaukee Bucks (31-35): John Henson, PF, North Carolina
Henson is a little bit like an Anthony Davis-lite. He is long, springy and will be force on the defensive end.
Should he continue to develop his raw offensive game, he'll be a steal here for the Milwaukee Bucks, who need some frontcourt depth.
13. Phoenix Suns (33-33): Terrence Ross, SG, Washington
Ross is underrated as a prospect. He's incredibly athletic, can hit shots from all over the court and has the quickness to play great on-ball defense.
The Suns need an injection of energy, and Ross is the smart pick.
14. Houston Rockets (34-32): Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois
The Rockets badly need a center for the future.
Leonard is a little raw, but he has good athleticism and a solid shooting stroke for a seven-footer. Assuming Zeller is gone, this looks to be a no-brainer for Houston.
15. Philadelphia 76ers (35-31): Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State
I worry about Sullinger's lack of athleticism and tendency to play below the rim. He's a little undersized for the center position and will struggle with quicker power forwards.
Still, he's the best offensive post player in this draft and that's exactly what the Sixers need.
16. Houston Rockets (via 36-20 New York Knicks): Dion Waiters, SG, Syracuse
Either Kyle Lowry or Goran Dragic will be gone by 2012-13.
Waiters, who can score in a hurry off the bench and can play either guard position, makes for a good replacement for whoever leaves.
17. Dallas Mavericks (36-30): Kendall Marshall, PG, North Carolina
This is a big slip for Marshall, and the Mavericks will be happy to see him still available.
The North Carolina product lacks elite defense and shooting, but he's a pure point guard, and he'll make everyone around him better.
With Jason Kidd nearing the end of his career with Dallas, this is an ideal situation for everyone involved.
18. Minnesota Timberwolves (via 36-30 Utah Jazz): Moe Harkless, SF, St. Johns
If Moe Harkless develops a jump shot, he's going to be a dangerous player in the NBA.
Even if he doesn't, he has the length, rebounding, athleticism and defense that suggest he'll still be a Josh Smith-type player.
19. Orlando Magic (37-29): Quincy Miller, SF, Baylor
Miller is a little raw on the offensive end, but he's going to be a defensive force in the NBA.
He's 6'9" and could conceivably guard some power forwards, but he also has the speed and quickness to guard shooting guards and small forwards.
Orlando needs Miller's length and athleticism on the perimeter, even if he won't be a threat on the offensive end right away.
20. Denver Nuggets (38-28): Terrence Jones, SF, Kentucky
Jones is another player whose stock I feel will slip a little bit, but the Nuggets need some frontcourt depth and they won't pass on him here.
What's more, Jones can play either small forward or power forward and will give Denver some nice versatility.
21. Boston Celtics (39-27): Arnett Moultrie, PF, Mississippi State
Kevin Garnett's future with Boston is up in the air, and that means the Celtics will look to draft an eventual replacement.
Moultrie is an explosive scorer and Boston should consider themselves lucky if the talented power forward falls to this spot.
22. Boston Celtics (via 40-26 Los Angeles Clippers): John Jenkins, SG, Vanderbilt
And after finding a replacement for Kevin Garnett, the C's will look to replace Ray Allen.
Jenkins is easily the best shooter in this draft. He doesn't do anything else all that well, but his jumpshot is absolutely elite.
The Celtics will be happy to add a player like that.
23. Atlanta Hawks (40-26): Royce White, SF, Iowa State
White's anxiety problems are a concern, but assuming his NBA team helps take care of that, he is going to be a steal at No. 23.
White led the Cyclones in every major category during his only season. He can do everything on the court and he's the prototypical point-forward.
24. Cleveland Cavaliers (via 41-25 Los Angeles Lakers): Tony Wroten, PG/SG, Washington
Wroten's shooting is atrocious, but he has elite size for a point guard (6'5", strong), he has the best vision of anyone in the draft not named Kendall and he is incredibly quick going towards the hoop.
In three years, Wroten has a good chance to be a star. He just won't contribute right away.
25. Memphis Grizzlies (41-25): Marquis Teague, PG, Kentucky
John Calipari's point guards never seem to fail in the NBA, and the Grizz need a backup point guard in a bad way.
This makes good sense.
26. Indiana Pacers (42-24): Doron Lamb, SG, Kentucky
Lamb is a dead-on shooter. He lacks elite size to guard most two-guards, but as a role player coming off the bench in Indiana, he'll be able to simply concentrate on shooting.
27. Miami Heat (46-20): Andrew Nicholson, PF, St. Bonaventure
Nicholson does a lot of things very well. He's very smart, he has tremendous footwork in the post and his jumpshot extends out to the three-point line.
The Heat need a scoring big man, so this should be the pick.
28. Oklahoma City Thunder (47-19): Evan Fournier, SF, France
The Thunder are pretty stacked, so they can afford to roll the dice on a project.
Fournier is a good scorer, but he's only 19 years old and might need another year playing overseas.
29. Chicago Bulls (50-16): Draymond Green, SF, Michigan State
Much like Royce White, Green can do everything on the court.
He has solid size, he's ferocious on the glass and he can even handle the ball in a pinch. Green is the perfect role player for Chicago's system.
30. Golden State Warriors (via 50-16 San Antonio Spurs): Fab Melo, C, Syracuse
Fab Melo doesn't yet have great offensive skills, but there is no denying the impact he can make on the defensive end.
For a Warriors team trying to toughen up, this is a good fit.
