NBA Draft 2012: Predicting Where Lottery Picks Will Rank After 1st Contract's Up

The 2012 NBA draft is steadily approaching. Excitement is on the rise, draft workouts are on the prowl and the ever-so-important draft stock has begun to fluctuate for a handful of players. But let's be real, we don't care about what happens on draft night.

We only care for what happens on the court.

The question is, who will emerge as the best on-court performer? Which lottery pick will be able to stake their claim as the best player of their class when it's all said and done? While that question cannot be answered, projections for the rookies' short-term careers can be offered.

The following slides will offer you insight as to who will be the best of the youth once their rookie contracts expire.

14. Tyler Zeller, North Carolina Tar Heels

Position: Center

Class: Senior

Age: 22

Height & Weight: 7'0"—250 pounds—7'1" wingspan

Tyler Zeller is a fundamentally sound player who is going to make for a very nice rotational option. He's likely to start in the league for a few seasons, contributing solid rebounding and shot-blocking numbers while tallying a decent amount of points here and there.

Just temper your expectations if you're one of the many who expects Tyler Zeller to be anything more than a solid player.

Projected Draft Position: First Round, Pick 12 (Milwaukee Bucks)

13. Andre Drummond, Connecticut Huskies

Position: Center

Class: Freshman

Age: 18

Height & Weight: 6'11"—275 pounds—7'5" wingspan

Contrary to popular belief, Andre Drummond is one of the safest picks in this class of prospects. He has an NBA-ready body, elite athleticism and is a dominant interior defender. Furthermore, despite his unbelievable leaping ability, Drummond rarely leaves his feet. This decreases his risk of injury by a marginal amount.

With all of this being noted, this is about as far as he will go by the time his first contract is up. His shot-blocking and rebounding numbers will be respectable, but nothing Drummond does from a statistical standpoint will blow people away.

On the court, however, he will play a pivotal role for any team he goes to. He'll quickly establish himself as one of the more intelligent big men in the NBA and become a favorite of whoever coaches him.

He simply won't catch the eye of enough fans to see his name move up the list.

Projected Draft Position: First Round, Pick 6 (Portland Trail Blazers)

12. Jeremy Lamb, Connecticut Huskies

Position: Shooting Guard

Class: Sophomore

Age: 20

Height & Weight: 6'5"—185 pounds—7'0" wingspan

Jeremy Lamb is the most confusing player in this draft class.

In terms of talent, there are very few who can match what Lamb is capable of. He is a top-tier ball-handler who thrives in dribble penetration, yet he finds himself able to hit a jump shot from anywhere on the floor. He's also one of the longest 2s we've ever seen, putting out a massive 7'0" wingspan that makes him a menace in the passing lanes.

Consider Lamb to be the shooting guard version of Kevin Durant.

The unfortunate side of this coin is that Lamb shuts down when the game is on the line. He's often found stagnant on the perimeter as the play develops in front of him, rather than moving without the basketball to create an open look for himself.

While this trait can be taught, it may not be long before Lamb enters a coach's doghouse.

Projected Draft Position: First Round, Pick 13 (Phoenix Suns)

11. Damian Lillard, Weber State Wildcats

Position: Point Guard

Class: Junior

Age: 21

Height & Weight: 6'2"—185 pounds

If this were a popularity contest, Damian Lillard would find himself at the top of this list. His score-first mentality and blazing open-court speed is likely to make him the second coming of Monta Ellis, whose fan appreciation often outweighs his on-court consistency.

Just don't expect consistent play to mirror the love.

Damian Lillard is bound to find struggles at the NBA level, as quickness and athleticism in point guards only translate to the highlight reels. While his lights-out shooting ability and unbelievable creativity around the basket will lead to pretty numbers, his efficiency will not be at a point where stardom is legitimate.

Expect a Jerryd Bayless downside and a Brandon Jennings upside.

Projected Draft Position: First Round, Pick 8 (Toronto Raptors)

10. Terrence Jones, Kentucky Wildcats

Position: Forward

Class: Sophomore

Age: 20

Height & Weight: 6'8"—244 pounds—7'3" wingspan

Terrence Jones is the most underrated player in this draft class. He's one of the few who can play the role of lead facilitator, score from the perimeter, penetrate off the dribble, finish above the rim and defend on the perimeter or in the paint.

In other words, Terrence Jones can do it all and more.

Jones was the most reliable player on the floor during Kentucky's magical run to the 2012 national championship, scoring when the Wildcats needed him most and coming up with defensive stops every time down. He's effortless in shifting position and utilizes his body to perfection.

Terrence Jones' name should be on your radar if it is not already.

Projected Draft Position: First Round, Pick 7 (Golden State Warriors)

9. Perry Jones III, Baylor Bears

Position: Small Forward

Class: Sophomore

Age: 20

Height & Weight: 6'11"—235 pounds—7'3" wingspan

The more I watch game film of Perry Jones III, the more concerned I am with his passive nature. The more I watch film of his pre-draft workouts, the more excited I am about his potential.

For once, I will give Perry Jones III my vote of confidence.

There is a great chance that PJ3 emerges as the best player of this draft class. His combination of length and athletic ability is unparalleled. His capability to score from anywhere on the floor is just as impressive, as is his ability to run the floor and finish in transition.

There's a great chance PJ3 ends up a bust. There's an even greater chance he ends up the best rookie you've seen since Kevin Durant.

Projected Draft Position: First Round, Pick 14 (Houston Rockets)

8. Kendall Marshall, North Carolina Tar Heels

Position: Point Guard

Class: Sophomore

Age: 20

Height & Weight: 6'4"—188 pounds

If we've learned anything from Rajon Rondo, it's that the greatest facilitators are the most underappreciated players in the NBA. Kendall Marshall will soon learn that as he enters the ranks of the facilitating elite by the time his first contract comes to an end, but also fails to garner the attention he deserves.

Funny how the world works, isn't it? Overlook those who give you the most.

Nevertheless, Marshall will be a great player. His size and ball-handling abilities are two qualities that bode well for the former Tar Heel as he pieces together a lengthy NBA career. His unmatched passing ability and court vision will help turn him into a cult favorite.

Just imagine if we get to see him work with Anthony Davis.

Projected Draft Position: First Round, Pick 10 (New Orleans Hornets)

7. Jared Sullinger, Ohio State Buckeyes

Position: Power Forward

Class: Sophomore

Age: 20

Height & Weight: 6'9"—280 pounds—7'2" wingspan

As much as I love to watch Jared Sullinger play, I don't see stardom in his future. Instead, I see a status similar to that of a Paul Millsap: dominant when on his game, but under the radar due to a lack of his team's exposure.

Nevertheless, Sullinger is a legitimate double-double threat at the NBA level. His massive lower body and gigantic wingspan are utilized to perfection, as Sullinger is one of the best box-out rebounders in the nation. He's also a dominant low-post scorer whose interior scoring is as polished as any.

Expect Jared Sullinger to truly hit his stride as his contract year reaches the halfway point.

Projected Draft Position: First Round, Pick 9 (Detroit Pistons)

6. Dion Waiters, Syracuse Orange

Position: Shooting Guard

Class: Sophomore

Age: 20

Height & Weight: 6'4"—215 pounds—6'7" wingspan

Dion Waiters has been regarded to as the only player besides Anthony Davis who could emerge from this draft as a superstar. This comes straight from the mouth of an anonymous NBA general manager.

While I'm hesitant to place Dion Waiters on such a pedestal just yet, it's hard not to see the reasoning behind such a claim.

Waiters appears to be a near carbon copy of a rookie Dwyane Wade, as his dribble penetration skills are amongst the best you'll find. He's also a spectacular finisher around the basket and a fiery competitor with a never-say-die attitude. He's also a player who played the role of sixth man in college, which bodes well for his likely role as a rookie.

Dion Waiters is going to go down as a gem. It won't be long before we begin to realize it.

Projected Draft Position: First Round, Pick 11 (Portland Trail Blazers)

5. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Kentucky Wildcats

Position: Small Forward

Class: Freshman

Age: 18

Height & Weight: 6'7"—210 pounds

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist is a top-tier perimeter defender. He's also as good as they come when it comes to penetrating off of the dribble and finishing around the basket. As soon as he develops a reliable mid-range game, he'll begin to stake his claim as the best player of this draft class.

That simply won't happen by the end of his first contract.

Kidd-Gilchrist will be a great player from Day 1. His effort is contagious and his will to win undeniable. He will create his own shots, make highlight reels with his dunks and find himself near the top of most defensive efficiency categories.

It will simply be a process for the 18-year-old to maximize his full potential.

Projected Draft Position: First Round, Pick 2 (Charlotte Bobcats)

4. Harrison Barnes, North Carolina Tar Heels

Position: Small Forward

Class: Sophomore

Age: 19

Height & Weight: 6'8"—210 pounds—6'11" wingspan

Don't ever underestimate the power of Internet criticism.

Harrison Barnes was not a first-team All-American before his freshman season for no reason. If you feel he was, explain Barnes' status as the best player on a team that made consecutive Elite Eight appearances.

While Barnes never lived up to the hype as an individual player, as many were expecting pure brilliance across the stat sheet, he proved to be a respected team leader and crunch-time performer. While some will cite a lackluster 2012 NCAA tournament as evidence for his inability to succeed at the NBA level, Barnes has roughly 60 other games to contest the claim.

Barnes is an elite perimeter defender, owns a lethal jump shot and has one of the highest basketball IQs of any prospect in recent memory. Barnes has true star potential.

Projected Draft Position: First Round, Pick 5 (Sacramento Kings) 

3. Bradley Beal, Florida Gators

Position: Shooting Guard

Class: Freshman

Age: 18

Height & Weight: 6'4"—195 pounds—6'8" wingspan

Bradley Beal is as good as they come at the 2. He has a picture-perfect jump shot, moves well without the basketball and puts forth a great effort on both ends of the floor. He can also create off of the dribble, making him as dangerous an offensive threat as you'll find in this year's draft class.

What will separate Beal from the pack is that he does not rely too heavily on one specific aspect of his game. Although he is an elite jump shooter, pairing a smooth leap with a quick release, he's more than capable of finishing around the basket. A paralyzing first step will set him up for that on any occasion.

Beal will be quite the hot commodity once his first contract is up.

Projected Draft Position: First Round, Pick 4 (Cleveland Cavaliers)

2. Anthony Davis, Kentucky Wildcats

Position: Power Forward

Class: Freshman

Age: 18

Height & Weight: 6'10"

Anthony Davis is a potential Defensive Player of the Year, pairing elite shot-blocking ability with a goaltender's approach on the defensive boards. Quite simply, Davis is one of those rare players who can dominate a game without ever touching the ball on the offensive end of the floor.

It would be foolish to project Davis emulating his shot-blocking numbers from Kentucky, as a mark of 4.7 per game is unheard of from a player of any age. It would be equally as naive, however, to imagine his presence as a shot-blocker depreciating in any sense of the word.

Anthony Davis will be something special. But who will be better?

Projected Draft Position: First Round, Pick 1 (New Orleans Hornets)

1. Thomas Robinson, Kansas Jayhawks

Position: Power Forward

Class: Junior

Age: 21

Height & Weight: 6'9"—237 pounds—7'1" wingspan

Thomas Robinson's work ethic, lovable character and well-rounded skill set suggest one thing: an instant rise to status as a fan favorite. Paired with his potential to average a double-double on a yearly basis, the writing is on the wall for Thomas Robinson to emerge as the best player of this draft class.

Through 2015, at least.

Robinson could go anywhere from second to fifth overall, finding himself in a favorable situation regardless of where he ends up. He's a true franchise player due to his ability to score and crash the boards, of course, but he is quite underrated in terms of his defensive ability.

Robinson is an above-average shot-blocker whose strength, physicality and effort in the paint could be quite infectious for a young team in need of a leader. Robinson is also a proven winner who has been on the cusp of glory before.

Don't think Anthony Davis going home with the national championship and the first overall draft choice will leave Robinson's mind.

Projected Draft Position: First Round, Pick 3 (Washington Wizards)