2012 NBA Mock Draft: Missing Pieces for Every Team

Every team with a pick in the 2012 NBA draft will be trying to address their various needs and fill holes in their roster.

They can do this by directly selecting a rookie that will potentially address their deficiencies, they can trade their selection to get an established veteran or they can acquire future value and cash considerations if they feel they have what it takes to contend at this point in time.

Let’s take a look at the most recent first-round mock draft with an eye on players that seem to be the missing piece for their respective franchise. 

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

Anthony Davis fits perfectly with a team that just lost their superstar, Chris Paul. While he’s obviously not a franchise PG, Davis is the much rarer big man prospect that will one day be a force in the league.

2. Charlotte Bobcats (7-59): Bradley Beal, SG, Florida

The Bobcats need scoring more than anything right now, and Beal is the best on the board at doing that. He can create his own shot from anywhere on the floor, spot up with great efficiency and has the body type to repeatedly get to the rim.

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

MKG has an incredible work ethic and a high upside. He’s one of the best finishers in the draft, plays sound defense on multiple positions and rebounds well for a 3. He might not have the greatest offensive game, but it will come in time.

4. Cleveland Cavaliers (21-45): Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina

The Cavs need to get a smooth scoring swingman like Barnes on their roster. They have a star in the backcourt with Kyrie Irving and now need someone who can take the pressure off of him to put points on the board.  

5. Sacramento Kings (22-44): Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas

Robinson’s value is too much for the Kings to pass up at No. 5. He’s an elite player that has solid size, great energy, a knack for rebounding, an above-average jumper and plenty of intangibles. There is nothing not to like about this pick.

6. Portland Trail Blazers (via 22-44 New Jersey Nets): Andre Drummond, C, UConn

The UConn center fills the need for size in Portland. He’s got to work on dominating smaller opponents and getting more consistent, but there is plenty of raw ability here. 

7. Golden State Warriors (23-43): Perry Jones III, PF, Baylor

PJIII has a terrible motor, but he’s got an incredible set of skills. He’s definitely a dice roll, but the Warriors direly need a second star to pair with Stephen Curry.  

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

Rivers is a terrific shooter and he’s great when he’s on the ball, but he has to work on moving without it. The Raptors need a SG with deep range and a chance to become a star, so they will take Rivers.

9. Detroit Pistons (25-41): Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State

Sullinger fills Detroit’s need to develop a solid 4 next to their emerging young center, Greg Monroe. He’s not super athletic and plays below the rim, but he knows how to score and has a knack for rebounding.

10. New Orleans Hornets (via 26-40 Minnesota Timberwolves): Kendall Marshall, PG, North Carolina

Marshall doesn’t have great upside, but he’s got superior size and the best passing ability of any PG in the draft. The Hornets need a team-oriented player like him to distribute the ball and help Anthony Davis develop.

11. Portland Trail Blazers (28-38):  Terrence Jones, F, Kentucky

Jones can play both forward positions and has a ton of promise but lacks consistency. If he can start playing at a high level on a nightly basis, this pick will be the steal of the draft.

12. Milwaukee Bucks (31-35): Tyler Zeller, C, North Carolina

The UNC senior has plenty of experience and will likely be able to contribute early in his NBA career. He doesn’t have All-Star upside, but he fits a big need in Milwaukee for size. 

13. Phoenix Suns (33-33): Damian Lillard, G, Weber State

Phoenix is likely looking at a combo guard that cannot facilitate for long stretches if they choose Lillard here. That is not an ideal replacement for Steve Nash, but they could play him at the 2 if he does not pan out as a passer.

14. Houston Rockets (34-32): Terrence Ross, G, Washington

Ross has been climbing draft boards because he’s a solid all-around shooting guard with good athleticism. The Rockets would be happy to take him here and look to move Kevin Martin.

15. Philadelphia 76ers (35-31): John Henson, PF, North Carolina

Henson is an ideal replacement for Elton Brand at the 4 in Philly. He’s long, athletic and capable of locking his man down on defense.

16. Houston Rockets (via 36-20 New York Knicks): Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois

Houston needs size and hasn’t found a solid center since Yao Ming retired. They won’t get anyone nearly as skilled on offense and defense as Yao here, but Leonard can bang bodies and protect the rim.

17. Dallas Mavericks (36-30):  Quincy Miller, SF, Baylor

Miller has a lot of upside and needs to get more comfortable penetrating and attacking the basket. He settled for a lot of jumpers during his freshman season, but it could be the result of a high school ACL injury.

18. Minnesota Timberwolves (via 36-30 Utah Jazz): Jeremy Lamb, SG, UConn

Lamb is far too complacent out on the court. He’s got the skill set to be an elite player, but doesn’t seem to want to be one. If he can get motivated, he’ll become the starting 2 for a team that direly needs production at the position.

19. Orlando Magic (37-29): Dion Waiters, SG, Syracuse

Waiters is a lottery prospect to some scouts, but he doesn’t have much going for him beyond a great slash to the hoop and a decent mid-range game. It’s likely that he drops to a team that can spend a bit of time developing him.

20. Denver Nuggets (38-28): Moe Harkless, SF, St. John's

Harkless has crazy upside but a terrible jumper. Fortunately, that’s one of the easier things to fix and his athleticism and youth would be welcome in the Mile High.

21. Boston Celtics (39-27):  Royce White, PF, Iowa State

White’s anxiety disorder has impacted his career, but there is no doubting that he’s one of the most skilled prospects in this class. Boston direly needs size and has to take a chance here.

22. Boston Celtics (via 40-26 Los Angeles Clippers): Andrew Nicholson, PF, St. Bonaventure

Even if Kevin Garnett doesn’t elect to take his talents elsewhere, the C’s are going to need a lengthy PF with a mid-range game and a defensive mindset to replace him. Nicholson fits the bill.

23. Atlanta Hawks (40-26): Arnett Moultrie, PF, Mississippi State

Moultrie is a great rebounder with great athleticism. If the Hawks eventually decide to deal Josh Howard, he’d be a great pick here. 

24. Cleveland Cavaliers (via 41-25 Los Angeles Lakers):  Doron Lamb, SG, Kentucky

Lamb proved during the NCAA tournament that he would take and make all the big shots. The Cavaliers need a solid 2 to pair with Kyrie in the backcourt and Lamb is the best available in this mock.

25. Memphis Grizzlies (41-25): Tony Wroten, PG/SG, Washington

Wroten has to work on his leadership skills and has one of the worst jumpers in the class. Besides that, his size and court vision are solid, and he’s worth the risk at No. 25.

26. Indiana Pacers (42-24):  Marquis Teague, PG, Kentucky

Teague excels at pushing the fast break and getting teammates involved with alley-oops and easy transition buckets. Indiana has a nice supporting cast, and he could run the second unit.

27. Miami Heat (46-20): Fab Melo, C, Syracuse

Melo’s stock is severely hurt right now, but he could make up for it at the combine and during workouts. Miami is hoping the big man falls this far, as they have some terrible centers on their roster.

28. Oklahoma City Thunder (47-19): Draymond Green, SF, Michigan State

Green’s ability to play both forward positions is useful, as well as his commitment to making his teammates better and winning. The Thunder love players like this.

29. Chicago Bulls (50-16): John Jenkins, SG, Vanderbilt 

Rip Hamilton’s injury woes are a major reason why Chicago should go with an experienced 2 this late in the draft. Jenkins is a senior with a sweet shot that makes perfect sense on this roster.

30. Golden State Warriors (via 50-16 San Antonio Spurs): Jeffery Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt

Taylor can score, play defense and is one of the better athletes in the draft. Golden State would be happy if he slid to the end of the first round.