2012 NBA Mock Draft: Best Fit for Every NBA Team
Addressing needs on a roster is the most important thing a franchise can do in the NBA draft.
In 2012, almost every team has at least one glaring flaw and many will hope to fill that hole with a prospect in the draft class.
Let’s take a look at which players would fit in nicely with each organization in the latest first-round mock draft.
1. New Orleans Hornets (21-45): Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky
Davis makes perfect sense for a team that direly needs a superstar after losing Chris Paul. He’s highly skilled, highly marketable and will rescue this franchise.
2. Charlotte Bobcats (7-59): Bradley Beal, SG, Florida
Beal is the best offensive prospect in this draft. He might not be the big man or 3 that the Bobcats truly lack skill at, but he’s going to be a future star. They can’t afford to pass on someone who will be able to shoulder the scoring load for years to come.
3. Washington Wizards (20-46): Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, Kentucky
MKG is arguably the second-best player in this draft after Davis. He gives 100 percent effort on every play and is one of the most skilled finishers around the rim. He’s got to work on his offense, but he’ll have a great career.
4. Cleveland Cavaliers (21-45): Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina
Barnes is a gifted scorer that fills a huge need for the Cavs. Kyrie Irving is their leader and now they need a guy to drain buckets and take some pressure off the Rookie of the Year. The UNC SF will be perfect.
5. Sacramento Kings (22-44): Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas
Robinson represents a huge upgrade at the 4 for Sactown, and they cannot afford to pass if he falls this far. He’s one of the best players in the draft and would form a formidable frontcourt with DeMarcus Cousins.
6. Portland Trail Blazers (via 22-44 New Jersey Nets): Andre Drummond, C, UConn
Drummond will go this high because of his size and ceiling. He didn’t prove much on the court in college and has a lot of work to do if he’s going to become a productive big man.
7. Golden State Warriors (23-43): Perry Jones III, PF, Baylor
PJ3 has insane skills but a limited motor. He’s got to want to dominate if he is ever even going to get a chance to. If he does decide to play hard on every possession, this kid will be a bona fide stud.
8. Toronto Raptors (23-43): Austin Rivers, SG, Duke
The Raptors need to land a prospect that can score from anywhere on the floor. Rivers has insane range, the ability to get to the basket and great ball skills. He’s got to work on moving without it and finding ways to come off screens better to truly be elite.
9. Detroit Pistons (25-41): Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State
Sullinger isn’t the most athletic guy and he plays below the rim. However, he’s a sound scorer in the low post and has a knack for coming up with a rebound. Detroit could use him next to Greg Monroe in the paint.
10. New Orleans Hornets (via 26-40 Minnesota Timberwolves): Kendall Marshall, PG, North Carolina
Marshall is the best passer in the draft and has incredible size for the position. He doesn’t have much of a jumper and isn’t a true threat to score, but he’s capable of running an offense that was stagnant for much of last season from Day 1.
11. Portland Trail Blazers (28-38): Terrence Jones, F, Kentucky
The Blazers are going to try and hit a home run with this pick. They need a legit star with Brandon Roy’s retirement and Jones has a chance to become one. He’s got to get more focused and become more consistent first.
12. Milwaukee Bucks (31-35): Tyler Zeller, C, North Carolina
Zeller is a low-upside big that immediately fills Milwaukee’s most pressing need for size after they traded Andrew Bogut at the deadline.
13. Phoenix Suns (33-33): Damian Lillard, G, Weber State
Lillard is an incredibly talented scorer, but he might not be able to run an offense at the NBA level. He seems like he’ll carve a career out as an undersized 2 that finds a way to get his numbers. Phoenix doesn’t have enough reliable scorers.
14. Houston Rockets (34-32): Terrence Ross, G, Washington
Ross has been rising up draft boards as more scouts get a look at him. He can do everything required from the position and has good size and athleticism to play it. Houston should look to trade Kevin Martin sooner than later if they make this selection.
15. Philadelphia 76ers (35-31): John Henson, PF, North Carolina
Henson is a lengthy, athletic 4 that fits perfectly in Philly’s system. They need to start grooming a replacement for Elton Brand immediately, and Henson should be it.
16. Houston Rockets (via 36-20 New York Knicks): Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois
The Rockets have to find a big man to develop, as they have not had a solid center since Yao Ming retired. It’ll be interesting to see if Leonard is a D-league goon or someone that can actually play some defense and score some points down low.
17. Dallas Mavericks (36-30): Quincy Miller, SF, Baylor
Miller took far too many jumpers during his freshman year at Baylor, but he was recovering from a high school ACL injury and probably not feeling comfortable back on the court. If he’s fully healthy, this pick will be a steal for the aging Mavs.
18. Minnesota Timberwolves (via 36-30 Utah Jazz): Jeremy Lamb, SG, UConn
Lamb must get more motivated and have a desire to harness his incredible talents if he wants to stick around in the NBA. He’s too good to fall this far, but his complacency will cost him.
19. Orlando Magic (37-29): Dion Waiters, SG, Syracuse
Waiters is one of the better players in this class, but his upside isn’t that great. He’s exceptional at attacking the basket, has a solid mid-range game and isn’t afraid to run the point when necessary, but he has to show he can improve.
20. Denver Nuggets (38-28): Moe Harkless, SF, St. John's
Harkless is a super-athletic player with a ton of upside. He’s got to fix his jumper if he wants to see the floor as a rookie on a deep Denver team.
21. Boston Celtics (39-27): Royce White, PF, Iowa State
White has an anxiety disorder and a fear of flying, which is a red flag for many teams. If he can overcome these, he’s a steal and would be worthy of a top-ten pick.
22. Boston Celtics (via 40-26 Los Angeles Clippers): Andrew Nicholson, PF, St. Bonaventure
Nicholson spent four years honing his game with the Bonnies and deserves to go in the first-round of the NBA draft because of his work. He’s developed a mid-range game, solid defense and a knack for rebounding. The C’s definitely need those things from a young big.
23. Atlanta Hawks (40-26): Arnett Moultrie, PF, Mississippi State
Moultrie is a crazy athletic forward that can rebound, score and run the floor. He’ll inject some energy into a Hawks team that seems lethargic at times.
24. Cleveland Cavaliers (via 41-25 Los Angeles Lakers): Doron Lamb, SG, Kentucky
Lamb proved his mettle during the 2012 NCAA tournament and is one of the better 2-guards available at this pick. The Cavs would love to pair him with Kyrie in the backcourt.
25. Memphis Grizzlies (41-25): Tony Wroten, PG/SG, Washington
Wroten’s size, vision and passing ability are great for the PG position, but he’s got the worst jumper of any prospect in the class and supposedly isn’t a great teammate. If he can fix those latter two problems, he’ll be a solid player.
26. Indiana Pacers (42-24): Marquis Teague, PG, Kentucky
Teague is going to be a catch for a deep team looking for a PG to use with their second unit. He’s a high-energy guy that facilitates fast breaks.
27. Miami Heat (46-20): Fab Melo, C, Syracuse
Melo could be a huge upgrade at the center position in Miami. They currently struggle greatly at the 5 and need a high-upside big to install in the paint.
28. Oklahoma City Thunder (47-19): Draymond Green, SF, Michigan State
Green can rebound, shoot the three and play defense well. He’s a bit of a tweener, but he’ll find his way onto a roster.
29. Chicago Bulls (50-16): John Jenkins, SG, Vanderbilt
Jenkins is one of the better shooters in the draft. Chicago has struggled terribly with SG play during the D-Rose era and has to hope he will pan out.
30. Golden State Warriors (via 50-16 San Antonio Spurs): Jeffery Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt
The Vandy product is a great athlete and solid defender. Couple those things with his jumper and he’s not falling out of the first round.
