NBA Mock Draft 2012: Early Predictions for All 30 First-Round Picks

The 2012 NBA Draft is soon approaching, and many NBA organizations are doing extensive homework right now on tons of draft prospects.

Many teams will be striving to find great players—some will succeed, some will fail and still others will fall somewhere in the middle. That's the way each draft is and has to be.

I'm going to give early predictions for every first round pick and explain why.

Possible trades of picks are not taken into account.

1. New Orleans Hornets: Anthony Davis

Anthony Davis is the best player in this draft.

The New Orleans Hornets have the first pick in this draft.

That's really all you need to know.

2. Charlotte Bobcats: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist's effort on the floor and character off the floor makes him the best player available for the Charlotte Bobcats. As a team who needs a desperate change of character, MKG makes perfect sense with his high-energy motor and team-first mentality.

3. Washington Wizards: Bradley Beal

The Washington Wizards will take whoever is left between Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Bradley Beal. MKG will be gone already in my opinion.

The Wizards don't have a starting shooting guard that can bring the same type of play that Beal could. At 6'5", Beal has great size for the two spot and is a very good outside shooter.

4. Cleveland Cavaliers: Harrison Barnes

According to Sam Amick of SI, the Cleveland Cavaliers are eyeing Harrison Barnes with their No. 4 pick. While Barnes isn't the best player on the board at this point, he is the best fit as Cleveland needs a wing scorer to complement Kyrie Irving.

5. Sacramento Kings: Thomas Robinson

Thomas Robinson is one of the most NBA-ready players in this draft. An explosive athlete who actually found out what it was like to be an upperclassman, Robinson was productive in college and he'll be a great complement to DeMarcus Cousins down low.

6. Portland Trail Blazers (via Nets): Andre Drummond

Franchise centers are extremely rare in today's NBA, so when a team thinks a guy could become one, they'll go after him.

Portland proved this when it drafted Greg Oden, and it will do the same again with Andre Drummond.

Drummond is the most athletic big man in the draft, and, even though he's raw, he could become a great companion to LaMarcus Aldridge in the front court.

7. Golden State Warriors: Terrence Jones

Despite his stock falling somewhat since he first entered the college ranks, Terrence Jones is still an elite prospect.

At 6'8" and 244 pounds, Jones is athletic and has huge upside as a four man in the NBA. He could help the Warriors become a much better defensive club.

8. Toronto Raptors: Jeremy Lamb

Jeremy Lamb is the second-best shooting guard in this draft class, and he could become a star if motivated correctly by whatever team gets him.

Toronto needs a player who can get his own shot and score—if Lamb can learn to play harder, he can be that guy.

9. Detroit Pistons: John Henson

The Detroit Pistons need a defensive, athletic big man to join Greg Monroe in their front court.

The ideal situation for them would be to draft up for Andre Drummond, but that appears unlikely. John Henson would be the best choice in this spot, as he is an athletic player who defends and blocks shots.

His biggest downside is his size; although he's 6'10", he only weighs 210 pounds.

10. New Orleans Hornets: Kendall Marshall

With their second pick, the New Orleans Hornets need a point guard.

Considering that their team will probably have both Anthony Davis and Eric Gordon, the Hornets will need a point who can distribute and not be the focal point of the offense.

Kendall Marshall can be good immediately in that role. He knows how to run an offense and has elite size for his position.

11. Portland Trail Blazers: Damian Lillard

Damian Lillard can do a lot of things from the point guard position. Considering it's a position that Portland needs help at, Lillard will be the best option at this point in the draft. He isn't a true point, but that isn't necessarily what they need.

12. Milwaukee Bucks: Tyler Zeller

The Bucks traded away Andrew Bogut for Monta Ellis at the trade deadline this past season and are really lacking a true center to play with.

With Ellis and Brandon Jennings in the backcourt, the team really doesn't need any help offensively. Zeller offers much-needed defensive help.

13. Phoenix Suns: Perry Jones III

Perry Jones III may want to play the three like he did in college, but he'd be a perfect four in an offensive system like Phoenix has with Steve Nash at the point. His ability to hit the outside shot and his athleticism would make the perfect combination, especially with Nash getting him the best possible shots.

14. Houston Rockets: Meyers Leonard

Meyers Leonard is pretty raw, but he has the upside to possibly become the best center of this draft class in a few years. He's a legit 7-footer and can play defense. He's also shown some ability to score.

The Rockets need a center, and a young option like Leonard could make them a serious contender in a few years.

15. Philadelphia 76ers: Terrence Ross

The Sixers need three-point shooting really, really badly. Terrence Ross can fill that need immediately, and his 6'6" size is very good for a shooting guard. He'll be the best option for the team's development moving forward.

16. Houston Rockets: Arnett Moultrie

Arnett Moultrie could become a natural fit for the Rockets next to Meyers Leonard in the frontcourt. As one of the best offensive front court players in this class, Moultrie can stretch the floor with his jumper and score down low.

17. Dallas Mavericks: Dion Waiters

Dion Waiters is a pretty good combo guard who can get his own shot and be a true scorer. Whether the Mavericks get Deron Williams or not, Waiters can help the team off the bench or as a starter. He'll be especially helpful if Williams goes elsewhere.

18. Minnesota Timberwolves: Austin Rivers

The Timberwolves need a player at the shooting guard the most, and Austin Rivers is a good value at this point in the draft. He is a good scorer and shooter, and playing with Ricky Rubio should help him get better.

19. Orlando Magic: Jared Sullinger

This is lower than most have projected Jared Sullinger to go in this year's draft, but he'll fall this far regardless, mainly because of his lack of elite athleticism and the needs of certain teams.

Pairing Sullinger with Dwight Howard could take some offensive pressure off the latter, as Sullinger is very polished in the post. Howard could also help mask Sullinger's athletic deficiency, making the two a great pair.

20. Denver Nuggets: Marquis Teague

Say what you want about Marquis Teague. The fact is that the guy led a very talented squad to a national championship. He probably should have stayed at Kentucky another year, but he's still a great value at this pick, especially for Denver who will lose Andre Miller in free agency.

21. Boston Celtics: Moe Harkless

The Boston Celtics will soon begin their rebuilding project. Players with potentially big upside like Moe Harkless will be key in that project. Harkless is a Trevor Ariza type, only he has the potential to be better.

22. Boston Celtics: Andrew Nicholson

Two picks in a row is rare, but the Boston Celtics have just that. Andrew Nicholson could be the biggest gem in this draft. He's a very skilled post player who can stretch the floor. He has the potential to help Boston immediately and in the long term.

23. Atlanta Hawks: Tony Wroten Jr.

The Atlanta Hawks need a point guard, and even though their pick isn't in a good spot for the point, Tony Wroten Jr. will still be available. Wroten is a big, athletic point who can get to the basket. His outside shot is lacking, but you aren't going to get a complete player at this stage of the draft (usually).

24. Cleveland Cavaliers: Fab Melo

The Cleveland Cavaliers will need help at the five going forward, and Fab Melo should be available at this point in the draft. Having Anderson Varejao a bit longer will give Melo time to develop for the Cavs.

25. Memphis Grizzlies: Evan Fournier

The Memphis Grizzlies have pretty much everything they need on their roster to win right now. In an American-heavy draft, Evan Fournier is the top Euro prospect. He's a 6'7" shooting guard and will probably be stashed by the Grizzlies in Europe for a few years.

26. Indiana Pacers: Quincy Miller

Quincy Miller was projected to be a Top 10 pick by many heading into his freshman season at Baylor. He's fallen quite a bit, but that doesn't mean the talent isn't there. He can really bolster the Pacers' bench going forward.

27. Miami Heat: Draymond Green

Draymond Green is a high-character forward who makes his whole team better on and off the floor. The Miami Heat could use more hard-working players, and Green could become a valuable role player sooner rather than later.

28. Oklahoma City Thunder: Royce White

Royce White would be a Top 15 pick just based on his basketball abilities alone. However, concerns about his anxiety disorder may scare away some teams and have made him a bit of a risk. The Thunder are known for getting good players late in the draft (ever heard of Serge Ibaka?), and they'll do it again with White.

29. Chicago Bulls: Doron Lamb

The Chicago Bulls need a shooting guard that can take the pressure off of Derrick Rose. With his three-point shooting and ball-handling abilities, Doron Lamb is the ideal candidate.

Lamb is a very good scorer who got overshadowed by his teammates at Kentucky. He's a steal with this pick in the draft.

30. Golden State Warriors: Jeff Taylor

Jeff Taylor is a great athlete at 6'7" and 225 pounds. He can shoot pretty well from range and has lockdown defensive potential. The Warriors need defensive and Taylor can answer the call.