NBA Mock Draft 2012: Updated Landing Spots for Top NBA Prospects
The closer we get to June 28's NBA draft, the more plots are beginning to thicken. A number of rumors have begun swirling around these selections, including some of the most premium lottery picks.
In other words, be prepared to forget everything you thought you knew about this draft and the probabilities associated with each prospect's landing spot. Chances are there will be far fewer draft-day deals than current chatter suggests, but there will also be some moves that no one is expecting at the moment.
That's what keeps things interesting.
Given how many draft positions remain up in the air, here's a look at where some of the very best prospects may—or may not—be headed.
1. New Orleans Hornets: Anthony Davis, PF (Kentucky)
With Chris Kaman and Carl Landry free agents this summer, the opportunity to grab Davis couldn't have come at a better time. Even if New Orleans holds on to one or both of those guys, Davis would provide a significant improvement, especially on the defensive end.
2. Charlotte Bobcats: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF (Kentucky)
Unless the Bobcats wind up moving this pick, MKG is their best chance to change a losing culture into one with a chance to actually compete. It may not happen overnight, but Kidd-Gilchrist has the kind of intangibles that help turn struggling teams around.
He'll also add a much-needed defensive presence to a wing currently manned by the declining Corey Maggette and offense-oriented Gerald Henderson. Kidd-Gilchrist will make the Bobcats' perimeter a far less inviting place.
3. Washington Wizards: Thomas Robinson, PF (Kansas)
The Wizards need a power forward, but they need a born difference-maker even more. Point guard John Wall has tons of talent, but Robinson is the guy who can really change a team's identity with his grit and leadership. He also happens to be a ridiculously skilled scorer, and that certainly won't hurt.
4. Cleveland Cavaliers: Bradley Beal, SG (Florida)
The Cavaliers may be looking to trade this pick, according to Hoopsworld's Alex Kennedy:
"Cleveland and Portland have talked about swapping draft picks, according to source. Cavs would get #6 and #11, Blazers would get #4 and #24.
— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) June 10, 2012"
In that event, Cleveland might miss out on a couple of ideal fits, but it would have an additional lottery selection that would likely add some talent to the starting lineup. For a team still early into its rebuilding process, that's not a bad idea.
If the Cavaliers hold on to the pick, though, Beal would give rising star Kyrie Irving another premium option with tons of All-Star potential. He won't fall past this spot, but he very well could be selected as high as the second pick.
5. Sacramento Kings: Harrison Barnes, SF (North Carolina)
The Kings could go in a couple of different directions. They might decide to take the prospect with the most upside, or perhaps the best option to fall outside of the top four picks. That might mean someone like Drummond or Jones.
Alternatively, Sacramento could go the safe route and pick Barnes. Calling Barnes "safe" is a bit misleading. It's not as though he doesn't have All-Star potential. He has some similarities to Luol Deng in that he'll hit spot-up jumpers and play aggressive (but smart) defense.
6. Portland Trail Blazers (from Brooklyn Nets): Andre Drummond, C (UConn)
Portland needs a legitimate seven-footer who can spare LaMarcus Aldridge the task of guarding opposing centers. Drummond definitely has the height, but he also has the frame and athleticism to get that job done.
Even if it takes him some times to improve his consistency and post moves, he should be worth the wait. From the start, he should be capable of attacking the glass, altering shots and exploding to the rim when he gets the opportunity.
7. Golden State Warriors: Perry Jones III, PF (Baylor)
As solid as David Lee is in the starting lineup, there's no chance he's about to expand his game and become a superstar at this point in his career. Jones could use some time to develop behind Lee, but he has one of the best chances of anyone in this draft to become a superstar.
Jones is big enough to guard power forwards and centers, and he's athletic enough to spend some time on the wing as well. As he learns how to utilize his physical tools, he could eventually prove he should have been selected immediately after Anthony Davis.
8. Toronto Raptors: Jeremy Lamb, SG (UConn)
Lamb is an All-Star waiting to happen. He's a smart player who can shoot from anywhere. That's something in short supply in Toronto. The lanky scorer would instantly improve the Raptors' offense and give the organization a guy who's truly capable of taking games over when he reaches his full potential.
9. Detroit Pistons: Terrence Jones, SF (Kentucky)
Don't judge Jones on the basis of his uneven scoring at Kentucky. He does a lot of other things well. The Pistons could use that kind of versatility. With an inexperienced point guard and a lack of interior athleticism, Jones' ability to pass the ball on one end of the floor and block shots on the other could pay huge dividends.
10. New Orleans Hornets (via Minnesota Timberwolves): Damian Lillard, PG (Weber State)
For all the attention New Orleans will get on account of drafting Anthony Davis, its second lottery pick could be almost as important. There should be plenty of talent left at this point in the lottery, and a dynamic scorer like Lillard may be the best guy left.
11. Portland Trail Blazers: Kendall Marshall, PG (North Carolina)
Assuming this pick hasn't been traded to Cleveland, Portland will likely use it to meet the second of its major needs: a point guard. Marshall fits that bill in the truest sense of the term. He's a distributor who's perfectly happy to put his own scoring on the back burner.
12. Milwaukee Bucks: Tyler Zeller, C (North Carolina)
Zeller may not generate much fanfare, but he's an underrated option, especially for a team that needs a starting center—like the Bucks. He'll make for a surprisingly skilled rookie.
13. Phoenix Suns: Austin Rivers, G (Duke)
In a lot of drafts, Rivers would go a bit higher than this. It's hard to pass guys up that seem to have shooting ability in their DNA. Fortunately for teams like the Suns, this is a deep draft.
14. Houston Rockets: John Henson, PF (North Carolina)
Henson may never become an elite scorer, but we've seen athletic shot-blockers like Serge Ibaka develop reliable mid-range games. If Henson can do the same, he'd be a great fit behind the far less mobile Luis Scola.
15. Philadelphia 76ers: Terrence Ross, SG (Washington)
As exciting as Ross's scoring ability is, he's also a solid defender. Philly needs a well-rounded shooting guard next to Jrue Holiday, and Ross would be an ideal fit if he's still available—which is anything but certain.
16. Houston Rockets (via New York Knicks): Dion Waiters, G (Syracuse)
Waiters can get to the basket and cause all sorts of damage. He'd give Houston a backup plan if it loses either Goran Dragic or Courtney Lee, both free agents this summer.
17. Dallas Mavericks: Jared Sullinger, PF (Ohio State)
Sullinger has the talent to be a lottery pick but the size that so often causes guys to slip—fair or not. He'd be a welcome find for the Mavericks, who don't have anything close to Sullinger in the post.
18. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Utah Jazz): Arnett Moultrie, PF (Mississippi St.)
Minnesota needs some depth behind Kevin Love and Nikola Pekovic, especially in the event free agent Anthony Randolph looks for more playing time elsewhere. Moultrie could replace Randolph and give the Timberwolves some insurance down low.
19. Orlando Magic: Meyers Leonard, C (Illinois)
The Magic really can't go wrong with this pick, so long as it isn't a bust. Orlando is so lacking for youth that just about anyone under 22 years old is pretty appealing. Where better to start than with an explosive young center who could one day help fill in for Dwight Howard?
20. Denver Nuggets: Tony Wroten Jr., PG/SG (Washington)
Wroten has Rodney Stuckey written all over him. He's a natural slasher who could become a legitimate scorer with an improved mid-range game. For now, he's a project. Eventually, he could look like a steal though.
21. Boston Celtics: Quincy Miller, SF (Baylor)
The Celtics don't have much athleticism on the bench (or in the starting lineup, for that matter), so Miller and his 7'1" wingspan would look pretty good behind Paul Pierce at the moment.
22. Boston Celtics (via Los Angeles Clippers): Fab Melo, C (Syracuse)
The Celtics' picks aren't good enough to give the team much immediate help, but one of them should be used on a big man who can fill Boston's void at the center position. Melo and Festus Ezeli will probably be the best options left, unless Meyers Leonard falls this far.
23. Atlanta Hawks: Jeff Taylor, SF (Vanderbilt)
Taylor may still have some work to do on his perimeter shooting and offensive skills, but he's an incredibly good on-ball defender with the potential to become a more well-rounded player. He may not be a perfect fit for the Hawks' needs, but he'd instantly improve the bench.
24. Cleveland Cavaliers (from Los Angeles Lakers): Moe Harkless, SF (St. John's)
This pick hinges on a number of contingencies. The Cavaliers might not even keep this pick, and they also might opt to pick a small forward sooner in the draft. Given the draft order's current configuration, though, Harkless would be the best chance Cleveland has of upgrading its assets at the small forward position.
25. Memphis Grizzlies: Evan Fournier, SG (France)
Memphis doesn't have many needs to speak of, but the endless trade chatter surrounding Rudy Gay might make a smooth shooter like Fournier a wise investment. He wouldn't be ready to start right away, but he could become an important piece of the rotation down the road.
26. Indiana Pacers: Draymond Green, F (Michigan St.)
Unless Harkless is still on the board, Green will probably be the best forward available. Given that Indiana already has depth in the backcourt, a forward like Green would be the perfect backup for Danny Granger.
27. Miami Heat: Festus Ezeli, C (Vanderbilt)
The Heat clearly don't need a whole lot, but they still need a legitimate center—at least to play some spot minutes. Ezeli is a big kid with a huge wingspan, and he could alter plenty of shots for Miami.
28. Oklahoma City Thunder: Andrew Nicholson, PF (St. Bonaventure)
Nicholson has good size and great hands for a big man. His ability to score from mid-range makes him an excellent candidate to give a contender some bench help.
29. Chicago Bulls: Marquis Teague, PG (Kentucky)
Out of all the prospects likely to go late in the first round, Teague may have the best shot of becoming a regular NBA starter. He knows how to run a successful offense, and that could become a useful asset until Derrick Rose finds his way back on the floor.
30. Golden State Warriors (via San Antonio Spurs): Royce White, SF/PF (Iowa State)
Andrew Bogut and Stephen Curry could become one of the league's best inside-outside combinations, and White could fit somewhere in between if he can adapt his tweener game to the NBA.
