2012 NBA Mock Draft: Prospects Who Would Be Headed into Perfect Situations

The New Orleans Hornets need a marketable young player, and Austin Rivers is the most marketable player in the draft. He's a second-generation player, he went to Duke, he was popular as a collegiate player and he can put the ball in the basket.

He's potentially the perfect young player to pair with Anthony Davis moving forward.

As good as Eric Gordon is, he doesn't have the appeal that Rivers would commercially. In this day and age it's all about swag, and Sub Zero has that quality. Besides that, the Hornets may not be able to retain Gordon. He is a restricted free agent and he's sure to receive a lot of attention from other NBA teams.

If he bolts, the Hornets will need a scoring 2-guard even more. Even if the Hornets keep Gordon, Rivers would be a nice scorer off the bench. If Rivers lands in New Orleans with the No. 10 pick it would be a perfect situation.

There are other players that could find themselves in the ideal spot if my mock draft holds true. Let's take a closer look at those players within a full first-round mock draft.

(Spotlighted players and teams will be italicized.)

Combine numbers from ESPN

1. New Orleans Hornets: Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky  (scouting report here)

Davis is locked in at No. 1. The question now is who will his teammates be? The Hornets need perimeter scoring if they plan to have a noticeable improvement from last season.

2. Charlotte Bobcats: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, Kentucky (scouting report here)

MKG has to be hoping the Bobcats trade this pick, as it's rumored they are exploring (h/t Kurt Helin of Pro Basketball Talk). He couldn't be happy about being selected by Charlotte. Yes he'll be rich, but he'll be doomed to losing for the foreseeable future.

3. Washington Wizards: Andre Drummond, C, UConn (scouting report here)

Drummond has as much physical ability as anyone in the draft. He would fit in so well with the Wizards. They don't have a ball-dominator on the outside. John Wall is a willing passer and the team excels in transition.

Drummond would be in an environment with a lead guard that tries to get him the ball, and plays a tempo that lends itself to his athletic gifts.

This kid has a lot to prove, and Washington would be a great place for him to do it.

4. Cleveland Cavaliers: Bradley Beal, SG, Florida (scouting report here)

The Cavs need a 2-guard or a small forward. Beal is a little short for the 2-guard position in my opinion, but he is a solid shooter.

5. Sacramento Kings: Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas (scouting report here)

Robinson seems eager to get his career started, and it's not just about the money. This kid is a competitor, and that's just what the Kings need. He has the personality and inner-drive to step in and claim this team.

It may lead to some chemistry issues at first, but the Kings would be wise to let his influence take over. He will score and rebound from day one, and he has great work ethic.

Sacramento is a place he can make an outstanding mark. Look at how he handles himself in this redraft interview:

6. Portland Trail Blazers (from Brooklyn Nets): Damian Lillard, PG, Weber State (scouting report here) 

The Blazers need help at both backcourt positions and Lillard looks like a dynamic player. He will probably never be a traditional point guard, but he doesn't need to be.

He is a great shooter with a quick first-step and the ability to get to the line. 

Imagining him in the pick-and-roll with LaMarcus Aldridge should have Blazers' fans excited.

7. Golden State Warriors: Perry Jones III, SF, Baylor (scouting report here) 

PJ3 is a unique talent that needs to be allowed to play on the perimeter. He's 6'11" so most teams will want him to play in the post, but that isn't his game. If he gets a chance to play small forward he'll be special.

8. Toronto Raptors: Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina (scouting report here)

Barnes is one of the safest players in the draft. Most know what to expect from him, but expectations aren't for him to be spectacular.

9. Detroit Pistons: Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State (scouting report here)

This is way too high for Sullinger in my opinion, but I do believe that he and Greg Monroe are a decent fit. That said, the Pistons could probably trade down if they want Sullinger.

10. New Orleans Hornets (from Minnesota): Austin Rivers, SG, Duke (scouting report here)

Rivers and Davis would give the Hornets a great young nucleus and a huge buzz heading into next season. It would be an amazing turnaround for this franchise.

This doesn't just make sense from a commercial standpoint, it also makes basketball sense. If a team is rebuilding, starting with a talented young big and a talented young guard is ideal.

I believe it's possible because it seems Rivers has received a lottery promise from someone (this also per Kurt Helin of Pro Basketball Talk). I believe his lottery promise more than anyone. It isn't likely someone is going to lie to Doc Rivers' son.

11. Portland Trail Blazers: Dion Waiters, SG, Syracuse (scouting report here)

Waiters also seems to have received a lottery promise. Rick Bonnell of The Charlotte Observer reports that Waiters has pulled out of all workouts. Generally a prospect would do that once he has received a promise from someone. 

The Blazers could be that team, and if they are they could fill both backcourt positions in this draft.

12. Milwaukee Bucks: John Henson, PF/C, North Carolina

Henson's style and defensive prowess would make him a great fit for the Bucks. Scott Skiles likes defensive big men, but he'll also appreciate a kid with extended collegiate experience.

It should be even more attractive that he played for a major program like North Carolina. Henson could be a part of the Bucks primary rotation early on.

13. Phoenix Suns: Kendall Marshall, PG, North Carolina (scouting report here)

There isn't a better landing spot for Marshall in the draft. The Suns will likely need a point guard as I expect Steve Nash to bolt in free agency. Marshall is the best pure point guard in the draft.

He could and should start from day one on this team. He is an attractive point guard for wing players, and his style should lend itself to luring players through free agency.

14. Houston Rockets: Arnett Moultrie, PF/C, Mississippi State (scouting report here)

Moultrie is an athletic young big man with a scorer's mentality. He needs to work on his defensive game to become a more complete player.

15. Philadelphia 76ers: Terrence Ross, SG, Washington (scouting report here)

Ross is one of my sleepers in this draft. In my opinion he's the second best shooting guard prospect behind Austin Rivers. He's athletic and has the ability to become a very capable defender.

  

16. Houston Rockets (from N.Y. Knicks): Tyler Zeller, C, North Carolina (scouting report here)

One of the few traditional center-types in the draft. He needs to add strength, but he has a great motor and a good basketball IQ.

17. Dallas Mavericks: Jeremy Lamb, SG, UConn (scouting report here)

Lamb has the talent to be a top-10 pick, but he looks like a bust to me. He doesn't seem plugged in to the seriousness of the pre-draft process and that makes me wonder. I don't want to be unfair to him, after all he is just a kid, but this interview does nothing to help the perception that you don't have a motor:

18. Minnesota Timberwolves (from Utah): Terrence Jones, SF, Kentucky (scouting report here)

Jones needs to play the SF spot in the NBA. I could see that he would be over-matched in most situations at the power forward spot when I watched the NBA Combine workouts.

That said he can overpower many small forwards and he can shoot the three.

19. Orlando Magic: Jeffery Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt

I love Taylor's game. He defends, he's strong and I think he has the ability to become a decent spot-up jump shooter.

20. Denver Nuggets: Moe Harkless, SF, St. John's

Harkless may be on the rise. He is a great athlete whose frame makes him look like a potential lockdown defender. The Nuggets could be getting a steal if he falls here.

21. Boston Celtics: Royce White, PF, Iowa State (scouting report here)

White is very talented, but a risky pick because of his anxiety disorder. I think he needs strong leadership, and Rivers is the type of coach that fits that description.

22. Boston Celtics: Fab Melo, C, Syracuse

The Celtics need size to improve their anemic rebounding. Melo is a legit center and he rebounds and protects the rim.

23. Atlanta Hawks: Tony Wroten Jr. Washington

Wroten has perhaps the most boom or bust potential of anyone in the draft. If it's not him, he's in a close race with PJ3 and Drummond. At 6'5" with legit point guard skills he is intriguing. But he makes questionable decisions with the ball, and he can't shoot a lick.

24. Cleveland Cavaliers (from L.A. Lakers): Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois (scouting report here)

A true seven-footer with good athleticism. He isn't NBA-ready, but in a year or two he'll be able to give a team quality minutes in the middle.

25. Memphis Grizzlies: Evan Fournier, SG, France

The top-rated international prospect in the draft this season is Fournier. He is a solid scorer, but he isn't terribly athletic. The Grizzlies would do well to take him and allow him to develop for two years before bringing him over.

26. Indiana Pacers: Quincy Miller, SF, Baylor

Miller has talent, but he needed a little more time in school to refine his game. The Pacers could take him and give him some time to develop. He could be incentive to possibly move Danny Granger.

27. Miami Heat: Festus Ezeli, C, Vanderbilt

The Heat have to get a shot-blocker or some kind of interior presence on defense. If they lose to the Thunder in the NBA Finals that deficiency will be the reason.

Ezeli isn't a mega-star waiting to happen, but he is an active body. At 6'11" with the ability to block shots he could be a great pick for the Heat.

28. Oklahoma City Thunder: Draymond Green, SF, Michigan State 

The Thunder need to start thinking about a backup to help limit some of Kevin Durant's minutes. Green fits the culture and he's versatile.

29. Chicago Bulls: John Jenkins, SG, Vanderbilt

The Bulls still need a 2-guard and Jenkins may be the best shooter in the draft. They could go with him here, but they need a player who can create his own offense. I'm not sure Jenkins can do that.

30. Golden State Warriors (from San Antonio): Marquis Teague, PG, Kentucky

Teague could provide reserve minutes or he could be a safety net in the event Stephen Curry's ankle acts up next season.

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