2012 NBA Mock Draft: Steals Your Team Can Get Their Hands on
The only thing better than having premium draft position is winding up with an elite prospect even when you don't.
Given this draft's depth, there should be more than a few instances when clubs find themselves in precisely such a situation.
Likely late-lottery picks such as Damian Lillard or Perry Jones III would ordinarily make a strong case to be top-five selections. Meanwhile, guys likely to go late in the first-round like Marquis Teague or Andrew Nicholson might have an outside shot at falling in the lottery in other drafts.
June 28's NBA Draft will obviously be an opportunity for teams at the bottom of the barrel to accelerate their rebuilding—but it will also be a chance for the rest of the teams to get away with some steals. That'll be great news for them, but it could have some of their less lucky counterparts cringing one day.
1. New Orleans Hornets: Anthony Davis, PF (Kentucky)
As much hype as Davis has received over the last few months, it's entirely well deserved. He's got all the physical tools you could want from a future superstar, but he also has the drive to put those tools to good use. If his scoring ability comes along, he'll easily justify this selection. Even if it doesn't, there's no way he's a bust.
2. Charlotte Bobcats: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF (Kentucky)
If the Bobcats hold on to this pick, there's really no way they can go wrong. Outside of Kemba Walker and Bismack Biyombo, Charlotte could use promising youth at just about every other position—but nowhere more so than small forward. MKG would instantly upgrade the wing and give Michael Jordan's club a prospect with superstar potential down the road.
3. Washington Wizards: Thomas Robinson, PF (Kansas)
There's very little not to like about Robinson. Other than the fact that he may have already topped out a bit and doesn't have exceptional size, he's easily one of the best players in this draft—especially when accounting for intangibles. His grit and scoring ability could help transform Washington's front line from day one.
4. Cleveland Cavaliers: Bradley Beal, SG (Florida)
If either MKG or Robinson is still around, they'd make great fits in Cleveland too. But, a scorer like Beal is the perfect complement to Kyrie Irving. If the Cavs go in this direction, they could have the most lethal backcourt around in three years.
5. Sacramento Kings: Harrison Barnes, SF (North Carolina)
The Kings could look for a bit more upside with guys like Andre Drummond or Perry Jones III, but there's no question Sacramento needs a legitimate small forward with size and a mature skill set. Barnes brings both qualities to the table and would allow Tyreke Evans to return to the backcourt, where he's a much better fit.
6. Portland Trail Blazers (from Brooklyn Nets): Andre Drummond, C (UConn)
Drummond isn't a prototypical "steal" at this spot, but he certainly has the upside to land as high as the second-overall pick. He may wind up being this draft's best big man in time, or at least the best one after some guy named Anthony Davis. If Drummond reaches his potential, he could find himself in a league with the likes of Andrew Bynum
Even if he stumbles along the way, Portland is out of options in the middle after Marcus Camby departed this season via a trade to the Houston Rockets. Drummond has excellent size and explosive ability and naturally fits the profile of an NBA center.
7. Golden State Warriors: Perry Jones III, PF (Baylor)
Like Drummond, Jones has the potential to make a few teams regret not drafting him. Also like Drummond, though, it's still uncertain if he has the toughness and mental edge to excel at the NBA level. The one sure thing is this guy has tons of athletic ability and potentially the versatility to play at just about any position along the front line.
8. Toronto Raptors: Jeremy Lamb, SG (UConn)
Lamb has a quintessential scorer's mentality, and he's got the skills to match. He can (and will) shoot from virtually anywhere, and he should be a much better perimeter shooter than DeMar DeRozan.
9. Detroit Pistons: Terrence Jones, SF (Kentucky)
The Pistons may very well opt for an athletic 4 like John Henson (or Perry Jones III if he's still around). Terrence Jones has some special upside though, and he'd make for a perfect replacement to Tayshaun Prince in the next couple of years. Whether Jones is a reach or a steal here depends on who you ask, but he's easily one of the most multidimensional guys in this draft.
10. New Orleans Hornets (via Minnesota Timberwolves): Damian Lillard, PG (Weber State)
The Hornets certainly lucked out by landing the first-overall selection in the draft, but that may not be their only coup. Lillard could go just about anywhere outside the top three picks, but the only team ahead of New Orleans that would be especially interested in a point guard is Portland—a team that needs a center even more.
The Hornets already have a solid PG in Jarrett Jack, but he's not a long-term solution at the position, at least as the starter. And, even if he were, Lillard should develop into a significant upgrade thanks to his exceptional quickness and proficiency at scoring from anywhere on the floor.
11. Portland Trail Blazers: Kendall Marshall, PG (North Carolina)
Marshall may not be as much a steal as Lillard, but he's a very good pass-first floor general who'd fit perfectly into Portland's backcourt. With Raymond Felton almost certainly fated to depart as a free agent, the Trail Blazers should start looking for pieces to replace him.
12. Milwaukee Bucks: Tyler Zeller, C (North Carolina)
With Andrew Bogut now a Golden State Warrior, the Bucks will almost certainly look at guys like Zeller or Meyers Leonard to replace him in the middle. Even if there's better talent on the board, the need for a starting center is too pressing.
13. Phoenix Suns: Austin Rivers, G (Duke)
Don't let Rivers' size and/or lack of point guard instincts deter you. He could be this draft's best scoring guard outside of Bradley Beal. Dion Waiters could also be an option here, but Rivers may have the best long-term chance of becoming a legitimate star.
14. Houston Rockets: John Henson, PF (North Carolina)
There's a decent chance Henson won't be around long enough for the Rockets to take him, but he'd make a perfect backup behind Luis Scola–and likely his eventual replacement. He's a versatile defender who could grow into the next Serge Ibaka thanks to his effectiveness as a shot-blocker and rebounder.
15. Philadelphia 76ers: Terrence Ross, SG (Washington)
Whether Ross actually falls this far is anyone's guess. With guys like Jeremy Lamb, Austin Rivers and Dion Waiters all almost a lock to be selected in the first 20 picks, there's at least a decent chance Ross could slip to a team like Philly or perhaps the Minnesota Timberwolves at the 18 spot. Both clubs need a shooting guard like Ross.
In Philadelphia, Ross would give head coach Doug Collins a legitimate offensive threat at the 2 who can actually hold his own on the defensive end too. Even if free agent sixth man Lou Williams returns, he's undersized and best suited for a role off the bench.
16. Houston Rockets (via New York Knicks): Dion Waiters, G (Syracuse)
Waiters would bring a nice change of pace to the Rockets' backcourt. Whereas Kevin Martin epitomizes a "pure shooter," Waiters is the kind of guy who can put his head down and drive to the basket with no abandon.
17. Dallas Mavericks: Jared Sullinger, PF (Ohio State)
The Mavericks could use some young upgrades at just about every position, but Sullinger is the kind of guy you can't let slip any further. Most mock drafts would have him going somewhere in the lottery, but he just doesn't seem to have the kind of upside and athleticism most teams want in the paint.
Still, he's got plenty of skill and knows how to use his strength and width to compensate for his lack of height. If he can continue to do that at the NBA level, he'd be a huge steal for a club like Dallas.
18. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Utah Jazz): Moe Harkless, SF (St. John's)
The Timberwolves need help at shooting guard, but bringing in a small forward like Harkless might free Wesley Johnson up to spend more minutes in the backcourt. In any event, Harkless would satisfy the TWolves' need for a scorer on the wing.
19. Orlando Magic: Meyers Leonard, C (Illinois)
Leonard is no Dwight Howard, but he may be Orlando's best chance to find a replacement in the event they're unable to do so via trade. He's well-built and plenty explosive, and as he develops his post moves, he should be an above-average starter.
20. Denver Nuggets: Arnett Moultrie, PF (Mississippi St.)
The Nuggets have plenty of youth at just about every position, so, when in doubt, why not take an athletic big guy? Moultrie can score and rebound the ball well, and he'd offer a nice, somewhat bigger alternative to Kenneth Faried.
21. Boston Celtics: Royce White, SF/PF (Iowa State)
This is probably the best spot for white, but his battles with anxiety disorder could unfortunately scare some teams off and cause him to slide. Given Boston's need for a versatile forward off the bench, they might be willing take the gamble though.
22. Boston Celtics (via Los Angeles Clippers): Fab Melo, C (Syracuse)
The only thing the Celtics need more than youth and versatility off the bench is an actual seven-footer. Melo is still raw, but he's big, explosive and can get down the floor.
23. Atlanta Hawks: Tony Wroten Jr., PG/SG (Washington)
Whether free agent Kirk Hinrich returns to Atlanta or not, the Hawks could use a combo-guard who can give Jeff Teague and Joe Johnson a rest. Wroten may struggle to earn a lot of playing time early on, but he has a Rodney Stuckey makeup that would create
24. Cleveland Cavaliers (from Los Angeles Lakers): Jeff Taylor, SF (Vanderbilt)
Whether free agent Alonzo Gee returns or not, the Cavs could use help at the 3. Taylor would give them an exceptional on-ball defender to lock down perimeter scorers.
25. Memphis Grizzlies: Evan Fournier, SG (France)
Barring any major trades, the Grizzlies' rotation is pretty much set. Fournier would give them the flexibility of either adding immediate depth or making a long-term investment in a guy who could contribute down the road.
26. Indiana Pacers: Draymond Green, F (Michigan St.)
Green may not stand out as an elite scorer, but he's a well-rounded wing player who can so all the little things you'd like a role player off the bench to do. He won't challenge Danny Granger for a starting job, but he could still earn meaningful minutes.
27. Miami Heat: Festus Ezeli, C (Vanderbilt)
Even if Fab Melo is still on the board, Ezeli may be the better fit in Miami. He's known for his interior defense, and that's exactly what the Heat need.
28. Oklahoma City Thunder: Andrew Nicholson, PF (St. Bonaventure)
The Thunder would be lucky if Nicholson fell this far, and—in a sense—so would Nicholson. He'd give OKC a different look from Nick Collison thanks to his scoring ability. Collison does a fine job, but he's a fairly one dimensional role player.
Meanwhile, Nicholson can step outside and make plenty of jumpshots much like David West or Zach Randolph. If the Thunder struggle to hold on to Serge Ibaka down the road, bringing in someone like Nicholson would help ease the pain.
29. Chicago Bulls: Marquis Teague, PG (Kentucky)
Teague would certainly be a steal here. This draft may not be deep with exceptional point guards, but Teague is still an above-average prospect with the quickness and intelligence to excel at the pro level. We all saw what we could do in big games with Kentucky.
If Teague starts to slip in this draft, it wouldn't be all that surprising to see the Bulls make a small trade to move up a few spots and ensure they land him. With the risk that Derrick Rose may miss the entirety of next season, finding a young point to help out C.J. Watson (and/or whomever else Chicago acquires) would be a wise move.
30. Golden State Warriors (via San Antonio Spurs): Quincy Miller, SF (Baylor)
Miller may not make an immediate impact, even for a team like Golden State. But, despite his uneven performances at Baylor, he's proven to be extremely effective at times—and he's got some especially nice athleticism.
